BINGHAMTON – For the first time in an already remarkable wrestling career, there were doubts about Norwich freshman Tristan Rifanburg.

Those doubts were unwarranted.

Rifanburg upended three-time defending sectional champion, Corey Dake of Lansing, and was duly named the Section IV Division II most outstanding wrestler Saturday evening at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.

Rifanburg led a parade of six local Division II champions as Oxford’s Joe Nelson won his school’s first sectional title in three years, and Greene’s Dan Dickman, Mike Beckwith, Keegan Cerwinski, and Kyle Stanton earned individual accolades leading the Trojans to the Division II team title.

Rifanburg, already a two-time Section IV champion and a 2010 state champion, likely entered his third finals appearance as the underdog. Dake demolished Chenango Valley’s Dustin Greene in the semifinals with a third-period pin, while Rifanburg eked out an overtime victory over Austyn Bostwick of Waverly.

It was revealed some time later that Rifanburg was a bit under the weather in Saturday morning’s victory over Bostwick, but he was clearly healthy that evening. “I’ve said this all along, it seems that when Tristan is under the spotlight, he kicks it up an notch,” said Norwich coach Joe Downey. “He’s incredible in those situations.”

Rifanburg’s star was indeed burning bright against Dake, who not only has his own sterling resume, but a pedigree of championships. His older brother Kyle is a two-time New York State champion and two-time defending NCAA champion.