The Section 9 Wrestling Division 1 Championship tournament is in the books, and we saw a lot of history made! First and foremost, congratulations to Minisink Valley for winning the team title in record setting fashion. The Warriors crowned a record-tying 8 champions (Warwick also had 8 in 2011) and they are sending a record 10 wrestlers to the NYS tournament in Albany in two weeks. The Warriors also set the record for most team points with 370! They broke the record that the 2020 Minisink team set when that team scored 369 points – but they did that with 15 weight classes versus the 13 weight classes that currently exist! The tournament also featured the first ever female finalist! By making it to the finals at 118 pounds, Minisink Valley senior Sofia Macaluso became the first ever female to make it to the finals of the Section 9 wrestling tournament! Congrats Sofia! Let’s take a look at some of the individual awards as well as a weight class by weight class look at the Division 1 tournament.
Most Outstanding Wrestler – PJ Duke Minisink Valley
Most Improved Wrestler – Tyler Reed – Cornwall
Most Exciting Finals – Luke Greiner (MV) vs Jackson Merli (NFA)
Team Standings – Top 10
1. Minisink Valley – 370 (new record)
2. Monroe Woodbury – 159
3. Middletown – 138
4. Warwick – 123
5. Wallkill – 117
6. Cornwall – 107
7. Newburgh Free Academy – 105
8. Valley Central – 102
9. Washingtonville – 92
10. Goshen – 91
102 Pounds
Top 6 On The Podium
1. Luke Satriano – Valley Central
2. Cooper Merli – Newburgh Free Academy
3. Marco Futia – Wallkill
4. Brady Judd – Warwick
5. Joseph Uhrig – Minisink Valley
6. Luke Dakin – FDR Hyde Park
Valley Central freshman won the title at 102 by defeating fellow state qualifier Cooper Merli from NFA by a score of 6-2 in the finals. Satriano has shown that he’s not only the top 102 pounder in Section 9 but he is a legitimate contender for a state title in Albany this year. I would not be shocked if Merli makes his way to the podium in Albany too. Wallkill’s Marco Futia had a great tournament and finished 3rd. Futia was able to challenge Merli for a spot on the Section 9 team going to Albany, but he lost to Merli in his true second match. Warwick’s Brady Judd avenged two regular season losses to Minisink Valley’s Joseph Uhrig and defeated him by a score of 6-4 in the consolation semis. Judd finished 4th while the MV 7th grader took 5th by defeating FDR’s Luke Dakin in the 5th/6th medal match.
110 Pounds
Top 6 On The Podium
1. Nicholas Weeden – Valley Central
2. Wyatt Boice – Minisink Valley
3. Vinny Vidacovich – Valley Central
4. Liam Hayes – Monroe Woodbury
5. Kevin Aleci – Cornwall
6. Joe Sullivan – Minisink Valley
Valley Central junior Nicholas Weeden is your 110-pound champion for Section 9 Division 1. Weeden had a convincing 8-1 victory over Minisink Valley 7th grader Wyatt Boice in the finals. Both Weeden and Boice will represent Section 9 in Albany. These two wrestlers locked horns three times this year with Boice winning the first match and Weeden taking the last two. Weeden’s teammate Vinny Vidacovich had a great tournament and placed 3rd by notching a 12-4 major decision over 4th place finisher Liam Hayes from Monroe Woodbury in their medal match. Cornwall’s Kevin Aleci defeated Minisink Valley’s Joe Sullivan by a score of 3-1 in the consolation finals and placed 5th with Sullivan taking 6th on the podium.
118 Pounds
Top 6 On The Podium
1. Alex Greco – Warwick
2. Sofia Macaluso – Minisink Valley
3. Rocco Futia – Wallkill
4. Maxim Javorsky – Monroe Woodbury
5. Logan Pennell – Pine Bush
6. James Duffy – Pine Bush
2020 NYS place winner Alex Greco avenged a regular season loss to top seeded Sofia Macaluso by earning the title at 118 with his 3-0 victory over the Minisink Valley senior in the finals. Macaluso became the first ever girl to make it to the Section 9 finals! Macaluso was challenged by 3rd place finisher Rocco Futia to a true second match and it was Futia who was victorious so he will join Greco as the two 118-pound wrestlers who are going to represent Section 9 in Albany. Maxim Javorsky from Monroe Woodbury placed 4th and he was followed by two Pine Bush wrestlers – Logan Pennell who placed 5th and James Duddy who battled all the way from the #9 seed to take 6th place honors.
126 Pounds
Top 6 On The Podium
1. Anthony Tresch – Minisink Valley
2. Sebastian Vidacovich – Valley Central
3. Grant Barczak – Monroe Woodbury
4. Viktor Banda – Wallkill
5. Jayden Norris – Middletown
6. Marco Piazza – Monroe Woodbury
Minisink Valley freshman Anthony Tresch lived up to his #1 seed and became the 2022 Section 9 Division 1 champion at 126 pounds. In the finals, Tresch defeated Valley Central’s Sebastian Vidacovich by a score of 3-0. The Valley Central junior will join Tresch as the two wrestlers representing Section 9 at 126 in Division 1. Our 3rd place finisher was Monroe Woodbury senior Grant Barczak who majored 4th place finisher Viktor Banda by a score of 10-2 in their medal match. In the 5th/6th match Middletown junior Jayden Norris topped Monroe junior Marco Piazza by a score of 8-2.
132 Pounds
Top 6 On The Podium
1. Andrew Marchese – Washingtonville
2. Zak McKernan – Minisink Valley
3. Griffin Petzold – Warwick
4. Jacob Roger – Middletown
5. Isaac Hernandez – Monticello
6. Michael Accardo – Warwick
2020 NYS 5th place finisher Andrew Marchese is making another trip to Albany and this time he has laser like focus on taking home a state title. Marchese won the Section 9 title at 132 with a workmanlike 6-0 win over Minisink Valley’s Zak McKernan. Both Marchese and McKernan will be making the trip to Albany in two weeks! Warwick freshman Griffin Petzold wrestled from the #6 seed all the way to a 3rd place finish on the podium by defeating Middletown sophomore Jacob Roger in their medal match. Monticello’s Isaac Hernandez took home the 5th place medal by defeating Warwick’s Michael Accardo by a score of 4-2 in the consolation finals.
138 Pounds
Top 6 On The Podium
1. PJ Duke – Minisink Valley
2. Jordan Brown – Monroe Woodbury
3. Liam Holmes – Minisink Valley
4. Jackson Brady – Goshen
5. Tyler Desotle – Warwick
6. Michael Tomblinson – Middletown
Minisink Valley freshman PJ Duke showed why he is the 3rd ranked wrestler in the nation according to FloWrestling. Duke, a 2020 NYS champion as a 7th grader, defeated Monroe Woodbury junior Jordan Brown by a score of 17-6 in the finals. Brown placed 6th in the NYS tournament in 2020 and is considered a favorite to place very high at this year’s state tournament. Could we possibly see an all Section 9 final at 138 in Albany??? Brown had to earn his spot on the Section 9 team by defeating 3rd place finisher Liam Holmes from Minisink Valley in a true second challenge. The Minisink Valley sophomore finished 3rd by defeating Goshen’s Brady Jackson by a score of 5-2 in the consolation finals. Warwick sophomore Tyler Desotle placed third followed by Middletown’s Michael Tomblinson who earned 6th place honors.
145 Pounds
Top 6 On The Podium
1. Luke Greiner – Minisink Valley
2. Jackson Merli – Newburgh Free Academy
3. George Thomas – Wallkill
4. Dominic Gennaro – Washingtonville
5. Brandon Carcaterra – Monroe Woodbury
6. Theo Ballantine – Cornwall
Sophomore Luke Greiner from Minisink Valley won the title at 145 by defeating NFA’s Jackson Merli by a score of 5-3 in sudden victory in a match that deservedly won the award for Most Exciting Finals Match! These two wrestled back in January at the Section 9 Duals and it was Merli that won that match by a score of 8-6. That match was also determined in sudden victory. Greiner and Merli will both represent Section 9 in Albany! Wallkill junior George Thomas had a great tournament and placed 3rd at this weight by defeating 4th place finisher Dominic Gennaro from Washingtonville in the consolation finals. Monroe Woodbury sophomore Bandon Carcaterra placed 5th by topping Cornwall’s Theo Ballantine 7-5 in their medal match.
152 Pounds
Top 6 On The Podium
1. Eric Tigue – Minisink Valley
2. Tyler Reed – Cornwall
3. Christian Hockx – Saugerties
4. Marco Martini – Wallkill
5. Ibrahim Aljamal – Washingtonville
6. Jason Cintron – Middletown
Minisink Valley senior Eric Tigue is now a 3X Section 9 champion! Tigue won titles in 2018 and 2019 while wrestling for Division 2 Port Jervis and has now added a 3rd title by winning a Division 1 title as a Minisink Valley Warrior! Tigue won the title by defeating top seeded Tyler Reed from Cornwall in the finals. Reed was recognized as the 2022 Most Improved Wrestler in Section 9 prior to the start of the finals. Reed had to earn his spot on the Section 9 team by defeating Saugerties junior Christian Hockx in a true second challenge. Hockx finished 3rd by beating Wallkill’s Marco Martini who took 4th. Washingtonville junior Ibrahim Aljamal placed 5th when he majored Middletown’s Jason Cintron by a score of 11-0 in the 5th place consolation finals.
160 Pounds
Top 6 On The Podium
1. Zack Ryder – Minisink Valley
2. Anthony Manzi – Newburgh Free Academy
3. George Racz – Minisink Valley
4. Logan Serafin – Washingtonville
5. Robert Liggio – Monroe Woodbury
6. Jake Mazzella – Warwick
Nationally ranked Minisink valley sophomore Zack Ryder left no doubt about who is the top dog at 160 in Section 9 by pinning his way through the entire tournament. Ryder recorded falls in 29 seconds, 20 seconds, 15 seconds before winning the title at 160 by pinning Anthony Manzi of NFA in 2:59. Ryder is looking to win another state title after winning gold in Albany at 126 in 2020. Manzi punched his ticket to the finals, and to Albany, by defeating Minisink’s George Racz in the semis. Racz wrestled back well and took 3rd place honors after pinning 4th place finisher Logan Serafin in the consolation finals. Monroe Woodbury senior Rob Liggio defeated Warwick senior Jake Mazzella to take 5th place at 160.
172 Pounds
Top 6 On The Podium
1. Mikey Altomer – Minisink Valley
2. Mike Zrelak – Monroe Woodbury
3. Myles Gordon – Kingston
4. Nick Cavallo – Cornwall
5. Jaden Charles – Middletown
6. Johnny Accardo – Warwick
2020 NYS 5th place finisher Mikey Altomer from Minisink Valley has punched his ticket to Albany once again by being crowned the 172 pound champion for Section 9 Division 1! Altomer dominated his opponents all weekend and capped off his title run by beating Monroe Woodbury’s Mike Zrelak by a score of 10-1 in the finals. Zrelak finishes his outstanding high school career by earning his first trip to Albany by finishing 2nd. Kingston senior Myles Gordon entered the tournament as the #7 seed but wrestled great and finished in 3rd place by defeating 4th place finisher Nick Cavallo from Cornwall in their medal match. Middletown’s Jalen Charles placed 5th followed by Warwick sophomore Johnny Accardo who finished 6th.
189 Pounds
Top 6 On The Podium
1. Andrew Filip – Minisink Valley
2. Braydon Pennell – Pine Bush
3. Max Winkler – Goshen
4. Joe Ponesse – Newburgh Free Academy
5. Nick York – Kingston
6. Joe Bacenet – Warwick
In an exciting and intense finals match, Minisink Valley junior Andre Filip took home the crown at 189 by defeating Pine Bush junior Braydon Pennell by a score of 3-2! Filip is now a 4X Section 9 place winner. Pennell had to earn his right to wrestle in Albany for Section 9 by defeating 3rd place finisher Max Winkler in a true second challenge. Winkler had a great tournament and won 3rd place honors by avenging a regular season loss to 4th place finisher Joe Ponesse. Winkler defeated Ponesse by a score of 4-2 in their 3rd/4th place medal match. Nick York from Kingston placed 5th and he was followed by Warwick’s Joe Bacenet who took 6th at 189.
215 Pounds
Top 6 On The Podium
1. Ethan Gallo – Minisink Valley
2. Bryson Tibbs – Middletown
3. Justin Callahan – Washingtonville
4. Gavin Furst – Cornwall
5. Lou DelBianco – Beacon
6. Chris Betcher – Wallkill
Minisink Valley junior Ethan Gallo pinned his way through the tournament to win the title at 215. Gallo, a three-sport athlete, placed 6th in NYS at 182 in 2020 and is one of the favorites to win it all in Albany this year. Gallo defeated Middletown sophomore Bryson Tibbs by pinfall in 51 seconds to earn the title. Tibbs, who wrestled most of the year at 189, bumped up to 215 for the tournament and made it to the finals so he, along with Gallo, will represent Section 9 at the state tournament in Albany in two weeks. Washingtonville senior Justin Callahan placed 3rd at 215 when he defeated Cornwall junior Gavin Furst in their 3rd/4th place medal match. Beacon senior Lou DelBianco placed 5th followed by Wallkill’s Chris Betcher who earned 6th place honors.
285 Pounds
Top 6 On The Podium
1. Stephan Monchery – Middletown
2. Dominick Siracusa – Goshen
3. Rahmiere Bradley – Middletown
4. Aiden DeEntremont – Goshen
5. Nick Valenzano – Cornwall
6. Saul Abrego – Pine Bush
Middletown sophomore Stephan Monchery was absolutely dominant in pinning his way to the title at 285. Monchery notched pins in 1:35, :12, 3:30, before capping off his title run by pinning his finals opponent Dominick Siracusa is 2:12. Monchery is considered a one of the favorites to win a state title in Albany in a few weeks! Siracusa, a junior from Goshen, had a great season and a great Section 9 tournament making it all the way to the finals. However, Siracusa will not be representing Section 9 in Albany because he was defeated in a true second challenge by Monchery’s Middletown teammate – sophomore Rahmiere Bradley. Bradley came into the tournament as the #9 seed and wrestled all the way to 3rd place before defeating Siracusa 5-4 in the true second challenge and punching his ticket to the state tournament. Siracusa’s teammate Aiden DeEntremont placed 4th at 285, followed by Nick Valenzano from Cornwall and Saul Abrego from Pine Bush who took 5th and 6th place respectively.