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)
Hi Mike,
I didn’t see Noah Curreri ELS 5,2
There were about 10 people who were all on the same sheet of my notes that were omitted.. there are there now… my apologies…Mike
The list is not complete I’m offend I am not there all the hard work I put in as a kid to look back as I was never there.
You’re on there under the 2X NYS placers list old man.
(and PS..I can still take you down)
Outstanding job Tracey and Tim compiling this list!. Reading a lot of the names brought back fond memories.
No apologies necessary Mike! Thanks for doing all you do for the Section. It brought back a lot of good memories.
Thanks for all the work that was put into this! So fun reading the history of Section 9 and glad we were able to be a part of the Section 9 family for the last few years of our wrestler’s high school career!
It was great watching Kendall compete…he did things the right way and it is paying dividends!
Why gino brown from nfa is not no where to be found in this he is a 3 time section 9 champion and a 2 time state placer and yet is no where to be found in the history what an insult.
Sorry that I missed you Gino. I run this site on a volunteer basis and I did hours and hours of research in putting this together however I did miss some people. I will fix it now.
My is gino brown why am I not included in the section wrestling family I am a 3 time section 9 champion 2 time state placer and not one mention of me I’am offended.
Danny Garland won sec. in 94.
Douglas Keys name spelled wrong.
Mike, Tim, Tracy……Mike always a great job! Thank you Guys for all your hard work. Love reading about the great Wrestling traditions of Section 9. God bless!
Eric Walls is Eric Watts Suffern 1965
Where is gino brown
My is gino brown why am I not included in the section wrestling family I am a 3 time section 9 champion 2 time state placer and not one mention of me I’am offended.
Jim Horvath 3rd in 1972
Great job on this list. Just curious about what place section 9 took in 1991 with 3 state champions?
Thank you.
We placed 6th in 1991…despite having 3 champs lol
I got thinking about the early days. Kenny Johnson was the NFA heavyweight, ca 1966. He went to West Point and played football. Should he be mentioned somewhere?
I just read the review of the 1960s. It looks like Kenny Johnson never won Section 9 tournament. Hence he isn’t included in the above review.
I should have said he never won the NYS tournament… he was an early Section 9 champion.
Tommy Askey Wins the SoCon conference title and will wrestle at the NCAA D1 Championships in Tulsa, OK.
https://www.ncaa.com/live-updates/wrestling/d1/penn-state-wins-2023-big-ten-wrestling-tournament
Big ten recap Shannon Scovel.
The ESPN crew of Jordan Burroughs, Jim Gibbons and Mike Couzens called the Spencer Lee-Mike Ramos semifinal match the greatest match in 40 years. In my opinion, I think they were referring to the 1982 NCAA finals match of Ed Banach vs Mark Schultz.
I should have said Kenny Johnson never won the NYS tournament… he was an early Section 9 champion.
Seems Anthony Monforte is missing from the 165 class in 1990 & 1991. From Rondout. As a matter of fact all of the Rondout teams members are missing.
I’ll see what information I can get from the coaches…thank you…Mike