NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships – Section 9 Division 2 Team and Tournament Preview

101 – Section 9 Champion
Matteo Walsh (Rondout Valley, 7th grade)
Season Record: 28-6
Record Against the Bracket: 0-1
Results Against the Bracket: Lost to Higley f 4:57

101 – Division 2 Tournament Preview
This is going to be an exciting weight class to watch unfold. There is a nice mixture of both experienced varsity wrestlers and those who are wrestling at the varsity level for the first time. Section 5 champion Wyatt Sartori is having a great year and is likely one of the favorites as is Section 6 champion Jakob Lucinski who placed 4th at this tournament last year. PSAL champion Brandon Munoz will definitely contend here as will Section 4 champ and runner-up Declan McKee and Caden Higley respectively. Others to keep an eye on here are Section 8 champ Colton Schmiesing, Section 5 runner-up John Winseman, Section 11 champ Antonio Faldetta, and Section 6 finalist Mason Dellapenta.

101 Pound Division 2 State Qualifiers

108 – Section 9 Champion
Bryce Reilly (OLL, sophomore)
Season Record: 24-5
Record Against the Bracket: 0-0
Results Against the Bracket: none

108 – Division 2 Tournament Preview
There is a lot of talent in this weight class and there are several wrestlers with the potential to win it all on Saturday! As a returning state champion, Tommy Aiello from Section 11 is certainly one to watch however he’s been defeated by one of the other wrestlers in the bracket – Cadin Cole from Tioga. Cole, however, finished 3rd in the Section 4 tournament behind champion Maverick Beckwith and runner-up Anthony Valls. Beckwith has an early season win over 2X state champion Darren Florance! All three Section 4 entries have the ability to place here. Section 6 champion Jaron Barrientos is another wrestler with the potential to take gold here and the same can be said for Section 5 champ Joe Scott who is undefeated thus far this season and placed 7th in NYS last season.

108 Pound Division 2 State Qualifiers

116 – Section 9 Champion
Bradley Gatto (Highland, junior)
Season Record: 33-9
Record Against the Bracket: 0-0
Results Against the Bracket: none

116 – Division 2 Tournament Preview
Section 4 champion Darren Florance is a 2X NYS champion and is the favorite to win it again this season – but he will be tested. Section 3 champion Brock Frederick from South Jefferson is having a great season and enters the state championships with an unblemished record. Another serious contender here is Section 5 champion Dylan Depew-Cappadonia. The Canisteo-Greenwood junior has only two losses on the season – both were to returning state place winners back in December and up at 124 pounds! A few other wrestlers to keep an eye on here are Section 6 champion Dylan Newman, Chase Davis from Section 11, and Section 4 qualifiers Logan Bellis and Lucas Hoffman.

116 Pound Division 2 State Qualifiers

124 – Section 9 Champion
Ewan Celestine (Red Hook, junior)
Season Record: 26-11
Record Against the Bracket: 0-0
Results Against the Bracket: none

124 – Division 2 Tournament Preview
This is one of the deepest weight classes in the tournament – either division! There are at least seven wrestlers in this bracket with a legitimate shot of earning the top step of the podium. Section 3 champion Chase Nevills is a returning state champ so he’s certainly in the mix. Nevills is having another great season however did suffer a loss earlier in the year to Section 5 champ and former state placer Chris Noto. Noto is undefeated thus far this year however he was not at the Eastern States Classic where Section 8 champion Finnegan O’Brien made it all the way to the finals before dropping a 3-0 decision to Evin Gursoy. Caden Barrientos from Section 6 is as tough as they come and will definitely contend here as will Chris Colon who won the Section 11 title and finished 5th in the state last season. Section 3 runner-up Gene Edwards was also a state place winner last season finishing 4th at 118 pounds. Section 4 Caleb Cole will also be in the mix here. Cole finished 4th at 110 last year however needed to avenge a loss to fellow Section 4 hammer Landyn Shaffer in order to win the sectional tournament. Sit back and enjoy – this will be a great one to watch!

124 Pound Division 2 State Qualifiers

131 – Section 9 Champion
Reese Greathouse (Marlboro, senior)
Season Record: 29-4
Record Against the Bracket: 0-0
Results Against the Bracket: none

131 – Division 2 Tournament Preview
Section 11 champion Gavin Mangano was a state finalist last season and was the 2024 Eastern States Classic champion where he defeated 2X Division 1 state champ Matt Marlow. Mangano is clearly one of the favorites here, but he will have plenty of competition. Section 4 champion Jayden Duncanson placed 3rd in the state last season and has a 28-1 record this season. His only loss was to a wrestler in this bracket, Carmine Calimeri from Section 6! Section 3 champion Kolton Kelly was a state place winner last year and needs to be watched here and the same can be said for Esuar Ordonez who is the Section 1 champion. Section 2 champ Justin Mullis has a win over Ordonez and he placed 7th at the Eastern States so he’s in the mix as is Sawyer Bell from Section 7 who is undefeated at 44-0. Others to keep an eye on here are Scott Nicolella from Section 2, Zachary Rooks from Section 5, and Kenji Walters from Section 6.

131 Pound Division 2 State Qualifiers

S1: Esuar Ordonez (Put Val, Sr)
S2: Justin Mullis (Hudson Falls, So)
S2: Scott Nicolella (D-burg, Sr)
S3: Kolton Kelley (Camden, Jr)
S3: Santino Tubia (CVA, Sr)
S3: Jacob Strain (Adirondack, Sr)
S4: Jayden Duncanson (Tioga, So)
S4: Abdul-Jamil Zaggout (Unat, Fr)
S4: Hunter Boynton (Moravia, Jr)
S5: Zach Rooks (Pal Mac, Jr)
S5: Holden Kelly (Perry, Jr)

S6: Carmine Calimeri (S-west, So)
S6: Kenji Walters (Southwestern, Sr)
S7: Sawyer Bell (B-town, Sr)
S8: William Grassini (Clarke, Fr)
S8: Matteo Porres (North Shore, Jr)
S9: Reese Greathouse (Marl, Sr)
S10: Cyler Baer (Gouverneur, Fr)
S11: Gavin Mangano (SWR, Fr)
S11: Frank D`Elia (Port Jeff, Sr)
‍PSAL: Kenan Djokic (RKA, Sr)‍
AIS: Sacha MacAdam (Collegiate, So)

138 – Section 9 Champion
Thomas Shields (Onteora, senior)
Season Record: 25-6
Record Against the Bracket: 0-0
Results Against the Bracket: none

138 – Division 2 Tournament Preview
In the opinion of almost every wrestling fan, 138 Division 2 the most “stacked” bracket in the tournament – either division! At 138 we have the top three place finishers from last year at 126 and the top two place finishers from last year at 132 – not to mention a few other returning state place winners! Let’s start with the three former state champs! Undefeated Brayden Fahrbach from Section 11 was the state titlist at 132 pounds last season, and he was this year’s Eastern States Classic champion. Jordan Joslyn was the state champ at 126 last year and he is a perfect 44-0 this season. To win last year’s state title Joslyn defeated a 2X state champ from Section 4, Gianni Sylvestri, who is also in this bracket and also happens to be undefeated! Aiden Gillins from Section 6 was a state finalist last season losing to Fahrbach in the finals. He is having another great year and will be in the hunt this year as will Trevor Bishop from Section 2 Tamarac whose only losses this year were at the Beast of the East and the Eastern States Classic. Cole Sands from Section 5, Patrick Grimsey from Section 3, and Alex Clancy from Section 7 are all returning state place winners and will definitely contend here. Did I mention that this bracket is loaded?

138 Pound Division 2 State Qualifiers

145 – Section 9 Champion
Justin Coiteux (New Paltz, senior)
Season Record: 35-5
Record Against the Bracket: 1-1
Results Against the Bracket: Win over Cox 12-4; lost to Cullen 7-3

145 – Division 2 Tournament Preview
This is without a question a very solid weight class, but the favorite here is Casper Stewart from Section 5. Stewart is a multiple time Division 1 place winner, and he has been nationally ranked in the past. He has a 38-3 record this year with two of his losses coming at the Beast of the East where he placed 5th and the other coming up at 152 to 2023 state champion Caden Bellis from Tioga. Two of Bellis’s Tioga teammates are contenders to win a title here – Tyler Roe and Deakon Bailey have both qualified for the state tournament and will be in the medal hunt. Aiden Buttery from Section 6, Colton Havens from Section 5 and Kieren Cullen from Section 2 are all returning state place winners and will definitely contend here. All three Section 3 qualifiers – Ryley Monica, Matt Verri, and Cooper Reed who is a 2023 state placer – are legitimate medal contenders and we shouldn’t overlook Section 11 champ Kyle Barber. A few others to watch here are Section 9 champ Justin Coiteux, AIS champ Leo Tansey, and Section 8 champion Raymond McNulty.

145 Pound Division 2 State Qualifiers

S1: Rafael Rodriguez (Sle Hol, Fr)
S2: Kieran Cullen (Greenville, Sr)
S2: Ryker Cox (Coxs-Athens, Fr)
S3: Ryley Monica (South Jeff, Sr)
S3: Matt Verri (Little Falls, Jr)
S3: Cooper Reed (CVA, Jr)
S4: Tyler Roe (Tioga, Sr)
S4: Deakon Bailey (Tioga, Sr)
S4: Abdeen Zaggout (Unat-UF, So)
S5: Casper Stewart (Attica, Sr)
S5: Colton Havens (Can-Green, Jr)

S6: Ayden Buttery (Newfane, Jr)
S6: Ethan Coleman (Portville, Sr)
S7: Jacob Magiera (Beekman, Jr)
S8: Raymond McNulty (CSH, Jr)
S8: Sebastian Mejia (Clarke, So)
S9: Justin Coiteux (New Paltz, Sr)
S10: Turner Sochia (Gouv, Jr)
S11: Kyle Barber (Bayport-BP, Sr)
S11: Liam Squires (Southamp, So)
‍PSAL: Jason Consalvo (Petrides, Jr)‍
AIS: Leo Tansey (Collegiate, Jr)

152 – Section 9 Champion
Quinian Jones (Highland, junior)
Season Record: 37-10
Record Against the Bracket: 0-0
Results Against the Bracket: none

152 – Division 2 Tournament Preview
One of the definite favorites to win this bracket is defending state champion Caden Bellis from Section 4. The Tioga senior was a state titlist at 138 last year and has a 38-1 record this season. His one loss, however, is to a wrestler who is also in this bracket, Tavian Camper from Section 3. Camper defeated Bellis 9-7 in sudden victory in late December, but Bellis avenged the loss and beat Camper 1-0 in mid-January. Could round 3 take place on Saturday night in Albany? Section 10 champion Vandavian Way is a returning state place winner and will be in the mix and we should not overlook Section 1 champion Henry Martin or Section 3 finalist TJ O’Connor.

152 Pound Division 2 State Qualifiers

160 – Section 9 Champion
Ryan Ross (Port Jervis, senior)
Season Record: 36-5
Record Against the Bracket: 2-0
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Malfitano 4-0 and Bell 9-3.

160 – Division 2 Tournament Preview
The heavy favorite to repeat as 160-pound Division 2 state champion is Ousmane Duncanson from Section 4. The Tioga senior is undefeated this season sporting a perfect 29-0 record. His stiffest competition may come from Section 3 champion Mason Rowley from Little Falls. Rowley has a win over the top seeded Division 1 170 pounder Jonathan Clohecy and a few wins over Vandavian Way. Canisteo Greenwood’s Beu Zeh was a state place winner last season so he’s one to watch but he lost in the Section 5 finals to Noah Leitten from Perry HS who comes in with a 44-1 record. Duncanson’s teammate McCumber is tough and will be in the medal hunt as will Section 9 champion Ryan Ross and Section 6 winner Jacob Stevenson.

160 Pound Division 2 State Qualifiers

170 – Section 9 Champion
Michael Franco (Chester, senior)
Season Record: 29-3
Record Against the Bracket: 1-0
Results Against the Bracket: win over Smithwick DQ

170 – Division 2 Tournament Preview
After missing the state tournament last season, Section 5 champion Braidon Woodward has been on a mission this season. The Pal-Mac senior is sporting a 50-1 record with his only loss being a 3-2 decision to Division 1 hammer Griff LaPlante. He won the Eastern States Classic and scored bonus points over nearly every opponent this year. Woodward’s toughest competition in Albany may be the wrestler he beat in the Section 5 finals, Tavyn MacDonell from Bolivar Richburg. MacDonell was a state finalist this year and has only lost to one Division 2 opponent all year – Woodward by a score of 10-2. Section 3 has a few solid entries here in Charles Foster and Jack Lamson who was a state place winner last year. Neves Hoose from Section 6, Drew Gates from Section 10, and Michael Franco from Chester could make some noise here at 170 in Division 2.

170 Pound Division 2 State Qualifiers

190 – Section 9 Champion
Maddox McCormick (Port Jervis, junior)
Season Record: 29-2
Record Against the Bracket: 0-1
Results Against the Bracket: Lost to Meak f 5:42

190 – Division 2 Tournament Preview
Some very tough wrestlers and a few returning state medalists but all signs point towards a rematch of last year’s 172-pound state final with Tavio Hoose from Section 6 and Greyson Meak from Section 8. The 2023 tilt was won by Hoose who is having another monster year and notched another win over Meak this year in the Eastern States Classic semifinals by a score of 6-5. The Southwestern sophomore is 43-1 on the season with his only loss coming in the finals of the ESC to Elijah Diakomihalis. Meak is also having a great year. The Cold Spring Harbor junior’s only loss this year was the aforementioned loss to Hoose in the ESC semis. The Section 2 champion Jesse Mullis will definitely be a contender here. Mullis was a state place winner last year and he took 8th at this year’s Eastern States Classic. Section 4 champ Mason McCombs is a former state placer and is undefeated this year so he’ll be in the hunt as will both Section 5 entries – Malachi Smith from Byron Bergen and Luke Van Gorden from Pal-Mac. Section 9 champ Maddox McCormick is very tough and could surprise a few people in Albany and let’s keep an eye on Section 3 champion Trent True!

190 Pound Division 2 State Qualifiers

215 – Section 9 Champion
Matthew Oosterom (Port Jervis, senior)
Season Record: 40-1
Record Against the Bracket: 1-0
Results Against the Bracket: Win over Weaver f 1:01

215 – Division 2 Tournament Preview
This weight class should come down to a showdown between two wrestlers who finished 4th in NYS last season – Matt Oosterom from Section 9 and Sean Kelly from Section 3. Oosterom, a senior from Port Jervis, placed 4th at 215 in 2023. He is having another great season sporting a 40-1 record with his only loss coming at the Eastern States to one of the ESC finalists. If Oosterom win on Saturday night, he will be the first Section 9 Division 2 wrestler to ever win a state title since the state went to a 2-division system back in 2009. Kelly, a senior from Lowville, is up a few weights from last year when he took 4th place at 172 pounds. He also is having a great season and was an Eastern States Classic place winner in January. Section 4 champ Dominick Weaver and PSAL champ and 2023 state placer Christian Solano should do well here, and we should also keep an eye on state placer Caden Allen from Section 5 and both Section 6 entries – Matt Trim and Mason Maring. Section 1 champion Thomas Kellas is only an 8th grader. It’s not often that we see an 8th grader qualify for the state tournament at 215 pounds – he could be fun to follow.

215 Pound Division 2 State Qualifiers

285 – Section 9 Champion
Mark Paschal (Red Hook, senior)
Season Record: 35-5
Record Against the Bracket: 0-1
Results Against the Bracket: Lost to Keilitz f 3:12

285 – Division 2 Tournament Preview
This is one of the most wide-open weight classes in the tournament. There is one Eastern States Classic place finisher and one former state place winner. Section 3 champion Landon Andrade placed 2nd at this year’s Eastern States Classic and is definitely considered one of the favorites here. Another contender is Section 6’s Hamza Merrick who placed 8th in NYS last year, Merrick, however, was defeated in the Section 6 finals by his teammate Willam Wortkoetter so he’s definitely in the hunt as is Section 5’s Luke Herendeen who is 44-4 on the season. Section 7 champ Dylan Cogswell could make some noise here and let’s keep an eye on Alex Kielitz from Section 11.

285 Pound Division 2 State Qualifiers