Let’s take a look at the Section 9 Division 1 wrestlers who will be competing at the 2024 NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships in Albany, NY. The tournament takes place at the MVP Arena on Friday February 23rd and Saturday February 24th. I have also included a weight class by weight class preview of the tournament. Section 9 has won the intersectional team title for the past two seasons and Minisink Valley has won the school team title for the past two seasons … can we make it three in a row!!!! Special thanks to Fred Perna and Perna Imaging for the photos!
Willam Soto – NFA
101 – Section 9 Champion
William Soto (NFA, freshman)
Season Record: 47-0
Record Against the Bracket: 4-0
Results Against the Bracket: Defeated Vass 12-4, 9-2, 7-1, and 13-3.
101 – Section 9 Runner-Up
EJ Vass (Valley Central, 8th grade)
Season Record: 32-4
Record Against the Bracket: 7-4
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Andreula 5-2, Sullivan 12-0, Mannello 11-5, DiCaprio 6-0, DiCaprio 4-0, Jones f 3:12, and Sullivan 10-0; Losses to Soto 12-4, 9-2, 7-1, and 13-3.
101 – Section 9 3rd Place
Kelly Sullivan (Monroe Woodbury, 8th grade)
Season Record: 30-8
Record Against the Bracket: 2-3
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Mannello 5-3 and Jones 10-5; Losses to DiCaprio 2-0, Vass 12-0, and Vass 10-0.
101 Pound Tournament Preview
All signs point towards an all Section 9 final and the fifth meeting of the season between local hammers William Soto from NFA and EJ Vass from Valley Central. Soto, who finished 3rd in NYS last season, has won all 4 matches this season but you cannot sleep on Vass. He’s scrappy, he knows how to finish, and he has seven wins over wrestlers in this bracket – so he’s battle tested! Kelly Sullivan from Monroe Woodbury keeps getting better and he also has a few wins over wrestlers in this field. Do not be shocked if he makes it to the podium on Saturday! Brady Maneri from Section 3 needs to be watched here. He is currently undefeated and has scored bonus points in nearly every match this season. Both Section 8 entries at this weight, Ethan Andreula, who placed 7th in the state last season, and Vincent Orandello, are extremely tough and likely to place and let’s keep an eye on Dario Guglielmo who has not lost a match since dropping down to 101 pounds.
101 Pound Division 1 State Qualifiers
S1: Vincent Mannello (Briar., 7th)
S2: Brody DiCaprio (B. Hills, Fr)
S2: Daniel Jones (B. Hills, 7th)
S3: Brady Maneri (Auburn, So)
S3: Kasey Kalfass (Cicero-NS, 8th)
S4: Josh Knapp (Horseheads, So)
S4: Maddox Hubbard (C-Forks, Fr)
S5: Lukas Yeager (Hilton, Fr)
S5: Koray Kocaoglu (Pittsford, Fr)
S6: Tanner Catrabone (W-NE, 8th)
S6: Cameron Crumpler (NF, 8th)
S8: Ethan Andreula (L. Beach, 8th)
S8: Vincent Orandello (MacA, So)
S9: William Soto (NFA, Fr)
S9: EJ Vass (Valley Central, 8th)
S9: Kelly Sullivan (MW, 8th)
S11: Dario Guglielmo (WM, So)
S11: Tyler Conzo (S-town W., 8th)
S11: Rocco DeStefano (EI, So)
CHSAA: Lucas Griffin (Cham, Jr.)
PSAL: Matthew Velez (Jamaica, Jr.)
Cooper Merli – NFA
108 – Section 9 Champion
Cooper Merli (NFA, sophomore)
Season Record: 46-4
Record Against the Bracket: 6-2
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Levin f 3:39, Manta 2-1, Sheridan 6-0, Popolizio f:48, Milmore f:25, and Futia 10-0; Losses to Lagala-Ryan 9-7 and Sibomana 9-2.
108 – Section 9 Runner-Up
Marco Futia (Wallkill, So)
Season Record: 39-5
Record Against the Bracket: 2-5
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Gummow 11-4 and Popolizio 9-4; Losses to Lagala-Ryan 20-9, Levin 3-2, Edwards f 4:51, Lagala-Ryan 5-3, and Merli 10-0.
108 – Section 9 3rd Place
Owen Milmore (Washingtonville, freshman)
Season Record: 27-5
Record Against the Bracket: 0-1
Results Against the Bracket: Lost to Merli f: 25.
108 Pound Tournament Preview
NFA’s Cooper Merli was the NYS champion at 102 last year and is definitely one of the favorites here however his road to the top step of the podium goes through a few wrestlers who have defeated him this year. Long Beach sophomore Dunia Sibomana was a state champion in 2022 and finished 3rd in the state last year. Sibomana and Merli locked horns in the Eastern States Classic finals where the Section 8 champ won by a score of 9-2. Anthony Lagala-Ryan from Section 11, 5th in NYS 2023, defeated Merli in the Mid-Hudson semis however he lost in the S11 finals to last year state finalist at 102 Connor Sheridan by a score of 6-2. Merli beat Sheridan 6-0 at the Eastern States Classic. Will Russell from Section 8 has lost two very close matched to Sibomana and will contend here as will Gino Manta from Section 11. Section 2 champ Ralph Keeney, who placed 4th in NYS last year, only has one loss this year and that was at the semis of the ESC to Sibomana so he’ll be in the mix as will Manta from S11 and Edwards from CHSAA. Marco Futia from Wallkill and Tristin Levin from PSAL could surprise some folks here.
108 Pounds Division 1 State Qualifiers
S1: Nick Fortugno (Briarcliff, So)
S1: Ethan Steuber (Somers, So)
S2: Ralph Keeney (Ballston Spa, Sr)
S2: Luca Popolizio (CBA, Fr)
S3: Kymah Gummow (IR, 8th)
S4: Peyton Hubbard (C-Forks, Jr)
S4: Tanner Knapp (Horseheads, So)
S5: Jon Testa (Hilton, So)
S5: Connor Guffey (Webster, Fr)
S6: Seam McDonald (Starpoint, So)
S6: Zach Little (Jamestown, So)
S8: Dunia Sibomana (LB, So)
S8: Will Russell (Manhasset, So)
S9: Cooper Merli (NFA, So)
S9: Marco Futia (Wallkill, So)
S9: Owen Milmore (Wash, Fr)
S11: Connor Sheridan (Haup, So)
S11: Ant. Lagala-Ryan (Long, Fr)
S11: Gino Manta (Haup, Jr)
CHSAA: Cullen Edwards (St. Fr, So)
PSAL: Tristan Levin (T-ville, So)
Brady Judd – Warwick
116 – Section 9 Champion
Brady Judd (Warwick, junior)
Season Record: 30-3
Record Against the Bracket: 4-0
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Busby 6-0, Busby 7-0, Chrisjohn 5-0, and Chrisjohn 10-6.
116 – Section 9 Runner-Up
Jordan Busby (NFA, junior)
Season Record: 35-9
Record Against the Bracket: 0-3
Results Against the Bracket: Losses to Judd 7-0, Vargas 8-6, and Judd 6-0.
116 – Section 9 3rd Place
Santiago Chrisjohn (Saugerties, freshman)
Season Record: 27-6
Record Against the Bracket: 0-2
Results Against the Bracket: Losses to Judd 5-0 and 10-5.
116 Pound Tournament Preview
Evin Gursoy form Midwood PSAL is the clear favorite to win this weight. Gursoy finished 2nd in the state last year at 110 to Luke Satriano, and this year he was the Eastern States Classic champion! He is undefeated and has scored bones points in nearly every match this season. One of the wrestlers most capable of testing Gursoy is Austin Zimmerman from CHSAA. Zimmerman placed 5th in the state last year and is primed to move higher on the podium. Section 8 champ Salazar has a win over Zimmerman and will definitely contend here as will both Donohue and Severino from Section 11. Section 9 champion Brady Judd from Warwick could make the podium here and we can’t look past Ryan Ball from Section 1, Greg Walpole from Section 8, or Brayden Kellison from Section 6.
116 Pound Division 1 State Qualifiers
S1: Ryan Ball (Somers, So)
S2: Vin Mastrianni (Colonie, So)
S2: Xaviar Vargas (Schen, Jr)
S3: Jaxon Perkins (Central Sq, Jr)
S3: Aaron Westcott (Cicero, So)
S4: Ryan DePadua-Reese (Elm, Fr)
S4: Rasheed Scott (Bing, So)
S5: Teague Wolcott (Fairport, Jr)
S5: Ryan Cieslinski (Spen, Jr)
S6: Brayden Kellison (Will N/E, Fr)
S6: Eian Peterson (Niag Wheat, Jr)
S8: Carlos Salazar (Hewlett, Fr)
S8: Greg Walpole (Long Beach, Jr)
S9: Brady Judd (Warwick, Jr)
S9: Jordan Busby (NFA, Jr)
S9: Santiago Chrisjohn (Saug, Fr)
S11: Anthony Severino (Lind, So)
S11: Aidan Donohue (RP, Sr)
S11: Matt McDermott (Smith E, 8)
CHSAA: A. Zimmerman (St. Joe, Sr)
PSAL: Evin Gursoy (Midwood, Jr)
Luke Satriano – Valley Central
124 – Section 9 Champion
Luke Satriano (Valley Central, junior)
Season Record: 36-6
Record Against the Bracket: 4-0
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Rivera 7-0, Arrick 6-0, Clem 5-0, and Banda 3:23
124 – Section 9 Runner-Up
Viktor Banda (Wallkill, senior)
Season Record: 45-5
Record Against the Bracket: 3-2
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Brown f 5:01, f 3:19, 9-4; Losses to Rivera 5-1 and Satriano 3:23.
124 – Section 9 3rd Place
Elijah Brown (Monroe Woodbury, 8th grade)
Season Record: 33-9
Record Against the Bracket: 0-4
Results Against the Field: Losses to Banda f 5:01, f 3:19, 9-4, and Witko med fft.
124 Pound Tournament Preview
With two defending state champions and no fewer than five other wrestlers in the mix, the 124-pound weight class is absolutely loaded! Section 11’s Matt Marlow is a 2X state champ and definitely one of the favorites here however he has suffered a few setbacks this season. Section 9 champion Luke Satriano was the NYS champ at 110 last season and has not lost to a New York wrestler all season. Section 8 hammers Anthony Clem, 2023 state finalist, and Shane Dobbins will definitely be in the title hunt as will Dillon Arrick from Section 1 who placed 3rd in NYS last year. State placer Richard Wood from Section 5, Tomah Gummow from Section 3 and Nico Rivera from Section 2 are all tough as nails and will also contend here. Wrestlers like Viktor Banda from Section 9 and state placer Mason Mangialino from Section 11 are very solid and definitely add depth to an already stacked weight class.
124 Pound Division 1 State Qualifiers
S1: Dillon Arrick (Arlington, Sr)
S1: Dylan LaRocco (C-town N, Sr)
S2: Nico Rivera (Mohonasen, Jr)
S2: Dom Witko (Schen, Sr)
S3: Tomah Gummow (IR, Sr)
S4: Jonathan Guyette (Elmira, Sr)
S4: Ben Ruffo (Union Endicott, Jr)
S5: Rich Wood (Brockport, Jr)
S5: Trey LeChase (Fairport, So)
S6: Dylan Castiglia (Grand Isl, Jr)
S6: Sam Beri (Hamburg, Sr)
S8: Anthony Clem (Wantagh, Sr)
S8: Shane Dobbins (Plainedge, Sr)
S9: Luke Satriano (VC, Jr)
S9: Viktor Banda (Wallkill, Sr)
S9: Elijah Brown (MW, 8th)
S11: Matt Marlow (Northport, Sr)
S11: Mason Mangialino (Com, Jr)
S11: Colten Ford (Smith West, So)
CHSAA: Justin Castillo (St. A, Jr)
PSAL: Jordan Lee (James Mad, Jr)
Matthew Mercado – NFA
131 – Section 9 Champion
Matthew Mercado (NFA, junior)
Season Record: 42-3
Record Against the Bracket: 3-0
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Roger 5-4, 6-4, and 9-2
131 – Section 9 Runner-Up
Jacob Roger (Middletown, senior)
Season Record: 28-7
Record Against the Bracket: 4-3
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Dale f :52, Copley 13-4, Racz 12-5 and f 1:40; Losses to Mercado 5-4, 6-4, and 9-2.
131 – Section 9 3rd Place
Nate Racz (Minisink Valley, sophomore)
Season Record: 27-14
Record Against the Bracket: 0-3
Results Against the Bracket: Losses to Roger 12-5, Roger f 1:40, and Nieto 18-2
131 Pound Tournament Preview
Section 5 champion Samson McKissick-Staley is the favorite here. The Pittsford sophomore placed 6th in NYS last season, is currently undefeated, and was this year’s champion at the Eastern States Classic where he defeated Iona Prep’s Vincent Tripaldi in the finals. Tripaldi’s only loss this year was to McKissick-Staley. Section 8 has two legitimate contenders here in 2023 state finalist Joe Clem from Wantagh and Jake Nieto from Plainedge. Section 2 champion Jacob Hanlon and Section 11 champion Tyler Visciano can definitely make some noise here and we should also keep an eye on Section 9 champion Matt Mercado and Section 11’s Michael Giugliano who was a state place winner in 2023.
131 Pound Division 1 State Qualifiers
S1: Neil Paulercio (Briar, Jr)
S2: Jacob Hanlon (Averill Park, Jr)
S2: Taylor Beaury (Sar Springs, Jr)
S3: Landon Copley (Carthage, Sr)
S3: Logan Wills (W. Genesee, So)
S4: Cody Dale (Horseheads, Sr)
S4: Joey Mastrantonio (Elm, Jr)
S5: Sam McKissick-Staley (Pitt, So)
S5: Joe Trieste (Spencerport, Sr)
S6: Trevor Mueller (Clarence, 8th)
S6: Tyler Zwald (Jamestown, Jr)
S8: Joe Clem (Wantagh, Sr)
S8: Jake Nieto (Plainedge, Fr)
S9: Matt Mercado (NFA, Jr)
S9: Jacob Roger (Midd, Sr)
S9: Nate Racz (Minisink, So)
S11: Tyler Visciano (SE, Sr)
S11: Michael Giugliano (MP, Sr)
S11: Jake DiBenedetto (SW, Jr)
CHSAA: Vin Tripaldi (Iona P, Jr)
PSAL: Leo Gao (Brook Tech, Sr)
DJ Aviles – Middletown
138 – Section 9 Champion
DJ Aviles (Middletown, sophomore)
Season Record: 31-5
Record Against the Bracket: 3-3
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Boice 7-4, and Petzold 4-2 and f 4:47; Losses to Boice 3-0, Tornambe med fft, Sinitiere 9-0.
138 – Section 9 Runner-Up
Wyatt Boice (Minisink Valley, freshman)
Season Record: 27-9
Record Against the Bracket: 2-6
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Aviles 3-0 and Petzold f 3:18; losses to Aviles 7-4, Nieto 16-8, Shay 5-2, Nieto 8-6, Nieto 7-1, and Tornambe 6-2.
138 – Section 9 3rd Place
Griffin Petzold (Warwick, junior)
Season Record: 32-6
Record Against the Bracket: 0-5
Results Against the Bracket: Losses to Boice f 3:18, Aviles 4-2, Shay 13-3, Raines f 1:44, and Aviles f 4:47.
138 Pound Tournament Preview
With no clear-cut favorite and at least six wrestlers with a legit title shot, 138 will be a great weight class to follow up in Albany. Section 8 champion and returning state 5th Luke Nieto has a 41-1 record with his only loss coming against Joe Tornambe at the Eastern States Classic. Tornambe only has two wrestled losses – both at ESC – one to a Division 2 wrestler and the other to the PSAL champ Amir Avazov who is entered here. Avazov, who placed 4th in NYS in 2023, has losses to Nieto, and one another contender here – Section 8 finalist Eric Gendlin. One of the definite favorites here is state placer Camryn Howard from Section 11 and he is only in 8th grade! Howard’s opponent in the S11 finals, Leo Mongiello, will also be in the mix here as will AJ Didas from Section 6!
138 Pound Division 1 State Qualifiers
S1: Joe Tornambe (Yorktown, Jr)
S1: Parker Trento (Tappan Zee, Jr)
S2: Dave Ensminger (Shen, Sr)
S2: Luke Stoutenburg (Sar Spr, So)
S3: Shay Sinitiere (Carthage, Sr)
S4: Quentin Getzin (Ithaca, So)
S4: Max Collins (Elmira, Jr)
S5: William Wood (Brockport, So)
S5: Cael Raines (Chur Chili, Sr)
S6: AJ Didas (Clarence, Jr)
S6: Garrett Chase (NW, Jr)
S8: Luke Nieto (Plainedge, Jr)
S8: Eric Gendlin (Hewlett, Sr)
S9: DJ Aviles (Middletown, So)
S9: Wyatt Boice (Minisink, Fr)
S9: Griffin Petzold (Warwick, Sr)
S11: Camryn Howard (Bell, 8th)
S11: Leo Mongiello (Sayville, Jr)
S11: Chris Holm (Northport, Sr)
CHSAA: Chris Gliaos (St J, Jr)
PSAL: Amir Avazov (JM, Sr)
Mason Ketcham – Washingtonville
145 – Section 9 Champion
Mason Ketcham (Washingtonville, junior)
Season Record: 44-1
Record Against the Bracket: 4-0
Results Against the Field: Wins over Parker 4-3, Parker 14-5, Tresch 3-1, and Tresch 3-1.
145 – Section 9 Runner-Up
Anthony Tresch (Minisink Valley, junior)
Season Record: 39-5
Record Against the Bracket: 5-2
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Dacey 14-5, Carter 5-3, Carter 2-1, Carter 5-1, and Gerby 2-1; Losses to Ketcham 3-1 and Ketcham 3-1
145 – Section 9 3rd Place
Jayce Goldberg (Washingtonville, senior)
Season Record: 21-5
Record Against the Bracket: 0-0
Results Against the Bracket: none
145 Pound Tournament Preview
A season ending injury to Eastern States Classic champion Joe Manfredi from Section 8 has turned 145 into a wide-open weight class. Section 9 champion Mason Ketcham, who has wrestled at a private school in NJ for the past few years, is definitely one of the favorites. Ketcham has a 44-1 record on the season and his only loss was at the Eastern States Classic and it was to an out-of-state wrestler. Liam Carlin, from Burnt Hills in Section 2, is also one of the favorites here. Carlin only has three losses this season – two at the ultra-tough Powerade Tournament and the other at the ESC semis where he finished 3rd at 152 pounds. Section 11 champion Anthony Avitabile’s only loss this year has been to NYS and ESC champion Fahrbach so he’s definitely one to watch and we definitely shouldn’t look past Section 4 champ Daniel Parker who is having another great season. Anthony Tresch from Minisink Valley has lost two 3-1 decisions to Ketcham so he’ll definitely be in the mix as will Battisti from Section 5, returning state placer Te’Shaun Mathews from Section 6, George Johnson from the CHSAA and returning NYS placer Jared Spahn from Section 11.
145 Pound Division 1 State Qualifiers
S1: Tom Iasiello (Scarsdale, Jr)
S2: Liam Carlin (Burnt Hills, Jr)
S2: Danny Dacey (Sar Spr, So)
S3: Kennedy Thomas (Cicero, Jr)
S3: Logan Munn (Carthage, Sr)
S4: Daniel Parker (Ithaca, Sr)
S4: Logan Bruce (Corning, Sr)
S5: Dino Battisti (Brockport, Sr)
S5: Zach Gerby (Pittsford, Jr)
S6: Te’Shaun Mathews (NW, Sr)
S6: Chase Richards (NW, So)
S8: Kyle Carter (Plainedge, Jr)
S8: Luke Burke (MacArthur, Jr)
S9: Mason Ketcham (Wash, Jr)
S9: Anthony Tresch (Minisink, Jr)
S9: Jayce Goldberg (Wash, Sr)
S11: Anthony Avitabile (EI, Sr)
S11: Jared Spahn (Islip, Sr)
S11: Jayden Medina (Conn, Sr)
CHSAA: George Johnson (Iona, So)
PSAL: Dave Khodzhaev (Tott, So)
Luke Greiner – Minisink Valley
152 – Section 9 Champion
Luke Greiner (Minisink Valley, senior)
Season Record: 41-4
Record Against the Bracket: 5-1
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Pennell f 5:30, Accardo 4:54, Testa 8-2, Accardo f 4:11, and Pennell f 1:48; lost to Kwaak f :32.
152 – Section 9 Runner-Up
Logan Pennell (Pine Bush, junior)
Season Record: 28-5
Record Against the Bracket: 3-2
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Accardo 3-0, O’Connor 11-1, and Losee 5-1; Losses to Greiner f 5:30 and Greiner f 1:48.
152 – Section 9 3rd Place
Michael Accardo (Warwick, senior)
Season Record: 31-9
Record Against the Bracket: 0-4
Results Against the Bracket: Losses to Pennell 3-0, Greiner f 4:54, Greiner f 4:11 and St. John f 5:11.
152 Pound Tournament Preview
There is plenty of talent at this weight class but the heavy favorite going into the tournament is Cameron Catrabone from Section 6. Catrabone is currently ranked #8 in the nation by FloWrestling. He is a returning state champ and made it to the Eastern States Classic finals at 160 where he lost a 2-1 battle to PJ Duke from Minisink Valley who is ranked #1 in the nation! There are definitely a few wrestlers who will push Catrabone and one of them is, without question, Griffin LaPlante from the CHSAA. LaPlante, only a sophomore at St. Francis, won the Eastern States at 152 this year and he also placed top-8 at the ultra-tough Powerade Tournament in PA. The wrestler he defeated to win the ESC was Section 11 champ Jason Kwaak who will definitely contend for a high medal as will Section 8 champion Jesse Vanorden from Wantagh who placed 3rd in NYS at 145 last year. Minisink Valley senior Luke Greiner will be in the mix here as will Anthony Lofaro from Section 1 and Jackson Koppers from Section 5.
152 Pound Division 1 State Qualifiers
S1: Anthony Lofaro (Ossining, Sr)
S1: Nikita Rusnack (Carmel, So)
S2: William O’Connor (B. Spa, Jr)
S2: Joey Losee (Shen, So)
S3: Bailey Grubb (Fulton, Sr)
S4: Lucas Mosher (Horseheads, Jr)
S4: William Ackley (J. City, So)
S5: Jackson Koppers (Rush Hen, Jr)
S5: Philip Testa (Hilton, Jr)
S6: Cameron Catrabone (W NE, Sr)
S6: Zak Saeed (Amherst, Sr)
S8: Jesse Vanorden (Wantagh, Sr)
S8: Shane Moore (Division, Sr)
S9: Luke Greiner (Minisink, Sr)
S9: Logan Pennell (Pine Bush, Jr)
S9: Michael Accardo (Warwick, Sr)
S11: Jason Kwaak (Brentwood, Jr)
S11: Christian St. John (Hunt, Jr)
S11: Brendan Knapp (Bay Sh, Sr)
CHSAA: Griff LaPlante (St. F, So)
PSAL: Dwayne Harris (GSC, Sr)
PJ Duke – Minisink Valley
160 – Section 9 Champion
PJ Duke (Minisink Valley, junior)
Season Record: 35-0
Record Against the Bracket: 2-0
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Hockx f 2:52 and Grant f :40.
160 – Section 9 Runner-Up
Isaiah Hockx (Saugerties, senior)
Season Record: 23-1
Record Against the Bracket: 0-1
Results Against the Bracket: Lost to Duke f 2:42
160 – Section 9 3rd Place
Isaiah Grant (Monroe Woodbury, senior)
Season Record: 23-9
Record Against the Bracket: 0-3
Results Against the Bracket: Losses to Schrage 9-5, Milone f 1:28, and Duke f :40.
160 Pound Tournament Preview
The biggest favorite to win his weight class in this tournament is Section 9 champion PJ Duke. The Minisink Valley junior is already a 2X state champion, a Fargo champion, and Ironman champion, and a 2X Super 32 Challange champion. Duke is currently ranked #1 in the nation at his weight class and is ranked as the #8 pound-for-pound wrestler in the country. He has only been tested once all season and that was by Catrabone in the ESC finals. Catrabone is at 152 for the state tournament. After Duke, there are several other very talented wrestlers who will be competing for spots on the podium. Section 1 champ Sam Szerlip placed 3rd in Albany last year and will definitely be in the high medal hunt. Some of the other wrestlers we should keep an eye on here are Koufalis from CHSAA, Beksultan from PSAL, Schreck from Section 11, Rodriguez from Section 9, and Welcome from Section 2.
160 Pound Division 1 State Qualifiers
S1: Sam Szerlip (Nyack, Sr)
S2: John Welcome (Averill Park, Sr)
S2: Lucas Schell (Queensbury, Sr)
S3: Maxx Fesinger (W. Gen, Jr)
S3: Brady Lynch (Indian River, Sr)
S4: Zach Schrage (Horseheads, So)
S4: Coleton Owen (Horseheads, Jr)
S5: Casey Liess (McQuaid, So)
S5: Rudy Antonucci (Pittsford, Sr)
S6: Joe Cicco (Niagara Wheat Sr.)
S6: Dylan Gagnon (N. Tona, Sr)
S8: Matt Rodriguez (E Mead, Sr)
S8: Greg Milone (Long Beach, Sr)
S9: PJ Duke (Minisink, Jr)
S9: Isaiah Hockx (Saugerties, Sr)
S9: Isaiah Grant (MW, Sr)
S11: Brian Schreck (Miller Pl, Sr)
S11: Lee Faber (Northport, Sr)
S11: Charles Olaechea (Haup, Sr)
CHSAA: K. Koufalis (Iona Prep, Sr)
PSAL: Timur Beksultan (B Tech, Sr)
Quinten Morgan – Minisink Valley
170 – Section 9 Champion
Quinten Morgan (Minisink Valley, senior)
Season Record: 33-7
Record Against the Bracket: 4-3
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Annacone 9-2, Hoxie f 2:05, Annacone 3-2, and Aljamal f 1:16; losses to Downes 3-0, Venables f 1:20, and Downes 14-0.
170 – Section 9 Runner-Up
Musa Aljamal (Washingtonville, senior)
Season Record: 25-9
Record Against the Bracket: 1-1
Results Against the Bracket: Win over Annacone 9-7; lost to Morgan f 1:16.
170 – Section 9 3rd Place
Anthony Annacone (Wallkill, senior)
Season Record: 42-7
Record Against the Bracket: 0-3
Results Against the Bracket: losses to Morgan 9-2, Morgan 3-2, and Aljamal 9-7.
170 Pound Tournament Preview
This weight class is loaded with talented wrestlers and has no heavy favorite, so it should be a great bracket to follow at the MVP Arena in Albany! Gage LaPlante from CHSAA is definitely one of the favorites. He took 4th at the ESC and is primed for a title run after missing out on last year’s state tournament. Section 1 champ Leo Venables placed 4th at 172 in NYS last year, Landon Lazarek from Section 5 took 4th at 152 and Jonathan Clohecy from Section 3 placed 5th at 160 – all three are contenders here. Section 11 champ Christopher Reddy is undefeated so he’s certainly one to watch as in Devin Downes from Section 8. Zane Kropman from Section 5 will be fun to watch here. He’s only a freshman and his only two losses for the season were to state placer Lazarek – scores of 4-2 and 2-1 – he can open some eyes in Albany. A few other to keep on the radar here are Quinten Morgan from Minisink Valley and Section 6 champion Michael Schaefer from Lancaster.
170 Pound Division 1 State Qualifiers
S1: Leo Venables (Carmel, Sr)
S1: Vincent DiRenno (Suffern, Sr)
S2: Matt Hoxie (Columbia, Sr)
S2: Gianni Delgado (Sar Sr, Jr)
S3: Jonathan Clohecy (Fulton, Jr)
S4: Dokota Hamiton (Ithaca, Jr)
S4: Jaxson Burchand (Horse, Fr)
S5: Landon Lazarek (Hilton, Sr)
S5: Zane Kropman (Penfield, Fr)
S6: Mike Schaefer (Lancaster, Sr)
S6: Evan Braunscheidel (Ham, Jr)
S8: Devin Downes (Plainedge, So)
S8: Shafeer McMillan (Want, Jr)
S9: Quinten Morgan (Minisink, Sr)
S9: Musa Aljamal (Wash, Sr)
S9: Anthony Annacone (Wall, Sr)
S11: Chris Reddy (Bay Shore, Sr)
S11: Brandon Ridge (HHHW, Sr)
S11: Aidan Barry (Rocky Point, Jr)
CHSAA: Gage LaPlante (St. F, Sr)
PSAL: Pat Alfarano (JM, Sr)
Zach Filip – Minisink Valley
190 – Section 9 Champion
Zachary Filip (Minisink Valley, sophomore)
Season Record: 38-7
Record Against the Bracket: 5-1
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Herriman f 4:04, Herriman 12-0, Herriman 13-2, Accardo 9-0, and Accardo 5-0; lost to Caldwell 5-1.
190 – Section 9 Runner-Up
Christopher Herriman (FDR-Hyde Park)
Season Record: 32-8
Record Against the Bracket: 0-4
Results Against the Bracket: Losses to Filip f 4:04, Filip 12-0, Filip 13-2, and Sutherland f 1:20.
190 – Section 9 3rd Place
Johnny Accardo (Warwick, senior)
Season Record: 35-4
Record Against the Bracket: 0-2
Results Against the Bracket: Losses to Filip 9-0 and Filip 5-0
190 Pound Tournament Preview
There are some very tough wrestlers in this bracket but the odds-on favorite to make it to the top step of the podium on Saturday night is Elijah Diakomihalis from Section 5. The Hilton junior finished 2nd in the state last year and won the Eastern States Classic in January. Elijah is a perfect 42-0 this season and has wins over several of the other top contenders at this weight including Ian Sutherland from Section 1 and Zach Caldwell from the CHSAA. Sutherland placed 4th at the Eastern States Classic and Caldwell finished 7th. Minisink Valley sophomore Zach Filip is having a great season and will definitely be in the medal hunt here as will Zach Miller from Islip and Angel Flores from Section 8. A few other to watch here are Section 8 runner-up Jared Marine and Section 11 finalist Bryan Aulino whose only loss was to Miller in the Section 11 finals.
190 Pound Division 1 State Qualifiers
S1: Ian Sutherland (Brewster, Sr)
S2: Tanner Scaccia (Columbia, Jr)
S2: Paul Harley (Shaker, Jr)
S3: Ryan Brown (Syracuse, So)
S3: Judson Ferris (Baldwin, Sr)
S4: Hunter Lavigne (Horse, Jr)
S4: Jacob Bennett *Horseheads, Sr)
S5: Elijah Diakomihalis (Hilton, Jr)
S5: Mason Depew (Canand, Jr)
S6: Liam Whalen (Lockport, sr)
S6: Iain O’Donnell (Niagara W, Sr)
S8: Angel Flores (Westbury, Sr)
S8: Jared Marine (Oceanside, Jr)
S9: Zach Filip (Minisink, So)
S9: Chris Herriman (FDR, Sr)
S9: Johnny Accardo (Warwick, Sr)
S11: Zach Miller (Islip, Sr)
S11: Bryan Aulino (Linden, Sr)
S11: Izaiah Green (Bellport, Sr)
CHSAA: Zach Caldwell (St. F, So)
PSAL: Aidan Gubarev (JM, Sr)
Bryson Tibbs – Middletown
215 – Section 9 Champion
Bryson Tibbs (Middletown, senior)
Season Record: 41-1
Record Against the Bracket: 7-1
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Loor fall, Leggett f 2:35, Berisha f 1:34, Miller f 1:20, McKinley 6-0, Leggett f 4:18. and Dejesus f 1:25; lost to Raines f 1:25.
215 – Section 9 Runner-Up
Jacob DeJesus (Washingtonville, junior)
Season Record: 25-3
Record Against the Bracket: 1-1
Results Against the Bracket: Win over Leggett 12-6; Lost to Tibbs f 1:25.
215 – Section 9 3rd Place
Christopher Leggett (Newburgh Free Academy, junior)
Season Record: 42-6
Record Against the Bracket: 2-5
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Lore f 3:39 and Whyte f :53; losses to Lore DQ, Raines 5-1, Tibbs f 2:35, Tibbs f 4:18, DeJesus 12-6.
215 Pound Tournament Summary
This is another great weight class with plenty of talent and no clear-cut favorite! Coy Raines from Section 5 won the Eastern States Classic this year so he will definitely be one of the favorites as will Section 9 champion Bryson Tibbs who placed 3rd at SUNY Sullivan. Tibbs also placed 6th in NYS at 220 last season! Section 11 champ Chris Ayala has only one loss this year and that was an injury time loss so he’s one to watch as is Kamdim Bembry from Section 3 who is currently undefeated. Section 1 champion Alex Berisha has only two losses this year – both at the ESC and the losses were to the 2nd and 3rd place finishers – Berisha placed 5th. Section 9 wrestlers Chris Leggett and Jacob Dejesus could contend for a medal here. Leggett placed 4th at the Eastern States but he was defeated in the Section 9 semis by Dejesus who seems to be peaking at the right time.
215 Pound Division 1 State Qualifiers
S1: Alex Berisha (Fox Lane, Jr)
S1: Rocco Lore (Yorktown, So)
S2: Pat McKinley (Saratoga, Sr)
S2: Nick Whyte (Shaker, Sr)
S3: Kamdin Bembry (Cicero, Sr)
S4: Jaylon Yearwood (UE, Sr)
S4: Zahkye Jenkins (Elmira, Jr)
S5: Coy Raines (Churchville, Sr)
S5: Philip Noyes (Pittsford, Sr)
S6: Kahmari Cook(Lafayette, Sr)
S6: Jack MacDonald (Orchard, Sr)
S8: Ben Rivezzo (Oceanside, Sr)
S8: Juan Ramos (Freeport, Sr)
S9: Bryson Tibbs (Middletown, Sr)
S9: Jacob Dejesus (Wash, Jr)
S9: Chris Leggett (NFA, Jr)
S11: Chris Ayala (Brentwood, Sr)
S11: Elijah Myers (N Babylon, Sr)
S11: Nate Gsell (Sachem North, Sr)
CHSAA: Connor Miller (St. F, Sr)
PSAL: Amin Ibrahim (JM, Jr)
Stephan Monchery – Middletown
285 – Section 9 Champion
Stephan Monchery (Middletown, senior)
Season Record: 38-0
Record Against the Bracket: 6-0
Results Against the Bracket: Wins over Carroll f:30, Dorchester 3-1, Belmonte 2-1, Crowe-Bailey f: 39, Dorchester 5-2, and Bradley 9-2.
285 – Section 9 Runner-Up
Rahmiere Bradley (Middletown, Sr)
Season Record: 19-4
Record Against the Bracket: 1-2
Results Against the Bracket: Win over Crowe-Bailey f 1:45; losses to Dorchester 5-2 and Monchery 9-2
285 – Section 9 3rd Place
Kevin Crowe-Bailey (Minisink Valley, junior)
Season Record: 33-11
Record Against the Bracket: 1-6
Results Against the Bracket: Win over Donnelly f 1:45; losses to Bradley f 1:45, Monchery f :39, Petzold f 3:03, Petzold f 1:51, Petzold 3:48, and Sanchez 4-2.
285 Pound Tournament Preview
The heavyweight division always provides the crowd with some of the most exciting matches of the state tournament and this year should be no different. There are several wrestlers capable of winning it all, but the favorite is definitely Stephan Monchery from Middletown. The Section 9 senior is a perfect 38-0 this season and won the Eastern States Classic. Monchery also was a state finalist at the 2023 state tournament. Monchery’s teammate Rahmiere Bradley is making his 2nd trip to Albany, and he also placed last year taking 7th at 285 pounds. Section 3 champ Kamdyn Dorchester is having a monster year. Two of his three losses on the season were close decisions to Monchery and he has a win over Bradley. Section 8 champion Vincent Petzold will also be in the running. His only two losses this year were at ESC and one of those losses was to Section 3’s Chris Belmonte. Section 1 champion Michael Mauro could be in the hunt – he has three losses this year but all three were at 215 so he’s undefeated at 285. Section 11 finalists Albertelli and Pompeii are both medal contenders and so is PSAL champ Joseph Christian who has pinned every opponent this season so far!
285 Pound Division 1 State Qualifiers
S1: Michael Mauro (JJEF, So)
S2: Billy Pokeda (Guilderland, Sr)
S2: Cole Donnelly (Ballston Spa, Jr)
S3: Kamdyn Dorchester (Carth, Jr)
S3: Chris Belmonte (New Hart, So)
S4: Qymani Viera-Powell (UE, Sr)
S4: Seamus Carroll (Horse, Jr)
S5: Gael Sanchez (Churchville, Sr)
S5: Blaze Waters (Fairport, Jr)
S6: Bryce Hawes (Clarence, Sr)
S6: Mike Welsh (Frontier, Jr)
S8: Vincent Petzold (Plainedge, Sr)
S8: Brandon Goldstein (Bell, Sr)
S9: Stephan Monchery (Midd, Sr)
S9: Rahmiere Bradley (Midd, Sr)
S9: Kevin Crowe-Bailey (MV)
S11: Matt Pompeii (ESM, Sr)
S11: Dom Albertelli (Islip, Sr)
S11: Chase Frole (Lindenhurst, Jr)
CHSAA: Hopeton James (HT, Sr)
PSAL: Joseph Christian (BC, Sr)
Great read section 9 looks very strong best of luck to all Wrestlers , coaches and family enjoy the ride . Thanks Mike ! LETS GO 💪
Thank you Dan! Great seeing you at Sections my friend!