Let’s take a look at the NYSPHSAA Division 1 Wrestling Championship tournament preview with a special spotlight on our Section 9 wrestlers! The top 2 wrestlers from the Section 9 Championships have earned the right to compete at the state championship tournament on Friday February 24th and Saturday February 25th at the MVP Arena in Albany. Click here for a link to the tournament home page which includes the tournament schedule and ticketing information!
102 Pound Section 9 Champion
Cooper Merli (NFA, freshman)
Season Record: 44-3
Merli’s Record Against the Bracket: 7-1
Merli’s Results Against the Bracket: Cooper has pinned Mastrianni 2:38, defeated Edwards 9-3, defeated Andreula 3-1, defeated Sheridan 5-1, defeated Lagala-Ryan 7-2, was pinned by Lagala-Ryan 3:24, won by forfeit over Soto, and defeated Soto 3-2.
102 Pound Section 9 Runner-Up
William Soto (NFA, 8th grade)
Season Record: 43-5
Soto’s Record Against the Bracket: 4-3
Soto’s Results Against the Bracket: Will pinned Fortugno 1:18, defeated Graulau 19-12, defeated Edwards 7-0, defeated Gralau 10-6, lost to Merli by forfeit, lost to Lagala-Ryan 12-8, and lost to Merli 3-2.
The 102 Pound Bracket
Section 1 – Nicholas Fortugno (Briarcliff-Byram Hill)
Section 1 – Charles Pryzmylski (Mahopac)
Section 2 – Vincent Graulau (Mohonasen)
Section 2 – Vincent Mastrianni (Colonie)
Section 3 – Ryan Munn (Carthage)
Section 4 – Peyton Hubbard (Chenango Forks)
Section 4 – Joel Scibek (Horseheads)
Section 5 – Jon Testa (Hilton)
Section 5 – Connor Guffey (Webster Thomas)
Section 6 – Cullen Edwards (Frontier)
Section 6 – Trevor DellaPenta (Hamburg-Eden)
Section 8 – Ethan Andreula (Long Beach)
Section 8 – Vincent Orandello (MacArthur)
Section 8 – Charles Bergonzi (MacArthur)
Section 9 – Cooper Merli (Newburgh)
Section 9 – William Soto (Newburgh)
Section 11 – Connor Sheridan (Hauppauge)
Section 11 – Gino Manta (Hauppauge)
Section 11 – Anthony Lagala-Ryan (Longwood)
CHSAA – Brett Crawford (St. Anthony’s)
PSAL – Tristan Levin (Tottenville)
102 Pound Preview
This will be one of the most exciting weight classes in the Division 1 tournament this year. Merli, who is making his second trip to Albany, is having an incredible year which includes a title at the Eastern States Classic. He has head-to-heads over several wrestlers in this bracket including Sheridan, Mastrianni, Lagala-Ryan, Edwards, Andreula, and Soto. Merli’s one in-state loss this season, however, was to Lagala-Ryan who pinned Merli at the Jeff Cuilty Duals. Sheridan, Andreula and Soto all have close losses to Merli and are definitely going to be in the hunt here as will Testa who is 39-2 and Munn who is undefeated!
110 Pounds Section 9 Champion
Luke Satriano (Valley Central, sophomore)
Season Record: 40-2
Satriano’s Record Against the Bracket: 6-0
Satriano’s Results Against the Bracket: Luke defeated Keeney 11-1, defeated Keeney 5-3, defeated Judd 17-2, defeated Judd 16-1, defeated Judd 19-3, and pinned Euceda 4:32
110 Pound Section 9 Runner-Up
Brady Judd (Warwick, sophomore)
Season Record: 30-8
Judd’s Record Against the Bracket: 1-4
Judd’s Results Against the Bracket: Brady lost to Euceda 9-1, lost to Satriano 17-2, lost to Satriano 19-3, lost to Satriano 16-1, pinned Gonzalez 5:40
The 110 Pound Bracket
Section 1 – Ryan Ball (Somers-North Salem)
Section 1 – Diego Gonzalez (Tappan Zee)
Section 2 – Ralph Keeney (Ballston Spa)
Section 2 – Drew Schiavo (Niskayuna)
Section 3 – Matthew Dougherty (Jamesville Dewitt/CBA)
Section 3 – Austin Fesinger (West Genesee)
Section 4 – Ryan Ferrara (Chenango Forks)
Section 5 – Kiernan Magee (Penfield)
Section 5 – Ryan Cieslinski (Spencerport)
Section 6 – Eian Peterson (Niagara Falls)
Section 6 – Evan Azbell (Niagara Wheatfield)
Section 8 – Dunia Sibomana (Long Beach)
Section 8 – Carlos Salazar (Hewlett)
Section 8 – Brody Franklin (Long Beach)
Section 9 – Luke Satriano (Valley Central)
Section 9 – Brady Judd (Warwick)
Section 11 – Jason Euceda (Brentwood)
Section 11 – Mason Mangialino (Comsewogue)
Section 11 – Mason Jacobellis (Pat-Med)
CHSAA – Austin Zimmerman (St. Joe’s Collegiate)
PSAL – Evin Gursoy (Midwood)
110 Pound Preview
Six returning state medalists including the top four finishers at 102 are entered here at 110 and promise to deliver plenty of fireworks for the fans at MVP Arena! Sibomana became last year’s state champ at 102 by pinning Ferrara in the finals. Both are in this bracket as are Gursoy and Satriano who placed 3rd and 4th respectively. As defending state champ, Sibomana is considered the favorite by many but it’s worth noting that Satriano has an impressive common opponent win over Sibomana. Dunia lost to Raekwon Shabazz from CT at the Beast of the East. A few weeks later, Satriano majored Shabazz at the Mid-Hudson Tournament. Keeney placed 5th and Mangialino took 8th at 102 at the state tournament last year. Euceda looked great at the S11 tournament and will be in the hunt as will Zimmerman who placed 6th at the Eastern States Classic. Magee should not be overlooked. He is undefeated this season however he has very few matches outside of Section 5. This is a very deep weight!
118 Pound Section 9 Champion
Rocco Futia (Wallkill, senior)
Season Record: 47-2
Futia’s Record Against the Bracket: 5-1
Futia’s Results Against the Bracket: Rocco pinned Ramirez 1:42, defeated Ramirez 10-6, pinned Whiteley 4:58, defeated Gummow 11-10, defeated Boice 4-1, and was pinned by Marlow 4:19
118 Pound Section 9 Runner-Up
Wyatt Boice (Minisink Valley, 8th grade)
Season Record: 30-11
Boice’s Record Against the Bracket: 0-4
Boice’s Results Against the Bracket: Wyatt lost to Dobbins 7-0, Lost to Dobbins 3-1, lost to Whiteley 4-3, and lost to Futia 4-1.
The 118 Pound Bracket
Section 1 – Joseph Ramirez (Mahopac)
Section 1 – Dillon Arrick (Arlington)
Section 2 – Tyler Whiteley (Burnt Hills)
Section 2 – Nico Rivera (Mohonasen)
Section 3 – Tomah Gummow (Indian River)
Section 4 – Dylan Mollo (Union-Endicott )
Section 4 – Quentin Getzin (Ithaca)
Section 5 – Richard Wood (Brockport)
Section 5 – Trey LeChase (Fairport)
Section 6 – Ken Schmitz (Hamburg-Eden)
Section 6 – Bryce DellaPenta (Hamburg-Eden)
Section 8 – Anthony Clem (Wantagh)
Section 8 – Angel Banegas (Uniondale)
Section 8 – Shane Dobbins (Plainedge)
Section 9 – Rocco Futia (Wallkill)
Section 9 – Wyatt Boice (MV)
Section 11 – Matt Marlow (Northport)
Section 11 – Sean Campbell (Copiague)
Section 11 – Mikey Tietjen (Sachen East)
CHSAA – Shane Meenaghan (Chaminade)
PSAL – Jordan Lee (James Madison)
118 Pound Preview
This is an excellent weight class however returning state champion Matt Marlow is the favorite here. Marlow is a perfect 37-0 this season and was the champion at Eastern States. Anthony Clem from Wantagh will likely be Marlow’s toughest test. Clem came in 3rd at ESC with his only loss coming to Division 2 wrestlers Devins. Futia placed 5th at ESC and could contend here as will Wood from Brockport and Meenaghan from Chaminade who is currently undefeated.
126 Pound Section 9 Champion
Richie Degon (Valley Central, junior)
Season Record: 15-3
Degon’s Record Against the Bracket: 2-1
Degon’s Results Against the Bracket: Richie pinned Petzold 1:09, pinned Petzold 3:34, and was defeated by Howard 10-5.
126 Pound Section 9 Runner-Up
Griffin Petzold (Warwick, sophomore)
Season Record: 33-6
Petzold’s Record Against the Bracket: 0-3
Petzold’s Results Against the Bracket: Griffin was pinned by Degon 1:09, pinned by Massaro 4:16, and pinned by Degon 3:34.
The 126 Pound Bracket
Section 1 – Joseph Tornambe (Yorktown)
Section 1 – Justin Gierum (Fox Lane)
Section 2 – Taylor Beaury (Saratoga)
Section 2 – Cameron Hinchcliff (Ballston Spa)
Section 3 – Shay Sinitiere (Carthage)
Section 3 – Landon Copley (Carthage)
Section 4 – Cody Dale (Horseheads)
Section 5 – Samson McKissick (Pittsford)
Section 5 – Tyler Simons (Hilton)
Section 6 – Jaden Crumpler (Niagara Falls)
Section 6 – Amarfio Reynolds (Niagara Falls)
Section 8 – Joseph Clem (Wantagh)
Section 8 – Ray Adams (Calhoun)
Section 8 – Joseph Manfredi (Herricks)
Section 9 – Richie Degon (Valley Central)
Section 9 – Griffin Petzold (Warwick)
Section 11 – Camryn Howard (Bellport)
Section 11 – Jace Yannucciello (Ward Melville)
Section 11 – Billy Colloca (West Babylon)
CHSAA – Nik Massaro (St. Joe’s Collegiate)
PSAL – Leo Gao (Brooklyn Tech)
126 Pound Preview
The 126-pound weight class was one of the most wide-open brackets at the Section 9 tournament…same can be said for 126 at the state tournament! There are no fewer that a half a dozen wrestlers with the ability to win this wight on any given day! Section 8 has three of them in Clem, Adams, and Manfredi while Section 6 has two of them in Crumpler and Reynolds. Crumpler beat Adams and Clem at Eastern States but lost to Manfredi. Clem beat Manfredi at the Section 8 tournament. Section 11 champ Howard from Bellport, only a 7th grader, hasn’t lost a match since mid-December and we should not overlook Tornambe or Degon here at 126.
132 Pound Section 9 Champion
Anthony Tresch (Minisink Valley, sophomore)
Season Record: 32-6
Tresch’s Record Against the Bracket:
Tresch’s Results Against the Bracket: Anthony pinned Pennell 1:47, pinned Pennell 1:42, pinned Pennell 3:04, and defeated by Carlin 7-0
Logan Pennell
132 Pound Section 9 Runner-Up
Logan Pennell (Pine Bush, sophomore)
Season Record: 27-8
Pennell’s Record Against the Bracket: 0-5
Pennell’s Results Against the Bracket: Logan was pinned by Tresch 1:47. pinned by Bauzile, pinned by Tresch 3:04, defeated by Grembocki 11-5, and pinned by Tresch 1:42
The 132 Pound Bracket
Section 1 – Joshua Hametz (Horace Greeley)
Section 1 – Robert DePolito (North Rockland)
Section 2 – Liam Carlin (Burnt Hills)
Section 2 – Vincent Grembocki (Shenendehowa)
Section 3 – Kennedy Thomas (Cicero-North Syracuse)
Section 4 – Tyler Ferrara (Chenango Forks)
Section 4 – Coleton Owen (Horseheads)
Section 5 – Cael Raines (Churchville-Chili)
Section 5 – Makhare Rogers (Rush Henrietta)
Section 6 – Tremell Mathews (Niagara Wheatfield)
Section 6 – AJ Didas (Clarence)
Section 8 – Ariel Waldman (Hewlett)
Section 8 – Ryan Arbeit (Wantagh)
Section 8 – Luke Nieto (Plainedge)
Section 9 – Anthony Tresch (Minisink Valley)
Section 9 – Logan Pennell (Pine Bush)
Section 11 – Michael Giugliano (Miller Place)
Section 11 – Ryan Eckerle (Commack)
Section 11 – Leo Mongiello (Sayville)
CHSAA – Justin Shay (Iona Prep)
PSAL – Botensky Bauzile (Thomas Edison)
132 Pound Preview
Another very solid weigh with plenty of talent however Section 4’s Tyler Ferrara is the clear favorite on paper. Ferrara was the 126 pound NYS champion last year and he won the Beast of the East this year! He is a perfect 29-0 for the season. Who’s has the potential to push Ferrara? Iona Prep’s Shay is a perfect 51-0 with a few win over wrestlers in the field and Liam Carlin and Michael Giugliano are having great seasons! Mathews is having a very solid season and Tresch has a win over Mathews which puts him into the mix here. Raines is tough and so are all three entries from Nassau! Very good weight class but it’s Ferrara’s to lose.
138 Pound Section 9 Champion
Jordan Brown (Monroe Woodbury, senior)
Season Record: 39-1
Brown’s Record Against the Bracket: 2-1
Brown’s Results Against the Bracket: Jordan was defeated by LaMorte 3-0, he defeated Bonasera 8-2, and he defeated McKernan 16-9
Zak McKernan
138 Pound Section 9 Runner-Up
Zak McKernan (Minisink Valley, senior)
Season Record: 29-8
McKernan’s Record Against the Bracket: 1-3
McKernan’s Results Against the Bracket: Zak was defeated by Goss 4-0, defeated Justin Lee 4-0, was pinned by Bonasera 4:25 and was defeated by Brown 16-9
The 138 Pound Bracket
Section 1 – Thomas Iasiello (Scarsdale)
Section 1 – Gregory Casvikes (Clarkstown South)
Section 2 – Gabriel Goss (Burnt Hills)
Section 2 – David Ensminger (Shenendehowa)
Section 3 – Manuel Gonzales (Indian River)
Section 3 – Walter Crofoot (Fulton)
Section 4 – Ryan Massengale (Horseheads)
Section 5 – Cal Arthur Russo (Spencerport)
Section 5 – Dino Battisti (Brockport)
Section 6 – Te`Shaun Mathews (Niagara Wheatfield)
Section 6 – Chase Richards (Niagara Wheatfield)
Section 8 – Thomas Bonasera (Wantagh)
Section 8 – Dylan Vanegas (Lynbrook)
Section 8 – Freedom Excel (Long Beach)
Section 9 – Jordan Brown (Monroe Woodbury)
Section 9 – Zak McKernan (Minisink Valley)
Section 11 – Nick LaMorte (Rocky Point)
Section 11 – Jared Spahn (Islip)
Section 11 – Dean Renna (Kings Park)
CHSAA – Paolo Ciatto (Iona Prep)
PSAL – Justin Lee (Murrow)
138 Pound Preview
Excellent weight class but all signs are pointing towards a showdown between Section 11 champ LaMorte and Section 9 champ Brown. Both wrestlers are returning state place winners with LaMorte taking 4th at 132 last year while JB placed 5th at 138. LaMorte defeated Brown 3-0 at the Eastern States on his way to the title. Brown wrestled back to take 3rd at the ESC; that loss was his only of the season! Bonasera’s only two in-state losses were to LaMorte and Brown at ESC so he’s definitely a contender as is Goss whose only on mat loss this season was to D2 stud Noto. Look for Mathews from S6 and Russo from S5 to make some noise here too!
Section 9 Finals
145 Pound Section 9 Champion
Luke Greiner (Minisink Valley, junior)
Season Record: 36-6
Greiner’s Record Against the Bracket: 2-1
Greiner’s Results Against the Bracket: Luke defeated Carlin 4-0, was defeated by Leverich 6-3, and pinned Brady 3:03
145 Pound Section 9 Runner-Up
Jackson Brady (Goshen, senior)
Season Record: 35-5
Brady’s Record Against the Bracket: 0-3
Brady’s Results Against the Bracket: Jackson was defeated by Van Orden 8-0, defeated by Masch 9-5, and pinned by Greiner 3:03
The 145 Pound Bracket
Section 1 – Matthew Masch (Roy C Ketcham)
Section 1 – Tyce Vandergoot (North Rockland)
Section 2 – Renso Montalvo (Amsterdam)
Section 2 – Colin Carlin (Burnt Hills)
Section 3 – Maxx Fesinger (West Genesee)
Section 4 – Daniel Parker (Ithaca)
Section 4 – Cael Owen (Horseheads)
Section 5 – Jackson Koppers (Rush Henrietta)
Section 5 – Jacob Mendola (Webster Thomas)
Section 6 – Cameron Catrabone (Williamsville North-East)
Section 6 – Garrett Chase (Niagara Wheatfield)
Section 8 – Jesse Vanorden (Wantagh)
Section 8 – William McMullen (Bethpage)
Section 8 – Jack Valentin (Long Beach)
Section 9 – Luke Greiner (Minisink Valley)
Section 9 – Jackson Brady (Goshen)
Section 11 – Kenneth Leverich (Smithtown West)
Section 11 – Christopher Massett (Patchogue-Medford)
Section 11 – Anthony Avitabile (East Islip)
CHSAA – Maxwell Watson (Iona Prep)
PSAL – Amir Avazov (James Madison)
145 Pound Preview
Section 6 champion Cameron Catrabone is the favorite at 145 D1. Catrabone was an Eastern States Classic champion, placed 2nd at Powerade, 3rd at the Beast of the East, and is currently ranked 12th in the nation by FloWrestling. Although he’s the favorite, Catrabone has been tested this season and will be pushed here at the NYSPHSAA tournament. VanOrden lost by a 3-1 margin to Catrabone at ESC. In the same tournament, Carlin only lost to him 4-0. Montalvo majored Carlin in the S2 finals so he’s clearly in the conversation as is Watson from Iona Prep who has an impressive 37-1 record. Section 11 champ Leverich is very tough and so is Greiner from Minisink Valley. This will be a great weight to follow!
S9 finals
152 Pound Section 9 Champion
Zack Filip (Minisink Valley, freshman)
Season Record: 31-5
Filip’s Record Against the Bracket: 2-1
Filip’s Results Against the Bracket: Zack defeated Charlot 10-3, was defeated by Warland 12-2, and defeated Charlot 8-1
152 Pound Runner-Up
Marcus Charlot (Monroe Woodbury, senior)
Season Record: 21-7
Charlot’s Record Against the Bracket: 0-2
Charlot’s Results Against the Bracket: Marcus was defeated by Filip 10-3 and defeated by Filip 8-1
The 152 Pound Bracket
Section 1 – Cameron Wierl (John Jay Sr -Cross River)
Section 1 – Anthony Lofaro (Ossining)
Section 2 – Josh Warland (Burnt Hills)
Section 2 – John Welcome (Averill Park)
Section 3 – Charles Foster (Vernon-Verona-Sherril)
Section 4 – Donavan Smith (Elmira)
Section 5 – Casper Stewart (Attica Batavia)
Section 5 – Landon Lazarek (Hilton)
Section 6 – Dylan Gagnon (North Tonawanda)
Section 6 – Cameron Millender (Sweet Home)
Section 8 – Paul Lichter (MacArthur)
Section 8 – Matthew Rodriguez (East Meadow)
Section 8 – Devin Downes (Plainedge)
Section 9 – Zack Filip (Minisink Valley)
Section 9 – Marcus Charlot (Monroe Woodbury)
Section 10 – Colden Hardy (Massena)
Section 11 – Frankie Volpe (Hauppauge)
Section 11 – Mason Rappold (Longwood)
Section 11 – CJ Jones (Half Hollow Hills East)
CHSAA – Eric Grant (Iona Prep)
PSAL – Dwayne Harris (Grand Street Campus)
152 Pound Preview
There are definitely some very talented wrestlers in this bracket however the favorite going into the tournament has to be Casper Stewart from Section 5. Stewart is a perfect 47-0 and won the Eastern States Classic this year, however he was pushed into overtime by Volpe from Section 11 in the ESC finals. A rematch between the two could very well wind up being the state finals but Eric Grant from Iona Prep may have something to say about that. Grant has a perfect 53-0 record this year and that includes a 15-0 tech fall over the Section 1 champ Wierl. Section 4 champ Donavan Smith was a D2 state finalist last year when he wrestled for Tioga so he’s one to watch and Section 8 champ Lichter has an unblemished record at 23-0 so he’s going to be in the hunt as well!
Section 9 Finals
160 Pound Section 9 Champion
Tyler Reed (Cornwall, senior)
Season Record: 39-2
Reed’s Record Against the Bracket: 3-1
Reed’s Results Against the Bracket: Tyler defeated Robinson-July 13-0, pinned Ricci 2:26, lost to Gregory 5-4 utb, and defeated Morgan 19-4
160 Pound Section 9 Runner-Up
Quinten Morgan (Minisink Valley, junior)
Season Record: 29-7
Morgan’s Record Against the Bracket: 1-2
Morgan’s Results Against the Bracket: Quinten was defeated by Robinson-July 6-4 sv, he defeated Coleman 7-5 sv, and was defeated by Tyler Reed 19-4
The 160 Pound Bracket
Section 1 – Tristan Robinson-July (Ossining)
Section 1 – Stephen Carroll (Lakeland-Panas)
Section 2 – Connor Gregory (Ballston Spa)
Section 2 – Lucas Schell (Queensbury)
Section 3 – Johnathan Clohecy (Fulton)
Section 3 – Anthony Kelly (Liverpool)
Section 4 – Liam Levantovich (Horseheads)
Section 5 – Coy Raines (Churchville-Chili)
Section 5 – Sam Ricci (Victor)
Section 6 – Michael Syposs (Niagara Falls)
Section 6 – Joseph Cicco (Niagara Wheatfield)
Section 8 – Joseph Mattei (Herricks)
Section 8 – Matthew Coffey (East Meadow)
Section 8 – Kenson Gervais (Westbury)
Section 9 – Tyler Reed (Cornwall)
Section 9 – Quinten Morgan (Minisink Valley)
Section 11 – Vincent Stazzone (Kings Park)
Section 11 – Max Casiano (Huntington)
Section 11 – Stephen Coleman (East Islip)
CHSAA – Sean Degl (Iona Prep)
PSAL – Shaydon Bernadskiy (Tottenville)
160 Pound Preview
This weight class should be a war! There are several wrestlers in the bracket who have the potential to win this weight class on any given day. S2 champ Gregory placed 3rd at ESC and has no losses to anyone in the field plus he has wins over Reed, Mattei, Coleman, and Morgan. Reed only lost to Gregory 5-4 utb so he is definitely in the mix and so is Mattei from Section 8 whose only two losses this season were by forfeit at the Eastern States Classic. Degl is tough and will contend here as will Clohecy from Section 3 who is currently undefeated.
172 Pound Section 9 Champion
Andrew Filip (Minisink Valley, senior)
Season Record: 41-3
Filip’s Record Against the Bracket: 4-0
Filip’s Results Against the Bracket: Andrew pinned Cunningham 4:58, defeated Szerlip 17-8, pinned Ponesse 1:14 and pinned Ponesse 4:32
172 Pound Section 9 Runner-Up
Joseph Ponesse (NFA, senior)
Season Record: 41-6
Ponesse’s Record Against the Bracket: 0-2
Ponesse’s Results Against the Bracket: Joseph was pinned by Filip 1:14 and pinned by Filip 4:32
The 172 Pound Bracket
Section 1 – Leo Venables (Carmel)
Section 1 – Sam Szerlip (Nyack)
Section 2 – Arman Hashimee (Shenendehowa)
Section 2 – Vito Spatafora (Saratoga)
Section 3 – Owen Atchie (Liverpool)
Section 4 – Dikota Hamilton (Ithaca)
Section 4 – Sam Brenen-Buseck (Elmira)
Section 5 – Brady Unger (Fairport)
Section 5 – JT Hohman (Fairport)
Section 6 – Luke Smeader (Hamburg-Eden)
Section 6 – Mikey Schaefer (Lancaster)
Section 8 – Justin Soriano (Clarke)
Section 8 – Noah Corwin (Wantagh)
Section 8 – Ryan Goodman (Hewlett)
Section 9 – Andrew Filip (Minisink Valley)
Section 9 – Joe Ponesse (Newburgh)
Section 11 – Robert Cunningham (Miller Place)
Section 11 – Ryan Monahan (Connetquot)
Section 11 – Aaron Nelson (William Floyd)
CHSAA – Nick Matos (St. Anthony’s)
PSAL – Aidan Gubarev (James Madison)
172 Pound Preview
Several very good wrestlers here at 172 but the two returning state place medalists are the two favorites going into the tournament. Section 5 champ Brady Unger placed 3rd last year at 160 and is a perfect 42-0 going into this year! Section 9 champion Andrew Filip placed 4th last season up at 189 and is 41-3 this season with two losses at Ironman and his other loss was at the ESC finals to Woodward. Soriano and Corwin from Section 8 are definitely two wrestlers worth watching here and Section 11 champion Cunningham is definitely a high medal contender.
189 Pound Section 9 Champion
Zack Ryder (Minisink Valley, junior)
Season Record: 8-0
Ryder’s Record Against the Field: 1-0
Ryder’s Results Against the Field: Ryder pinned Pennell 3:51
189 Pound Section 9 Runner-Up
Braydon Pennell (Pine Bush, senior)
Season Record: 30-3
Pennell’s Record Against the Bracket: 2-3
Pennell’s Results Against the Bracket: Braydon pinned Berisha, was defeated by Diakomihalis, was defeated by Bonsu, was pinned by Ryder and pinned Sanchez 2:52.
189 Pound Bracket
Section 1 – Alexander Berisha (Fox Lane)
Section 1 – Deandre Woods (New Rochelle)
Section 2 – Lorenzo Palleschi (Saratoga)
Section 2 – Quincy Bonville (Bethlehem)
Section 3 – Ben Paul (Jamesville-Dewitt/CBA)
Section 3 – Jayce Bliss (Liverpool)
Section 4 – Hunter Lavigne (Horseheads)
Section 5 – Elijah Diakomihalis (Hilton)
Section 5 – Mason Depew (Canandaigua Academy)
Section 6 – Jack MacDonald (Orchard Park)
Section 6 – Evan Stencel (Lancaster)
Section 8 – Eric Carlson (Manhasset)
Section 8 – Kwasi Bonsu (Baldwin)
Section 8 – William Henry (Syosset)
Section 9 – Zack Ryder (Minisink Valley)
Section 9 – Braydon Pennell (Pine Bush)
Section 11 – Michael Sanchez (Smithtown East)
Section 11 – James Sturek (East Islip)
Section 11 – Bryan Aulino (Lindenhurst)
CHSAA – Claudio Pinto (Chaminade)
PSAL – Dylan Pipitone (Tottenville)
189 Pound Preview
Ryder is a 2X NYS Champion, NYS Journeyman Champion, U17 World Bronze Medalist in freestyle, and is currently ranked #3 in the nation….yeah he’s the favorite here! Ryder’s biggest challenge will likely come from a Section 5 champ Elijah Diakomihalis who placed 3rd in NYS last season and was the Eastern States Classic champion this year, however we can rule out Sectio 8 champ Carlson as a potential finalist. Carlson placed 3rd in NYS last season and is undefeated this year – however he did not wrestle at ESC. Bonsu from S8 is also a likely medalist here as are Pennell, Berisha, and Sanchez!
Section 9 Finals
215 Pound Section 9 Champion
Ethan Gallo (Minisink Valley, senior)
Season Record: 43-3
Gallo’s Record Against the Bracket: 5-0
Gallo’s Results Against the Bracket: Gallo pinned Tibbs, teched Robinson, pinned Insogna, defeated Insogna 6-1, and pinned Green 1:54
215 Pound Section 9 Runner-Up
Bryson Tibbs (Middletown, junior)
Season Record: 36-3
Tibbs’s Record Against the Bracket: 1-1
Tibbs’s Results Against the Bracket: Bryson majored Gallagher and was pinned by Gallo
The 215 Pound Bracket
Section 1 – Yiorgos Georgas (Suffern)
Section 1 – Nathan Brauning (Fox Lane)
Section 2 – Darrien Insogna (Ballston Spa)
Section 2 – Pat McKinley (Saratoga)
Section 3 – Rocky Files (Central Square)
Section 4 – Jaylon Yearwood (Union-Endicott)
Section 4 – Ethan Hernandez (Elmira)
Section 5 – Nate Kasper (Hilton)
Section 5 – Jackson Burns (Spencerport)
Section 6 – Casey Robinson (Niagara Wheatfield)
Section 6 – Cameron Hall (Niagara Falls)
Section 8 – Benjamin Velasquez (MacArthur)
Section 8 – Joshua Amiel (Bellmore-JFK)
Section 8 – Andrew Cagno (Oceanside)
Section 9 – Ethan Gallo (Minisink Valley)
Section 9 – Bryson Tibbs (Middletown)
Section 11 – Jaiden Green (Bellport)
Section 11 – Liam Knapp (Bay Shore)
Section 11 – William Francois (Longwood)
CHSAA – Zach Gallagher (Chaminade)
PSAL – Davit Abjandadze (Murrow)
215 Pound Preview
Section 9 champ Ethan Gallo is the clear favorite here. Gallo was last year’s state champion at this weight, he placed 2nd at the ESC, and is currently ranked 13th in the nation by FloWrestling. Section 2 champ Insogna has been defeated twice by Gallo however one of the matches was a 6-1 decision back in December so he’s definitely a contender here as is Section 8 champ Velsquez who placed 6th at ESC. Section 5 champion Kasper was not at ESC this year however he is sporting a 41-0 record and will be in the mix along with Files, Tibbs, and Abjandadze.
285 Pound Section 9 Champion
Stephan Monchery (Middletown, junior)
Season Record: 40-1
Monchery’s Record Against the Bracket: 5-0
Monchery’s Results Against the Bracket: Stephan pinned Regis, pinned Bradley, pinned Bradley, pinned Hotaling, and pinned Groncki
285 Pound Section 9 Runner-Up
Rahmiere Bradley (Middletown, junior)
Bradley’s Record Against the Bracket: 1-4
Bradley’s Results Against the Bracket: Rahmiere was pinned by Monchery, pinned by Monchery, lost to Hotaling, lost to Regis and defeated Radar
The 285 Pound Bracket
Section 1 – Dimitri Pierre (East Ramapo)
Section 1 – Justin Smoot (Clarkstown North)
Section 2 – Will Hotaling (Colonie)
Section 2 – Cameron Groncki (Mohonasen)
Section 3 – Chris Belmonte (New Hartford-Saquoit Valley)
Section 4 – Qymani Viera-Powell (Union-Endicott)
Section 5 – Ty Rader (Victor)
Section 5 – Jeffrey Craddock (Fairport)
Section 6 – Tommy Carlsen (Lancaster)
Section 6 – Bryce Hawes (Clarence)
Section 8 – Vincent Petzold (Plainedge)
Section 8 – Joseph Arbitello (East Meadow)
Section 8 – Brandon Goldstein (Bellmore-JFK)
Section 9 – Stephan Monchery (Middletown)
Section 9 – Rahmiere Bradley (Middletown)
Section 10 – Roy Gamble (Massena)
Section 11 – Sebastian Regis (East Islip)
Section 11 – Elmer Cruz (Brentwood)
Section 11 – Juan Pantaleon (Islip)
CHSAA – Gabe Garibaldi (Iona Prep)
PSAL – Christian Kiste (Susan E. Wagner)
285 Pound Preview
Several outstanding wrestlers here but we might be looking at a rematch of this year’s Eastern States Classic final! In that match, Section 9 champion Monchery, who placed 5th in NYS last season, pinned Section 11 champ Regis who was a 2022 state finalist! Hotaling from Section 2 has lost only twice this year, once to Monchery and once to a D2 wrestler, so he’s a contender as is the other S2 entry Groncki from Mohonasen. The Section 3 champ Belmonte is an undefeated freshman so he’s going to be one to watch as are Carlsen, Bradley, and Garibaldi!