Saturday,
December 31, 2011
By Cory K. Doviak
NJS.com Editorial Director
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Freshman Zach Chakonis earned the 220-pound title at the BCCA Holiday Tournament and also scored the winning points for Don Bosco Prep, which won the overall team title. |
SUFFERN – There is pressure enough more a freshman making his first run through the Bergen County Tournament, especially at an upper weight were he is less likely to run up against a fellow underclassmen. Throw in the fact that the team championship was on the line when Don Bosco Prep's Zach Chakonis took center stage in the final match of the night, and it could have been an overwhelming situation. But the pressure never got to Chakonis, who knocked off the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds on his way to the 220-pound final where he grabbed an individual title and a matching one for his team with a 5-2 decision over River Dell's Lenny Smith.
“I just looked at like I am a freshman and I had nothing to lose. I made some noise earlier in the tournament so when I got to the final I just tried to do my best,” said Chakonis. “I was kind of nervous performing in front of my peers with so much on the line, but I got a lot of support from my coaches and my teammates. Everyone helped me out and I appreciated it.”
After a scoreless first period, Smith chose defense and rather than just try to ride out the period and with the match in the third, Chakonis really worked his offensive game. He was never in danger of stalling and almost used a merkle to rack up some back points midway through the second period. He was so close, he tried it again, this time forcing the referee to count off two back points.
Had he gotten out of the second period still scoreless, he would have had a the advantage, but taking the two-point lead gave him the hammer. He escaped to start the third and added a takedown in the final 10 seconds to finish off his impressive through the tournament.
“In the second period I was able to get that merkle in. I was confident with it and I had it in tight and I was trying to get some back points. They didn't give it to me the first time, but I just had to roll with the punches and get after it again,” said Chakonis. “Going into the third period with a lead put me in a good spot, my coaches prepared me for that, and from there I just tried to work a little clock and not do anything stupid. It all worked out in the end.”
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