Lancaster's Lewandowski back on the mark at Class AA Tourney

After another dominant performance at the ECIC Championships, Lancaster senior Eric Lewandowski stood on the podium, collected his first-place patch, shook some hands and posted for some pictures.

Just another day at work for the Redskins standout wrestler. A nice victory — but not the one he’s thinking about the most.

“This isn’t really what matters,” he said. “We’ve got other tournaments coming up - big tournaments. We’ve got a lot to look forward to.”

Well, that time has arrived. He started his postseason by dominating the field at the ECIC Class AA Championships on Feb. 1-2 at Lockport High School. Lewandowski clinched the championship with a pin of Seamus Bermingham of Orchard Park in the second period.

He’s expecting similar results at the state-qualifier this weekend before — he hopes — preparing for the big one.

“He’s just too tough on top for anybody around here,” Lancaster coach Ron Lorenz said. “He’ll be looking good at the state tournament.”

Lewandowski is looking to cap a memorable high school career at Lancaster. In December, he also picked up career victory No. 150 with a dual meet win over Orchard Park’s Travis McNichol.

He’s had another dynamite season as a senior. As well as his class and ECIC championship, Lewandowski also won at the Penfield Hunter Holiday Invitational and the Richard Romesser Attica Blue Devil Challenge. He was second at the Niagara Frontier Wrestling Officials Invitational Tournament and the Teike/Bernabi Spencerport Invitational.

That’s all well and good – but the goal all season long is about what happens at the Times Union Center in Albany on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23. That’s where Lewandowski will be looking for a third straight strong showing at the state tournament. He was second at 96 pounds in 2010 before claiming sixth place at 136 pounds at last year’s main event.

“I just have to get ready, prepare hard,” Lewandowski said. “Obviously I have high expectations — I plan on winning every match.”