Spanning the Empire: Holiday Edition

57th Mid-Hudson Tournament

Stars:

1) Anthony LaGala-Ryan (108; Longwood)----Posting an unblemished 8-0 record (all techs and pins through pool-play on day #1), the returning NYS DI 5th/current DI #3 ranked Lion freshman made an extremely strong claim for why he should be bumped to the front of the 108-pound parade when he jumped out to a 7-1 edge in the 1st period and then hung on for a 9-7 decision over DI #1/defending NYSPHSAA DI brass ringer winner, Cooper Merli (NFA), in a semifinal bout that served as a rematch of the finale at this tourney last season (won 7-2 by Merli)....His mission not yet achieved, as an encore, NYWN's #2 overall 2026 prospect tallied five takedowns, three sets of swipes, and a 2pt reversal to emerge as a 20-9 major decision victor in the title match over DI #6/2x S9 bronze medalist, Marco Futia (Wallkill)!!

2) Dillon Arrick (124; Arlington)----Hoisting Mid-Hudson hardware for the second time in his career (2021 and sandwiched around a bronze in 2022), the 3x NYS medalist/current DI #3 at 131 bound for Binghamton University was authoritative from start to finish on Wednesday and Thursday, as the Admiral senior only went the distance once in his eight appearances, racking up 5 falls, 2 techs, and a major decision to cruise to the top prize down at 124....His lone match that reached 6:00 being a pool-clinching 8-0 major decision against 2023 CT State Class LL 6th, John Carrozza (Ridgefield); he later pinned the Nutmeg State rep in the crossover bracket finale in a time of 3:10....Also doing the day #1 round-robin, the future Bearcat amassed a 15-0 TF in a clash of former/defending Mid-Hudson champs versus DI #15/3x Nassau County medalist, Kirk Smith (Hewlett)!!!...

3) Anthony Lofaro (160; Ossining)---Upending FOUR different respective sectional medalists on his path to the 160-pound gold, the 2x Section 1 bronze medalist won his pool on the strength of a 4-3 decision and a fall in 2:59 against 2023 Suffolk 4th, Brian Schreck (Miller Place); & 2023 S9 6th, Patrick Cosgrove (Cornwall)....In the crossover championship bracket, he used a 4 TD, 1 reversal, 1 set of swipe outing to record a 13-5 major over Arlington's Jonathan Scimeca (2022 D1 4th), in the quarters before tacking on a fall :43 into the 2nd period over DI #9 (@160)/2x Nassau County placer, Oleg Daniloff (Hewlett), in the semis....As a final act, he picked up his second win in as many tries against Schreck, riding out the entirety of the 2nd period and then striking an E1 + TD in the 3rd to pitch the 3-0 goose-egg in the title contest!

4) Julian Aviles (285; Wallkill)---It was a breakout showing for the Wallkill big man as he lowered the curtain on the 2023 rendition of this historic event when he closed out his 6-0 vitae (5 falls) by sticking a pair of returning sectional placers in each of his last two matches in the championship bracket....In the semifinals, he glued 2023 S9 bronze medalist, Mark Paschal (Red Hook) in 93 seconds....The finale at 285 witnessed him hit a reversal to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 edge before holding his foe, 2023 S2 4th, Billy Pokeda (Guilderland), on his back for the fall at the 4:24 mark!!!....Aviles finished 20th at the 2022 Mid-Hudson; so this was a massive rise to the occasion!!

5) William Soto (101; NFA)---A bronze medalist at this event last year among a loaded field that included Merli and LaGala-Ryan, the 2023 NYS DI 3rd/current Large School #1 ranked standout for the Goldbacks was flawless in his run to glory, as ALL EIGHT of his victories were accompanied by some variation of bonus points, as he'd collect 5 pins, 2 techs, and a major decision along his path to Victoryville.....His two most substantial dubs coming in the crossover quarterfinals and championship bouts, NYWN's #1 2026 prospect pinned DII #10 Joel Diaz (Seaford) in 1:22, and then as "dessert", utilized a reversal + count in the 2nd period, followed by a pair of takedowns and another set of swipes for the full allotment to prevail, 12-4, against DI #10/2023 Section 9 4th, EJ Vass (Valley Central), in a collision of S9 young guns (both entered unblemished in 2023-2024)!!!

Other Champions: 116- Raekwon Shabazz (Xavier; CT); 131- Matthew Mercado (NFA); 138- Anthony Basile (Xavier; CT); 145- Victor Petkov (Ridegefield; CT); 152- DI #3 Mason Ketcham (Washingtonville); 170- Maximus Morse (Xavier; CT); 190- Peter Santos (Hewlett); 215- Charles Weidman (Xavier; CT)

BRACKETS
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2023 Windor Christmas Tournament‍

Stars

1) Chris Noto (124; HFL)----After back-to-back bronze medal efforts at this event in 2021 and 2022, the HFL super sophomore refused to be denied his stop atop the podium as he'd knock off a pair of top-5 ranked personnel en route to hoisting the hardware....Pitted against DII #1 (@131)/Defending NYS DII State Champion/Defending Windsor titlist, Chase Nevills (Copenhagen), in the finals, Noto (#2 ranked at 124; 2x NYS DII medalist) exploded for one takedown apiece in each of the three periods and added an E1 along the way to emerge as a decisive 7-1 victor....In his previous outing, he'd best DI #5/2x Section 3 champ, Tomah Gummow (Indian River), by a score of 5-1....His journey to the gold commenced on Thursday behind a fall in just beyond half-a-minute (0:34) against 2023 S10 champ, Paul Minckler (Gouverneur)!

2) Tavian Camper (152; Copenhagen)----Moving up the podium from 4th a season ago to the top of the mountain, the current DII #2 @160/2x NYS DII placer made a play for the #1 spot at 152 when he converted a double-leg takedown at the early stages of sudden victory to shock DII #1 (145)/4x NYS medalist (2023 Champion), Caden Bellis, 8-6, for the 152-pound crown...Trailing for the majority of the bout, Camper actually ended the contest in the waning seconds of regulation when he beat the buzzer with a TD to create a 6-6 deadlock at the end of 6:00....The win over his UPenn bound nemesis [Bellis] was the only close call in which Camper had to endure, as he he completed rolled in all previous matches, racking up two falls and a 16-1 tech in the round of 16 thru the semifinals!!!

3) Ousmane Duncanson (160; Tioga)---Defending his 160-pound Windsor crown was the 2x NYS DII King/current top-ranked man in the small school rankings for the Tigers, Duncanson, who accrued four takedowns and tacked on a 2nd period escape to runaway with a 9-2 decision over 2x event champ/2x NYS 4th/DII #2 @170, Vandavian Way (Gouverneur) in the 'ship....A proficient pinner on all stages, the Lock Haven bound senior out of Section 4 [Duncanson] earned the berth in the finals behind three straight sticks, including a 5:41 decking of 3x Section 3 finalist/2x runner-up, Brady Lynch (Indian River), in the semis!!

4) Bryce Dadey (215; CBA-JD)---One of the most unlikely/pleasant surprises among our champions this weekend, it was a breakout performance from start to finish for the sixth-seeded Rams student-athlete who went from 5th in his own section last year to the top of the pyramid this weekend by way of three premier victories....Fighting out of holes of 5-0 (end of the 1st period) and 7-2 (early 2nd) in his 215-pound championship bout, Dadey came on strong during the back-half of his collision with 2022 Windsor silver medalist, Sawyer Robinson (Towanda), as he'd rack up three third period TDs (5 total) to steal a 12-11 comeback decision!!!!....The dub over Robinson being the highlight, in early outings, Dadey was just as clutch, upending 2023 NYS Qualifiers---DII #8/2023 S4 silver medalist, Matthais Welles (Waverly), & DI#10 ranked/2023 S2 runner-up, Pat McKinley (Saratoga Spring), by scores of 11-2 and 2-1 (OT) respectively in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds!!!

5) Gianni Silvestri (138; Tioga)---Looking every bit the part of a 3x NYS finalist/2x Champion, as well as the DII #2 ranked man, Silvestri completed the natural hat trick (three straight season) at the Windsor when he tore through a pair of state medalists en route to the "yellow medal"....Adding to his impeccable legacy before heading off to Clarion next fall, the Tiger senior did all of the scoring he'd need in the middle stanza of his 138-pound finals match, earning an escape and then spinning behind for a counter TD to pitch the 3-0 shutout over DII #5 ranked/2x NYS medalist, Patrick Grimsey (Lowville)...The Red Raider junior [Grimsey] being the only opponent to truly test/make Silvestri battle for his glory, one round earlier, Gianni was able to light up the scoreboard to the tune of a 16-6 major decision versus DII #4/2022 NYS DII 4th, Jacob McVige (HFL)....In the quarters, Silvestri pinned returning S4 4th, Brayden Homer (Marathon), 20 ticks into the 2nd period!!

6) Ayden Buttery (145; Newfane)---A 2023 title holder after finishing 5th at this event a season ago, the 2x NYS medalist/current DII #6 ranked Panther junior proved to be nails on top in his 145-pound finale, as he'd ride out the full 2:00 of the 2nd period and then record the only point of the bout via escape in the 3rd to sneak out the 1-0 decision in the finals over DII #4 (@152)/2022 NYS DII 5th, Tyler Roe (Tioga)....Equally, if not moreso impressive, was his quick but dynamic showing in the semis, as he'd require just :40 before hearing the slap of the mat over another top-10 foe, DII #8/returning Section 5 titlist, Waylan Winseman (HFL)...On day #1, Buttery also registered a pin 31 seconds into the 2nd period (2:31 officially) over 2x Section 3 medalist, Mason Porter (CBA-JD)!

7) Maverick Beckwith (108; Norwich)---Prevailing as the king in one of the deepest fields of the weekend was the DII #3 ranked/2023 NYS DII Bronze medalist for Norwich, Beckwith, who successfully navigated his way past three fellow top-15s to seize the Windsor title for the first time in his young career (4th in 2023)....His most substantial triumph coming in the 108-pound finals, the Purple Tornado fab frosh was able to win a scramble in the 1st period to grab a 2-0 lead and then later added two escapes and a TD in the 3rd to secure a 6-2 decision over DI #4/2x NYS Qualifier, Cullen Edwards (St. Francis)....In prior appearances, Beckwith also posted a 6-1 decision and a 19-3 tech over DII #12/2023 S4 6th, Kaydin Cole (Tioga), and DI #11/2023 S3 5th, Kymah Gummow (Indian River), in the quarter and semifinal rounds!

8) Tavio Hoose (190; Southwestern)----Ensuring that he will ride into 2024 atop the DII rankings in the 190-pound weight class was the reigning NYSPHSAA Small School champ out of Section 6!!!....Sitting on the top line of his bracket with good reason, the sophomore sensation utilized takedowns in the 2nd and 3rd periods, coupled with an E1 in the middle stanza to come away with a 5-2 decision against 2023 PIAA State Qualifier/returning Windsor bridesmaid, Mason Higley (Towanda), in the finals....Never particularly in danger of being upset throughout the two-day affair, the 3pt triumph was the closest bout of the tourney for the Trojan 10th grader, as he prior efforts yielded a 7-2 decision over DI #6/2x CHSAA State medalist, Connor Miller (St. Francis), & a 10-1 major versus DI #10/Defending Section 4 champ, Hunter LaVigne (Horseheads)!!

9) Darren Florance (116; BGAH)---Emphatically putting the Windsor three-peat in the books, the current DII #1 ranked/2x defending NYSPHSAA State titlist for the Bears may have only logged one top-10 win between Thursday and Friday; but he was so undeniably in a class all his own that we could not leave him off the list of featured superstars....His most significant win on paper occurring in the 116-pound finals, Florance blew open a 2-0 advantage at the end of the 1st period by striking for an E1, TD, and turn for the full allotment in the 2nd to increase his cushion to 8-0. For good measure, he tacked on his third takedown of the bout to finish off the 10-0 major decision blanking of DI #6/2023 Nassau County 4th, Will Russell (Manhasset)...His finals win the only occasion in which Florance was forced to go the full duration, in the lead-up to the money match, he boasted two techs and a 1st period fall (including a 16-0 goose-egging in the semifinals over returning Section 4 6th, Justin Somers, of Walton-Del)!

Remaining Titlists: 101- DI #5 Brody DiCaprio (Burnt Hills); 131- Jackson Mabry (Blue Ridge; PA); 170- Gianni Delgado (Saratoga Springs); 285- DI #3 Qymani Viera-Powell (Union-Endicott)

BRACKETS
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2023 Powerade‍

Stars

1) Ryan Burton (172; St. Joseph's Regional; NJ)---After ascending to the #1 ranking in the nation following victories at the Super 32 and the Beast of the East, the S9 resident finally got his first taste of defeat in a while, as he surrendered a takedown at the buzzer to drop a 4-2 decision in the 172-pound finals to (3x West Virginia State Champion; 2x NHSCA All-American/2022 Champion)...A rematch of their BOE semifinal (won 5-4 by Burton), prior to the winning score, Wright recorded his points via a 2nd period reversal, whereas the Empire State native [Burton] had escapes in the 2nd and 3rd periods....The loss in the finale obviously putting a damper on the weekend; in every other way, the future Virginia Tech Hokie was remarkable as he converted TDs in the 1st and periods as the crux of a 5-1 decision in the quarterfinals over #17 𝐓𝐲𝐫𝐞𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 (2023 Ohio State Bronze Medalist; 2x NHSCA AA/2023 runner-up; 2022 Fargo Double 16U All-American), and then followed it up when he turned a 1-0 deficit heading into the 3rd period into a 6-3 victory (reversal to the back for 2+2; plus a TD) against eighth-ranked 𝐋𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐨  (3x NJ State medalist/defending Titlist; 2022 Super 32 4th; 2021 Fargo 16U FS National Champion)....He'd outscore his other two foes by a tally of 33-6, including a 19-4 TF in the round of 16 versus 2x PIAA Qualifier, 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐬𝐚𝐲!

2) Griff LaPlante (152; St. Francis)---The second time was the charm for NYWN's #3 overall 2026 Big Boarder, as he'd split his six appearances between Friday and Saturday to seize 8th place honors (after coming two wins short of the milestone last season)....His two biggest triumphs occurring in the round of 16 and then the blood round, the 2022 NYS DI 5th/current DI #2 ranked Red Raider struck for one TD apiece in each of the first two periods to do all the damage he would need in a 4-2 decision over 13th-ranked/2x NJ State Medalist, 𝐙𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞 to advance to the quarterfinals....After a hard fought 4-0 loss to the eventual tournament runner-up, Jaxon Joy (#7 ranked at 150; 3x Ohio State Finalist/2x defending titlist; 2023 Super 32 Bronze medalist; 2x Fargo Junior FS AA), LaPlante was quick to rebound, as a 2nd period escape and a 3rd period rideout propelled him to a 1-0 blanking in the blood round over 2023 PIAA 5th/2023 NHSCA Bronze medalist, 𝐆𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐳𝐞𝐥...In his first bout of the event, he built a 14-1 lead before sticking Gavin Pollock in a time of 3:50!

Blood Rounders

1) Luke Satriano (127; Valley Central)---Getting his arm raised in four of his six outings was the 2x NYS medalist/defending Large School State Champion out of S9....Both of his blemishes coming at the hands of nationally-ranked personnel, it was 18th-ranked Andrew Binni (2023 PIAA State runner-up; 2022 NHSCA 8th) knocking him into the consolation bracket by way of a 3-2 decision in the round of 16...The blood round contest proved to be an even bigger challenge as Florida's Sebastian Degennaro (#8 ranked at 126; 2x defending State Champion; 2x NHSCA AA/2023 Champion; 2022 Super 32 3rd) was able to inflict a 15-4 major decision to deny Satriano of a spot on the podium...The losses in no way dimming the shine of the Viking 11th grader, Satriano did register very impressive dubs at various moments throughout the two-day affair, as he commenced his tournament by escaping in OT and then riding out the alternating :30 period to take the 2-1 decision over 2023 Fargo 16U GR 7th, Khimarri Manns, of Ohio!...In the first of his two out-bracket wins, he broke open a scoreless match in the 2nd period when he turned 2x PIAA 8th, Elijah Brosius, for the full count to go up 3-0. He then tacked on an E1 and TD in the 3rd to cement the 6-0 shutout!!...Known to be nails on top, Vinnie and Jennifer's second-born son also notched a pair of falls, sticking Pennsylvania reps---Seth Miller & Logan Stewart in respective times of 2:53 and 39 ticks!!,,,Satriano is currently the #1 ranked 124-pounder in DI NYS; and his resume on the campus of Canon-McMillan ought not to affect that much!

2) Liam Carlin (152; Burnt Hills)---Ranked just below LaPlante in the DI polls in the #3 slot, the 2023 NYS DI silver medalist posted a .500 record, winning his first two matches before then dropping his quarterfinal and blood round matches to just miss top-8 distinction....Like LaPlante, Carlin recorded a signature win over Wentzel when he was able to escape in OT and then rideout to prevail, 2-1, over the aforementioned Keystone Stater in the round of 16....About as close as possible without hitting the milestone, the Spartan junior took 6th ranked Matt Henrich (2x NJ State medalist/2023 State Champion; 2023 Super 32 5th) to the bring in the championship round of 8 before losing 2-1 in overtime. He'd then get eliminated (6-0) by Ballante....He kicked off his tournament by running a bar + half (already leading 4-0) to deck Carter Wilson at the 0:41 mark to account for his only other victory!

3) Gage LaPlante (172; St. Francis)---8th at this tournament as a junior 160-pounder, the current DI #1 ranked man/2022 NYS DI 7th barely missed making it back-to-back trips to PA that yielded a podium finish, as he split his four matches.....Punching his ticket to the quarterfinals, the Army/West Bound committed patriot out of Section 6/CHSAA got his tournament off to a promising start, as he used a power-half to pin Gabe Jordan in 75 ticks....As an encore, he rode out the full 2:00 of the 2nd period and then utilized an E1 and takedown in the 3rd to earn a 3-0 goose-egg in the round of 16 versus 2023 PIAA State 4^tth/2022 NHSCA 5th, Braedon Welsh!....Like the gentlemen that preceded him on the "BR" list, it would be a nationally-ranked nemesis that halted his momentum, as Wyoming Seminary's Dominic Federici (7^th ranked @175; 3x Prep National medalist/2022 runner-up; 2022 NHSCA Bronze; 2x Super 32 medalist/3^rd in ‘23) handed him a 6-1 loss in the quarterfinals....In a match that was much closer than the result suggested, Floridan, Omer Barak (2023 Prep National 6th; 2x State Medalist/2021 runner-up; 2023 NHSCA National runner-up) was able to toss LaPlante for the pin with :50 to go in regulation...

BRACKETS‍

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2023 Massapequa Holiday Tournament

Stars

1) Ethan Andreula (101; Long Beach)---Competing in one of the most loaded brackets of the event (3 ranked wrestlers in the field), it was the returning NYSPHSAA DI State 7th for the Marines [DI #12 Andreula] hoisting individual hardware when he won a top-15 shootout in the finals over #10-ranked multi-generational star, Trevor Patrovich (son of 2001 NYSPHSAA State Champion/2x NCAA All-American, Mike), 10-4!!...Clinging to a 5-3 lead, Andreula was able to break open the bout in the final 45 ticks when he struck for a TD + NF to clinch the gold....In the quarterfinals, it was a 1st period TD, a 2nd period rideout, and an E1 in the 3rd that sent him to a 3-0 shutout decision over another Suffolk phenom that we will be hearing a lot about in the coming years, Ethan Hauser, of Connetquot!

2) Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez (116; Long Beach)---Securing his second straight Massapequa Holiday tourney brass ring was the present-day DI #1/2x NYSPHSAA medalist (2022 Champion) out of Long Beach [Sibomana-Rodriguez)....Boasting a 42-7 edge in terms of points scored/allowed in his three outings, Sibomana-Rodriguez especially lit up the scoreboard in his encore performance, stockpiling six takedowns (two of which were the 2+3 variety) to runaway with the 18-3 TF over teammate/DI #9 at 124, Greg Walpole!....The #1 NYWN 2026 Big Boarder went the distance just once all weekend, as he noticed a 14-4 major in the semis over Hauppauge's Jason Difrietus!

3) Connor Sheridan (108; Hauppauge)---Pitted in a top-12 battle of undefeated foes, it was the 2023 NYS DI runner-up/current #2 ranked Eagle converting takedowns in each of the three periods, aided by an escape in the 2nd to claim the 7-0 decision over #12/2023 CHSAA State runner-up, Jack Borowiec (Monsignor Farrell)...By virtue of his victory in the finals, Sheridan repeated as a titlist at this event, having taken home the prize at 102 last December!

4) Jayden Medina (145; Connetquot)---A bronze medalist at this event a season ago, the Thunderbird senior entered as the #4 seed in his bracket, but refused to be denied, as he'd battle his way to respective falls over top-2 seeded Monroe-Woodbury teammates, Brandon Carcaterra (2x S9 medalist) & Liam Hayes (2x S9 medalist) in the semifinal and title rounds...Versus the former [Carcaterra), he trailed 4-3 at the end of the 1st period, but capitalized off of a decision to begin the middle stanza on the feet, as he was able to get a TD and finish off the stick 37 seconds into the middle stanza...In his match with the latter, he registered the only two TDs of the bout (led 4-0) before hearing the slap of the mat with 13 seconds remaining in the 2nd period!

5) Kyle Jacobs (160; Monsignor Farrell)---The Lions 12th grader should expect to see his name in the next installment of the large school polls as he'd go a perfect 3-for-3 in pinning his way through the 160-pound bracket....Of prominence among his wreckage was the display he put forth in the finale, as the 2x Catholic State placer was able to turn a 4-2 deficit at end of the 1st period into an instant victory when he turned DI #14 Charles Olaechea, from top at the start of the 2nd to lock up the pin in 2:42....

Other Champs: 124- DI #7 Brody Franklin (Long Beach); 131- DI #13 Matt Reehil (Massapequa); 138- Santiago Pelaez (Levittown-Division); 152- DI #10 Shane Moore (Levittown-Division); 170- Joseph Dabovich (Massapequa); 190- Paul Clement (Baldwin); 215- Kyle McLaughlin (Connetquot); & 285- James Mulhern (Massapequa)

BRACKETS

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2023 Raider Invitational

Stars

1) Dylan Reinard (108; Smithtown East)---Avenging his loss from the 2022 Raider Invitational finals was the Bulls' 11th grader, Reinhard, who emerged with a 6-1 decision in the finals over 2x defending event champ/2023 NYS DII State Champion/current DII #2 ranked, Tommy Aiello (John Glenn)...On the DI watch list, by virtue of his big win, Reinhard could very well break into the top-15 when the rankings are next released...

2) Matthew McDermott (116; Smithtown East)---The Phenom delivers!!!!....NYWN's #6 2028 Big Boarder for the "Herd" closed out 2023 so strongly that he toppled 2023 NYS DI Qualifier/#8 ranked Mason Jacobellis (Patchogue-Medford), not once, but on TWO different occasions en route to ascending to the throne....During pool play, the current DI #11 [McDermott] was able to secure a quick fall in 1:50...In the championship contest, he had to work harder, but completed the sweep over the defending event titlist via a 6-4 decision!!!...His finals dub was the lone occasion he went the full 6:00, as his 6-0 resume featured 4 pins and a tech as a whole!

3) Christoper Nocca (152; Horace Greeley)---Quaker sophomore, Nocca, certainly rung in the New Year riding a wave of momentum, as he polished off a cumulative 6-0 trek to Long Island by pinning current DI #7, Jack DiMaggio (Smithtown West), with :04 to go in the 2nd period of their 152-pound championship match...All of his wins coming in a bonus point capacity, in addition to the fall over DiMaggio, the S1 rep registered three other pins, a TF, and was a winner by forfeit in the semis (against 2023 Suffolk Bronze medalist, Jasai McKay, of John Glenn)!...

4) Chris Reddy (170; Bay Shore)---It could not have come in a more dominant fashion for Marauder senior, Reddy, as he bonus-pointed his way through the entire 170-pound bracket, highlighted by a 15-0 tech in the finals over 2023 Section XI 4th place finisher, Nick Zins (Smithtown West), in a clash of the DI 12th and 14th-ranked competitors....Reddy posted an identical score in the semis, besting returning Raider runner-up, Dan Elling (John Glen), to punch his ticket to the 'ship!!!...His four initial victories were all 1st period glue jobs!

5) Joel Duchimaza (138; Patchogue-Medford)---Seeded 3rd among the field after taking runner-up honors last season, the Raider senior notched back-to-back marquee triumphs to be the last man standing at 138...Darn-near sticking his way through the bracket (5 falls in six appearances), Duchimaza was finally forced to go the distance in the title bout, coming away with the "w" against 2023 Suffolk County 5th/NYWN watch lister, Tyler Visciano (Smithtown East)....One round previously, he secured the slap of the mat over 2022 Raider champ, Max DeSousa (Smithtown West) at the 2:55 mark!...

Remaining Titlists: 101- DI #2 Tyler Conzo (Smithtown West); 124- Francis Ruf (Patchogue-Medford; 131- Karahn King (John Glenn); 145- Chase Robinson-Becker (Bay Shore); 160- John Betancourt (Bay Shore); 190- Julio Tacuri (Patchogue-Medford); 215- DII #12 Carmine Gerbino (John Glenn); and 285- Xavier Pineda (Smithtown East)

BRACKETS

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2023 SPC Kenneth Haines Memorial Tournament

Stars:

1) Ryley Monica (152; South Jefferson)---In what can best be described as the "main event" of the finals session, it was the Spartans' senior striking for a 1st period TD, and escapes in both the 2nd and 3rd periods to log one of the biggest of his scholastic career against returning NYS DI 5th/Defending Haines titlist, Te'Shaun Mathews, in a war of DII #9 vs. DI #6 in the polls...4-0 overall to close out 2023, Monica also utilized three TDs, three separate sets of backs, and a reversal to hammer his way to a 16-1 semifinal triumph against NYWN watch lister/2023 S3 6th, William Burnell (Phoenix)....In the quarters, he pitched the goose-egg (4-0 decision) over 2022 Haines runner-up, Ethan Purdy (APW/Pulaski)!...Monica was named as the O.W. recipient!!

2) Kamdin Bembry (215; Cicero-North Syracuse)----There is just something about the Haines Memorial that brings out the best in the Northstar standout, as he has now pinned 8 of his last 9 opponents at the event to become a 2x Champion!!....A perfect 5-for-5 in notching falls in 2023, the DI #8 ranked/2023 Sectional runner-up, emerged with a massive (literal and figuratively speaking) "w" in the finals when a reversal to the back ultimately served as a precursor to him pinning fifth-ranked/2023 S5 silver medalist/NYS Qualifier, Mason Depew (Canandaigua Academy), at the 3:18 mark...In the semis, he stuck teammate/2023 Sectional 5th, Joseph Kozubowski, to reach the ship!

3) Robert Pullen (124; Waterloo)---The sophomore Tiger continued to do banner work, as he hoisted hardware from a somewhat unseeded spot in the 124-pound bracket, knocking off respective sectional medalists in the quarterfinal through championship rounds to leave his stamp....Allowing only an escape in the waning moments of the 3rd period, Pullen barely missed pitching a shutout in the finals, as he converted TDs in the 1st and 3rd periods, coupled with a R2 and NF in the 2nd to post an 8-1 decision against 2023 NYS DI Qualifier/2x S3 placer, Austin Fesinger (West Genesee)....In the semis, he came away with a 6-3 decision versus S6 bronze medalist/NYWN watch list, Muntathar Abbas (Niagara Wheatfield); and the quarterfinals was a clinic on mat excellence, as the combination of three sets of near-fall for the full allotment, complemented by a 2nd period reversal accounted for 11 of the 15 points he banked as part of a 15-0 TF against Cicero-North's returning S3 5th, Javone Dawkins!

4) Chase Richards (145; Niagara Wheatfield)---The 10th grader out of the S6 area has to like his chances of seeing his name in the top-15 later this week (currently on the watch list), as a pair of 1st period takedowns got him off to a fast start and he never looked back, taking the 145-pound brass ring via a 7-4 decision over DI #15 ranked/defending S3 titlist, Kennedy Thomas (Cicero North Syracuse) in a collision of 2023 NYSPHSAA Qualifiers!....In his prior (semi) outing, he established a 6-3 advantage before sticking fellow watch list member/2023 S3 4th, Collen Austin (Fulton), with 21 ticks to go in the 2nd period!

5) Maxx Fesinger (West Genesee; 160)---Converting a takedown with :20 remaining in sudden victory, it was the DI #11 (@170)/2x S3 finalist (2023 champ) junior Wildcat getting the better end of a fierce exchange, 7-5, over NYWN watch lister/2023 S6 runner-up, Joseph Cicco (Niagara Wheatfield) in a mano-a-mano clash of 2023 State tournament qualifiers....The icing on his 4-0 resume cake, the victory over Cicco gave Fesinger two watch list conquests, as one round earlier, he had a 1st period TD, a reversal in the middle, and a turn for 2NF in the 3rd to earn a 6-1 decision over Goshen's 2023 S9 5th, Dan Weeden!

6) Connor Guffey (108; Webster Thomas)----Holding strong in the DI #7 spot for the Titans was their Sectional runner-up/2023 NYS Qualifier, Guffey, who emerged with the crown by knocking off fellow top-15 opponents in each of his last two appearances....Squaring off with current DII #13 (@116)/2023 Section 4 5th, Trevor Middendorf (Newark Valley), in the finals, the deciding factor proved to be an escape :07 into the 2nd period for the only point in a 1-0 decision where most of the action took place on the feet without incident....The semis were considerably more electrifying as Guffey came out of the gate on fire, securing a TD and then quickly earning the mat slap in a time of 50 seconds over DII #15/2023 S3 6th, Seth Strain (Adirondack)!

7) Avery Canzano (190; Cortland)---There is a Purple Tiger on the prowl and his name is Avery Canzano....A watch list member who put a bullet next to his name, the senior for Cortland had a breakout conclusion to 2023 as he'd jump out to a 7-1 edge (2 TDs + 3NF) in the 1st period of his semifinal with DII #10 (@170)/2023 Section 3 titlist, Trent True (Holland Patent) en route to eventually getting his arm raised by way of 9-3 decision....In the championship contest, he broke a 2-2 deadlock by scoring the only 3 points of the 3rd period (escape + TD) to take the 5-2 decision over fellow watch list/2x Section 10 bridesmaid, Charlie Rossner (Canton)!

8) Kolton Kelley (131; Camden)----The third time did the trick for the DII 10th-ranked Blue Devil junior, as after settling for runner-up honors in both 2021 and 2022, the 2023 State 7th place performer out of Section 3 finally stood atop the podium following a two takedowns/1 reversal display that produced a 6-3 decision in the 131-pound finale versus DII #13 (@138)/former sectional silver medalist, Jacob Strain (Adirondack)...Leading his semifinal 8-6 at the end of the 2nd period, Kelley turned up the heat during the last 2:00, using two escapes, a TD, and a set of swipes to pull away to the tune of a 14-9 decision versus NYWN watch lister/2022 S3 placer, Caleb Jolly (Phoenix)!

9) Johnathan Clohecy (170; Fulton)----The present-day DI #9 ranked/2023 DI State 5th/2023 NHSCA AA for the Red Raiders threw himself a pin party en route to repeating as a Haines champion....Never having to see the 3rd period of any of his five outings, Clohecy pinned 2023 Sectional 5th, Dante Mallozzi (Liverpool) in a time of 2:53 in the semis and then followed it up with the 3:37 decking of General Brown's returning Sectional 6th, Tristan Jarvie, in the gold bout!!

Other Champions: 101- DI #4 Brady Maneri (Auburn); 116- DII #3 Brock Frederick (South Jefferson); 138- Garrett Chase (Niagara Wheatfield); & 285- DI #4 Jackson Schwab (Fayetteville Manlius)

BRACKETS

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2023 Teike-Bernabi Wrestling Tournament

Stars:

1) Elijah Diakomihalis (190; Hilton)---Demonstrating "blink and you're miss it" efficiency, the 2x NYS DI medalist (2023 runner-up)/2023 Fargo 16U FS National Champion holding the top spot in the DI ranks barely had to break a sweat, as four of his five pins occurred in sub.-1:00 times....Included in the carnage he created was the 49-second fall he produced in the finals over fellow 2x returning NYS medalist/DII #5, Malachi Smith (Byron Bergen)....Rush-Henrietta senior, Ronin Walker, deserves a special shoutout, as his ability to last until 1:27 mark made him the exception to the under-1:00 rule that the Cornell bound superstar was enforcing!!

2) Charles Foster (170;(Vernon-Verona-Sherrill)---To be the man, you need to beat the man; and that is exactly what the current DII #3/2023 NYS DII 5th, Foster, achieved in his finals match as he'd amass four takedowns, three sets of swipes, and a reversal to run away with a 17-2 technical fall over defending Bernabi champ/DI #4 ranked/5x S6 placer (champ in '20), Michael Schaefer (Lancaster)!!....Never going the full 6:00, Foster concluded his 5-0 weekend with a stat sheet of 3 falls and 2 techs...Two of these sticks came at the expense of Byron-Bergen watch lister, JC Starowitz, who he stuck in 3:34 during round-robin action and then beat his previous time in the championship bracket quarterfinals by hearing the mat slap at 2:36!

3) Phil Testa (152; Hilton)---Entering the festivities ranked 11th in the large school polls, the Cadet sophomore is on the upswing as he'd post respective 6-2 and 11-7 decisions in the semifinal and title rounds over fellow top-15 Brockport teammates----Paul Rose (DI #11/2x Sectional placer) & Austin Boff (DI #14/2023 Sectional 4th)...Against the latter in the finale, Testa actually established a 10-1 lead (3 takedowns, 1 set of backs) heading into the 2nd period and then had to withstand a ferocious rally from Boff during the last 2:00 of action!

4) Casey Liess (160; McQuaid Jesuit)----3rd at both the 2022 Bernabi and the Sectional Championships, the proud Knight sophomore (currently sitting in the #6 spot of the polls) continued his masterful 2023-2024 campaign when after trading escapes in the 2nd and 3rd periods, he exploded for a takedown in the last :25 of sudden victory to secure the 3-1 decision over DI #11/2x Sectional gold medalist, Jackson Koppers (Rush-Henrietta)...He claim to the Rochester area throne was further cemented one round earlier when a five-TD display vaulted him to a 12-2 major decision against 2x S5 placer (3rd in 2023)/NYWN watch lister, Max Meagher (Hilton)!

5) David Ensminger (138; Shenendehowa)---The last man standing in one of the deepest fields across the board, the DI #11-ranked Plainsmen senior knocked off one fellow top-15 opponent, as well as multiple watch list members en route to going an unblemished 7-0 in the 138-pound bracket....His finals win the most impressive of the collection, the 3x S2 medalist/2023 NYS Qualifier recorded the only points in the match when he converted a TD in the last 12 seconds of the 1st period and then exchanged rideouts in the 2nd and 3rd periods to post a 2-0 decision over DI #9/2x S5 placer, William Wood (Brockport)....Five of his seven triumphs being accompanied by some form of bonus (4 pins, 1 TF), Ensminger also registered an 18-3 tech in the quarterfinals against Shen teammate/2023 S2 4th, Conge Losee, as well as a pinned 2023 Catholic State bronze medalist, Sean Gordon (St. Joseph's Collegiate) in 1:46 during the semifinal round...As part of day #1 pool-play, he earned a 5-2 decision against 2023 Section 6 6th, Mohammad Noor (Cheektowaga)!

6) Austin Zimmerman (116; St. Joseph's Collegiate)---In a rematch of the 2022 110-pound Bernabi finals, it was the Edinboro bound Marauder senior/2023 NYS DI 5th/Current DI #3 ranked Zimmerman widening the gap against returning state 8th/present-day DI #10, Ryan Cieslinski (Spencerport), as he turned a 3-0 win a season ago into an 18-3 tech fall behind six takedowns and two separate sets of NF....6-0 with five falls + the aforementioned tech, Zimmerman also boasted a pin in a time of 2:53 against NYWN watch lister/2023 Section 2 6th, Isaac Jaynes (Shenendehowa), during the semifinal round!

7) Dino Battisti (Brockport; 145)---Earning his second straight Bernabi crown was the 2x NYS DI Qualifier/DI #14 ranked standout from Brockport, who knew nothing but pins in his six appearances, highlighted by the 76-second decking of 2x S5 medalist, Fletcher Smith (Rush-Henrietta), in the title match....Battisti clinched the win in his pool on day #1 by pinning returning Section 6 4th, Sam Donovan (Iroquois), :30 into the 3rd period!!

8) Richard Wood (124; Brockport)----It was deja vu for the Blue Devil 11th grader at the Bernadi, as the current DI #4/2023 NYS DI 7th notched bonus points (6 sticks, 1 major) in all seven of his wins, including pinning 2023 S6 5th, Ricky Andres (Lancaster) at the 1:05 mark of their semifinal bout, followed by an 11-1 major (four takedowns, 1 set of backs) versus watch list member/2023 S5 6th, James Chase (Avon-Geneseo), in the title contest!


Also Taking home hardware: 101- Lukas Yeager (Hilton); 108- Josh Pfeiffer (Iroquois); 131- DI #4 Nik Massaro (St. Joseph's Collegiate); 215- DI #6 Harrison Aguirre (McQuaid Jesuit); & 285- Jordan Wickham (Brockport)

BRACKETS

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