IAC WRESTLING: TIOGA WINS FINAL EIGHT BOUTS TO RALLY PAST NEWARK VALLEY, 45-25 (24 PHOTOS) (January 7, 2026)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
TIOGA COUNTY — Tioga fell behind early, but the strength of its lower weights proved too much for Newark Valley as the Tigers won the final eight matches to erase a 25-3 deficit in a 45-25 win here Wednesday night in IAC wrestling action.

"We're a little banged up again, so we had to jump some guys out of slot from where we wanted them, but we were able to get it done," said Tioga coach Kris Harrington.

"Our young guys wrestled well tonight, I'm really proud of them.

"Our hitters are real good, but when you're jumping a guy up two weight classes, that's a big ask," noted Harrington. "I'm happy we could do it, and we got out of here injury free."

Newark Valley's Marcos Escalante scored a takedown in the closing seconds of the 150-pound bout to seal a 7-2 decision over junior Caden Bradley to give the Cardinals an early 3-0 lead.

"I think Caden Bradley gets better every time he goes out," said Harrington. "People better be ready for him in the postseason."

After a forfeit to Anthony Kunze put NV up 9-0, Logan Woodlin scored a 10-1 major decision  over senior Aiden Black to up the lead to 13-0.

Cadin Creeley kept the Cardinal roll going with a 23-second fall of 8th-grader Carson Labour at 175 pounds to make it 19-0.

Junior James Howey put the Tigers on the board with a 10-5 decision over Elijah Williams at 190 pounds to close the gap to 19-3.

"Jimmy Howey has wrestled a 'Who's Who' at 190 and 215 this year," said Harrington. "His record is not pretty, but if you look at who he's wrestled, it's like 'Holy smokes those are good guys.'

"(Elijah) Williams is a tough kid, that's a nice win," added Harrington.

Newark Valley's Titus Callahan decked Jamie Woodcock in 1:23 at 215 pounds to give Newark Valley a 25-3 lead, but that would be the last win the Cardinals would muster.

Sophomore Mark McCane would start the Tioga comeback with a 9-0 major decision over Jack Blomberg at 285 pounds to close the gap to 25-7.

At 103 pounds, sophomore Drayke Ulrich forged a 17-0 technical fall over Sheldon Houston in 2:17 to make it 25-12.

Freshman Parker Jackson pinned Andrew Lelik in 5:03 at 110 pounds, and junior Declan McKee flattened Avery Davis in 20 seconds at 117 pounds to draw Tioga within one point, at 25-24.

Freshman Liamm Comstock gave the Tigers the lead for good, at 28-25, with a 10-0 major decision over Kenny Slater at 126 pounds.

Harrington pointed out the performances of Jackson and Comstock.

"Our two young guys need to be a little more proactive and less reactive in regards to their offense, but for two freshmen to go and do what we needed them to do is great," he said.

Seniors Logan Bellis and Kadin Cole each wrestled up two weight classes, but earned convincing wins.

Bellis decked Jacob Shipman in 46 seconds at 132 pounds, and Cole scored a 20-2 technical fall of Logan Rhodes, who entered the match at 16-7, in 2:37 at 138 pounds to clinch the win for the Tigers.

"You look at Kadin Cole and Logan Bellis bumping up two weight classes and getting wins," said Harrington. "You expect that out of them, but at the same time it's still a big ask.

"Logan Rhodes is a very solid, tough wrestler, but that's a credit to the pace and pressure Kadin (Cole) puts on kids," added Harrington.

Senior Jayden Duncanson finished off the night with a pin of Leland Huston in 70 seconds at 144 pounds

Tioga is 3-0 on the season, and will host Moravia and Horseheads next Wednesday in its next duals, then wrestles at Waverly Jan. 17 in its final regular-season dual. 

Tioga and Waverly are expected to be the top seeds in the upcoming Section IV, Division 2 Duals, with Newark Valley (8-3), Maine-Endwell (8-1), and Vestal (7-2) among other teams in the mix to make the field.

"This is a big win for us in terms of seeding, but to be candid we have to get healthy," said Harrington. "For us to be successful there, we need our full line-up.

"I don't see a world where we can wrestle up a couple weights and be successful.

"I think we're heading in the right direction," added Harrington. "Our schedule is brutal, and our records aren't always pretty, but we'll be prepared."

The Section IV, Division 2 Duals are set for Jan. 21 at Tioga.

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IN PHOTO 1: Tioga's Liamm Comstock. IN TOP PHOTO: Tioga's Mark McCane. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
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TIOGA 45, NEWARK VALLEY 25
150: Marcos Escalante (NV) dec. Caden Bradley (T), 7-2;
157: Anthony Kunze (NV) by forfeit;
165: Logan Woodin (NV) major dec. Aiden Black (T), 10-1;
175: Cadin Creeley (NV) by fall over Cason Labour (T), 0:23;
190: James Howey (T) dec. Elijah Williams (NV), 10-5;
215: Titus Callahan (NV) by fall over Jamie Woodcock (T), 1:23;
285: Mark McCane (T) major dec. Jack Blomberg (NV), 9-0;
103: Drayke Ulrich (T) tech. fall Sheldon Houston (NV), 17-0 @ 2:17;
110: Parker Jackson (T) by fall over Andrew Lelik (NV), 5:03;
118: Declan McKee (T) by fall over Avery Davis (NV), 0:20;
126: Liamm Comstock (T) major dec. Kenny Slater (NV), 10-0;
132: Logan Bellis (T) by fall over Jacob Shipman (NV), 0:46;
138: Kadin Cole (T) tech. Fall Logan Rhodes (NV), 20-2 2 2:37;
144: Jayden Duncanson (T) by fall over Leland Houston (NV), 1:10.

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