FROM THE PRESS BOX: WRESTLING DOMINATES 'SUPER 7 STORYLINES OF THE WINTER' (April 10, 2026)
I've talked about storylines in the past and how they normally come in one of four realms: the start of a storyline, the continuation of one, the likely culmination of one, or a storyline totally out-of-the-blue.
This year, the "
Super 7 Storylines of the Winter" are dominated by wrestling — much like the winter season itself.
With any further ado, I give you, from No. 7 to No. 1, the top storylines of the winter:
7. WAVERLY BOYS BOWLERS NARROWLY MISS FOUR-PEAT: After three consecutive trips the New York State Division 2 Team Championships, Waverly's run came to an end with a second-place finish at the State Qualifier — 95 pins off the pace of new Section IV champs Sidney-Unatego.
Waverly's presence was still felt at States, however, as senior Derek Johnson qualified, and placed fifth at the New York State Individual Championships.
The Wolverines graduate a couple key seniors, but return a good group of bowlers led by Colten Santalucia, Griff Walter, and Maison Apgar, so this is a storyline that could be revisited.
6. BROWN FIRST SAYRE WRESTLER TO QUALIFY FOR STATES SINCE 2008: Junior Jordan Brown finished fourth at the Class AA Northeast Regional to become the first Redskin to advance to Hershey since Rich Villanti qualified in 2008.
Brown posted a 26-12 record on the season, and finished sixth at the District 4 Championships, a week prior to Regionals.
Brown has continued to improve during his three years of varsity wrestling, so there could well be a pleasant final chapter to be written in this storyline next winter.
5. ATHENS GIRLS CONTINUE TO SHINE IN POSTSEASON; WIN CENTRAL REGION WRESTLING TITLE: A week after finishing fourth the District 4 Championships, the Wildcats won the Central Region title.
The Wildcats, who sent five wrestlers to States last year, advanced four this year, with seniors Leah Nason and Hanna Rathbun each bringing home seventh-place medals from Hershey.
Athens had a strong group of freshman, as well as a few other strong underclassmen, so this storyline could have several more chapters to be written
5B. ATHENS BOYS CROWN FOUR DISTRICT 4 CLASS 3A CHAMPS: The Wildcats doubled their District champs from two to four in 2026, and also had a second-place finisher in freshman Chace VanDyke.
Of the four champs, only junior Connor Davidson advance to States with a fifth-place finish at Regionals. VanDyke narrowly missed with a sixth-place finish.
Athens drops back to Class AA in 2026-27, so there could be a major upgrade in this storyline next winter.
4. PETTITT LEADS ANOTHER STRONG POSTSEASON FOR ATHENS BOYS SWIM: Pettitt qualified for States in the 200-yard IM and the 100-yard breaststroke for the second year in a row, and medalled in both events, giving him three PIAA medals for his career.
As a whole, the Athens boys swam in five events, a year after swimming in a school-record seven.
Pettitt and Eli Hicks lead a strong junior class back for their final year in 2026-27, so there is almost certainly one more chapter to be written in this storyline.
3. TIOGA'S DUNCANSON WINS FIFTH STATE MEDAL: Tioga's Jayden Duncanson never reached the top step of the podium at the New York State Wrestling Championships, but he did reach the Division 2 podium five times.
Duncanson was a two-time state runner-up, finished third twice, and also recorded a fourth-place finish in a five-year varsity career that saw him post a 201-20 record.
This storyline, in terms of his high school career, has run its course, but we could see some updates on Duncanson wrestling at the next level.
2. TIOGA'S MCKEE WINS SECOND STATE TITLE: Tioga's Declan McKee won his final 34 matches of the season en route to his second straight N.Y. State Division 2 title.
McKee finished the season with a 41-2 record, including a 15-0 mark in postseason, which included 11 pin falls and two major decisions.
McKee became the fourth wrestler in Tioga program history to win two state titles.
The final chapter in this storyline will be written in 2026-27 as McKee looks to become the second three-time champion for the Tigers.
1. TIOGA RETURNS TO TOP OF THE HEAP IN NEW YORK STATE; WAVERLY IN MIX: Much of the season Tioga and Waverly were 1-2 in the state poll, but injuries and late-season weight-management issues proved costly to the Wolverines in the Section IV duals chase.
While the Tigers won the Section IV Duals, the Section IV, Division 2 Championships, and team title at the New York State Championships, the Wolverines finished third at the Duals, second at the Section IV meet, and third at States.
The Tigers and Wolverines both suffer some key losses to graduation, but both will have quite a bit of talent returning. Don't be surprised if these two programs continue adding to this storyline.
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