NEW YORK STATE WRESTLING: HEARTBREAK! WAVERLY'S BEEMAN, DEKAY LOSE IN CLOSING SECONDS OF STATE FINALS (22 PHOTOS) (2025-03-01)
By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportALBANY — Waverly junior Troy Beeman and freshman Drayton DeKay each suffered heartbreak losses in the state finals, losing decisions in the closing seconds of their respective matches here Saturday night at the New York State Division 2 Wrestling Championships at the MVP Arena.
Beeman, the defending 285-pound state champion, scored an escape of the second-period whistle, and took a 1-0 lead into the third period.
After Beeman was warned for stalling 40 seconds into his ride in the third period, fan-favorite Hamza Merrick of Wilson scored an escape with 11 seconds remaining to tie the match at 1-1, then hit the winning takedown at the buzzer.
"We knew coming in were going to be the bad guy, and that nothing was going to go our way for the officials; that's what happens, officials have emotions, too," said Waverly coach Devan Witman. "He let the crowd get into it, and made some poor calls, in my opinion.
"We had everything we needed, and we were right where we wanted to be, up 1-0, until the final 15 seconds," said Witman. "He got into a bad position there, waiting for time to run, looking to go into overtime.
"I think time was out, but that's the way it goes. We live to fight another day.
"(Troy) has another year, and I'm sure he's not going to let this one go," added Witman.
DeKay, the third seed, led former state champ Tommy Aiello of John Glenn 4-0 midway through the third period, but Aiello rallied with an escape and a takedown to tie the match at 4-4, then hit the winning takedown with 9 seconds remaining in overtime for a 7-4 win.
"It was an incredible match," said Witman. "Drayton was up 4-0 on a former state champion.
"Aiello's been here before, it's Drayton's first time here but it's certainly not going to be his last.
"I'm proud of the tournament he had, and certainly the season," added Witman.
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IN PHOTO 1: Waverly's Drayton DeKay. IN TOP PHOTO: Waverly's Troy Beeman. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
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