By Patrick Newell

Sun Sports Editor

Thanks to the wild-card system and the emergence of Sherburne-Earlville’s wrestling program, a Chenango County-record 11 grapplers lace up their wrestling shoes for the New York State Division I and Division II championships Saturday morning at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester.

Preliminary action begins at 10:30 a.m. and semifinals are Sunday morning at 10 a.m. Finals are slated for 6 p.m. Sunday evening.

“It’s great to have three guys going to the tournament,” said S-E assistant coach Brian Hicks. The Marauders did not have a state qualifier for several years until Chris Pike earned a Section III title last year. “Our first goal is to get through Saturday and have guys wrestling on Sunday morning.”

B-G/Afton sports a four-person contingent led by returning sectional titlists Danny Gormley (112) and Kris Stafford (160). Gormley lost an early-round match to eventual state title winner Kyle Crisafulli of Section III before placing fifth. Gormley’s teammate, Wayne Cirigliano – a first-time state tourney representative – could match up with Crisafulli if he wins his opening match.