Fekishazy Downs #3 NYS Evan Frank at 198 to Win Title
The 2016 Hudson Valley Challenge was a big success with numerous local wrestlers capturing titles. The event is run by the Friends of Section 9 and this year’s tournament was hosted by Minisink Valley. The highlight victory of the tournament was recorded by Wallkill senior Mike Fekishazy (#6 in NYS @ 170) when he defeated Evan Frank (#3 NYS @ 182) of John Jay Cross River from Section 1 by a 5-2 margin.
Here’s a weight by weight look at the tournament….
102 Pounds
There were only 3 wrestlers entered here but it was Wallkill’s Derek Ellison defeating Kingston’s Jacob Chenier by a 7-5 margin that decided the title.
109 Pounds
In another all Section 9 final, NFA’s Greg Fischer defeated Pine Bush’s Jordan Suarez by pin in 1:30. Fischer placed 5th in Section 9 at 106 last season. Suarez picked up a nice win in his opening bout where he defeated Middletown’s Justin Morales 1-0. Morales placed 6th at 99 in S9 last season. Fischer defeated Minisink freshman Nick Picariello 6-0 in his opening match.
116 Pounds
With only 4 entries this weight was contested in a round robin with Matthew Weitemeyer from Smithtown West (Section 11) coming out on top. NFA’s Lucas Fischer finished in second place while Washingtonville’s Chris Zappolo took 4th.
123 Pounds
Defending Section 9 champion Tyler Lynch from Minisink Valley rolled to a title here pinning NFA’s Brandon DeLaRosa in the finals. DeLaRosa finished 3rd in Section 9 at 113 last season. Valley Central’s Matthew Romano placed 4th here and notched wins over Wallkill’s Justin Lyle and Minisink Valley freshman Mia Macaluso.
129 Pounds
Valley Central senior Robert Satriano notched two one-point victories and was your champion at 129! He defeated Pine Bush’s Derrek Magsamen 1-0 before beating NJ regional qualifier Joey Carmichael 3-2 in the finals. Satriano was the Section 9 runner up last season at 120. Magsamen finished 3rd here and Wallkill’s Matthew Brundage took 4th.
135 Pounds
Three of the top four placers at 135 are from Section 9! Section 1’s Luca Errico won the title by defeating Wallkill’s Brad Bonner by a 5-0 decision. Bonner was the S9 runner up at 126 last season. Monticello’s Patrick Owens took 3rd by defeating Minisink Valley freshman Sean Savacool 4-2 in their medal match.
141 Pounds
The top three placers in this weight are all from Section 9! Valley Central’s Patrick Satriano took the title via his 3-2 decision over Minisink Valley’s Nick Albornoz. Monticello’s Caleb McCallion finished in 3rd.
148 Pounds
There were no Section 9 placers at 148 however one local, Kyle Stoll of Delaware Valley, made it to the finals where he was defeated by Jackson Wrobel of Pawling in Section 1. One match of local interest took place in the quarterfinals where Mike Kubik of Goshen defeated Tyler Matos of Middletown 8-0.
155 Pounds
The top four at 155 are all from Section 9! Defending Section 9 champion Dillon Ross was crowned champion after posting a 6-3 win over Pine Bush’s Shawn Burgos in the finals. Burgos defeated sectional placewinner Tyler Serafini 2-1 earlier in the tournament. Serafini wrestled all the way back to 3rd place where he defeated Port Jervis’ William Harrison 3-2 in their medal match.
163 Pounds
Roy C. Ketcham’s Isaac Mathews dominated the competition here recording three pins on his way to the title. Minisink Valley’s Matthew Rajnert finished in 2nd followed by Warwick’s Henry Searle and Monticello’s Michael Buscemi rounding out the top 4.
173 Pounds
Valley Central’s Mark Ohanian recorded four first period pins to take the title at 173. Ohanian finished 4th at 160 in S9 last season. One of his victories came over Washingtonville’s Nicholas Solek who finished 2nd. Solek went 3-1 and had three pins!
185 Pounds
2016 Section 9 finalist Adonis Morano was your champion at 185. Morano notched a very impressive 3-2 victory in the semis over Jhavon Innocent from Section 1. Innocent was 40-3 last season! In the third place match we saw Minisink Valley’s Joey Yanis defeat NFA’s Maxx DeCapua 2-0 – both wrestlers were Section 9 placewinners last season!
198 Pounds
The title at 198 was decided in a match between returning NYS placewinners when Wallkill senior Mike Fekishazy defeated John Jay Cross River senior Evan Frank by a 5-2 margin. Last season Fekishazy finished 6th in the state at 170 while Frank finished 3rd at 182. Fekishazy’s teammate Billy Kras, a section placewinner at 182 last season, finished 4th.
223 Pounds
Goshen senior and returning NYS finalist Ryan Ellefsen notched 3 first period pins and was your champion at 223. NFA’s William McCartney went 2-2 and finished in 3rd place while Ellenville’s Brandon Cox took 4th place honors.
288 Pounds
Arlington’s Jacquez Poole dominated this weight recording 4 pins with his longest match lasting 1:16 – the other three were :14, :16, and :24! Wallkill’s Chase Hawkins finished 2nd here and notched a pin long the way.