There is a very strong contingent of Section 9 D2 wrestlers returning for the 2019-2020 season! This group include FIVE state place winners as well as four others who have made the trip to Albany! Let’s take a look at these wrestlers as well as a handful of Section 9 D2 studs who may be flying under the radar – for now!
Returning S9 D2 NYS Placewinners
Nick Ross (Onteora, Jr) – 3rd @ 138
James Oosterom (Port Jervis, Sr) – 5th @ 220
Matt Morris (Red Hook, Sr) – 6th @ 113
Nate Ross (Onteora, Sr) – 6th @ 152
Eric Tigue (Port Jervis, So) – 7th/8th @ 126
Returning S9 D2 NYS Qualifiers
Trevor Tufano (Port Jervis, So) @ 99
Peter Bender (Highland, Jr) @ 106
Bryce Horner (Port Jervis, Sr) @ 160
Patrick Ross (Onteora, Jr) @ 106 (2017)
Under the Radar – Who To Watch For in S9 D2….
Patrick Ross (Onteora, junior)
Why is Ross mentioned here as well as above on the list of returning S9 D2 NYS qualifiers??? Well – it’s because the Ross you will see this year is a lot different than the 106 pound 8th grade wrestler who was a Section 9 champion back in 2017! Patrick, who came in 3rd in S9 last year at 132, is now a filled out 170 pound contender. He had a busy off season which included an appearance at the Journeymen Classic. Do not be shocked if you see Patrick, along with his brothers Nate and Nick, on the medal stand in Albany this season!
John Antonelli (Marlboro/Highland, senior)
This will likely be the year that Antonelli punches his ticket to Albany! He has been one of the most consistent and hard-working wrestlers in the section for the past several years. Antonelli finished 2nd @ 120 in 2019, 2nd @ 126 in 2018, 3rd @ 106 in 2017, and 2nd @ 99 in 2016! John has put in another busy off season which included a very strong performance in winning the Hudson Valley Challenge!
Joey Amato (Port Jervis, senior)
Amato has been a Section 9 finalist the past two season losing close matches to Matt Malherio and Nick Ross – both wrestlers are NYS placewinners! This could be the year that Amato breaks through, wins the S9 title, and perhaps steps on the podium in Albany! Amato, Tigue, Oosterom, Tufano, and Horner will provide the Red Raiders with a great core this season!
Graeme Knisell (Saugerties, senior)
Knisell was having a very solid season last year but did not compete in the Section 9 Tournament. Saugerties competed in D1 last season but will be D2 for 2019-2020. One of his wins last season was a win by fall over eventual S9 D2 182 pound champion Drew Bendy. We can expect to see Graeme at 182 again this season and he will definitely be a factor in this year’s D2 tournament.
Joey Curreri (Eldred, junior)
The Curreri family is no stranger to Albany and we should’t be surprised if we see Joey make his first trip to the Times Union Center this February. Curreri finished 2nd at 99 in 2018 and took 3rd place at 120 last season behind Bullock and Antonelli.
A few other S9 D2 wrestlers to keep your eye on….
Rocco Deaveiro (Rondout, So) – lost 7-4 to Bender in finals
Alex Lopez (Red Hook, Sr) – runner-up to Tigue last year
Logan Smith (Highland, So) – took 2nd as a 152 pound freshman
Heny Peters (E/L/SW, Sr) – lost 7-6 in S9 finals to Horner
Aiden Maduro (Highland, Jr) – 2nd @ 170; only a junior
Brendan Douthit (Burke, Sr) – 3rd @ 170; will be in the mix
Devin McGovern (Chester, Sr) – 4-15 in 2018 … 23-8 in 2019!
Drost from Saugerties is looking really good and can surprise. He will start the season at 120 and may drop after Xmas.
Nice…I have him mentioned at 126 but I will drop him to 120 for the next rankings…he’s definitely going to contend!