Congratulations to Jackson Moore (Left) and Landon Andrade (Right) for representing Sherburne-Earlville in the NYSPHSAA Wrestling State Championship. Moore finished seventh and Andrade took fourth. (Photo from S-E Wrestling), Congratulations to Norwich’s Maverick Beckwith (Left) and BGAH’s Darren Florance (Right) on winning the NYSPHSAA Wrestling State Championship. It was Maverick’s first state title and Darren’s third. (Photo from Assemblyman Joe Angelino Facebook)

ALBANY - All local wrestlers brought their talents to the highest level to wrap up a successful 2023-2024 wrestling season. Bainbridge-Guilford/Afton/Harpursville, Norwich, Oxford/Greene, Sherburne-Earlville, and Unadilla Valley all were proudly represented at the NYSPHSAA Wrestling State Championships held in Albany over the weekend. Among the local county teams, there were two state champions. Congratulations to BGAH's Darren Florance and Norwich's Maverick Beckwith. Both athletes have shown their strengths this season and rightfully deserve their state titles. Congratulations to everyone else on a great wrestling season and for trying your best at states.

BGAH:

Senior Darren Florance had been in this position before, twice. He and his coaches knew it would be much harder to defended his title, but he stayed confident and put in the work to make it three straight state titles. Darren, who also looked up to his older brother Joey throughout his wrestling career, who finished second in states his senior year, was up for the challenge and gave it his all, going 4-0 in all matches in the 116 weight class. Florance put up three pins, including his best 55 second pin against Canisteo-Greenwood's Dylan Depew-Cappadonia, before winning the finals match in a 3-1 decision against South Jefferson's Brock Frederick.

Florance finished his senior year with a 35-1 record, only losing to Norwich's Maverick Beckwith in the regular season. Florance finished his wrestling career with 134 wins and 13 losses with 44 pins.

NHS:

Maverick Beckwith has really brought his youthfulness in his favor on the mat this year. Being a freshman, already in his third year on the varsity team, Maverick has gained a lot of experience and added one of many titles to his name. Beckwith, who finished third at states last year, won it all in the 108 weight class and went 4-0 over the weekend. He defeated local Jackson Moore from Sherburne-Earlville by pin in 3:24 in the quarterfinals. From there, Beckwith advanced to the semi-finals, where he had a much harder time against John Glen's Tommy Aiello, but got ahead in the tie-breaker to win 2-0. Beckwith was in a tie-breaker again against Chenango Valley's Anthony Valls, where Beckwith revenged a regular season loss to be the state champion in a 7-1 victory.

Beckwith finished his freshman year as a STAC champion, a Sectionals champion, and a state champion with a 29-3 record.

O/G:

Junior Aiden Marcin was the lone representative for the Oxford/Greene Blackhawks at states. It was Marcin's second trip to states as he went in his freshman year. Marcin earned the trip to states this season after finishing third at sectionals. Marcin did not place at states this year, but is hopeful to return for his senior year in 2025. Marcin went 2-2 on the day in the 138 weight class. He defeated Onteora's Thomas Sheilds in a 4:58 pin in the second round, after receiving a bye. He then fell into the consolation bracket after taking a fall, but picked himself back up to defeat Collegiate School's John Savin Nguyen in a 3:53 pin. Marcin would drop to Windsor's Tim Boyce in a 6-2 decision to finish the meet.

Marcin wrapped up the 2023-2024 season with a 27-6 record.

S-E:

After a great season as a whole wrestling team, Sherburne-Earlville sent two wrestlers to states. Jackson Moore and Landon Andrade fought hard in their matches to earn placements. Moore finshed seventh in the 108 weight class as Andrade took fourth in the 285 weight class.

Moore, who had a strong regular season, picked up three wins in his first states appearance. The junior defeated Medina's Reece Senske twice in the meet with a 8-7 decision in the second round and in a 7-2 decision in the seventh place match. Moore also won in a 4-2 decision against Salem Cambridge's Luke Leblanc. Moore dropped to Norwich's Maverick Beckwith in a 3:24 pin and to Tioga's Kadin Cole in a 1:51 pin.

Moore finished his junior year with a 28-8 record.

Andrade, who returned to states for the second straight year, fought his way into a fourth place finish up against several tough competitors. Andrade picked up two wins by pin before falling in a 10-6 decision against Waverly's Troy Beeman, who won the 285 weight class title. Andrade collected himself and earned another win by pin against Saranac's Dylan Cogswell in 4:53. This win earned him the right back into the championship bracket for third place. However, Andrade fell in a 1:35 pin to Wilson's Hamza Merrick.

Andrade finished his junior year as a CSC league champion and a Sectionals champion, with a 39-4 record.

UV:

After finishing second at sectionals, UV's Wyatt Meade entered his second states appearance. In 2023, Meade finished fifth at states. However, this time was much tougher and Meade missed placing this year. Meade went 2-2 in the 152 weight class, where he picked up two pins, including a 1:56 pin against Seaford's Louis Cannata. He also pinned Duanesburg Schoharie's Jacob Schweigard in 2:41. He fell to Randolph's Caden Inkley in a 2-1 decision.

Meade finished his junior year with a 34-12 record.

Congratulations to all wrestlers and good luck to all the seniors.