Binghamton, NY – Maine-Endwell and Tioga Central dominated the competition at the Section 4 boys wrestling championships held Saturday, February 14th at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena. Maine-Endwell secured the Division 1 title, while Tioga claimed the Division 2 crown, setting the stage for both teams to send wrestlers to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association championship tournament.
The victories for both Maine-Endwell and Tioga follow successful seasons that included wins in their respective conference championships. Maine-Endwell was crowned champions of the Southern Tier Athletic Conference, and Tioga took the Interscholastic Athletic Conference title. These sectional wins further solidify their positions as top contenders in the region.
Maine-Endwell’s impressive performance in Division 1 saw them accumulate 260 points, outpacing Horseheads, who finished second with 204.5 points. Elmira rounded out the top three with 156.5 points. Tioga’s victory in Division 2 was equally decisive, amassing 187 points, a substantial 70-point lead over Deposit/Hancock.
Division 1 Results: Maine-Endwell’s Dominance
Maine-Endwell’s championship run was fueled by 12 wrestlers reaching the podium and five individual champions. Ryan Evans (285 pounds) secured a major decision victory over Keith Wilkerson of Johnson City with a score of 10-0. Other champions for M-E included Albert Smith (165 pounds), Griffin McQuade (190 pounds), Landon Armstrong (215 pounds), and Evan Merrell (126 pounds). Horseheads, despite falling short of a sixth consecutive title, still saw success with three champions of their own.
Detailed results from the Division 1 championship finals include Brody O’Hern (Chenango Forks) winning at 103 pounds with a major decision over Carter Soltis (Corning) 15-3, Josh Knapp (Horseheads) defeating Connor McAllister (Horseheads) 7-5 at 110 pounds, and Tanner Knapp (Horseheads) earning a major decision over Larry Tull (M-E) at 118 pounds. Scott Fairbanks (Elmira) and Lavonte Gibbons (Elmira) also claimed titles for Elmira, while Tyler Ritter (Chenango Forks) and William Ackley (Johnson City) added to the list of champions.
Division 2: Tioga and Waverly Shine
In Division 2, Tioga’s 187 points secured their championship, with Declan McKee (110 pounds) and Drayke Ulrich (103 pounds) leading the charge with individual titles. Waverly finished a close second with 116 points, highlighted by Troy Beeman’s victory at 285 pounds. Beeman, a 2024 state champion and last year’s runner-up, secured his third sectional title. Norwich also had a strong showing, with Maverick Beckwith, a two-time state champion, winning the 150-pound title for his fourth sectional championship.
Other Division 2 champions included Lucas Hoffman (Odessa-Montour/Watkins Glen), Anthony Valls (Chenango Valley), Gavin Nordberg (Unatego/Unadilla Valley/Franklin), Landyn Shaffer (Deposit/Hancock), Evan Sheils (Lansing), Cooper Robinson (Waverly), Anthony Weaver (Windsor), Greg Golden (Thomas A. Edison), and Yanni Drapaniotis (Unatego/Unadilla Valley/Franklin). Matthias Welles (Waverly) also claimed a title.
The top three finishers in Division 2 from Section 4 will also advance to the state tournament, based on Section 4’s performance in the previous three state tournaments.
Looking Ahead: The State Championships
All Division 1 champions will compete at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association championship tournament, scheduled for February 27th and 28th at MVP Arena in Albany. This event will showcase the best wrestling talent from across the state, with Maine-Endwell leading a strong contingent from Section 4. The state tournament promises to be a thrilling culmination of the wrestling season, with athletes vying for individual state titles and team recognition.
The success of Maine-Endwell and Tioga at the Section 4 championships underscores the strength of wrestling programs in the region. Fans and competitors alike will be watching closely as these athletes represent Section 4 at the state level. Share your thoughts on the championships and predictions for the state tournament in the comments below.