Part of the Baldwinsville wrestling team’s status as a year-in, year-out elite program is that it makes an annual appearance at the Section III Dual Meet. Such was the case again Saturday, as the Bees went to Cicero-North Syracuse to join the latest edition of the 16-team classic that, unofficially, determines the best side in Central New York. Unfortunately, the blind draw put B’ville in the first round against the no. 1 seed, undefeated Indian River, and the Warriors proved too much, beating the Bees 42-29. They had met Jan. 8 in the Buc Booster Duals at Oswego, with IR prevailing 52-21. It was closer this time, but B’ville could not make up all the ground. Jacob Norton opened at 130 pounds with a 6-3 victory over Dylan Crowder. Right after Anthon Rafkis (140 pounds) took a 6-4 defeat to Cody Kiechle, Antonio Peck dominated at 145 pounds, beating Jordan Berry 11-3. IR took full control, though, by winning six of the next seven matches, the only interruption coming when Brian Honsinger, at 189 pounds, shut out Tom Gitlin 10-0. Late in the meet, Tim Sposato (103 pounds) won when William Eichner got injured, Connor Ross (119 pounds) pinned Brandon Holder in 1:13 and Joey Shaheen (125 pounds) claimed a forfeit. IR went on to the finals, where it lost to no. 2 seed Fulton 38-27, the Red Raiders earning its 18th Dual Meet title. In an exciting consolation bracket match, the Bees met General Brown and, by getting most of its points in the late stages, earned a 36-31 victory over the Lions. GB won the first five matches, including Ryan McArdell (135 pounds) falling to Peter Will 4-2, before Joe Nasoni (171 pounds) pinned Austin Moyer in 1:28 and Pat Nasoni (189 pounds) followed with a 55-second fall over Zach Pitre. Still, the Bees trailed 31-12 when it made its big move. In between forfeits to Sposato and Shaheen, Chad McArdell, at 112 pounds, pinned Dan Patterson midway through the second period, and suddenly it was 31-30 with two matches left. Both proved close – and both would end in B’ville’s favor. Connor Ross, at 125 pounds, held off Cameron Cole 7-5 and, in a tense final match, Norton needed to beat Brian Lear – and did so in a tight 3-2 decision. Prior to this, B’ville competed Wednesday against Institute of Technology Central, the gathering of all of the city of Syracuse’s wrestlers, and beat the Eagles 62-21. Most of those wins were forfeits -Peck did wrestle and pinned Jamci Vale in 3:52. Pat Nasoni finished off Maurice Russell in 1:36 and James Eustice (160 pounds) earned a third-period technical fall over Lewis White. On Monday, the Bees make up the CNY Counties League National division first-place showdown with Cicero-North Syracuse, then host West Genesee Wednesday night.