NEW YORK STATE WRESTLING: DEKAY UPENDS 2-SEED TO REACH DIVISION 2 FINALS; BEEMAN POISED TO REPEAT AT 285 (2025-03-01)
By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportALBANY — Freshman Drayton DeKay pulled off an "upset" to advance to the finals, while junior Troy Beeman is one win away from being Waverly's first repeat state champion since 2005-06 here Saturday at the New York State Division 2 Wrestling Championships at the MVP Arena.
DeKay, the third seed at 116 pounds, faced Lewiston-Porter's second-seeded Jaron Barrientos, who finished fifth in the State at 108 last year.
After a scoreless first period, DeKay sunk in an arm bar and turned Barrientos for a pin at 2:32.
"It definitely wasn't unexpected for me," said Waverly coach Devan Witman.
"We watched a lot of film on (Barrientos) ... we don't always share the film with our wrestlers, but they go out and do exactly what they're coached to do. They are so coachable.
"Drayton stuck with the game plan," noted Witman. "He's so tough on top, and he's so dangerous with those bars.
"It was 0-0 going into the second period," added Witman. "I knew he could lock that in, and he did exactly that with the bar half, and got the win."
Last year, DeKay was Section IV's top-ranked 101-pounder through the middle of January, but couldn't maintain the weight, and bumped up to 108 pounds — a weight class that included Norwich's Maverick Beckwith, Chenango Valley's Anthony Valls, and Tioga's Kadin Cole, who finished 1-2-3 in the state last year.
"Drayton is unfazed by anything," said Witman. "He knows he belongs here.
"Last year just wasn't his year, things just didn't go his way.
"He had a growth spurt, bumped up a weight and into a weight class with three of the best kids in the state in our section," noted Witman. "That stuff happens, but the way you recover from that adversity says a lot about you.
"Drayton has done a fantastic job," continued Witman. "He's been a leader in the room, and he's done a ton of work. I don't know if there's anyone that's put more work in than Drayton.
"He's absolutely where he belongs," Witman added.
Beeman, who is looking to become the first repeat champion since Colin McDonald nearly two decades ago, punched his ticket for a return trip to the 285-pound finale using a familiar formula.
After a scoreless first period, Beeman scored an escape in the second period for a 1-0 lead, then was able to put fifth-seeded Zach Kuelling of Williamson-Marion-Sodus for four near-fall points with 36 seconds remaining in the bout to cap a 5-0 win.
"There's just nobody that can hold (Troy) down, so I'm pretty confident if it's scoreless after the first period; that's exactly what happened, and we were ahead 1-0 going to the third period," said Witman.
"I knew we had to ride him tough, even if we gave up the escape, I knew we were in good position.
"(Troy) stays tough, he stays under the arms, he keeps the activity going, and lets the other guys make mistakes," added Witman. "And (Kuelling) made a huge mistake, and Troy capitalized to finish the match."
DeKay (41-4) will face face top-seeded Tommy Aiello (42-3) of John Glenn in the finals. Aiello was a state champ two years ago, but finished fourth to the Section IV trio last year.
Beeman (42-3) will face fan-favorite and third-seeded Hamza Merrick (42-8) of Wilson, who is known for his throws, in the 285-pound finale.
"I'm excited for the finals, and I think our guys are ready," said Witman. "I think this place is going to be electric.
"Troy's been here before. He knows how to get ready for it," noted Witman.
"And like I said, Drayton is pretty unfazeable," added Witman. "I think we're going to see the same Drayton we saw in the middle of the year at this tournament in the finals."
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IN PHOTO 1 and TOP PHOTO: Waverly's Drayton DeKay. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
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