The Friends of Section 9 will once again host the annual Banquet of Champions to celebrate another absolutely incredible season for Section 9 Wrestling! This year’s banquet will be held on Sunday, March 17th at the Meadowbrook in New Windsor, NY. Cost is $45 per person. The Meadowbrook has a maximum capacity of 300 guests, and it is possible that this banquet will sell out. Tickets are available through TicketLeap at the link below! We look forward to an amazing evening!
For the 3rd season in a row, Section 9 has won the Division 1 sectional title and Minisink Valley had won the Division 1 team title at the NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships! Section 9 had a monster Day 2 with several clutch performances in one of the most exciting days of wrestling in tournament history! As a section we crowned five champions and placed a total of 18 wrestlers in the top-8 of their weight class!
Section 9 Division 1 Finalists and Coaches
Division 1 Recap Section 9 Division 1 captured five individual titles, placed 15 wrestlers in the top-8, and won the sectional title for the 3rd season in a row. Section 9 and Section 8 (Nassau County) were neck-and-neck going into the finals on Saturday and there were three head-to-head finals matchups – Section 9 won all three of them! In an equally tight team race, Minisink Valley edged out Plainedge 88.5 to 86 thanks to the MOW performance of PJ Duke as well as gutty performances from three other place winners, namely Anthony Tresch who lost in the quarters and wrestled all the way back to take 3rd place! Let’s take a closer look at all 13 weight classes with a spotlight on our Section 9 champions and place winners.
101 Finals – William Soto (NFA) major 11-0 EJ Vass (Valley Central) Section 9 left no doubt about which section has the best lightweights in NYS! Soto, a freshman from NFA, defeated Vass, and 8th grader from Valley Central, in a rematch of the Mid-Hudson, Eastern States Classic and Section 9 finals! Soto placed 3rd in NYS last season and finished the season a perfect 51-0. Vass finished the season 35-5 with all five of his losses coming to Soto.
108 Finals – Cooper Merli (NFA) dec 1-0 Dunia Sibomana (Long Beach) In perhaps the biggest upset of the finals, Merli defeated longtime rival Sibomana-Rodriguez in a head-to-head matchup between Section 9 and Section 8. Merli, last year’s state champion at 102, and Sibomana-Rodriguez, the 2022 NYS champion at 102, also locked horns in the finals of the Eastern States Classic in January where Sibomana defeated Merli by a score of 9-2. Incredible job turning the tables in the state finals Cooper! Section 9 had another place winner at 108 with Wallkill sophomore Marco Futia taking 4th place!
116 Finals – Evin Gursoy (Midwood) maj 14-2 Anthony Severino (Lindenhurst) Gursoy, a state finalist last season at 110 pounds, made a statement this year by dominating the competition at 116 pounds. Section 9 did not have any place winners at this weight class.
124 Finals – Luke Satriano (Valley Central) maj 10-0 Matt Marlow (Northport) In a battle between the 2023 110-pound state champion, Satriano, and a 2X NYS champion, Marlow, it was our Section 9 hammer who came out on top with a statement victory! Satriano showed that iron sharpens iron. The Valley Central junior suffered six losses this season – two at the Beast of the East, two at Powerade, and two at the Eastern States Classic – but it all paid off when it mattered most!
131 Finals – Joe Clem (Wantagh) dec 5-3 Samson McKissick-Staley (Pittsford) Section 8 senior and University of West Virginia commit Clem reversed the result from their match at the Eastern States Classic and defeated the Section 5 sophomore to capture the state crown at 131. It was McKissick-Staley’s only loss of the season. Section 9 had one place winner here with NFA junior Matthew Mercado grabbing 8th place honors!
138 Finals – Amir Avazov (James Madison) dec 9-4 Luke Nieto (Plainedge) Nieto defeated Avazov at the Eastern States Classic, but it was the PSAL senior Avazov who came out on top on Saturday night in Albany. Section 9 did not have any top-8 place winners at this weight class.
145 Finals – Liam Carlin (Burnt Hills) dec 3-1 Mason Ketcham (Washingtonville) Washingtonville junior Ketcham was not able to compete last season due to an injury but returned this season with guns a blazin! Ketcham only suffered two losses this year – one in the Eastern States Classic semifinals and one in the state finals! Carlin was a state finalist at 132 last season. Section 9 had two place winners here as Minisink Valley junior Anthony Tresch, seeded 7th, lost to Ketcham in the quarters but then wrestled all the way back to 3rd place.
152 Finals – Cameron Catrabone (Williamsville NE) dec 3-0 Griff LaPlante (St. Francis) Nationally ranked Catrabone is now a 2X NYS champion. His only loss this year was up at 160 pounds in the Eastern States Classic to PJ Duke from Minisink Valley. Duke’s teammate, Luke Greiner, placed 5th at 152 this year. Greiner, who will be serving our country in the United States Coast Guard after high school, is a 3X Section 9 champion.
160 Finals – PJ Duke (Minisink Valley) tf 27-12 Matthew Rodriguez (East Meadow) Minisink Valley junior PJ Duke is now a 3X NYS champion. He is without question the best pound-for-pound wrestler in the state and is the #1 ranked wrestler at his weight in the nation. Duke scored bonus points in every match in Albany which helped Minisink Valley edge out Plainedge for the team title. The Warriors are now 3X defending team champions. His win over a Section 8 opponent was also very instrumental in helping Section 9 earn the sectional title for the 3rd straight year!
Division 1 Tournament MOW – PJ Duke (Minisink Valley)
170 Finals – Devin Downes (Plainedge) dec 6-4 Leo Venables (Carmel) Section 8 sophomore Downes picks up his first state title with a solid victory over Venables who placed 4th in the state last season. Section 9 did not hace any place finishers at this weight.
190 Finals – Elijah Diakomihalis (Hilton) maj 13-0 Zach Caldwell (St. Francis) Yeah definitely not the first time a Diakomihalis has won a state title – Yianni won four and Greg won five. Elijah, only a junior, adds to family mantle with title number ten by dominating the competition in Albany. He was a state finalist last year losing in the finals 3-0 to Minisink Valley’s Zack Ryder. Speaking of Minisink Valley, Warrior sophomore Zachary Filip placed 7th at this weight class this year!
215 Finals – Coy Raines (Churchville) dec 3-1 Alex Berisha (Fox Lane) The Section 5 senior capped off a great year with a state title. Raines also won the Eastern States Classic in January, and he was a 6th place NYS place finisher in Albany last year. Section 9 had a strong showing at this weight class with two wrestlers finishing in the top-8. Middletown senior Bryson Tibbs placed 5th while NFA junior Chris Leggett took 7th. Tibbs finished his year as a 2X NYS place winner and Leggett becomes Section 9’s first ever 3rd place sectional place finisher to place at the state tournament. NFA has four returning state place winners.
285 Finals – Stephan Monchery (Middletown) f 2:17 Vincent Petzold (Plainedge) Monchery capped off an incredible high school career by winning the NYS title at 285 pounds. Monchery finished the season undefeated and was also the Eastern States Classic champion. Steph will continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Buffalo. Monchery’s teammate, Rahmiere Bradley, also earned his 2nd trip to the podium in Albany. Bradley, who placed 7th last season, took 4th place at this year’s state tournament.
D1 Sectional Team Score
Section 9 – 229.5
Section 8 – 213.5
Section 11 – 180.0
Section 5 – 170.0
Section 1 – 146.0
CHSAA – 136.0
Section 2 – 132.0
Section 3 – 125.0
Section 6 – 108.5
PSAL – 96.0
Section 4 – 14.0
D1 Individual Team Scores
1. Minisink Valley – 88.5 2. Plainedge – 86 3. St. Francis – 83 4. Newburgh – 72.5 5. Middletown – 66 6. Wantagh – 64.5 7. Long Beach – 58 8. Valley Central – 52 9. Hilton 51.5 10. Burnt Hills – 42
Division 2 Recap Our Division 2 squad did not experience the same success as our large school team did, however there were still a few major accomplishments worth celebrating. As a team, Section 9 Division 2 finished in 8th place. This ties for the highest finish ever for our Division 2 wrestlers since the state went to a 2-division system back in 2004. We also placed 8th in 2018. The 74 points scored by our D2 team is the most ever scored by a Section 9 small school squad! We also had three wrestlers from Port Jervis place in the top-8 in their weight class. This is the first time since “the split” in 2004 that a small school team from Section 9 had three state place winners!
Port Jervis NYS Place Winners – Matt Oosterom, Maddox McCormick, and Ryan Ross
101 Finals – Andrew Juliano (Holland Patent) f 3:07 Jakob Lucinski (Newfane) Juliano was pinned in the first period of the Section 3 finals by Colin Logalbo. He dusted himself off, worked his tail off for two weeks and won a NYS title in Albany. The wrestler he defeated in the finals, Lucinski from Section 6, finished 4th in the state last year.
108 Finals – Maverick Beckwith (Norwich) dec 7-1 Anthony Valls (Chenango Valley) To say that Section 4 was strong in this weight class would be an understatement. The top 4 finishers all hailed from the Southern Tier. Beckwith defeated Valls to take gold in a rematch of the S4 finals while Kadin Cole took 3rd place by pinning defending state champ Tommy Aiello from Section 11 in their medal match. Bryce Reilly from Our Lady of Lourdes made it to the blood round.
116 Finals – Darren Florance (BGAH) dec 3-1 Brock Frederick (South Jefferson) Section 4 hammer Florance is now a 3X NYS champion. Nationally ranked at times during the season, Florance cruised through the tournament before being tested by Section 3 champ and previously undefeated Brock Frederick in the finals.
124 Finals – Chase Nevills (Copenhagen) dec 6-3 Christopher Noto (Honeoye Falls) Defending state champion Nevills avenged his only loss of the season by defeating Section 5 sophomore Christopher Noto in the finals to win state title #2! Noto beat Nevills 7-1 earlier this season in the finals of the Windsor Tournament.
131 Finals – Gavin Mangano (Shoreham-WR) f 5:56 Jayden Duncanson (Tioga) Section 11 freshman Mangano capped off a great season with a NYS D2 title. Mangano also won the Eastern States classic this year and he was a state finalist last year. He finished 51-1 this year with his only loss coming to his teammate, Chris Colon, at a tournament in early December.
138 Finals – Brayden Fahrbach (Mt. Sinai) dec 6-5 Gianni Silvestri (Tioga) In what was considered by most to be the toughest weight class in the tournament in either division, Section 11 senior Fahrbach, a 2023 state champ, defeated Section 4 senior Silvestri, a 2022 and 2020 state champion! Both wrestlers were undefeated going into the finals! In order to get to the finals, Silvestri needed to defeat the wrestler who beat him in the state finals last season, Jordan Joslyn from Section 6.
145 Finals – Casper Stewart (Attica-Batavia) dec 4-2 Kieran Cullen (Greenville) Section 5 senior Stewart finished in 3rd place last season in the Division 1 tournament. This year he was able to win it all in the small school division by knocking off last year’s 5th place finisher at D2 145, Kieren Cullen from Section 2 Greenville. New Paltz senior Justin Coiteux made it to the blood round here.
152 Finals – Tavian Camper (Copenhagen) dec 4-3 Caden Bellis (Tioga) Camper from Section 3 avenged his only loss of the season by defeating returning state champion Bellis on the finals. Camper, who finished 3rd in NYS last season, was defeated by Bellis 1-0 in the finals of the Christmas Windsor Tournament earlier this season.
160 Finals – Ousmane Duncanson (Tioga) tf 16-0 Jacob Stephenson (Wilson) The Section 4 senior picks up state title #3 in dominating fashion. Duncanson’s closest match at the tournament was an 8-3 win over his Tioga teammate Drew Macumber who placed 3rd at the tournament! Port Jervis senior Ryan Ross ended his outstanding high school career by placing 6th at this weight. Ross lost a tough match in the quarters but rallied off two wins in the consies to secure his spot on the podium.
170 Finals – Braidon Woodward (Palmyra-Macedon) dec 5-1 Charles Foster (Vernon-Verona-Sherill) After missing the state tournament last year, Section 5 senior Woodward made the best of his final trip to the state tournament by bringing home the gold! Woodward, who finished the season 54-1, placed 3rd at 152 back in 2022. Chester senior Michael Franco made it to the blood round at this weight!
190 Finals – Greyson Meak (Cold Spring Harbor) dec 5-3 Tavio Hoose (Southwestern) Section 8 junior Meak finally defeats his rival Hoose from Section 6 and earns the coveted state title. This was a rematch of last year’s state finals at 172 and January’s Eastern States Classic semifinals at 190. In the previous two bouts, Hoose was victorious in razor close decisions! Port Jervis junior Maddox McCormick battled through this tough weight class and took home 8th place honors!
215 Finals – Matt Trim (Maple Grove) maj 11-0 Mason Maring (Chautauqua Lake) The Section 6 senior level jumped in 2023-2024! He placed 8th at 189 last season and won the state championship this year! Port Jervis senior Matt Oosterom finishes his high school career as a 3X state place winner! Oosterom placed 7th in 2022, 4th in 2023, and took home 5th place honors this year in Albany! Congrats to Matt and to all three Port Jervis state place winners!
285 Finals – Troy Beeman (Waverly) dec 9-4 sv William Wortkoetter (Wilson) In a battle between sophomore heavyweights, it was Section 4’s Beeman who came out on top in sudden victory over Section 6’s Wortkoetter! Red Hook’s Mark Paschal made it to the blood round at this weight class!
Division 1 The Section 9 Division 1 squad had a very good day! No major surprises on either side of the ledger – just a very solid, workmanlike performance. We had 8 wrestlers advance to tomorrow morning’s semifinal round and we have 15 other wrestlers who will wrestle in the blood round. In the blood round, if you win you are guaranteed a top-8 placement, if you lose you are eliminated. The semifinalists are already guaranteed a top-6 placement. There will be separate post following all of the Section 9 wrestlers during tomorrow’s sessions. Let’s take a look at the Division 1 wrestlers who have made it to Day 2!
Semifinalists 101 – William Soto (NFA) and EJ Vass (Valley Central) 108 – Cooper Merli (NFA) 124 – Luke Satriano (Valley Central) 145 – Mason Ketcham (Washingtonville) 160 – PJ Duke (Minisink Valley) 215 – Bryson Tibbs (Middletown) 285 – Stephan Monchery (Middletown)
Blood Round 101 – Kelly Sullivan (Monroe Woodbury) 108 – Marco Futia (Wallkill) 116 – Brady Judd (Warwick) 124 – Viktor Banda (Wallkill) 131 – Matthew Mercado (NFA) 138 – DJ Aviles (Middletown) and Wyatt Boice (Minisink Valley) 145 – Anthony Tresch (Minisink Valley) 152 – Luke Greiner (Minisink Valley) and Logan Pennell (Pine Bush) 170 – Anthony Annacone (Wallkill) 190 – Zach Filip (Minisink Valley) 215 – Christopher Leggett (NFA) and Jacob Dejesus (Washingtonville) 285 – Rahmiere Bradley (Middletown)
Team Race and Sectional Race Section 9 has several teams that are in the hunt and will finish the tournament in the top-10. After Day 1, Plainedge is leading the Division 1 team race with 49 points followed by St. Francis with 47, Minisink Valley with 42, Middletown with 36, and Wantagh with 35.5 points and NFA rounds off the top 6 with 31 points.
Discussing the sectional team race is premature because only the highest placing wrestler from each section can earn points for the sectional race so we will revisit this tomorrow.
Division 2 Our Division 2 squad had a day with some highs and lows. Ryan Ross was the only D2 wrestler to advance to the quarterfinals and he was defeated in that round so there and no Section 9 Division 2 semifinalists. The boys did, however, dust themselves off and wrestled back extremely hard! After two rounds of consies, we now have 7 Division 2 wrestlers alive in the blood round! I believe this is the highest number of Section 9 D2 wrestlers to advance to Day 2 of the state tournament! Congratulations boys! Let’s take a look at the wrestlers who are still alive!
Blood Round 108 – Bryce Reilly (Our Lady of Lourdes) 145 – Justin Coiteux (New Paltz) 160 – Ryan Ross (Port Jervis) 170 – Michael Franco (Chester) 190 – Maddox McCormick (Port Jervis) 215 – Matt Oosterom (Port Jervis) 285 – Mark Paschal (Red Hook)
Let’s take a look at the Section 9 Division 2 wrestlers who will be competing at the 2024 NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships in Albany, NY. The tournament will take place at the MVP Arena on Friday February 23rd and Saturday February 24th. Special thanks to Fred Perna and Perna Imaging for the photos!
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
S1: Kelvin Jimenez (Sleepy Hol, So) S2: Peter Filli (Ichabod Crane, Fr) S2: Jonah Stevens (Sal-Camb, So) S3: Colin Logalbo (Little Falls, 8th) S3: Andrew Juliano (Holl Pat, So) S3: Mason Tanner (J-E-PB-US, Fr) S4: Declan McKee (Tioga, Fr) S4: Caden Higley (Sidney, Jr) S4: Brogan LeFever (Unatego, 8th) S5: Wyatt Sartori (Dansville, 8th) S5: John Winseman (HFL, Fr)
S6: Jakob Lucinski (Newfane, Sr) S6: Mason DellaPenta (Eden, Fr) S7: Jackson LaBarge (N. Adir, 8th) S8: Colton Schmiesing (O Bay, 8th) S8: Joel Diaz (Seaford, 8th) S9: Matteo Walsh (Rondout, 7th) S10: Tuffy Griffith (Gouver, 7th) S11: Antonio Faldetta (Mt. S, So) S11: Ashton Presti (John Glenn, Fr) PSAL: Branden Munoz (Petr, Jr) AIS: Stephan Leathers (Dalton, So)
108 – Section 9 D2 Champion Bryce Reilly – Our Lady of Lourdes
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
S1: Dorian Hidalgo (Sl Hol, 8th) S2: Luke LeBlanc (Salem/Camb, So) S2: Cameron Carpenter (W/LG, Sr) S3: Seth Strain (Adirondack, Fr) S3: Ben Lamson (J-E-PB-US, 8th) S3: Jackson Moore (Sher-Earl, Jr) S4: Maverick Beckwith (Norw, Fr) S4: Anthony Valls (Chen Valley, Fr) S4: Kadin Cole (Tioga, So) S5: Joe Scott (Letchworth, 8th) S5: Connor McCaffrey (C-Gr, 8th)
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.
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
S1: Silas Freitas-Corveddu (SH, Fr) S2: Ashten Haley (Cobl Rich, Fr) S2: Neil Murphy (Cox Athens, Jr) S3: Chase Nevills (Copenhagen, Sr) S3: Gene Edwards (Cent Valley, So) S3: Zenon Derocha (Hannibal, Fr) S4: Caleb Cole (Unatego, Jr) S4: Landyn Shaffer (Dep-Han, Fr) S4: Owen Clark (Lansing, Fr) S5: Christopher Noto (HFL, So) S5: James Chase (Avon-Gen, 8th)
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.
138 – Section 9 D2 Champion Thomas Shields – Onteora
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?
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 D2 Champion Quinian Jones – Highland
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.
S6: Caden Inkley (Randolph, Jr) S6: Michael Horth (Gowanda, Sr) S7: Dominick LaPier (Ausable, Sr) S8: Justin Gonzalez (Clarke, Jr) S8: Louis Cannata (Seaford, Sr) S9: Quinlan Jones (Highland, Jr) S10: Vandavian Way (Gouv, Sr) S11: Chris Lotten (Port Jeff, Jr) S11: Matt Cucciniello (Mt. Sin, Jr) PSAL: Brandon Pacheco (Eagle, Sr) AIS: Carlos Rohm (Dalton, So)
160 – Section 9 D2 Champion Ryan Ross – Port Jervis
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
S1: Mike Malfitano (Pearl Riv, Sr) S2: Joseph Davis (Greenville, Sr) S2: Kyber Henry (Cobl-Rich, Jr) S3: Mason Rowley (Little Falls, Sr) S3: William Burnell (Phoenix, Sr) S3: Wyatt Tinker (Cortland, Sr) S4: Ousmane Duncanson (Tio, Sr) S4: Drew Macumber (Tioga, Sr) S4: Nicholas Plue (Moravia, Jr) S5: Noah Leitten (Perry, Jr) S5: Beau Zeh (Can-Green, Sr)
S6: Jacob Stephenson (Wilson, Jr) S6: Ronan Klug (Roy-Hart/Bar, Jr) S7: Parker Manor (N Adir, Jr) S8: Robert Burns (Locust Vall, Jr) S8: Aidan Smith (Cold SH, Jr) S9: Ryan Ross (Port Jervis, Sr) S10: Chase White (Franklin, Sr) S11: Anthony Bell (John Glenn, Sr) S11: Nick Reilly (Mt. Sinai, Sr) PSAL: Lorenzo Lamattina (Pet, Jr) AIS: Remy Becker (Hackley, Jr)
170 – Section 9 D2 Champion Michael Franco – Chester
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
S1: Fred Smithwick (Crot-Har, Sr) S2: Joseph Martinez (Coxsackie, Sr) S2: Skyler Sturdevant (Glens F, Sr) S3: Charles Foster (Vernon VS, Sr) S3: Jack Lamson (J-E-PB-US, Sr) S3: Kayleb Martin (Sackets Har, Jr) S4: John Johnston 3rd (SVEC, Jr) S4: Mark Winchell (Maine-End, Jr) S4: Bobby Struble (Owego, Jr) S5: Braidon Woodward (P Mac, Sr) S5: Tavyn MacDonell (Bol Rich, Jr)
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
S1: Asa Nunberg (P-ville, Sr) S2: Jesse Mullis (Hud Falls, Sr) S2: Chad Monty (Whitehall, So) S3: Trent True (Holl Patent, So) S3: Avery Canzano (Cortland, Sr) S3: Keeran Timerman (Can, Jr) S4: Mason McCombs (Windsor, Sr) S4: Logan McGuire (ME, Jr) S4: Titus Callahan (New Val, So) S5: Malachi Smith (Byron Berg, Sr) S5: Luke VanGorden (Pal Mac, Jr)
215 – Section 9 D2 Champion Matt Oosterom – Port Jervis
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
S1: Thomas Kellas (Sleepy Hol, 8th) S2: Ben Nania (Mech/Still, Sr) S2: Violence Sturdevant (GF, Jr) S3: Sean Kelly (Lowville, Sr) S3: Dominic Jones (Mt Mark, Sr) S3: Matt Marks (South Lewis, Sr) S4: Dom Weaver (Windsor, Sr) S4: Matthias Welles (Waverly, Fr) S4: Jayden Zakala (Oneonta, Sr) S5: Caden Allen (Bol Rich, Sr) S5: Jared Haers (Pal Mac, Jr)
S6: Matt Trim (Maple Grove, Sr) S6: Mason Maring (Chaut Lake, Jr) S7: Trey McGee (N Adiron, Sr) S8: Charles Kelly (Locust Val, Sr) S8: Issac Bratter (North Shore, Sr) S9: Matt Oosterom (Port Jervis, Sr) S10: Chase Bandy (Canton, Sr) S11: Carmine Gerbino (John Gl, Jr) S11: Adrian Daci (Babylon, Sr) PSAL: Christian Solano (Eagle, Sr) AIS: Alex Wlodarczak (Dalton, Jr)
285 – Section 9 D2 Champion Mark Paschal – Red Hook
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
S1: Jaden Tesher (Put Val, Jr) S2: Jakob Pregent (Glens Falls, Sr) S2: Dalton Cooper (Duan-Sch, Sr) S3: Landon Andrade (Sher-Ear, Jr) S3: Jeremy McRedmond (CVA, Jr) S3: Mason Sturtevant (Adir, Jr) S4: Troy Beeman (Waverly, So) S4: Gabe Soundararaj (Wind, Jr) S4: Joe Maraski (Maine-End, Sr) S5: Luke Herendeen (Pal Mac, Sr) S5: Hunter Jewell-Smith (Holl, Jr)
S6: Will Wortkoetter (Wilson, So) S6: Hamza Merrick (Wilson, Jr) S7: Dylan Cogswell (Saranac, Sr) S8: Daniel Harooon (Wheatley, Jr) S8: Jahrell Troncoso (CP, Sr) S9: Mark Paschal (Red Hook, Sr) S10: Thi Vanguilder (Canton, Sr) S11: Alex Keilitz (Babylon, Jr) S11: Zack Wilson (SWR, Sr) PSAL: Josiah Maye (Petrides, Sr) AIS: Sammi Uyanik (Dalton, Jr)
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!
2024 Section 9 Division 1 Team
101 Pound S9 Champ 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.
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.)
108 Pound S9 Champ 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.
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.
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)
124 Pound Section 9 Champ 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)
131 Pound Section 9 Champ 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)
138 Pound Section 9 Champ 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)
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)
152 Pound Section 9 Champ 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)
160 Pounds Section 9 Champ 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)
170 Pound Section 9 Champ 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.
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)
190 Pound Section 9 Champ 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.
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.
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)
285 Pound Section 9 Champ 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)
2024 Section 9 Championships Division 1 Champions – Minisink Valley
In another absolutely dominating performance, Minisink Valley placed 15 wrestlers in the top-6, qualified 8 for the state tournament in Albany, and crowned four champions on their way to the team title for the 5th consecutive year (no tournament in 2021 due to COVID-19). Taking home top honors for the Warriors were Luke Greiner at 152, PJ Duke at 160, Quinten Morgan at 170, and Zach Filip at 190. Duke was voted Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. The Minisink Valley junior is a 2X NYSPHSAA champion, an Ironman champion, a Fargo champion, and a 2X Super 32 champion. He is currently ranked #1 in the nation by both FloWrestling and MatScouts. Minisink Valley ran away with the team race scoring 291.5 points followed by Middletown with 177 points, NFA and Washingtonville with 157 points, and Warwick rounded out the top-5 with 133 points.
Middletown Heavyweights Stephan Monchery & Rahmiere Bradley
Middletown and NFA both crowned three individual champs and both programs had two others qualify for the state tournament in Albany. Middletown was led by 2X champions Stephan Monchery at 285 and Bryson Tibbs at 215. DJ Aviles was the Middies other champion. He and his finals opponent at 138, Wyatt Boice of Minisink Valley, received the Michael DeCapua Award for the most exciting finals match. Aviles was trailing by a point with only a few seconds left before hitting a headlock and scoring two back-points to secure the 7-4 victory. NFA’s three champions were William Soto at 101, Cooper Merli at 108, and Matthew Mercado at 131. Merli was a 2023 state champion at 102 and Soto placed 3rd at the same weight in Albany last year. Another 2023 state champion, Luke Satriano from Valley Central, will be making his 3rd trip to the state tournament. Satriano pinned his way through the tournament this year and looking to add state title #2 in a few weeks! Warwick 116-pound junior Brady Judd was workmanlike in earning his 2nd trip to Albany and our other Section 9 champion was Mason Ketcham from Washingtonville who defeated returning champion Anthony Tresch from Minisink Valley in the finals.
Because of the tremendous success which our Section 9 Division 1 team has experienced over the past few seasons, our top three place finishers from the Section 9 Tournament qualify for the 2024 NYSPHSAA Championships in Albany. The tournament will take place at the Times Union Center on February 23rd and 24th. Here is a list of all of our Section 9 Division 1 state qualifiers.
101 W. Soto (NFA) 108 C. Merli (NFA) 116 B. Judd (War) 124 L. Satriano (VC) 131 Mercado (NFA) 138 DJ Aviles (Midd) 145 Ketcham (Was) 152 L. Greiner (MV) 160 PJ Duke (MV) 170 Q. Morgan (MV) 190 Zach Filip (MV) 215 B. Tibbs (Midd) 285 Monchery (Mid)
EJ Vass (VC) Marco Futia (Wall) Jordan Busby (NFA) Viktor Banda (Wall) Jacob Roger (Midd) Wyatt Boice (MV) Anthony Tresch (MV) Logan Pennell (PB) Isaiah Hockx (Saug) Musa Aljamal (Wash) C. Herriman (FDR) Jacob Dejesus (Wash) R. Bradley (Midd)
Kelly Sullivan (MW) O. Milmore (Wash) S. Chrisjohn (Saug) Elijah Brown (MW) Nate Racz (MV) Griff Petzold (War) J. Goldberg (Wash) Mike Accardo (War) Liam Dakin (FDR) A. Annacone (Wall) J. Accardo (War) Chris Leggett (NFA) K. Crowe-Bailey (MV)
Boys – Division 2
2024 Section 9 Championships Division 2 Champions – Port Jervis
For the 5th time in the last six years, Port Jervis has won the Section 9 Division 2 Championship tournament. The Raiders placed 11 wrestlers in the top-4, had nine finalists, and crowned three champions on their way to the team title. Earning title for Port Jervis were Ryan Ross at 160, Maddox McCormick at 190, and Matt Oosterom at 215. Ross is already a 2X Section 9 champ winning in 2020 and 2022 and is hoping his 3rd trip to Albany will end with him standing on the podium. His teammate Matt Oosterom has also been to the state tournament twice – and he placed both times! Oosterom finished 7th in the state as a sophomore and took 4th last season. This year he is looking to cap off his high school career by becoming Section 9’s first ever Division 2 state champion! McCormick will be making his 2nd trip to the state capitol and has a great shot of making it to the medal stand! Port Jervis won the team title handily amassing 242 points followed by Red Hook with 160.5, Chester with 136, Onteora with 119 and Highland rounding out the top-5 with 118 points.
Division 2 Tournament MOW Justin Coiteux – New Paltz
Red Hook and Highland both had two champions. Red Hook’s Ewen Celestine, who is now a 2X Section 9 champion, won the title at 124 by defeating Port Jervis’ Justin Harrison in a match that was voted as the Most Exciting Finals Match by the coaches. Heavyweight Mark Paschal was Red Hook’s other champion. Highland had champions at 116 in Bradley Gatto and 152 in Quin Jones. Reese Greathouse, who is a Marlboro HS student but trains and competes with Highland, won the title at 131 pounds. Justin Coiteux from New Paltz is now a 3X Section 9 Division 2 champion and for the 2nd year in a row he was selected as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler! Thomas Shields from Onteora is now a 2X Section 9 champ winning the crown at 138 pounds. Chester 170 pounder Michael Franco needed to defeat a returning Section 9 champion, Ivan Figueroa from Port Jervis, in order to win his crown and punch his ticket to Albany. In a battle of 7th graders in the 101-pound final, Rondout Valley’s Matteo Walsh was victorious and will be heading to Albany as will Our Lady of Lourdes 108-pound sophomore Bryce Reilly who is his school’s first ever Section 9 champion.
Let’s take a look at the 13 Division 2 wrestlers who will be representing Section 9 at the state tournament in Albany!
152: Quin Jones – Highland 160: Ryan Ross – Port Jervis 170: Michael Franco – Chester 190: Maddox McCormick – Port 215: Matt Oosterom – Port Jervis 285: Mark Paschal – Red Hook
Girls Division
2024 Section 9 Championships Girls Division Champions – Minisink Valley
It was a great weekend for Minisink Valley Wrestling! Much like the boys ran away with the Division 1 title on Saturday, the girls of Minisink Valley dominated the competition and took home the team title at the 2024 Section 9 Girls Wrestling Championships! The Lady Warriors sent nine wrestlers to the finals and crowned three champions enroute to 207 points and the team title. Saugerties finished 2nd in the team race with 85 points followed by Middletown (79 points), Port Jervis (72 points), and Monroe Woodbury (49 points). Minisink was led by now 2X Section 9 champion Jaida Macaluso who won the crown at 132 pounds. The two other Lady Warriors to take home “Gold” were Victoria Barbarini at 100 pounds and Leah Lofstedt at 165 pounds. The other Minisink Valley finalists were Amelia Patzelt (94), Makenna Matone (100), Peyton Matone (114), Sara Pauls (120), Ryleigh Jennings (126), and Patricia Deslandes (235).
Girls Division MOW Alyssa Reed – Port Jervis
In one of the more anticipated matchups of the tournament, Alyssa Reed from Port Jervis defeated Minisink Valley’s Sara Pauls in the finals at 120. Pauls was a Section 9 champion last year and also won the 2023 Girls Invitational in Syracuse. For her efforts Reed, who pinned all three of her opponents, was voted Most Outstanding Wrestler in a nearly unanimous vote. Valley Central’s Olivia Schmidt had to defeat returning champ Keira Filip from Minisink in the semis before beating Noelle Luke from Saugerties to with the title at 107 pounds. Savannah Tittelback (114) and Meredith Mills (145) helped Saugerties to their 2nd place team finish by winning their weight classes in convincing fashion! Liberty also had two champs as Zoe Kip won the crown at 152 and Cheyenne Graham took home the title at 165. Norma Avila from Middletown avenged her Eastern States Classic finals loss to MV’s Deslandes and won the bracket at 235 while Warwick’s Victoria Alvarado came all the way from the 8-seed to win the crown at 138. FDR’s Natalia Quinteros Tejada was the winner at 94 pounds and Jada Lee won gold at 126 for Monroe Woodbury.
Starting in the 2024-2025, Girls Wrestling will no longer be considered an emerging sport by the NYSPHSAA and will have a state championship tournament in Albany! Congratulations to all of the wrestlers who competed in yesterday’s tournament. You are paving the way for one of the fastest growing sports in the nation. Let’s take a look at the 2024 Section 9 Girls Wrestling champions.
101: Matteo Walsh (RV) dec 4-2 Justin Jones (PJ) 108: Bryce Reilly (OLL) maj 14-1 Lorenzo Caserto (Mar) 116: Bradley Gatto (High) dec 11-4 Rich Olena (PJ) 124: Owen Celestine (RH) dec 6-4 Justin Harrison (PJ) 131: Reese Greathouse (Marlboro) maj 10-1 Nick Laskowski (RV) 138: Thomas Sheilds (Onteora) f 4:53 Shane Cranna (Red Hook) 145: Justin Coiteux (NP) f 1:50 Anthony Theodore (PJ) 152: Quin Jones (High) dec 5-3 Connor Wilson (OLL) 160: Ryan Ross (PJ) maj 16-4 Ivan Heunis (OLL) 170: Michael Franco (Chester) dec 8-5 Ivan Figueroa (PJ) 190: Maddox McCormick (PJ) f :42 Cole Matteson (Ont) 215: Matt Oosterom (PJ) f :26 Logan Storey (Ont) 285: Mark Paschal (RH) f 3:36 Nick Oosterom (PJ)
Girls Division – Finals
94: Natalia Quinteros Tejada (FDR) f 2:49 Amelia Patzelt (MV) 100: Victoria Barbarini (MV) f 4:45 Makenna Matone (MV) 107: Olivia Schmidt (VC) f 2:58 Joelle Luke (Saugerties) 114: Savannah Tittelback (Saugerties) f 1:09 Peyton Matone (MV) 120: Alyssa Reed (PJ) f :49 Sara Pauls (MV) 126: Jada Lee (MW) f :50 Ryleigh Jenning (MV) 132: Jaida Macaluso (MV) f 1:45 Niya Drake (PJ) 138: Victoria Alvarado (Warwick) f :54 Ashlin Garcia (Mont) 145: Meredith Mills (Saugerties) f 5:02 Kaitlyn Eisentraut (Midd) 152: Zoe Kip (Liberty) f :51 Hailey Lichtenstein (Midd) 165: Leah Lofstedt (MV) f 2:46 Alison McGovern (Chester) 185: Cheyenne Graham (Liberty) f 2:50 Faith Villanueva (Chester) 235: Norma Avila (Midd) f 2:36 Patricia Deslandes (MV)
185 Pounds Graham (Liberty) f 2:40 Binder (Saug) Villanueva (Chester) f :48 Ruiz (Fallsburg)
235 Pounds Deslandes (MV) f :52 Seward (PJ) Avila (Middletown) f :42 Monchery (Middletown)
Boys Division 2 – Semifinals
101 Pounds Jones (PJ) f 1:23 Moore (RH) Walsh (RV) dec 7-0 Thonus (Chester)
108 Pounds Caserto (Marl) dec 10-8 Massey (RH) Reilly (OLL) f 3:20 Giorgio (RH)
116 Pounds Gatto (High) f :39 Abbate (Chester) Olena (PJ) dec 2-0 Corcoran (PJ)
124 Pounds Harrison (PJ) f :44 Chavez (Chester) Celestine (RH) f 1:38 McCarthy (OLL)
131 Pounds Greathouse (Marl) f 1:10 Theil (Ont) Laskowski (RV) f 1:58 Edwards (Chester)
138 Pounds Shields (Ont) dec 5-2 Gianakis (RH) Cranna (RH) dec 11-6 Ferrara (PJ)
145 Pounds Coiteux (NP) f :52 Collins (OLL) Theodore (PJ) f 3:13 McCormack (OLL)
152 Pounds Wilson (OLL) f 5:18 Fox (PJ) Jones (High) dec 8-2 Curreri (PJ)
160 Pounds Ross (PJ) f 1:22 Perez (RV) Heunis (OLL) f :22 Weiss (Ont)
170 Pounds Figueroa (PJ) dec 11-5 Shaw (Burke) Franco (Chester) f 1:23 Momani (Chester)
190 Pounds McCormick (PJ) f 1:25 Bickham (Lib) Matteson (Ont) f 3:40 King (RV)
215 Pounds Oosterom (PJ) f :20 Alexander (RH) Storey (Ont) dec 4-3 Osei-Kwanin (Chester)
285 Pounds Paschal (RH) f :35 Santangelo (Chester) Oosterom (PJ) f 3:46 Cozzupli (Highland)
Boys Division 2 – Quarterfinals
101 Pounds Jones (PJ) f 3:31 Caserto (Marl) Moore (RH) f 2:41 Vett (Highland) Walsh (RV) tf 16-0 Faulkner (Ont) Thonus (Chester) 2:51 Kessler (RH)
108 Pounds Caserto (Marl) – bye Massey (RH) fft over Roberts (PJ) Giorgio (RH) 2:54 Blakely (Ont) Reilly (OLL) fft over Rodriguez (Liberty)
116 Pounds Gatto (Highland) f :45 VanLuven (RV) Abbate (Chester) f 5:40 Mayer (NP) Corcoran (PJ) f 5:03 Francisco (Burke) Olena (PJ) f :55 De La Rosa (OLL)
124 Pounds Harrison (PJ) – bye Chavez (Chester) dec 7-2 Paynter (Onteora) McCarthy (OLL) f 1:21 Ford Owens (RH) Celestine (RH) fft over Secore (RV)
131 Pounds Greathouse (Marl) f 2:21 Kothe (Ont) Thiel (Ont) f 3:22 Lonstein (Burke) Laskowski (RV) dec 9-2 Thomas (Highland) Edwards (Chester) f 3:03 Natale (PJ)
138 Pounds Shields (Ont) 3:35 Wilder (OLL) Gianakis (RH) maj 10-1 Barcone (RV) Ferrara (PV) f 2:45 Declaire (Highland) Cranna (RH) f :37 Sweeney (RV)
145 Pounds Coiteux (NP) f 1:02 Hutchins (RV) Collins (OLL) dec 5-2 Jean-Pierre (Chester) McCormack (OLL) 3:23 Hubert (Sullivan West) Theodore (PJ) f 2:54 Huggins (Marl)
152 Pounds Wilson (OLL) f 3:11 Merck (RV) Fox (PJ) f 4:28 Curci (Chester) Curreri (PJ) f 3:38 Nolan (Ellenville) Jones (Highland) f 1:57 Wood (Ont)
160 Pounds Ross (PJ) f 3:22 Farley (Chester) Perez (RV) dec 3-0 Cruz (Sull West) Weiss (Ont) f 4:45 Holifield (High) Heunis (OLL) f 5:23 Matteson (Ont)
170 Pounds Shaw (Burke) f 3:28 Kay (New Paltz) Figueroa (PJ) f 2:58 Bickham (Liberty) Momanyi (Chester) maj 18-5 Pak Anderson (RH) Franco (Chester) maj 11-0 Flores Reyes (RH)
190 Pounds McCormick (PJ) f :27 Cobey (Ont) Bickham (Liberty) f 1:59 Swart (High) Matteson (Ont) f :57 Zheng (OLL) King (RV) vs Miralle (Burke)
215 Pounds Oosterom (PJ) f :07 Schieder (High) Alexander (RH) f 1:44 Marqueno (NP) Osei Kwanin (Chester) f :28 Morton (NP) Storey (Ont) f 1:32 Morales (Chester)
