WINDSOR – The Norwich wrestling team – a state-ranked ninth in DII – traveled south to Windsor for yet another win, while already having locked up the STAC Central division championship.

“I am proud of how the guys have been stepping up in the last weeks competing for the team, not caring how their body feels,” said Norwich head coach Bob Hagenbuch of the perseverance throughout the 2016-2017 season thus far.

On Wednesday, Feb. 1, Norwich started out the always grueling month of February with a win over the Windsor Black Knights at 43-30. This win on the road for the Tornado concluded their regular season with an overall record of 12-4, while going 3-0 in the STAC Central with prior wins over Johnson City, Susquehanna Valley and Owego.

After two semi easy wins in the dual against Windsor – following a double forfeit at 106 pounds – Norwich led the Black Knights 10-0. These wins for Norwich proved huge to their success on the night, as all wins were – as Mikey Squires earned a major decision win over Mike McDaniels at 16-2 for the 113 pound weight; and Eli Rodriguez at 120 pounds stuck Dylan Wilmot at 3:12 for the lead.

That is when things started spiraling out for the Tornado – as they suffered four losses in a row, all by way of pins. Norwich dropped pins at 126 pounds, 132 pounds, 138 pounds, and 145 pounds, resulting in a 24 point swing in favor of the home squad.

The Rifanburg brothers had other plans for the outcome of the dual, as the bleeding was stopped in its tracks when the 152 pound weight rolled around. Ty Rifanburg bumped up to 152 pounds for the dual, only to pin his opponent, Brandon Butler in a fantastic time of 1:03; this was followed up by older brother Cole who wasted no time in earning the pin over Windsor's Alex Quinn at :34 – Norwich still trailed 24-22 at this time.