Section 9 Duals D2 Preview; Red Hook takes on Onteora

In what promises to be a very competitive match, this year’s Division 2 Section 9 Duals final will be a showdown between #1 seed Red Hook and #2 seed, and defending champion, Onteora.  The teams will meet at NFA on Wednesday, December 7th at 7:00 PM. 

Although still a relatively young team with only three seniors on the roster, top-seeded Red Hook returns 21 wrestlers from last year’s team including 11 starters.  The Raiders should be very solid in the middle of their lineup with Aaron Barkstrom, Matt Rauch, and Ricky Treu leading the way.  All three wrestlers finished 2nd at last year’s D2 Sectional Championships.  Declan Dwyer-McNulty (1st @ 96 in 2011) and Billy Harris (3rd @ 103 in 2011) should also have very good seasons for Red Hook.

Defending champions Onteora have their work cut out for them if they want to retain their crown as D2 champs.  The Indians graduated 9 starters with over 540 career victories from last year’s team!  Head Coach Lou Chartrand describes this year squad as “very raw” however he is hopeful they will be very competitive by season’s end.  Onteora will be led by defending 103 lb. Section 9 champion Avery Leighton as well as Bernie Smith, Austin Weigel, Dustin Mackenzie, and Ryan Hickey.

Just to add a little extra drama to this showdown, first-year Red Hook Head Coach Nick Fredericks is a former Onteora wrestler.  He wrestled for….you guessed it, Lou Chartrand.  Who will prevail…the teacher or the student???