By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports Report
BINGHAMTON — Junior Jayden Duncanson, a three-time top-three place-finisher at States, won his third Section IV title, and sophomore Declan McKee, who was fourth at States last year, won his second here Sunday afternoon at the Division 2 Championships. Both will compete at States in two weeks in search of more state hardware.
Junior Logan Bellis, a two-time top-three finisher at States, placed sixth and missed out on his third trip to Albany, and junior Kadin Cole, who placed third at States last year, missed the entire postseason with an elbow injury sustained at the Windsor Christmas Tournament.
Senior Tate MaCauley also placed sixth Sunday.
"We're young, it was a learning experience across the board," said Tioga coach Kris Harrington.
"Jimmy Howey had two wins, that's really good for the first time at the Arena," noted Harrington. "He's almost there, if he puts a spring in, I think he takes a step.
"If you look at Parker Jackson, he's under-sized at 108 — a middle school kid," added Harrington. "Again, he has to put some time in, and I think as he ages he's going to be a different kid."
Tioga finished ninth in the team standings, snapping a seven-year run as Section IV champs. Windsor won the team title with 171.5 points, while Unatego-Unadilla Valley-Fanklin was second with 149 points, Maine-Endwell was third with 146.5 points, Waverly was fourth with 119.5 points, and Deposit-Hancock was fifth with 97.5 points.
McKee was simply dominant in his run to the 101-pound title.
McKee decked Newark Valley's Kenny Slater in 54 seconds in the quarterfinals, then forged a 17-2 technical fall of Sidney's Dylan Webb.
In the finals, McKee pinned Oneonta's Clayton Ritter in 1:29.
"Declan (McKee) had a great day," said Tioga coach Kris Harrington. "What's nice about Declan is he's pushing pace, getting leads, and building on them; that's what he's going to need next week.
"I think he's rounding into form," added Harrington. "I'm real excited for him.
Duncanson was just as impressive on his way to a 138-pound crown.
Duncanson began his day with a 19-4 technical fall of Deposit-Hancock's Gavin Canedo in the quarterfinals, then scored a 15-0 technical fall win over Walton-Delhi's Justin Somers in the semifinals.
In the finals, Duncanson scored a 14-5 major decision over Lansing's highly-regarded Owen Clark.
"I thought Jayden (Duncanson) really wrestled well (against Clark)," said Harrington. "Even at the end, he gave up a 3 chasing another takedown.
"(Clark) is a quality guy, a top-four guy in the State," noted Harrington. "He could have ridden him out at the end, but he was going for more.
"I'm proud of him, getting bonus points against a real good kid," he added. "That's a nice win."
Bellis opened his day with a 6-4 loss to Deposit-Hancock's Jason Canedo in the quarterfinals, despite jumping out to a 4-0 lead.
Bellis bounced back with a 15-0 technical fall win over Chenango Valley's Grayson Courtright, and an 18-2 technical fall of Deposit-Hancock's Evan Johnson in his first two wrestleback matches.
In the consolation semifinals, Schuyler standout Lucas Hoffman scored a 16-2 major decision over Bellis.
In the fifth-place match, Bellis dropped a 6-4 decision to Oxford-Green's Kade Austin.
"Logan (Bellis) hurt his knee during football, and has battled it all year," said Harrington. "He was pretty healthy into the Southern Tier (Memorial), and hurt himself pretty good again.
"I know it's not what he wanted, but he was out there battling, and that's all you can ask," noted Harrington. "Plus, it was a very tough weight class.
"Let's get healthy, re-focus, and see what happens," he added.
MaCauley, the third seed at 285 pounds, dropped a 7-4 decision to Susquehanna Valley's Aiden Howard in the quarterfinals, but bounced back in the consolation bracket with a 43-second pin of Trumansburg's Logan Hair, and a 4-0 decision over Norwich's Ryan Evans.
In the consolation semifinals, MaCauley dropped a 12-1 major decision to M-E's Logan McGuire. In the fifth-place match, he lost to Howard via first-period fall.
"My heart breaks for Tate (MaCauley) ... you put so much time in, I just hurt for him," said an emotional Harrington.
"He's a great kid, and a great leader. We're going to miss him next year," added Harrington.
Sophomore James Howey was 2-2 in the 190-pound bracket.
Howey opened with a pin of Oneonta's Lucas Weaver in 3:57 in the opening round, then lost via first-period fall to top-seeded Yanni Drapaniotis in the quarterfinals.
Howey bounced back with a 4-0 win over Norwich's Jack Barnes, but lost via first-period fall to Edison's Caden Southard in the "blood round."
Freshman Mark McCane won his first two bouts in the 285-pound bracket, pinning Owego's Anthony Neumuth in 46 seconds in the opening round, and beating Newark Valley's Austin DeBolt, 4-1, in sudden victory.
In the semifinals, McCane trailed Schuyler's Dana Guild, 5-4, in the second period when he was disqualified from the tournament for an illegal head butt.
Eighth-grader Parker Jackson was 0-2 at 108 pounds.
The NY State Championships are set for Feb. 28 and March 1 at the MVP Arena in Albany.
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IN PHOTO 1: Tioga's Declan McKee. IN TOP PHOTO: Tioga's Jayden Duncanson. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
