Section 1 wrestling sets records but has no state champs

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ALBANY In many respects, the 2016 New York State Championships were an extraordinary weekend for Section 1 wrestling.

There were 17 wrestlers from the section who placed in the top six in Division 1 (large schools), shattering the previous high of 12 from 2014. And a total of 22 placed between Division 1 and Division 2 (small schools), eclipsing the highof 18 from 2010 and 2013.

But despite the record-setting depth, there was also disappointment. For just the second time since 2009, there were no individual champions from Section 1. Four reached the finals East Ramapo senior Trey Wardlaw (106 pounds), Fox Lane sophomore Matt Grippi (138), Lakeland/Panas senior Alex Melikian (182) and Mahopac senior Mike DiNardo (195) but each was pitted against a defending state champion.

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DiNardo came the closest to pulling off an upset, but came up on the short end of 3-1 decision against Ward Melvilles Christian Araneo. A two-point takedown from Araneo in the opening seconds turned out to be the difference. DiNardo pushed the pace for the rest of the match, but the equalizing move never came.

After he got that first takedown, I was a little off, DiNardo said. Then I felt like in the second and third period, I kept going after him, but he was pretty sound. After I got in on a shot, I feel like he just waited for a stalemate to get a fresh start.

More coverage from Albany: Videos from the finals and results from the placement matches

DiNardo has been one of the most improved wrestlers in the area in recent years after injuries plagued him earlier in his varsity career.

My sophomore year, I didnt even place (in the top six) at sectionals, he said. Then for my junior year to win sectionals and place fourth in the state, and this year win sectionals and be a state finalist, its pretty cool. It shows that these past two years of working hard really paid off.

Melikian was a welcomed addition for the Section 1 team. He transferred from Kennedy Catholic for his final season and became the first state finalist to ever come out of Lakeland High.

I started off at the middle school there, and coming back after all of this time, and Ive wanted to see kids get into that program, Melikian said after a 13-4 loss to Shenendehowas Kevin Parker in the finals. Ive wanted to see my friends and peers, kids younger than me, excel and do great things in wrestling. I just really hope that kids are going to say, Hey, look. We have a state finalist. I can get to that point, too.

Wardlaw, who entered the state tournament unseeded at 106 pounds, may have been overlooked by some. But wrestlers from the once-failing East Ramapo program are used to being the underdog.

After nearly folding a few years ago, Wardlaw was one of the keys to reinvigorating the Titans. He made it all the way to the state finals, losing a 6-1 decision to Eastport South Manors Adam Busiello, the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the country at 106 pounds. Wardlaw was the first state finalist from the East Ramapo district since 1975.

Its a big accomplishment, Wardlaw said. I give thanks to (coach Ryan Kearns), his assistant (Rob Preiss), and my other coach (Corey Drummond), who couldnt be with us here. Its thanks to them and my hard work. They built a good program, and hopefully they can strive for more in the future.

Grippi was also up against the top-ranked wrestler in the country in his finals match. Hilton junior Yianni Diakomihalis, who is probably the best pound-for-pound wrestler in the state, became a four-time state champ with a 13-5 major decision over Grippi.

In spite of the loss, Grippi is a strong bet to eventually get to the top of the podium.

It goes both ways, Grippi said. I dont like using it the excuse that, its OK because Im a sophomore and Ill be back next year. Im in the moment now I want to win now. At the same time, its nice knowing that I have 365 more days to train and get back to this spot.

Twitter:@vzmercogliano

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Source: http://www.lohud.com/story/sports/high-school/wrestling/2016/02/27/section-1-wrestling-sets-records-but-has-no-state-champs/81052920/