By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports Report
ALBANY — Sophomore Declan McKee earned a pair of wins to advance to the semifinals, while junior Jayden Duncanson, a three-time state place-winner, lost in the quarterfinals here Friday at Day 1 of the New York State Division 1 Wrestling Championships at the MVP Arena.
"We have to get better tomorrow," said Tioga coach Kris Harrington. "We looked a little off today.
I'm proud of the kids for battling hard, something just wasn't clicking today.
Both guys will get back (to the hotel), and reset for tomorrow; that's all we can do," added Harrington.
McKee, who finished fourth in the State last year, pinned Eagle Academy's Qudir Lloyd in 1:51 in the opening round.
In the quarterfinals, McKee, the top seed at 101 pounds, scored a pair of takedowns in the first period, including one with 2 seconds remaining, to take a 6-1 lead on his way to a 6-2 win over Oneonta's Clayton Ritter.
McKee pinned Ritter in the finals of Section IV Qualifier A, and the Section IV Division 2 Championships.
McKee, now 35-2, will face fourth-seeded Mason Dellapenta (40-4) of Eden in the semifinals.
Duncanson, who finished second at States last year after a pair of third-place finishes, kicked off the 138-pound bracket with a 12-8 decision over Dolgeville's Grayson Eggleston in the opening round.
Duncanson led 3-0 after the first period, and scored two takedowns in the second period up his advantage to 10-1.
In the quarterfinals, Duncanson, the third seed, dropped a 6-2 decision to sixth-seeded Owen Clark of Lansing, who scored a takedown with 7 seconds remaining to seal the win.
Duncanson beat Clark in the finals of Section IV Qualifier A (7-1), and the Section IV Division 2 Championships (14-5).
Duncanson (40-4) will face Pal-Mac's Zach Rooks (43-5) in the "blood round" Saturday morning.
Action begins at 10 a.m. Saturday.
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IN PHOTO 1 and IN TOP PHOTO: Tioga's Declan McKee. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
