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Ridgefield High wrestler Alex Blank, right, tries to get control of Jamie Franco of...

RIDGEFIELD -- Ridgefield High senior Alex Blank put his perfect record on the line at the 8th annual Ridgefield Challenge, and the championship match in the 125-pound class is one he won't soon forget.

While Monroe Woodbury (N.Y.) ran away with the overall title and the Tigers could only take fifth as the host, it was the 125-pound final between Blank and Jamie Franco of Monroe Woodbury that stole the show. Franco won a 3-1 decision in a memorable battle.

"We need more of those matches," said Ridgefield head coach Gary Tiger. "We need to see more New York kids and sectional winners. That is what this tournament is all about, to get the kids ready for states, Opens and New England."

Blank, the defending FCIAC champion and two-time defending Class LL champion worked through his side of the bracket with ease. A 16-0 victory over Carl Maloney (Walkill, N.Y.) brought a familiar foe in Jason Camacho of Stamford. Against his FCIAC rival, Blank scored a 13-2 major decision and took his 27-0 record into the finals against Franco.

Only a junior, Franco also brought an impressive resume as the 2008 Eastern State Champion, a three-time New York section champion, and three-time New York Open finalist. A 2007 All-American as a sophomore, he also had no trouble in his side of the bracket to reach the finals.

"We felt going in that if Alex was to win this match he had to be number one seed in New England," said Tiger. "Even if the match was close he has to be considered one of

the best if not the best. I'm not sure that he will see anyone as good as Franco the rest of the season."

In the first period of the final, Blank had an opportunity in the opening minute to take the lead but could not sweep the leg of the stockier Franco. Instead, Franco caught Blank in the middle of the sweep and landed the Tiger on his back for an important two points. While not usually a big deal, it was evident that the takedown might prove pivotal in a match between two evenly matched wrestlers.

"I knew coming in he was a good wrestler," said Franco. "I had to wrestler my match and got those early points. My style was to try and turn him but he was tough and defended well."

In the second period, Franco escaped a Blank hold to extend the lead to 3-0. However, that was all that Franco had to offer as Blank picked up a one point penalty and closed the gap heading into the final period. In the last two minutes, Blank twice worked himself to the brink of turning Franco. However, in the end the two points remained elusive and Franco was crowned the champion.

Despite his first loss of the season Blank remained positive about the learning experience.

"I felt good and crisp through the bracket and this was the match I wanted all year long to find out where I stood against the best," said Blank.

"If anything I have a world of confidence that I can hang with the best," he added. "With a little more confidence coming into a match like this maybe it is a different result."

In a tournament dominated by visitors, three other locals were able to see the finals. In addition to Blank, Ridgefield scored two second-place finishes with Matt Fallon (130) and Matt Morris (171).

Another bright spot for local wrestling was Bethel sophomore Andrew Ford, who dominated his way through the 152-pound bracket and took home a title with a 12-1 decision over Keith Parry of Walkill. For the Wildcat star, it was an important victory one week after tiring and finishing a disappointing second in the New Milford tournament.