SECTION IV WRESTLING: WAVERLY CROWNS THREE CHAMPS, QUALIFIES FIVE FOR STATES; FINISHES SECOND AT DIVISION 2 CHAMPIONSHIPS (24 PHOTOS) (February 14, 2026)
By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportBINGHAMTON — Waverly's day got off to a rough start, but the Wolverines finished with three champions, five state qualifiers, and a second-place finish at the Section IV, Division 2 wrestling championships.
Seniors Troy Beeman and Cooper Robinson, and junior Matthias Welles each won titles, while senior Daltton Davis and junior Rhylee Stotler each finished third.
"It was kind of the tale two different days," said Waverly coach Devan Witman.
"We did not start the morning great. We just didn't come ready and it was a rough first couple hours of wrestling," noted Witman. "It just seemed like we could get anything going our way.
"But, to end the night with three champions and five (state) qualifiers definitely makes it worth it," he added.
Tioga amassed 187 points to run away with the team title, and Waverly tallied 120 points. Deposit-Hancock was third with 117 points, Unatego-Unadilla Valley was fourth with 112.5 points, and Newark Valley was fifth with 110 points, and Walton-Delhi was sixth with 109.
Beeman, a two-time state finalist and the 2024 state champion, was 3-0 to win the 285-pound bracket for his third Section IV title.
Beeman, the top seed, pinned Dryden's Lucas VanSlyke in 60 seconds in the quarterfinals, then forged a 17-1 technical fall over Oxford-Greene's Donte Wrench in the semifinals.
In the finals, Beeman scored a pair of takedown in a 7-3 win over second-seeded Trey Parker of Susquehanna Valley.
"We've wrestled Trey Parker a few times ... he's tough, he's in good position, he's tough to score on, and he's a big, strong kid," said Witman.
"We just have to capitalize when we see the scoring opportunities, and that's what happened," he noted. "We created the scoring opportunities, and capitalized on them.
"It was a typical low-scoring match every time they wrestle," added Witman. "I feel Troy dominated the match, but the score isn't going to reflect that."
Robinson, the top seed, was 3-0 — all technical falls for the second week in a row — to win the 157-pound bracket for his second Section IV title in his two years at Waverly.
Robinson scored a 21-5 technical fall in 2:17 over his teammate junior Joey Mack in the quarterfinals, then forged a 19-3 tech fall in 2:05 over Oneonta's Isaac Gray of Oneonta in the semifinals.
In the finals, Robinson bested Oneonta's Alan Little 22-7 in 4:49.
Welles, a state place-winner two years ago who missed the end of last season with a broken leg, was 3-0 — all first-period falls — to win the 215-pound bracket. It's his first Section IV title, but third trip to States.
Welles pinned Marathon's Trenton Vinson in 1:24 — his longest match the day — in the quarterfinals, then pinned Marathon's Brian DeForest in 54 seconds in the semifinals.
In the finals, Welles decked second-seeded Nolan Boyles in 51 seconds.
"Cooper (Robinson) and Matthias (Welles) were on, they were lighting up the scoreboard," said Witman. "But, they're looking beyond our section tournament right now. They're looking at how high they can get into into the state tournament."
Stotler, the second seed, was 3-1 on the day to place third in the 126-pound bracket to earn his second trip to States.
Stotler pinned Deposit-Hancock's Evan Johnson in 73 seconds in the opening round, but got caught in cradle in a second-period loss to third-seed Kadin Cole of Tioga. Stotler had beaten Cole in their previous three meeting this season.
Stotler bounced back with a pin of Kohl Muller of Walton-Delhi in 2:14 in the consolation semifinals.
Stotler hit a seven-point move at the end of the second period to take an 8-0 lead on his way to a 14-3 major decision of Windsor's Dylan Newman in the third-place match.
"It's really tough to beat a good kid three times, now four," said Witman. "If we see that match again at the States, I think it's another barn burner."
Davis, the third seed, was 3-1 to finish third in the 138-pound bracket to earn his first trip to States.
Davis scored a 14-4 major decision of Newark Valley's Logan Rhodes in the quarterfinals, but lost via first-period fall to four-time state place-finisher Jayden Duncanson in the semifinals.
Davis responded with a 10-0 major decision over Sidney's Donovan Eggleston in the consolation semifinals, then edged Oneonta's Amari Chapmen in the third-place match.
"At 138, you've got two kids (D-H's Landyn Shaffer and Duncanson) who could potentially meet in the state final," said Witman. "So 138 here in our section is super deep for so for Dalton to get the job done, after the tough loss in the semis, is great to see.
"His goal all year has been to make the state tournament and place at the state tournament," added Witman. "He's got two more weeks to work, and finish the job."
Junior Parker Larson was 1-2 at 144 pounds, with his lone win a pin go Unatego-Unadilla Valley's Jaron Boyles in 2:41 in his first wrestleback match.
Junior Joey Mack was 1-2 at 157 pounds, with his lone win a 10-6 decision over Deposit-Hancock's Tyler Reis in the opening round.
Eighth-grader Triton Floyd was 0-2 at 103, 7th-grader Mason Phillips was 0-2 at 110 pounds, junior Nico Rae was 0-2 at 150 pounds, and sophomore Liam Arnold was 0-2 at 190 pounds.
Four of Waverly's five state qualifiers are former state place-winners.
"Most of the guys know the deal," said Witman. "They've trained for the state tournament in the past.
"They know the routine," noted Witman. "They know what we're going after, and they know what to expect.
"Now they're gonna get in the room, and they're gonna put the work in," he added. "We're gonna get the most out of them in Albany in two weeks."
The New York State Division 2 Championships are set for Feb. 27-28 at the MVP Arena in Albany.
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PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
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