Let’s take a look at the first 5 weight classes for this year’s NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships. The tournament takes place this Friday and Saturday at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY. SectionIXWrestling.com will be there posting round-by-round updates for all of our Section 9 wrestlers as well as keeking an eye on any major upsets that unfold along the way. Year in and year out this is an awesome event and the Times Union Center does a great job hosting the tournament. I encourage everyone who loves our sport to attend in person and bring a friend! Let’s grow wrestling!!!
99 Pounds – Division 1
The Field:
S1: Ivan Garcia (Port Chester, 9)
S2: Brock Delsignore (S. Glen Falls, 8)
S3: Myles Griffin (Jamesville-Dewitt, 8)
S4: Drake Dille (Elmira, 8)
S5: Ryan Burgos (Hilton, 9)
S6: Aiden Rabideau (Clarence, 9)
S8: Josiah Encarnacion (Wantagh, 9)
S9: Colby Amell (Saugerties, 10)
S10: Sam Searles (Malone, 10)
S11: Christian Ganonne (Eastport SM, 10)
CHSAA: Terry Adams (Monsignor Farrell, 10)
PSAL: Brandon Nunez (John Bowne, 12)
At-Large 1: Dennis Robin (Arlington – S1, 9)
At-Large 2: Garrett Semenetz (Mahopac – S1, 12)
At-Large 3: Mark Matyka (Riverhead – S11, 11)
At-Large 4: Jake Eckerle (Commack – S11, 9)
What To Watch For….
Nunez is a returning state place winner and was this year’s champion at the Eastern States Classic and has to be considered the favorite here. He is 26-0 and has wins this season over Adams, Matyka, and Garcia. Adams was the runner up at ESC and had a win over Griffin at the ESC. Garcia finished 4th at ESC and posted wins over Gannone, Delsignore, and Robin however dropped a 1-0 decision to Semenetz in a dual meet. Rabideau’s only loss has been at 106 this year and Encarnacion’s only loss at 99 was to Nunez at ESC. Section 9 rep Colby Amell is 30-6 this year and is making his first trip to Albany. He has been improving all season long and may surprise some people in his bracket!
99 Pounds – Division 2
The Field:
S1: Alex Santana (Pawling, 9)
S2: Caleb Svingala (Maple Hill, 9)
S3: Mason Bush (Central Valley, 8)
S4: John Worthing (Tioga, 10)
S5: Anthony Noto (HFL, 9)
S6: Mike Evans (Springville, 8)
S7: Logan Dubuque (Peru, 10)
S8: Vito Rodriguez (Locust Valley, 9)
S9: Nikko Walsh (Rondout Valley, 8)
S10: Carter Baer (Gouverneur, 7)
S11: Jordan Titus (Center Moriches, 8)
PSAL: Brandon Fallon (Petrides, 9)
At-Large 1: Justin Smith (Marcus Whitman – S5, 9)
At-Large 2: Marek Bush (Central Valley – S3, 8)
At-Large 3: Carter Schubert (WMS – S5, 7)
At-Large 4: Carson Alberti (Depew – S6, 7)
What To Watch For….
Worthing was a state finalist last year and is a perfect 38-0 this year so he’s definitely one of the favorites but he’ll face plenty of stiff competition. Svingala is 35-0 and has scored bonus points in all but three of his matches this year. Mason Bush is 46-4 and has wins over D1 contenders Gannone and Semenetz while Section 5 has a legit contender in Anthony Noto. Let’s also keep an eye on Jordan Titus who has a bonus points win over Semenetz and has pinned Section 9 champion Nikko Walsh. Walsh is an 8th grader and has a 24-7 record this season. Carter Baer is only a 7th grader and is sporting a 30-3 record this year…let’s keep an eye on him as well!
106 Pounds – Division 1
The Field:
S1: Chris Perry (Yorktown, 8)
S2: Antione Grace (Queensbury, 12)
S3: Matt Griffin (Jamesville-Dewitt, 11)
S4: Tim McCarthy (Horseheads, 12)
S5: Cody Anders (Brockport, 11)
S6: Parker Rozler (Lancaster, 11)
S8: Joe Becker (Lynbrook, 10)
S9: Dylan Earl (Monroe Woodbury, 11)
S10: Hunter White (Malone, 9)
S11: Dylan Ryder (HHHW, 11)
CSHAA: Max Ebanks (Monsignor Farrell, 9)
PSAL: Mohamed Hassan (FDR, 10)
At-Large 1: Zach Redding (Eastport SM – S11, 9)
At-Large 1: CJ McMonegal (North Rockland – S1, 10)
At-Large 3: Thomas Hughes (Fulton – S3, 10)
At-Large 4: Greg Fischer (NFA – S9, 11)
What To Watch For….
Dylan Ryder was a state finalist at 99 last year and has a dominating 37-1 record this year. His one blemish, however, was in the Eastern States Classic final to Redding. Ryder avenged the loss in the S11 finals by a score of 3-0. Perry competed at 99 for ESC and came in 3rd and notched some great wins. He is 40-1 on the season. Griffin’s only two losses of the year were at ESC (Charles, Maucere) and he will definitely contend here. Both Section 9 entries have wins over kids from the bracket and have a chance to medal here. Earl beat Fischer in the Section 9 finals and Fischer posted a win over Grace at the ESC.
106 Pounds – Division 2
The Field:
S1: Len Balducci (Pleasantville, 9)
S2: Trent Svingala (Maple Hill, 10)
S3: Jon Charles (Central Valley, 11)
S4: Mikey Squires (Norwich, 9)
S5: Bradley Cheek (Canisteo Greenwood, 10)
S6: Doug Ciszak (Pioneer, 11)
S7: Alijah Seymour (Peru, 9)
S8: Joe Constrastano (Carle Place Wheatley, 9)
S9: Patt Ross (Onteora, 8)
S10: Ricky Nichols (Gouverneur, 8)
S11: Ricky D’Elia (Port Jefferson, 10)
PSAL: Muhammad Mahmud (Riverdale Kingsbridge, 10)
At-Large 1: Ethan Ferro (Pal-Mac – S5, 8)
At-Large 2: Matt Garland (South Jefferson-Sandy Creek – S3, 10)
At-Large 3: Gabe Fisher (Hoosick Falls – S2, 10)
At-Large 4: Brody Oleksak (BGAH – S4, 8)
What To Watch For….
Jon Charles was the state champ at 99 pounds last year and he’s having an awesome 2016-2017 season as well. His record is 48-2 and he’s definitely a title contender here. Svingala is 37-0 and has two wins over the other S2 entry Oleksak. Balducci has been very impressive this year sporting a 33-1 record with his only loss being a close decision to D1 contender Perry. S3’s wildcard entry Garland can’t be overlooked either – he is 36-4 with all 4 losses being decisions to Charles (2X), Ryder, and Maucere. Both S5 entries, Cheek and Ferro, are having great seasons and will contend for a medal. Section 9’s entry is 8th grader Patt Ross who punched his ticket to Albany by defeating 3X Section 9 champ Wade Harris!
113 Pounds – Division 1
The Field:
S1: Michael Muldoon (Mahopac, 12)
S2: Mike Gonyea (Columbia, 11)
S3: Nathan Osborne (Cicero North Syracuse, 10)
S4: Devin Woodworth (Horseheads, 10)
S5: Greg Diakomihalis (Hilton, 9)
S6: Justin McDougald (Niagara Wheatfield, 9)
S8: Jared Alton (Plainedge, 11)
S9: Marco Vespa (Monroe Woodbury, 10)
S10: Nathan Recore (Malone, 10)
S11: Anthony Sciotto (Rocky Point, 11)
CHSAA: James Ryan (Monsignor, 10)
PSAL: David Traub (Tottenville, 11)
At-Large 1: Mitch Seaver (Lockport – S5, 12)
At-Large 2: Brandon DiDominico (Lakeland Pamas – S1, 12)
At-Large 3: Mark Acheson (Tappan Zee – S1, 11)
At-Large 4: Matthew Romano (Valley Central – S9, 9)
What To Watch For….
Diakomihalis was a state champion at 99 pounds last year and he is undefeated at 44-0 this season! Although a clear favorite here, the Hilton freshman will not walk through this weight class untested. Gonyea is also undefeated at 43-0 and he was a state placer at 106 last year. Seaver is a former state finalist however he lost in the Section 6 finals to freshman McDougald so we can expect both to do do well here. Section 9 has an outstanding chance to medal here in Vespa. The Section 9 champion gave Diakomihalis one of his stiffest tests this year losing by a score of 6-3 at the UE Duals. Vespa dropped a sv decision to Sciotto at ESC so we can also expect the S11 champ to contend here as well. Section 9 earned a wildcard entry here in Valley Central freshman Matt Romano who will be making his first trip to the state tournament.
113 Pounds – Division 2
The Field:
S1: Mikey Bruno (Putnam Valley, 11)
S2: Matt Laporte (Hoosick Falls, 10)
S3: Trey LaFlamme (South Jefferson, 12)
S4: Eli Rodriguez (Norwich, 9)
S5: Masin Shuster (Dansville, 11)
S6: Dalton Gardner (Fredonia, 9)
S7: Bryce Smith (Saranac, 9)
S8: Keith Cassar (Oyster Bay, 11)
S9: Nick Ross (Onteora, 8)
S10: Tristian Richardson (Ogdensburg, 8)
S11: Matt Campo (Mt. Sinai, 9)
PSAL: Kevin Velez (Petrides, 12)
At-Large 1: Shane Hetrick (Maple Grove – S6, 12)
At Large 2: Caleb Robinson (Walton – S4, 10)
At-Large 3: Neiko Scarano (Little Falls – S3, 12)
At-Large 4: Dylan Price (Onondaga – S3, 8)
What To Watch For….
LaFlamme is 41-1 this season and his only loss was a 3-1 decision at ESC to Diakomihalis. He placed 5th at this weight last year and is definitely one of the favorites to win it all this year! One of his toughest matches this year was a 5-1 win over Scarano in the sectional finals so we could possibly see an all S3 state finals. Shuster has been impressive at 42-1 this season and he hesn’t lost since mid December. Both Section 6 entries, Gardner and Hetrick, could contend for a medal here. Section 9’s entry is Nick Ross who has a 27-9 record. He is an 8th grader and he’s the twin brother of our 106 champ Pat Ross!
120 Pounds – Division 1
The Field:
S1: Tyler Albis (JJEF, 9)
S2: Trent Nadeau (Columbia, 12)
S3: Wyatt Willis (Fulton, 12)
S4: Wesley Woodworth (Horseheads, 12)
S5: Alex Samson (Victor, 10)
S6: Matt Genau (Williamsville South, 12)
S8: Hunter Scutellaro (Massapequa, 12)
S9: Tyler Lynch (Minisink Valley, 12)
S10: Jacob Robideau (Malone, 9)
S11: Adam Busiello (Eastport SM, 10)
CHSAA: Dylan Ebanks (Xavier, 12)
PSAL: Matthew Mina (Brooklyn Technical, 11)
At-Large 1: Anthony Cirillo (Rocky Point – S11, 12)
At-Large 2: Kevin Depalma (Farmingdale – S8, 12)
At-Large 3: Ulises Olmedo (Arlington – S1, 12)
At-Large 4: Joseph Simons (Farmingdale – S8, 10)
What To Watch For….
The clear favorite at 120 is Adam Busiello who is a 2X NYS champion and has been as high as #1 in the national rankings. His biigest test could be from fellow S11 wrestler Cirillo. Busiello pinned Cirillo in the S11 finals however it was a very close match at the time of the pinfall. Nadeau is a multi-time state qhualifier who is undefeated this year and is certain in the mix too. Samson is very athletic and has a lot of upside so we can expect him to make noise here as well. All 3 S8 entries, Scutellaro, Depalma, and Simons have a shot at medaling as does Section 9 champ Tyler Lynch who is making his 2nd trip to Albany.
120 Pounds – Division 2
The Field:
S1: Victor Perlleshi (Pleasantville, 10)
S2: Orion Anderson (Schuylerville, 11)
S3: Cahal Donovan (Phoenix, 10)
S4: Austin Lamb (Tioga, 10)
S5: Matt Caccamise (Wayne, 12)
S6: David Poff (Gowanda, 12)
S7: Carson Dobozy (Peru, 12)
S8: Gage Denatale (Locust Valley, 9)
S9: Nick Conetta (Chester, 12)
S10: Joe McIntosh (Gouverneur, 10)
S11: Luke Bokina (Mattituck, 11)
PSAL: Hector Rodriquez (Eagle Academy, 9)
At-Large 1: Zach Braddell (Tonowanda – S6, 10)
At-Large 2: Caleb Wiggins (Chenango Valley – S4, 12)
At-Large 3: Frank Darwak (Mechnicville – S2, 12)
At-Large 4: Donald Wood (Center Moriches – S11, 11)
What To Watch For…
There are 4 top notch wrestlers here but we have got to look at Anderson as the favorite! He is a returning state champion and sports an impressive 36-1 record. His only loss came in the finals of the ESC – a razor close 5-4 decision to nationally ranked Jacob Camocho from Danbury, CT. At the ESC he also recorded wins over Caccamise and Bokina. Caccamise was a state champ last year and is definitely looking for a rematch against Anderson as is Bokina. Another wrestler looking for another shot at Anderson is Cahal Donovan who was Anderson’s opponent in the state finals last year! Braddell and Dobozy have placed in Albany and should contend again and we definitely need to keep our eye on Chester’s Nick Conetta who is 26-1 this year with his only loss coming at 126!
126 Pounds – Division 1
The Field:
S1: Randy Earl (JJEF, 12)
S2: John Devine (Columbia, 12)
S3: Stefan Colbert (Indian River, 12)
S4: Darren Rich (Ithaca, 11)
S5: Austin Hertel (Hilton, 12)
S6: Willie McDougald (Niagara Falls, 9)
S8: Justin Vines (Wantagh, 11)
S9: Cameron Wernicki (Monroe Woodbury, 12)
S10: Randy Clifford (Canton, 9)
S11: Ben Tepperman (Hauppague, 12)
CHSAA: Nick Sillart (Canisius, 12)
PSAL: Jayden Cardenas (Grand St. Campus, 9)
At-Large 1: Tyler Mitchell (Spencerport – S5, 11)
At-Large 2: Michael Killard (Wantagh – S8, 12)
At-Large 3: Ian McKenna (New Hartford – S3, 11)
At-Large 4: Andrew Davis (Wallkill – S9, 12)
What To Watch For…
126 D1 is one of the most wide open weights in this year’s tournament. There are no fewer than 6 wrestlers who have a shot at taking the title. Devine is a returning state finalist but he has one loss on his ledger this year and that’s to Earl. Earl, however, suffered losses to both Killard and Vines at the Eastern States Classic. Tepperman placed 5th at this weight last year and he’s undefeated this season however he did not compete at ESC. Same can be said for McDougald – the freshman is 41-0 but he was not at ESC. Stefan Colbert only has one loss and will definitely be in the mix here as will Hertel who is 40-3. S9 has two very solid entries here in Wernicki and Davis. This is a tough and deep weight but I think both local wrestlers will hang with any of them!
126 Pounds – Division 2
The Field:
S1: Satoshi Abe (Putnam Valley, 12)
S2: Daniel Motta (Mechanicville, 10)
S3: CJ Walz (Central Valley, 12)
S4: Daniel Koll (Lansing, 11)
S5: Zach Flaitz (Canisteo Greenwood, 11)
S6: Nick Kozlowski (Portville, 12)
S7: Alex Christman (Saranac, 9)
S8: Jonathan Gomez (Locust Valley, 12)
S9: Nate Ross (Onteora, 9)
S10: Zachery Roberts (Ogdensburg, 10)
S11: Jack Bokina (Mattituck, 11)
PSAL: Amir Johnson (Petrides, 11)
At-Large 1: Jeffrey Gress (Lyndonville – S5, 12)
At-Large 2: Nicholas Young (Alexander – S5, 11)
At-Large 3: Johnny Putney (East Aurora – S6, 10)
At-Large 4: Kevin Spann (Adirondack – S3, 11)
What To Watch For…
Jonathan Gomez dropped a 3-2 match at 132 during the first week of the season and he hasn’t lost since! He won the ESC this year in convincing fashion and has notched wins this season over Scutellaro, Bokina, Vines, and Walz. Bokina and Walz have both placed in Albany and will contend this year as will Abe from S1. With 45 and 46 wins respectively, Kozlowski and Flaitz should not be overlooked. Nate Ross is only a freshman and will be making his first of what will likely be several trips to the state tournament.