Month: March 2020

Now that the 2020 high school season is officially in the books, let’s take a “By the Numbers” look at the history of Section 9 – specifically how we have performed at the NYSPHSAA Championships. Just a few notes before we get started. Rockland County was part of Section 9 until 1984. Starting in the 1985, Rockland County became part of Section 1. From 1963 until 1973, the state tournament only recognized the top 4 finishers as place winners. In 2004, the NYSPHSAA split into its current two-division format. Division 1 is the large schools, Division 2 is the the small schools. Lastly, in 2007 the NYSPHSAA instituted the wildcard or at-large system which makes it possible for a section to have multiple entries in each weight class. Special thanks to my friends Tim Monahan and Tracy Sutera for helping me with this post. If I have omitted anyone, please email me at sectionixwrestling@gmail.com.

Individual New York State Champions

3X NYS Champions
Troy Bouzakis (Pine Bush) 1986 @91lb, 1987 @105lb, 1990 @126lb
Lou Ruggirello Jr. (VC) 2004 @ 96lb, 2005 @ 112lb, 2006 @ 119lb

2X NYS Champions
Lee Klepper (Suffern) 1968 @ 95lbs, 1969 @ 103lbs
Joe Goldsmith (Ramapo) 1971 @ 105lbs, 1972 @ 112lbs
Paul Paquin (Cornwall) 1996 @ 112lbs, 1997 @ 125lbs
Rocco Mansuato (Middletown) 1997 @ 96lbs, 1998 @ 112lbs
Ricky Scott (Valley Central) 2004 @ 171lbs, 2005 @ 171lbs
Ryan Ferro (Warwick) 2016 @ 152lbs, 2017 @ 160lbs
PJ Duke (Carmel/Minisink) 2020 @ 99lbs, 2022 @ 138lbs
Zack Ryder (Minisink Valley) 2020 @ 126lbs, 2022 @ 160lbs

1X NYS Champions
1965 – Eric Watts (Suffern) 112lbs
1968 – Al Favata (NFA) 138lbs
1968 – William Sweet (Pearl River) 165lbs
1972 – Jim Horvath (Ramapo) 167lbs
1975 – Steve Silverberg (Ramapo) 126lbs
1975 – Paul Georgeades (Nanuet) 132lbs
1975 – Scott Ketcham (Clarkstown South) 250lbs
1977 – Lou Banach (Port Jervis) 177lbs
1978 – Ed Banach (Port Jervis) 167lbs
1983 – Gary Fischbein (Monroe Woodbury) 145lbs
1984 – Phil Consiglio (North Rockland) 105lbs
1985 – Doug Keys (Port Jervis) 105lbs
1989 – Lou Ruggirello Sr. (Valley Central) 138lbs
1990 – Mike Bucci (Red Hook/Rhinebeck) 215lbs
1991 – David Hardwick (Valley Central) 91lbs
1991 – Mike Castro (Washingtonville) 126lbs
1991 – Joe Yanis (Minisink Valley) 250lbs
1997 – Phil Mansueto (Middletown) 103lbs
2001 – Mike Mormile (Monroe Woodbury) 112lbs
2001 – Jason Jones (Port Jervis) 135lbs
2003 – Pat Lloyd (Valley Central) 130lbs
2005 – Ed Bordas (Valley Central) 215lbs
2007 – Cody Ruggirello (Valley Central) 103lbs
2008 – Jamie Franco (Monroe Woodbury) 125lbs
2011 – Mitchell Wightman (Warwick) 160lbs
2016 – AJ Aeberli (Minisink Valley) 160lbs
2017 – Kendall Elfstrum (Monroe Woodbury) 195lbs
2019 – Will Leonard (Cornwall) 220lbs
2020 – Tommy Askey (Pine Bush) 152lbs
2022 – Ethan Gallo (Minisink Valley) 215lbs

Section 9 NYS Tournament MOW’s
1987 – Troy Bouzakis (Pine Bush, 105)
1990 – Troy Bouzakis (Pine Bush, 126)
2001 – Mike Mormile (Monroe Woodbury, 112)

Multiple Time New York State Placewinners

5X NYS Placewinners
Troy Bouzakis (Pine Bush) – 1,1,3,2,1
Cody Ruggirello (Valley Central) – 3,1,2,3,2
Jamie Franco (Monroe Woodbury) – 4,2,4,1,2

4X NYS Placewinners
Lou Ruggirello Jr. (Valley Central) – 3,1,1,1
Phillip Manueto (Middletown) – 6,2,1,2
Mike Bucci (Red Hook) – 6,6,3,1

3X NYS Placewinners
John Scanlon (Pearl River) – 4,4,2
Ed Banach (Port Jervis) – 5,2,1
Gary Fischbein (Monroe Woodbury) – 5,3,1
Kevin Troche (Port Jervis) – 2,5,5
Phil Consiglio (North Rockland) – 6, 6,1
Kevin Lawrence (NFA) – 6,6,5
Mike Mormile (Monroe Woodbury) – 3,2,1
Ricky Scott (Valley Central) 5,1,1
Vinny Vespa (Monroe Woodbury) – 5,3,5
Evan Barczak (Monroe Woodbury) – 6,6,3
Ryan Ferro (Warwick) – 3,1,1
Marco Vespa (Monroe Woodbury) – 4,3,6
Zack Ryder (Minisink Valley) – 2,1,1

2X NYS Placewinners
Al Favata (NFA – 4,1); William Sweet (Pearl River – 4,1); Lee Klepper (Suffern – 1,1); Joe Goldsmith (Ramapo – 1,1); Jim Horvath (Ramapo – 3,1); Mike Harris (NFA – 5,3); Steve Bello (Tappan Zee – 6,3); Paul Pietropaolo (Nanuet – 4,2); Paul Margulies (Tappan Zee – 4,5); Todd Giles (Ramapo – 6,3); Lou Banach (Port Jervis – 1,3); Tim Ferranti (New Paltz – 6,2); Brian Keys (Port Jervis – 4,2); Jeff Keys (Port Jervis – 4,5); Peter Valois (Clarkstown South – 4,2); Paul Bailey (Nanuet – 6,5); Jeff Duque (Valley Central – 2,3); Jeff Lewis (Valley Central – 2,3); Lou Ruggirello Sr. (Valley Central – 3,1); Mike Zigrossi (Goshen – 5,4); Marcus Hutchings (Monticello – 4,5); Paul Paquin (Cornwall – 1,1); Gino Brown (NFA – 5,6); Steve Garland (Middletown – 2,2); Rocco Mansueto (Middletown – 1,1); Nick Rasenberger (NFA – 4,3); Chris Cartwright (NFA – 6,5); John Gartiser (Monroe Woodbury – 5,2); Jason Jones (Port Jervis – 6,1); Pat Lloyd (Valley Central – 5,1); Ed Bordas (Valley Central – 6,1); Eric Biccum (Port Jervis – 5,5); Darrel Ford (Minisink Valley – 4,3); Taylor Laraia (NFA – 3,2); Ricky Scott (Valley Central – 5,1); JD Zitone (Port Jervis – 4,2); Steven Butler (Port Jervis – 4,2); Mike Santella (Warwick – 5,4); Corey James (Kingston – 4,2); Mitchell Wightman (Warwick – 5,1); Johnny Stramiello (Pine Bush – 6,6); Daniel DeCarlo (Port Jervis – 5,3); AJ Aeberli (Minisink Valley – 5,1); Kendall Elfstrum (Monroe Woodbury – 4,1); Nick McShea (Monroe Woodbury – 5,2); Ryan Ellefsen (Goshen – 2,3); Da’mani Burns (NFA – 5,3); Mike Fekishazy (Wallkill – 6,2); Noah Curreri (Eldred – 5,2); Dylan Earl (Monroe Woodbury – 5,5); Will Leonard (Cornwall – 6,1); Maxx DeCapua (NFA – 6,3); Tommy Askey (Pine Bush – 4,1); Joey McGinty (Monroe Woodbury – 4,2); Adam Fenner (Minisink Valley – 5,3), Matt Morris (Red Hook – 6,6), Nicholas Ross (Onteora – 3,2); James Oosterom (Port Jervis – 5,3); PJ Duke (Carmel/Minisink – 1,1); Ethan Gallo (Minisink Valley – 6,1)

NYS Finalists from Section 9 – Champions in ITALIC BOLD
1963: Tom Human (Haverstraw, 138)
1965: Eric Watts (Suffern, 112)
1968: Lee Klepper (Sufferm, 95), Mike Steckler (Clarkstown, 133), Al Favata (NFA, 138), William Sweet (Pearl River, 165)
1969: Lee Klepper (Suffern, 103), John Scanlon (Pearl River, 120), Art Trovei (Port Jervis, 127)
1971: Joe Goldsmith (Ramapo, 105), Rubin Salero (Middletown, 119), Jim Hohman (Pearl River, 177)
1972: Joe Goldsmith (Ramapo, 112), Willie Manning (Ramapo, 155), Jim Horvath (Ramapo, 167)
1975: Paul Pietropaolo (Nanuet, 105), Steve Silverburg (Ramapo, 126), Paul Georgeades (Nanuet, 132), Scott Ketcham (Clarkstown South, 250)
1977: Matt Roth (Nanuet, 132), Ed Banach (Port Jervis, 155), Lou Banach (Port Jervis, 177)
1978: Kevin Troche (Port Jervis, 138), Ed Banach (Port Jervis, 167)
1980: John Stewart (Port Jervis, 132)
1981: Brian Keys (Port Jervis, 105)
1983: Tim Ferrante (New Paltz, 138), Gary Fischbein (Monroe Woodbury, 145), Tom Ladka (Monroe Woodbury, 215)
1984: Phil Consiglio (North Rockland, 105)
1985: Doug Keys (Port Jervis, 105), Dick Bouzakis (Pine Bush, 126)
1986: Troy Bouzakis (Pine Bush, 91)
1987: Troy Bouzakis (Pine Bush, 105), Jeff Lewis (Valley Central, 119)
1988: Johan Duque (Valley Central, 138)
1989: Troy Bouzakis (Pine Bush, 119), Lou Ruggirello Sr. (Valley Central, 138)
1990: Troy Bouzakis (Pine Bush, 126), Mike Bucci (Red Hook, 215)
1991: David Hardwick (Valley Central, 91), Mike Castro (Washingtonville, 126), Joe Yanis (Minisink Valley, 250)
1994: Steve Garland (Middletown, 91)
1995: Steve Garland (Middletown, 98)
1996: Phillip Mansueto (Middletown, 98), Paul Paquin (Cornwall, 112), Rob Padilla (NFA, 167)
1997: Rocco Mansueto (Middletown, 96), Phillip Mansueto (Middletown, 103), Paul Pauquin (Cornwall, 125)
1998: Rocco Mansueto (Middletown, 112), Phillip Manueto (Middletown, 119)
1999: Keith Pickell (Ellenville, 103), Brian Benson (Valley Central, 119), Joe Sahl (Valley Central, 215)
2000: Mike Mormile (Monroe Woodbury, 103), Alva Conklin (Middletown, 275)
2001: Mike Mormile (Monroe Woodbury, 112), John Gartiser (Monroe Woodbury, 125), Jason Jones (Port Jervis, 135), Scott Proscia (Port Jervis, 215)
2002: Scott Prutzman (Valley Central, 96)
2003: Pat Lloyd (Valley Central, 130)
2004 D1: Lou Ruggirello Jr. (Valley Central, 96), Ricky Scott (Valley Central, 171)
2005 D1: Lou Ruggirello Jr. (Valley Central, 112), Sean Bauer (Valley Central, 125), Ricky Scott (Valley Central, 171), Ed Bordas (Valley Central, 215)
2006 D1: Jamie Franco (Monroe Woodbury, 112), Lou Ruggirello Jr. (Valley Central, 119)
2007 D1: Cody Ruggirello (Valley Central, 103)
2008 D1: Cody Ruggirello (Valley Central, 119), Jamie Franco (Monroe Woodbury, 125), Sean Floor (Port Jervis, 140), Corey James (Kingston, 285)
2009 D1: Jamie Franco (Monroe Woodbury, 125), Matt Parlier (Port Jervis, 171), Steven Butler (Port Jervis, 215), JD Zitone (Port Jervis, 285)
2010 D1: Taylor Laraia (NFA, 130), Cody Ruggirello (Valley Central, 135)
2011 D1: Mitchell Wightman (Warwick, 160), Kyle Diesel (Minisink Valley, 160)
2015 D1: Michael Raccioppi (Minisink Valley, 145), Nick McShea (Monroe Woodbury, 195)
2016 D1: Ryan Ferro (Warwick, 152), AJ Aeberli (Minisink Valley, 160), Ryan Ellefsen (Goshen, 220)
2017 D1: Ryan Ferro (Warwick, 160), Mike Fekishazy (Wallkill, 182), Kendall Elfstrum (Monroe Woodbury, 195)
2017 D2: Noah Curreri (Eldred, 160)
2018 D2: Dillon Ross (Onteora, 170)
2019 D1: Zack Ryder (Minisink Valley, 106), Will Leonard (Cornwall, 215)
2020 D1: Zack Ryder (Minisink Valley, 126), Tommy Askey (Pine Bush, 152), Joe McGinty (Monroe Woodbury, 160)
2020 D2: Nicholas Ross (Onteora, 152)

Most NYS Champions – By School
10 – Valley Central
6 – Minisink Valley
4 – Monroe Woodbury, Port Jervis, Pine Bush, Ramapo
3 – Cornwall, Middletown, Warwick, Suffern
1- Clarkstown South, Nanuet, NFA, North Rockland, Pearl River, Red Hook, Washingtonville

Most NYS Placewinners by School – Top 10
50 – Monroe Woodbury
47 – Valley Central
45 – Port Jervis
39 – Minisink Valley
27 – Newburgh Free Academy
22 – Middletown
13 – Cornwall
14 – Warwick
14 – Pine Bush
12 – Ramapo

Top 5 Best Finishes as a Section
1975 – Champions!!!
2022 – Champions!!!
2005 – 2nd Place (Division 1)
1999 – 4th Place
1968 – 4th Place
2016 – 4th Place (Division 1)

Well as we all know by now, the 2020 Friends of Section 9 Banquet of Champions was cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak. This doesn’t mean, however, that we are not going to pay special recognition to all of the wrestlers, coaches, scorekeepers, parents, and fans that did so much to make 2019-2020 an incredible year for Section 9 wrestling! Congratulations to all of the winners!!!

Special Awards
FS9 Referee of the Year – John Scesa
Officials Sportsmanship Award – John Antonelli (Marlboro)
FS9 Presidents Award – Anthony Ng (Wallkill/SUNY Sullivan)
FS9 Special Recognition Award – Kristen Rummel (Newburgh)
Parent of the Year – Tara Landrigan (Middletown)
Coaches Wife of the Year – Lauren Gartiser (Monroe Woodbury)
Modified/Youth Coach of the Year – Doug Morse (Rondout Valley)
Scorekeeper of the Year – Madison Garcia (Washingtonville)
Scorekeeper of the Year – Riley Sauschuck (Port Jervis)
Scorekeeper of the Year – Alexis Greer (Pine Bush)
Scorekeeper of the Year – Maddie Noble (Newburgh)
Fan of the Year – Kjerstin DeCapua (Newburgh)
Assistant Coach of the Year – Will Parks (Newburgh)
Most Improved Team of the Year – Red Hook
Mark Faller Coach of the Year – Scott Hendershot (Minisink)
Frank Tschan Team of the Year – Minisink Valley
Dave Simmons Courageous Wrestler – Sean Savacool (Minisink)
Comeback Wrestler of the Year – JC Cabrera (Minisink)
FS9 Coach of the Year – Ryan Pullman (New Paltz)
FS9 Person of the Year – Sandy Strauss (Valley Central)
John Bell S9 Lifetime Achievement – Matt Urciuoli (Kingston)
Troy Bouzakis Sr. Wrestler of the Year – Tommy Askey (Pine Bush)

Scholarship Winners
Pat D’Aliso Scholarship – Josh Sam (Middletown)
DeCapua Scholarship – Jacob Chenier (Kingston)
DeCapua Scholarship – John Antonelli (Marlboro)
DeCapua Scholarship – Josh Sam (Middletown)
DeCapua Scholarship – Nick Picariello (Minisink Valley)
DeCapua Scholarship – Joe McGinty (Monroe Woodbury)
DeCapua Scholarship – Tommy Askey (Pine Bush)
DeCapua Scholarship – Joe Amato (Port Jervis)
DeCapua Scholarship – James Oosterom (Port Jervis)
DeCapua Scholarship – Matt Morris (Red Hook)
DeCapua Scholarship – Evan Gibbons (Warwick)
DeCapua Scholarship – Jeremy Mazzella (Warwick)

Awards Already Given Out At Sections
D1 MOW Section 9 Tournament – Tommy Askey (Pine Bush)
D2 MOW Section 9 Tournament – Nick Ross (Onteora)
MJD Most Exciting Match D1 Finals – Palanca (NP) vs Galarza (PB)
MJD Most Exciting Match D2 Finals – Amato (PJ) vs Antonelli (Marlboro)

Placewinners – Top 4 D1 & Top 2 D2

99 D1 Champ – Jordan Brown (Monroe Woodbury) *6th in NYS*
99 D1 Runner-Up – Alex Greco (Warwick) *8th in NYS*
99 D1 3rd Place – Mason Ketcham (Washingtonville)
99 D1 4th Place – Rocco Futia (Wallkill)
99 D2 Champ – Trevor Tufano (Port Jervis)
99 D2 Runner-Up – Isaiah Hockx (Saugerties)

106 D1 Champ – Justin Morales (Middletown) *6th in NYS*
106 D1 Runner-Up – Jackson Merli (NFA)
106 D1 3rd Place – Zak McKernan (Minisink Valley)
106 D1 4th Place – Sebastian Vidacovich (Valley Central)
106 D2 Champ – Rian Kirker (Red Hook)
106 D2 Runner-Up – Brandon McKay (Red Hook)

113 D1 Champ – Andrew Marchese (Washingtonville) *5th NYS*
113 D1 Runner-Up – Jaden Hansen (NFA)
113 D1 3rd Place – Gabe Giumarra (Cornwall)
113 D1 4th Place – Nico Riciutto (Valley Central)
113 D2 Champ – Ryan Ross (Port Jervis)
113 D2 Runner-Up – Peter Bender (Highland)

120 D1 Champ – Nick Picariello (Minisink Valley)
120 D1 Runner-Up – Santos Ocasio (Monroe Woodbury)
120 D1 3rd Place – Jacob Chenier (Kingston)
120 D1 4th Place – Jayden Norris (Middletown)
120 D2 Champ – Joey Curreri (Eldred)
120 D2 Runner-Up – Maddox McCormick (Port Jervis)

126 D1 Champ – Zack Ryder (Minisink Valley) *NYS Champion*
126 D1 Runner-Up – Moises Diaz (Middletown)
126 D1 3rd Place – Drew Greco (Warwick)
126 D1 4th Place – Mia Macaluso (Minisink Valley)
126 D2 Champ – Matt Morris (Red Hook) *8th NYS*
126 D2 Runner-Up – Caleb Harrison (Port Jervis)

132 D1 Champ – Jordan Suarez (Minisink Valley)
132 D1 Runner-Up – Matt Romano (Valley Central)
132 D1 3rd Place – Josh Sam (Middletown)
132 D1 4th Place – Travis Phillips (Valley Central)
132 D2 Champ – Joey Amato (Port Jervis)
132 D2 Runner-Up – John Antonelli (Marlboro)

138 D1 Champ – Sean Savacool (Minisink Valley)
138 D1 Runner-Up – Brian Lombardi (Minisink Valley)
138 D1 3rd Place – Dan Downs (Monroe Woodbury)
138 D1 4th Place – Liam Eberlein (Warwick)
138 D2 Champ – Alex Lopez (Red Hook)
138 D2 Runner-Up – Walter Evans (Ellenville)

145 D1 Champ – Ethan Palanca (New Paltz)
145 D1 Runner-Up – Gabe Galarza (Pine Bush)
145 D1 3rd Place – Jaccob Gonzalez (Minisink Valley)
145 D1 4th Place – Aiden Cuppett (New Paltz)
145 D2 Champ – Tyler Benincasa (Red Hook)
145 D2 Runner-Up – Logan Zehr (Highland)

152 D1 Champ – Tommy Askey (Pine Bush) *NYS Champ*
152 D1 Runner-Up – Andrew Filip (Minisink Valley)
152 D1 3rd Place – Mike Zrelak (Monroe Woodbury)
152 D1 4th Place – Myles Gordon (Kingston)
152 D2 Champ – Nick Ross (Onteora) *2nd NYS*
152 D2 Runner-Up – Logan Smith (Highland)

160 D1 Champ – Joe McGinty (Monroe Woodbury) *2nd NYS*
160 D1 Runner-Up – Jace Hirsch (Minisink Valley)
160 D1 3rd Place – Evan Gibbons (Warwick)
160 D1 4th Place – Luis Paulino (Monroe Woodbury)
160 D2 Champ – Patrick Ross (Onteora)
160 D2 Runner-Up – Bryce Horner (Port Jervis)

170 D1 Champ – Joe Velazquez (Middletown) *6th NYS*
170 D1 Runner-Up – Marcus Brown (Monroe Woodbury)
170 D1 3rd Place – Max Wernicki (Monroe Woodbury)
170 D1 4th Place – Nate Paterson (NFA)
170 D2 Champ – Nate Ross (Onteora)
170 D2 Runner-Up – Kwalin Gonzalez (Chester)

182 D1 Champ – Ethan Gallo (Minisink Valley) *6th NYS*
182 D1 Runner-Up – Darwin Banegas (NFA)
182 D1 3rd Place – Logan Michael (New Paltz)
182 D1 4th Place – Jeremy Mazzella (Warwick)
182 D2 Champ – Hayden Campolong (Red Hook)
182 D2 Runner-Up – Aiden Maduro (Highland)

195 D1 Champ – Brian Giacch (Middletown)
192 D1 Runner-Up – Joe Russell (NFA)
195 D1 3rd Place – Zavier Bennett (Kingston)
195 D1 4th Place – David Burgoa (NFA)
195 D2 Champ – Hunter Roberts (Eldred)
195 D2 Runner-Up – Connor Boyer (James I. O’Neil)

220 D1 Champ – JC Cabrera (Minisink Valley)
220 D1 Runner-Up – Armel Duke (Middletown)
220 D1 3rd Place – Maxx DeCapua (NFA)
220 D1 4th Place – Carson Henry (Minisink Valley)
220 D2 Champ – James Oosterom (Port Jervis) *3rd NYS*
220 D2 Runner-Up – Jacob Southard (Port Jervis)

285 D1 Champ – Adam Fenner (Minisink Valley) *3rd NYS*
285 D1 Runner-Up – Stephan Monchery (Middletown)
285 D1 3rd Place – Frankie Hernandez (Monroe Woodbury)
285 D1 4th Place – Fredy Garcia (Washingtonville)
285 D2 Champ – Devin McGovern (Chester)
285 D2 Runner-Up – Shammar Gittens (Highland)

Girls Champions
126 – Grace Pauls (Minisink Valley)
132 – Synaida Wheeler (Fallsburg)
138 – Carolyn Santiago (NFA)
145 – Alexa Ligouri (FDR)
152 – Eliyah Constant (Pine Bush)
170 – Jo Jo Tanzi (New Paltz)

2019-2020 Season Highlight & Interesting Facts

• Minisink Valley wins state duals and is #1 in NYS
• 13 state medalists in S9 – most ever
• Ryder (MV, 126) is the “heaviest” 8th grader to ever win state title
• MW has had multiple state medalists for 8 consecutive seasons
• Antonelli (Marlboro) 1st ever “shadow” wrestler to notch 100 wins
• MV had all 18 wrestlers place in S9 tournament
• 1st ever S9 Girls Tournament
• Mia Mac (MV) and Alyssa Reed (PJ) place in the boys tournament

Section 9 had two wrestlers compete in this past weekend’s National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Wrestling Championships in Council Bluffs, IA. Liam Bullock from SUNY Sullivan, a Chester HS graduate, and Daniel Heffner from SUNY Ulster, a Cornwall HS graduate, both qualified for the national tournament. Bullock went 0-2 at 125 dropping his first round match to 7-4 to Nick Gigiacomo from Rowan and then losing in the consies to Joel Avila of Southwest Oregon by a 17-12 margin. Heffner qualified at 157 pounds. He was pinned in the opening round by eventual finalist Joel Romero of Clackamas and then dropped a 14-6 decision to Adam Blonski of Joliet in the first consolation round. Congratulations to Liam and Daniel for qualifying for the tournament – that alone is a huge honor!

Congratulations to the following Section 9 grads for qualifying for their respective NCAA Wrestling Championships!

Please email me at sectionixwrestling@gmail.com if I have accidentally omitted anyone.

NCAA Division II Championships
March 13-14 – Sioux Falls, SD
174 – Michael Raccioppi (East Stoudsburg, Minisink Valley)
184 – Noah Curreri (Queens University, Eldred)

NCAA Division III Championships
March 13-14 – Cedar Rapids, IA
149 – Da’mani Burns (Johnson & Wales, NFA)
174 – AJ Aeberli (Coast Guard Academy, Minisink Valley)
285 – Sam Weinger (RIT, Washingtonville)

Congratulations to the Army West Point wrestling team for finishing 3rd at the EIWA championships and qualifying six wrestlers for the NCAA Championships in Minneapolis. The Black Knights finished with 112 team points which was the second highest total in program history only surpassed by the 1987 squad’s 132.25 points. Army finished 3rd in this year’s team race behind champions Lehigh (154 points) and Cornell (120 points). Navy (104.5 points) and Princeton (100 points) rounded out the top 5 in the team race.

The Black Knights also qualified six wrestlers for the NCAA Championships which takes place on 3/19 – 3/22 in Minneapolis, MN. Congratulations to the following Army wrestlers:

125 – Trey Chalifoux (Nashville, TN)
157 – Markus Hartman (Barrington, IL)
165 – Cael McCormick (Yorktown, IN)
174 – Ben Harvey (New Palestine, IN)
184 – Noah Stewart (Lewistown, PA)
197 – JT Brown (Elyria, OH)