FROM THE PRESS BOX: A GLIMPSE INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL — A LOOK AHEAD TO THE 2025-26 BOYS AND GIRLS WRESTLING SEASONS (2025-03-28)
The 2024-25 boys wrestling season in the Valley was a good one, especially on the New York side of the border, while the Athens girls were the best of a good lot this winter.
The Waverly boys sent five wrestlers to States, and won a team title, thanks in large part to second-place finishes by junior Troy Beeman and freshman Drayton McKee, and fifth-place finishes by junior Cooper Robinson and Rhylee Stotler. Junior Elona Holmes represented the Lady Wolverines at States.
Tioga had just two representatives at States this year, but sophomore Declan McKee won a state title, and junior Jayden Duncanson finished fourth. The Lady Tigers had senior Kali Bailey and freshman Kyah Nelson qualify for States.
The Athens boys bumped up Class AAA this season, but still ended up with 10 at the Northeast Regionals, including District 4 champs sophomore Zaine Campbell and freshman Tretyon Barrett. The Lady Wildcats advanced five wrestlers to States.
Sayre had its first wrestler — sophomore Jordan Brown — in a decade qualify for the Northeast Regionals. The Redskins had just four boys on the roster, and three girls.
So what does the crystal ball have to say about the 2025-26 season. Well, the season is more than eight months away, so the sight lines are a bit murky, but here goes:
Athens Wildcats: The Wildcats return virtually en tact in 2025-26, and will have some re-enforcements up from the junior high program.
Replacing Caleb Nason at heavyweight won't be easy, but Athens returns six wrestlers who won at least 22 matches, and another who won 15.
Prediction: The move up to Class AAA is going to make it difficult to get wrestlers to States, but one or more of sophomores Zaine Campbell, Brendan Cooke, Connor Davidson, and freshman Treyton Barrett could defy the odds next year. ... Team-wise, Athens reached the finals of the District 4, Class AAA Duals, there's no reason to think the Wildcats won't do it again.
Athens Lady Wildcats: Four of Athens' five state qualifiers — juniors Hanna Rathbun and Leah Nason and sophomores Abigail Wagner and Joyce Clink — return next year, and freshmen Memphis Paul and / or Alyssa Rinebold could join them in Hershey next year.
Sayre Redskins: Sophomore Jordan Brown became the first Sayre wrestler to advance to Regionals this year. Next season, he'll look to take the next step, and I think there's a chance he could do it.
Sayre continues to face numbers problems. This year, there were four boys on the roster, and one of the only wrestled two matches, while the girls had just three.
Until they can build those numbers, it will be tough sledding for any wrestler to reach his / her potential.
Tioga Tigers: The Tioga wrestling dynasty took a few steps backward this year, thanks to graduation and a slew of injuries.
Sophomore Declan McKee followed up his fourth-place finish at States with a state title this year, while junior Jayden Duncanson won his fourth state medal.
Junior Logan Bellis, who has two state medals to his credit, couldn't overcome a knee injury suffered during football season and did not qualify for States this year, junior Kadin Cole, who was third last year, injured his elbow at the Windsor Tournament and missed the remainder of the season. Both should be back next season.
Tioga also had a number of youngster rack up double-digit wins, led by freshmen Mark McCane (24) and Drayke Ulrich (19), and will likely have re-enforcements from its junior high program.
Prediction: Tioga should be able to field a full line-up next year, and could be pretty dangerous come the postseason. I think they'll be in the mix for the Section IV Duals, although Waverly and Unatego-Unadilla Valley will be the teams to beat. ... I expect they'll send at least five to States, with McCane joining McKee, Duncanson, Bellis and Cole, and one of the young lightweights could make it six.
Tioga Lady Tigers: Freshman Kyah Nelson is poised to take the next step after qualifying for States her first three years of States, and sophomore Amelia Toomey will likely join her at States.
Waverly Wolverines: Waverly coach Devan Witman took over the program when it was at rock bottom. This year, the Wolverines sent five wrestlers to States, and won a team title at the state championships.
Even better for Waverly fans is all five — juniors Troy Beeman and Cooper Robinson, sophomore Rhylee Stotler, freshman Drayton DeKay, and 8th-grader Avery Bowman — are all back. And, sophomore Matthias Welles, a two-time state qualifier who suffered a season-ending injury at the Southern Tier Memorial, will also be back.
Waverly also has a few interesting wrestlers who could add to the Wolverine tally in Albany in sophomore Parker Larson and juniors Caden Bradley and Daltton Davis.
Prediction: I fully expect Waverly to unseat Unatego-Unadilla Valley as Section IV Duals champs, and win a Section IV, Division 2 title, while advancing six, possibly seven, to States.
Waverly Lady Wolverines: Waverly has a pair of strong juniors in state qualifier Elona Holmes and Emma Vanderpool, and some quality youngsters in freshman Kennadie Cochrane, and 8th-graders Gianna Rylott and Gianna Zieniuk. I expect three, and possibly all five, to make it to Albany next season.
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