COLLEGE WRESTLING: TIOGA’S COLE TO CONTINUE CAREER AT SUNY NIAGARA (June 2, 2026)
By TIM TAYLOR
Valley Sports Report
TIOGA CENTER — Tioga’s Kadin Cole will continue his wrestling career at SUNY Niagara, signing his National Letter of Intent here Tuesday.
He will join another Tiger grappler, Jayden Duncanson, in a different blue and yellow singlet.
The Thunderwolves captured the NJCAA Division III national championship in March and Cole has become accustomed to wrestling for a top tier program. That has become a big drawing card for him.
“One main reason is they were national titleists last year, and it's just a really good school to be at,” he said.
Cole wouldn’t mind being atop the podium for Niagara.
“I'm looking for a national title or two myself,” he said.
“I'm honored to introduce two of our outstanding student athletes from the wrestling program, Kadin Cole and Jayden Duncanson,” coach Kris Harrington said. “During their careers, they played a vital role in leading this historic era of our program to four Section IV dual meet and tournament championships, as well as four New York State tournament championships and three dual meet state championships.
“Kadin was an outstanding competitor that ranged multiple weight classes with 109 wins and 50 falls. He was a two-time New York State place finisher and a three-time Section IV place finisher and champion.
“I think Kadin’s really well prepared just with his attacking style and his mindset. I think he'll be a good fit at Niagara.
“While I'm extremely proud of the accomplishments they had, what stands out most to me is their leadership and character that they have demonstrated every single day,” Harrington added. “Their patience, their kindness, and willingness to help others played a tremendous role in the development of our next generation of Tioga wrestlers and setting the standard that is the Tioga way that our program strives for. As they continue their academic and athletic careers at SUNY Niagara, I look forward to watching their continued success.”
Athletic director Jim Wood praised all eight of the athletes who signed.
“It's a culmination of their hard work and their dedication, and the culmination of their high school careers,” he said. “It's also the beginning of another phase in their life, which is something that's going to be more meaningful than Tioga, and I don't say that lightly. Those of you that are up here today, congratulations. All that hard work, the extra hours you put in, the time that mom and dad have taken to travel to get you to where you need to be and get you to this point, it's all been worth it.”
“It is not by coincidence that you hear about leadership, extra effort, all the different dedications across time from all of these up here,” said principal Jim Howey. “It is a statistical fact that only seven percent of high school athletes go on to play in college.” Almost double that number, 13 percent of the Tioga Central Class of 2026, have chosen to compete at the collegiate level.
Howey went on to ask those in attendance to applaud the athletes and for the athletes to return the applause to their parents and other supporters for their contributions. He also reminded the athletes they can always count on the people back home for support.
“When it gets tough, don't be afraid to reach home and say, ‘Hey, I need a little bit of loving.’ But stay where you're at. It's going to get tough. Just like it was tough here, you just don't remember those times. Okay? The final thing I want to tell you here is you're excellent.
“You've already excelled. The roof is yours to decide on. I wish you all the best. You're always welcome to come home, and you better stay where you're at and succeed because that's what we expect of you.”
——————
PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.
Print Friendly Version
