NEW YORK STATE GIRLS WRESTLING: TIOGA'S TOOMEY WINS STATE TITLE AS 8-SEED; NELSON A RUNNER-UP (24 PHOTOS) (February 26, 2026)
TIGERS FINISH SIXTH IN TEAM STANDINGSBY TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportALBANY — Tioga junior Amelia Toomey's game plan against Noli Paddock of Chatauqua Lake was to wear out the previously-unbeaten wrestler, and she executed it to perfection to win a state title with a second-period fall here Thursday night at the New York State Girls Wrestling Championships at the MVP Arena.
Tioga junior Kyah Nelson, the sixth seed, lost via second-period fall to top-seeded Teagan McGuinness in the 185-pound title bout.
"I knew I a better gas tank than her, so I knew I just needed to keep wrestling hard and fighting hard," said Toomey. "I knew eventually my gas tank wold keep me going, and hers would run out.
"I just wanted to wrestle hard for a full six minutes, and leave everything I had on the mat, and I did that," she said.
Tioga coach Jim Walsh said Toomey's recipe for victory was "relentless effort and pressure.
"She wore (Paddock) down, both mentally and physically, especially physically at the end," said Walsh. "There were a couple breaks in the match, one for a problem with scoreboard, and then Paddock hurt her arm when Amelia did an arm bar; that was the last thing we wanted.
"We know she is relentless and physical, and is an unbelievable hand fighter; that's how she won it," he added.
Toomey, the eighth seed, scored first by forcing Paddock out-of-bounds to take a 1-0 lead, but Paddock was all over Toomey's legs and scored four takedowns in a 45-second span to take an 8-1 lead midway through the opening three minutes.
Toomey countered with two takedowns late in the period to close the gap to 8-5 heading into the final three minutes.
Paddock scored another takedown early in the second period to take a 10-5 lead, but Toomey hit a four-point move 12 seconds later to trim the deficit to 10-9.
Paddock kept scoring though, hitting a pair of dumps for a 14-9 lead, but Toomey countered with a takedown with 64 seconds remaining, then turned Paddock to her back for a fall at 4:58 to claim the 138-pound crown.
Toomey improves to 37-2 on the season, while Paddock falls to 40-1.
"I hope this win helps build our girls wrestling program," said Walsh.
"I hope girls, and boys for that matter, see how she wrestles, and how she conducts herself in practice," noted Walsh. "One thing is for sure, it could not have happened to a nicer girl.
"One of the nicest girls ever, but she's an absolute beast and shark on the mat," added Walsh. "For her, it's the work ethic, dedication and the extra work — she's the best role model you can have."
In the 185-pound final, McGuinness scored a pair of takedowns in the first 54 seconds to take a 4-0 lead over Nelson.
After a reversal by Nelson closed the gap to 4-1, McGuinness scored two more takedowns to take an 8-1 lead into the final three minutes.
Nelson closed the gap to 8-5 with four force-outs in a 16-second span, but with Nelson pushing McGuinness toward another out-of-bounds violations, the U-E senior executed a perfect throw for a fall at 3:49 to claim the 185-pound title.
"Another unfortunate finals matchup for Kyah," said Walsh. "That’s three finals matchups against Teagan this year alone, and they're wrestled several more times of the years.
"Kyah started to close the gap on Teagen aided by four push- outs, but Teagan is talented at catching opponents in a vulnerable position and sure enough Kyah had a decent shot, but left her arm too high and Teagen pounced on that mistake," noted Walsh.
"The good news for Kyah? Teagen is a senior," Walsh added.
Walsh mentioned assistant coach Ryan MacWhinnie's efforts as a warm-up partner for Toomey.
"Our program is helped along tremendously by a lot of support from different parties, a lot of selfless acts, like Ryan’s, and a lot of history and tradition."
Tioga finished sixth in the team standings with 53.5 points. Shenandehowa won the team title with 102 points, while Bellport Surge was second 81, Minisink Valley was third with 64.5 points, Valley Central was fourth with 57, and Chautauqua Lake, the only other Small School in the top six, was fifth with 55 points.
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IN PHOTO 1: Tioga junior Amelia Toomey has her hand raised after the 138-pound title match. IN TOP PHOTO: Tioga junior Amelia Toomey after pinfall-win in the 138-pound championship match. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
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