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Player to Watch: Dylan Realbuto, Somers
Rob DiAntonio
When your older brother is a three-time state champ bound for Cornell, it can be a little difficult to carve out your own legacy.
But Somers' Dylan Realbuto is used to overcoming obstacles and rising above.
Realbuto, whose older brother, Brian, graduated from Somers as Section 1's all-time leader in wins, added to his championship resume in 2012.
The 113-pound junior displayed true grit and resolve, bouncing back from an upset loss to Ossining's Alex Delacruz in the Section 1 semifinals. He earned a wildcard invite to the NYS Division 1 championships and made the most of it, narrowly defeating Hilton's Vincent DePrez, 8-7, in the finals. It marked the first state title for Realbuto, who finished second at 96 pounds in 2011.
There wasn't any shortage of drama in Realbuto's win over DePrez, as he scored a match-winning takedown with time expiring in the third and final period. Realbuto proved to be a master of winning tight matches. He topped Chenango Forks’ Jake Green, 6-4, in the quarterfinals and narrowly edged Amsterdam’s Brandon Lapi, 4-3, in the semifinals.
Overall, Realbuto went an impressive 44-3 in 2012, winning 24 of his matches by pin. He was named to MSG Varsity's All-Hudson Valley first team and earned all-section honors.
Heading into 2013, Realbuto figures to be Section 1's best shot at a state title.
Visit MSGVarsity.com each weekday this summer as we unveil the next athlete on our Players to Watch list. Click here for the complete list.
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