NEW YORK STATE WRESTLING: WAVERLY'S ROBINSON, BEEMAN REACH DIVISION 2 SEMIFINALS; THREE TEAMMATES STILL IN MEDAL CONTENTION (24 PHOTOS) (February 27, 2026)
By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportALBANY — Waverly seniors Cooper Robinson and Troy Beeman reached the semifinals, and three of their teammates are still in contention for state medals here at the New York State Division 2 Wrestling Championships at the MVP Arena.
"Cooper has been on a mission," said Waverly coach Devan Witman. "He is focused and ready for Saturday morning.
"Cooper has had the best warm-ups and the best mindset I have seen from him," noted Witman.
"Troy is use to going deep into matches, not panicking, and getting the job done," he said. "Every match is a grind here at states and no one embraces it better here in Albany than Troy.
"Troy has a tough opponent in the semis, a familiar face, but he is ready to get the job done," added Witman.
Waverly, the defending team champion is in contention for a repeat title. The Wolverines sit in third place with 35.5 points, just off the pace of Tioga (39.5 points), which is seeking its sixth title in seven year, and Honeoye Falls-Lima.
Robinson, the fourth seed at 157 pounds, opened Friday with a 17-2 technical fall of Maple Hills' Gunnar Gibbons in 1:18.
Robinson, a fifth-place finisher at States last year, used a takedown and two sets of four near-fall points on tilts to take an 11-0 lead just 34 seconds into the bout, then finished it off with two takedowns.
In the quarterfinals, Robinson pinned fifth-seeded Eli Doxstader of Holland Patent in 1:55. He built a 12-3 lead with four takedowns before fall.
Robinson will face top-seeded Jacob McVige of Honeoye Falls-Lima in the semifinals.
Beeman, the third seed at 285 pounds kicked off Friday with a 7-2 decision over Island Trees' Freddy Lemus, sealing the win with a takedown with 24 seconds remaining.
In the quarterfinals, Beeman scored a takedown in sudden-victory for a 4-1 win over sixth-seeded Jack Brown of Homer.
Beeman, a state champ in 2024 and runner-up in 2025, will face second-seeded Zach Keulling of Williamson-Marion-Sodus in the quarterfinals.
Stotler, the fifth seed at 126 pounds, opened Friday with a pin of Sleepy Hollow's Kelvin Jimenez in 1:29, then dropped a 10-7 decision to fourth-seeded Barrett David of South Seneca in the quarterfinals.
"Rhylee has been in some fights this weekend," said Witman. "He came out against an opponent that beat him earlier in the year and positioned himself for advancing.
"Rhylee is going to come in strong on Saturday and complete the goals he has," he added.
Stotler, a fifth-place finisher as States last year, will face Little Falls' Colin Logalbo in the second round-of-8 in the consolation bracket.
Davis, the ninth seed at 144 pounds, knocked off eighth-seeded Nate Verri of Little Falls, 10-4, in the round-of-16, sealing the win with a takedown with 10 seconds remaining.
In the quarterfinals, Davis ran into top-seeded Landyn Shaffer of Deposit-Hancock and dropped a 19-3 technical fall in 2:31.
"Daltton ran into a hammer in the quarters," said Witman. "He is refocused and determined. It’s going to be an exciting blood round."
Davis will face Vincenzo Rubino of Dolgeville in the second round-of-8 in the consolation bracket.
Welles, the fourth seed at 215 pounds, built an early 7-2 lead against Unatego-Unadilla Valley-Franklin's Nolan Broyles in the opening round, and held of for an 8-7 win.
In the quarterfinals, Welles, who finished sixth at States as a freshman, but missed last year due to an injury, dropped a 4-1 decision to Ichabod Crane's fifth-seeded Cody Alessi.
"Matt let one slip away in the quarters," said Witman.
"This is not a new position for him, though," added Witman. "Two years ago, Matt went on a run in the back side and I expect the same this year."
Action resumes Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
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IN PHOTO 1: Waverly's Cooper Robinson. IN TOP PHOTO: Waverly's Troy Beeman. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
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