WRESTLER OF YEAR THREE-PEAT

This is one Hillbilly who prefers Albany over Beverley Hills.In 2008-09, Kenny Betts of Fredonia met all challenges and capped off his five year high school career with a second state title. Along the way, he captured his fifth Section 6 crown, something only one other wrestler has ever accomplished. He set a new state record for pins as well as one for victories.

He can add one more accolade – Post-Journal Wrestler of the Year. It’s the third straight time he’s been so honored, having won previously in 2006-07 and 2007-08, when he was a co-winner with Chris Conti.

As his career shows, he is good at multiple accomplishments. In addition to this year’s crown, Betts won a state title at 135 his sophomore year and was runner up in eighth grade and as a junior. He is the first-ever, four-time state finalist in Section 6 history.

Wrestling mainly at 152 pounds this year, finished 57-3, which is a season record for wins for Section 6.

Coach Alex Conti said, “Kenny is just a goer. He was one of those guys who stepped on the mat and just went.”

Betts’ road wasn’t all easy. In the Class AA final against Southwestern’s John Mistretta, the pair finished regulation tied at 2. After a scoreless one minute overtime, Betts got the winning points in the ride-out sessions.

In the state qualifier at Niagara County Community College, Betts opened with a first period pin, then beat Mistretta 5-1. In the finals against Jon Strong of Frewsburg, Betts rolled to a 7-0 decision.

That made him 5-for-5 for Section 6 titles. Having won at 103 in eighth grade, again as an119-pound freshman, 135 as a sophomore and 145 as a junior.

The only other wrestler to accomplish that feat was Falconer’s Rob Waddington from 1981 to 1985. At the Western New York Wrestling Coaches Association banquet, Waddington praised Betts’ accomplishment saying, “Welcome to the club.”

In fact among small schools, only Ryan Fralick of Falconer and Bill Prince of Frewsburg have won four sectional titles. Waddington and Prince were among the honorees for the WNY Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame.

At the state tourney, Betts pinned Logan Walker of Waverly with 14 seconds left in regulation. He then took Will Carter of Westlake into the third period, then got a pin with 26 seconds left.

The semifinal brought a match with Jason Fraser of Alfred-Almond, which Betts won with an 8-2 decision. In the finals against sophomore Craig Scott of Lyons, Betts earned an escape point midway through the second period. Scott was hit with a stalling penalty in the third and Betts went on to a 2-0 win.

That made 269 wins for his career, a state record, and finished with 186 pins. The latter is over a 100 more than his next closest competitor.

He will head to Virginia Beach in April for the National High School Coaches Association Senior Nationals. The top eight finishers will be recognized as High School Senior All-Americans.

Betts’ talent is complemented by his steady demeanor. On or off the mat, he remains quiet and calm. After his state title win, there was no big shows of emotion, but simply embraces for his coaches, one of whom is his father, Greg. As Conti stated in an interview after the win, “He’s everyone’s favorite. He is not mean to anyone. You can’t help but love Kenny Betts. His parents have raised a wonderful, gentle beast.”

Conti further explained, “Kenny trains hard to accomplish something and when he accomplishes it, he is proud in the moment. I can honestly say I have never seen him be a poor sport. Kenny and his dad aren’t showy people who beat their chests and proclaim to the world that they are the best or throw a temper tantrum if things don’t go right.”

Asked about his career, Betts said, “It just flew right by. It’s pretty special.”