Now it’s time to take a look at the middleweights for this year’s state tournament. There is one name that is missing that we are accostomed to seeing in these previews – Yianni Diakomihalis. The 4X NYS champion from Hilton had to undergo surgery on both elbows this year and cannot wrestle this post season. Even without Yianni these weights are loaded with nationally ranked talent and will provide fans with some incredible matches!
132 Pounds – Division 1
The Field:
S1: Luca Errico (Byram Hills, 10)
S2 :Deyker Edwards (Schenectady, 12)
S3: Lucas King (New Hartford, 12)
S4: Noah Carpenter (Elmira, 12)
S5: Mike Venosa (Victor, 12)
S6: Warren McDougald (Nia. Wh., 10)
S8: Jacori Teemer (Long Beach, 11)
S9: Vinny Vetrano (Minisink Valley, 11)
S10: Thomas Trombley (Malone, 10)
S11: Chris Gomez (Patchogue-Medford, 11)
CHSAA: Robert Scopelliti (Monsignor Farrell, 12)
PSAL: Zacc Romero (Brooklyn Technical, 10)
At-Large 1: Matt Maquet (Long Beach – S8, 12)
At-Large 2: Matt Swanson (Lynbrook – S8, 12)
At-Large 3: Brad Bonner (Wallkill – S9, 12)
At-Large 4: Robert Satriano (Valley Central – S9, 12)
What To Watch For….
Jacori Teemer is already a 3X NYS champion and is currently ranked #9 in the nation by Flo. He is definitely the clear favorite here. One of the wrestlers expected to push the defending champ is Venosa who lost to Teemer at Eastern States by decision. Venosa’s two losses this year have been to Teemer and Heberlein – that’s a combined 5 state titles! Two of Venosa’s wins at ESC where over Gomez who is expected to place high here as are both S8 wildcards, Maquet and Swanson. Section 9 sends a trio to Albany at 132 D1. Vetrano won the Section 9 title over Bonner who defeated Satriano in the S9 semis. All three are very capable wrestlers however Vetrano’s athleticism and grit are uncanny!
132 Pounds – Division 2
The Field:
S1: Jared Eliopolous (Putnam Val, 12)
S2: Jason Ashline (Whitehall, 12)
S3: Beau Burke (Morrisville Eaton, 11)
S4: Bryant Sexton (SVEC, 11)
S5: Dane Heberlein (Alexander, 12)
S6: Hector Colom (Fredonia, 11)
S7: Kaedan Peryea (Beekmantown, 10)
S8: Hunter Dusold (Locust Valley, 12)
S9: Ian Houck (Rondout Valley, 11)
S10: Cordell David (Ogdensbug, 11)
S11: Joe O’Brein (Mt. Sinai, 10)
PSAL: Kevin McColgan (Petrides, 12)
At-Large 1: Chase Runfola (Letchworth – S5, 10)
At-Large 2: Kyle Sams (Putnam Valley – S1, 11)
At-Large 3: Riley Gerber (Camden – S3, 11)
At-Large 4: Gideon Jardine (HL/LG – S2, 12)
What To Watch For…
Heberlein is a 2X NYS champion and he is 57-1 on the season however 132 D2 is not a one-horse race! One of Heberlein’s wins this season was a razor close 2-0 win over Colom who is a former placewinner. The setback to Heberlein was Colom’s only blemish on his 47-1 season. Also in the bracket is 2X state finalist and former state champ Hunter Dusold who always seems to wrestle well in Albany. After the top 3 this weight class is wide open and I wouldn’t be surprised if Section 9 entry Ian Houck end up on the medal stand. Burke, O’Brien, and Runfola will make some noise at 132 D2.
138 Pounds – Division 1
The Field:
S1: Peter Oliveto (Suffern, 12)
S2: Christian Gramuglia (BH, 12)
S3: Jeremy Pond (Baldwinsville, 12)
S4: Derek Osman (Vestal, 12)
S5: Cooper Kropman (Penfield, 8)
S6: Ryan Stencel (Lancaster, 9)
S8: Vito Arujau (Syosset, 12)
S9: Dom Vetrano (Minisink Valley, 11)
S10: Alfred MacNeil (Malone, 9)
S11: Jake Silverstein (Hauppauge, 11)
CHSAA: Joseph Lanciotti (St. John Baptist, 12)
PSAL: Quincy Howard (Benjamin Cardozo, 10)
At-Large 1: Kyle Mosher (South Side East – S8, 10)
At-Large 2: James Trezza (Smithtown East – S11, 12)
At-Large 3: Cory Guinta (Webster Thomas – S5, 12)
At-Large 4: Ray Cotto (JJCR – S1, 12)
What To Watch For…
One name will do – Vito! Arujau will be looking for his 4th NYS title and it would make national headlines if he lost here. He is 33-0 on the season and is currently the #1 ranked 138 pounder by FloWrestling and Intermat. That said, Vito was tested twice this year at ESC and both wrestlers will be in this bracket. Silverstein is also nationally ranked and lost to Vito 3-1 at ESC for his only defeat of the season. Mosher dropped a 10-6 decision to Arujau at the same tournament and is bringing in a 36-5 record. There is a lot of talent at 138 D1. Oliveto, Gramuglia, Pond, and Osman all have two or fewer losses. Section 9 champ Vetrano is a returning state qualifier and just keeps getting better and better!
138 Pounds – Division 2
The Field:
S1: Jack Wrobel (Pawling, 11)
S2: Dillan Palaszewski (Galway, 11)
S3: TJ Philpots (Holland Patent, 11)
S4: Ben Bivar (BGAH, 11)
S5: Emerson Block (Pal-Mac, 12)
S6: Billy Seiders (Dunkirk, 12)
S7: Colin Hogan (Peru, 12)
S8: Jack Ward (Locust Valley, 11)
S9: Matt Malherio (Highland, 10)
S10: Tanner Lapiene (Ogdensburg, 12)
S11: TJ Beebe (Mattituck, 12)
PSAL: Mike Diforte (Petrides, 9)
At-Large 1: Phil Calandra (Deprew – S6, 12)
At-Large 2: Hunter Shaut (Central Valley – S3, 10)
At-Large 3: Mason Gray (Warsaw – S5, 11)
At-Large 4: Zander Sharp (Canisteo Greenwood – S5, 11)
What To Watch For…
With no clear favorite this is going to be a fun weight class to follow! Block, Philpots, Palaszewski, and Lapiene are all former placewinners and will definitely be in the hunt but we need to watch Beebe and Wrobel as well! Hogan is battle tested and willl likely place and the Petrides freshman has a lot of upside and needs to be watched. Speaking of upside, S9 Champ Malhario is only a sophomore and defeated a returning S9 champ to punch his ticket to Albany!
145 Pounds – Division 1
The Field:
S1: Mike Criscione (N. Rockland, 12)
S2: Kiernan Shanahan (Shen, 10)
S3: Johan Cavallo (Jamesville, 12)
S4: Gianno Silba (New Valley, 12)
S5: Frankie Gissendanner (Pen, 11)
S6: Connor Day (Iroquios, 12)
S8: Lucas Pinkus (Hewlitt, 12)
S9: Brandon Bobe (Washingtonville, 12)
S10: Gavin Perrine (Massena, 11)
S11: Anthony Sobotker (North Babylon, 11)
CHSAA: Dominik Thomas (St. Francis, 10)
PSAL: Abimael Luperon (Grand St. Campus, 11)
At-Large 1: Phil Spadafora (HHHE, 12)
At-Large 2: Shane Gibbons (Massapequa, 12)
At-Large 3: Troy Ferris (Brockport, 11)
At-Large 4: John Colletti (Long Beach, 12)
What To Watch For….
Gissendanner is a 2X NYS champion and he won the title at this same weight last year. He is currently ranked #3 in the nation by Flo and he’s bringing in a 42-1 record. His only loss was a 2-1 OT loss to the kid currently ranked #1 in the country, Jarod Verkleeren from PA. There are plenty of other studs in this weight who will be gunning for Frankie though; keep an eye on Sobotker, Day, and Pinkus specifically. Shanahan is getting better every day and we should’t sleep on our S9 rep Bobe who has been dominating his competition!
145 Pounds – Division 2
The Field:
S1: Jack Chesman (Pearl River, 10)
S2: Zach Lawrence (Duanesburg, 10)
S3: Tanner Cook (Central Valley, 12)
S4: Ty Rifanburg (Norwich, 11)
S5: Adam Wagner (South Senaca, 12)
S6: Dylan Ingrao (Falconer, 11)
S7: John Devins (Saranac, 11)
S8: Christian Tartaglia (Cold Spring Harbor, 12)
S9: Zach Chartrand (Onteora, 11)
S10: Derick Stowell (Gouverneur, 12)
S11: Carmine Vergari (Mattituck, 12)
PSAL: Daniel Bogie (Eagle Academy, 11)
At-Large 1: Jonathan Fiebelkorn (Akron – S6, 11)
At-Large 2: Daylon Swearinger (Attica Batavia – S5, 11)
At-Large 3: Dustin Joy (Lyndonville – S5, 12)
At-Large 5: Dan Alberico (Camden – S3, 12)
What To Watch For…
This weight looks like it’s heading for a showdown between Cook and Wagner. Cook is bringing in a 51-1 record will his only loss being a decision to Grippi at ESC. He finished 2nd in NYS last year. Wagner was not at ESC but is sporting a 42-0 record and finished 4th in NYS last season. Ingrao and Lawrence are former placers and will definitely be in the hunt for medals as will Chesman, Rifanburg, and Vergari. Section 9 champ Chartrand is 25-10 but is getting hot at the right time!
152 Pounds – Division 1
The Field:
S1: Matt Gripp (Fox Lane, 11)
S2: Anthony Laniewski (Nisk, 12)
S3: Phoenix Webb (Cen. Sq, 12)
S4: Matt Kline (Corning, 11)
S5: Zack Brown (Penfield, 12)
S6: Steven Kapuscinski (Lock., 12)
S8: Peter Pappas (Plainview, 12)
S9: Evan Barczak (Monroe Woodbury, 12)
S10: Michael Brown Massena, 11)
S11: David Miele-Estrella (North Babylon, 11)
CHSAA: Dutch Schultz (St. Anthony’s, 12)
PSAL: Demitreus Henry (Grand St. Campus, 11)
At-Large 1: Tyrese Byron (Long Beach – S8, 12)
At-Large 2: Garrett Gibbons (Massapequa – S8, 10)
At-Large 3: Billy Sims (Lindenhurst – S11, 12)
At-Large 4: Brian Nicpon (Suffern – S1, 12)
What to Watch For….
This weight class is absolutely loaded – arguably the deepest weight class of the entire 2017 tournament! There are going to be a few absolute studs who do not step on the medal stand at 152 this year. One of the favorites this year is Pappas. He is a 2X state finalist and won the ESC this year. His opponent in the finals was Section 9 champ Evan Barczak. Pappas defeated Barczak 3-1 in sudden victory. Matt Grippi was a state finalist last year and and ESC finalist at 145 this season. He is 37-1 and his only loss was his ESC finals loss to Gissendanner by a score of 2-1. Miele-Estrella has several big wins this year and will definitely ne in the hunt as will Laniewski who is 40-2 with both of his losses coming at ESC to Melbourne who is injured and had to miss the post season. Byron, Gibbons, Brown, Sims, and Schultz are all excellent however a few of them will not step on the podium this year! Crazy weight!
152 Pounds – Division 2
The Field:
S1: Sean McGarvey (Pearl River, 12)
S2: Collin O’Brien (Watervliet, 12)
S3: Hunter Richard (Hol Patent, 12)
S4: Shvunte Searcy (Marathon, 12)
S5: Mason Compton (Attica, 10)
S6: Dan Torres (Falconer, 11)
S7: Jacob Nolan (Saranac, 10)
S8: Austin Carmen (Clarke, 10)
S9: Dillon Ross (Onteora, 11)
S10: Brody Sheppard (Ogdensburg, 11)
S11: Thomas Hoeg (Mattituck, 12)
PSAL: Justin Ebron (Eagle Academy, 11)
At-Large 1: Ross McFarland (Phoenix – S3, 10)
At-Large 2: Cole Rifanburg (Norwich – S4, 12)
At-Large 3: Tevrill Covedill (Fillmore – S5, 12)
At-Large 4: Charlie Grygas (Duanesburg – S2, 10)
What To Watch For…
The favorite here is Hunter Richard! He’s a 2X state champ and he’s 43-0 this season. His opponent in last year’s state final was McFarland who he defeated 5-0 in the Section 3 finals. Don’t be surprised if these two lock horns for the gold in Albany. O’Brein, Searcy, and Compton all have only three losses each and will definitely contend here plus we should watch out for Torres who notched over 50 wins this season. Section 9 rep Ross is one of 4 brothers to win Section 9 titles this year. He is returning state qualifier and has a legitimate shot to place this year!
160 Pounds – Division 1
The Field:
S1: Grant Cuomo (Brewster, 11)
S2: Kyle Janeski (Albany Acad, 12)
S3: Jake Wright (Jamesville, 11)
S4: Charlie Mahon (Elmira, 11)
S5: Christopher Barker (Fairport, 11)
S6: Dominic Crouse (Sweet Home, 12)
S8: Jonathan Loew (Wantagh, 11)
S9: Ryan Ferro (Warwick, 12)
S10: Tyler Tambini (Malone, 11)
S11: Nick Munsch (Commack, 12)
CHSAA: Mike Lanza (Monsignor Farrell, 12)
PSAL: Odean Gray (Grand St. Campus, 11)
At-Large 1: Eoghan Sweeney (Niskayuna, 11)
At-Large 2: Charlie Spada (Long Beach – S8, 12)
At-Large 3: Max Sims (Lindenhurst – S11, 12)
At-Large 4: Aaron Wolk (Horace Greeley – S1, 10)
What To Watch For…
Section 9 champion Ryan Ferro was the NYS champion at 152 last season and finished 3rd at 145 two seasons ago! He is 33-0 this season and is definitely one of the favorites at 160 D1. Ferro will definitely be tested by a couple of wrestlers namely Cuomo, Loew, and Barker. Cuomo was leading Ferro 4-0 in a match earlier this year before Ferro turned the tables and pinned him. Loew’s only loss was a 2-1 decision at ESC to Jake Logan who is now at 170. Barker is 43-1 this season and will definitely be in the hunt here. Watch for Munsch, Sweeney, Janeski, and Mahon to contend for a medal here.
160 Pounds – Division 2
The Field:
S1: Robbie Velichko (Put. Valley, 12)
S2: Fritz Sheffler (Tamarac, 12)
S3: Caleb Beach (Sandy Creek, 12)
S4: Madison Hoover (BGAH, 12)
S5: Noah Grover (Warsaw, 12)
S6: Cameron Page (Falconer, 12)
S7: Nick Bushey (Peru, 12)
S8: Bailey O’Brien (Locust Valley, 11)
S9: Noah Curreri (Eldred/Liberty/Sullivan West, 12)
S10: Mike Labow (Gouverneur, 12)
S11: Jake Skrezek (Mattituck, 12)
PSAL: Joe Diforte (Petrides, 12)
At-Large 1: Sawyer Overhoff (Eden – S6, 12)
At-Large 2: Morgan Seller (South Lewis – S3, 12)
At-Large 3: Ben Marshall (Canastota – S3, 11)
At-Large 4: Dustin Hinckley (Lyndonville – S5, 12)
What To Watch For….
ESC Noah Grover can probably be looked at as the favorite here. A 3rd place NYS place finisher last year, Grover is 43-1 with his only loss coming to Cuomo in the ESC finals. Grover will definitely be tested here and Section 9 champion Noah Curreri will be one of the guys to watch. Curreri is 32-2 with both of his losses coming at ESC. Hoover has a 38-1 record with his one loss coming to Curreri. Beach and Page both have had great seasons and are likely place winners.