To say the brotherly bond between Frankfort-Schuyler seniors Hank and Andrew Penree is a strong one would be stating it lightly.
They are the best of friends, teammates, workout partners and for the most part spend most of their waking time together.
No more evident is that bond than on the wrestling mat.
This weekend, the Penree brothers will share their finest moment together.
Both Frankfort-Schuyler grapplers will wrestle in the New York State Public High School Division II Wrestling Championships at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester.
“It’s a dream come true to go to the states with my brother,” Hank Penree said Thursday shortly after he and his brother got done with one of their final workouts prior to the start of the state tournament Saturday morning. “We’ve been playing sports since we were little kids and wrestling for all those years and to be able to go to states with my brother is just an unbelievable feeling.”
The road to the state tournament for Hank was a little more predictable than his brother, who is a year younger despite being in the same grade.
After finishing second in the state at 215 pounds a year ago, Hank was a heavy favorite heading into the season and sealed the deal with a 4-1 win over Vernon-Verona-Sherrill’s Ryan Wendt at the Section III Tournament Feb. 23.
Things were not as cut and dried for Andrew.
A loss to Holland Patent’s Dan Fruscella in the 189-pound semifinals threatened to end his season short of the state meet.
He found the wherewithall to regroup and wrestled back for third place beating Morrisville-Eaton’s Ethan Childs 2-1 in triple overtime, a win that avenged a loss in the Center State Conference Tournament a couple of weeks earlier.
That gave Andrew a shot at the state tournament through a wildcard system implemented a couple of years ago when New York State went to two divisions in wrestling, large schools (Division I) and small schools (Division II).
With just 12 sections in the state, the wildcard system was implemented as a way to fill out the brackets and provide a full 16-team field in each weight division.
Wildcards are determined based on a point system with past results in the state and sectional meets going into the formula. Win-loss differential this season and also past success of Section III in the state tournament also weighs into the formula.
When all was said and done, Andrew Penree qualified for the state meet, but it didn’t happen without a couple of painstaking days of waiting.
“I might have a chance because the Lanza (Joe) of Herkimer made it a year ago after finishing third, but it was still very hard waiting,” Andrew Penree said. “Then after I found out I’d made it, I was a little upset because I missed a couple days of workouts just sitting around.”
Word came down to Frankfort-Schuyler coach Jon Treen the Tuesday after sectionals and he quickly went to find his two prize wrestlers.
Treen called Hank at his girlfriend Ashlee Streeter’s house, and without telling him why, said, “Get ready I’m coming to get you.”
Treen, Hank and Ashlee then drove over to the Penrees and called to Andrew to come downstairs.
“I really didn’t know what was going on until I saw coach and then I kind of knew I’d made it,” Andrew Penree said.
Then the celebration was on.
“We were all very excited. This is what we’ve been working for for all those years,” Hank Penree said.
Hank figures to face his biggest obstacle to the finals in Section IV’s Rich Fletcher, of Walton in the semifinals. A win there and he could run into Section V’s Jake Dake of Keshequa.
Andrew will open up with Richard Dawson of Section VI’s Medina then face the winner of Section V’s Nat Schiedel, of Caledonia-Mumford and John Lauro, of Section XI’s McGann Mercy.
The shared trip to states was something that the Penree boys thought of last season, but things didn’t work out as Andrew battled through injuries and failed to qualify for states.
Despite weighing about 185 pounds at best, Hank Penree made the decision a year ago to move up to 215 pounds to give his younger brother a chance to wrestle 189 and, in essence give him shot at the state tournament.
It was quite a sacrifice for Hank, who very well could have won the Division II 189-pound state title, which was won by Adirondack’s Anthony Austin, a wrestler Hank had beaten earlier in the season.
“It was all about giving my brother a shot at the state tournament. Going with him was always what I wanted,” Hank said in explaining his decision.
Treen said it wasn’t a decision that there was always full agreement on.
“We’ve had our battles,” Treen admitted. “The whole decision to go 215 was one of them. He did what he had to do and it’s all worked out.”
Andrew understands the sacrifice his older brother made.
“It made me feel real good to think my brother would do that for me. I’m glad I could show him this year it was worth the squeeze,” Andrew said.
Hank, who is actually a couple of pounds lighter than his brother heading to the state tournament, had to battle his own share of injuries this year after tearing a hamstring muscle in suffering his only two losses of the season in the Tri-Valley Tournament back in December.
“He just never stopped going or working,” Treen said talking about the injuries Hank overcame to defend his sectional title. “If there was ever a kid who could overcome that adversity, it’s Hank. I think it’s a real testament to his work ethic.”
That work ethic is shared by Andrew. The Penree brothers workouts are legendary both on the mat, in the weight room or running the roads.
Hank will routinely spend two hours at practice then follow that with a couple more hours at the gym with his girlfriend.
“Those two just never stop going,” Treen said.
Both the Penree brothers wrestled with the Lewis County Wrestling Club this past summer and they say it’s an experience that groomed them well for what they’ll face this weekend.
“We traveled all over the place and wrestled some real quality competition,” Hank said. “Plus we wrestled in front of some big crowds which will be the case this weekend.”
Hank admits anything less than a state championship will be a disappointment for him this weekend. He would like to see the same for his brother, but is not about to put pressure on him.
“He made it this year so if he even places as a wildcard then that’s a huge accomplishment,” Hank said. “And to say we did it together makes it even better.”
It’s all a bit bittersweet for Treen, who has gotten to see first-hand the Penree boys grow up.
“It’s the greatest feeling to see these two going to states together, but in the same instance, you’re thinking, ‘Wow, this is it. It’s a little bittersweet. I’ve got to throw Frankie (Sanders) in there too. These boys have been with me a long time and it’s a little heartbreaking to see it coming to an end,” Treen said.