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This season's standouts and breakouts as Section V wrestling championships approach

james johnson, rochester democrat and chronicle
·9 min read

Elijah Diakomihalis missed out on his first opportunity to wrestle in the Eastern States Classic two seasons ago because of the COVID pandemic.

Since then, Diakomihalis has been the champion of his weight class at the last two Eastern States Classics, including January 13. A junior at Hilton who was a candidate for the 2023 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Division I Wrestler of the Year, Diakomihalis defeated Southwestern's Tavio Hoose 9-2 in the 190-pound final.

A runner-up at the 2023 high school state championships, Diakomihalis won his first 34 matches this season, including five at the Eastern States Classic.

"I don't want to say a release, but it was 'Alright, I got it done'," Diakomihalis said. "There's some excitement to it, it's a cool thing (to win).

"It's not the same thing as the state tournament, but the same guys are there."

Those are the wrestlers who Diakomihalis and other standouts in Section V hoped to meet on the mats at SUNY Sullivan, a community college about a two-hour drive northwest of New York City. This season's Eastern States Classic included more than 450 wrestlers from seven states.

"We started going around (older brother) Yianni's sophomore or freshman year," Elijah Diakomihalis said. "It's something a little different. You will wrestler the better guys, so it's always been a tournament that I've wanted to go to.

"It's definitely a little better, you have guys from Division I (large schools) and Division II all together. There's more to focus on. It's "Oh, I have this guy and then, 'I have this guy, now.' "

Diakomihalis pinned his opponent during the 2023 Eastern States Classic finals. This year, Diakomihalis said a vast majority, if not all, of the wrestlers in his 190-pound weight class were in New York State high schools, including Hoose, a sophomore in Southwestern in Section VI or Buffalo region.

Victor coach and Section V wrestling committee member Craig Kaper said in some weight classes the competition is as strong as the fields at the state tournament.

"We did pretty well as a section," Kaper said. "There were six state champions at 126. You get teams from all over, Pennsylvania had some guys in there.

"The competition is so tough. The best kids want that competition. This is a way for them to get ready for a state tournament. Any good wins there (also) help you get a better seed for states."

Former Hilton standout Lou DePrez placed sixth at the Eastern States Classic during his sophomore season.

"Both of those guys he lost to, he beat in the state tournament (during the semifinals and finals)," Hilton coach Craig Gross said. "It was a good experience.

"(At states) would've been the first time seeing them."

Diakomihalis, was one of four 2024 Eastern States Classic champions from Section V schools. They are among wrestlers to keep an eye on with the traditional sectionals coming up February 3:

More Section V wrestling standouts and breakouts

McQuaid's Harrison Aguirre, right, wrestles South Lewis' Matthew Mark in the final of the 215-pound weight class during the Teike-Bernabi Wrestling Tournament, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023.
McQuaid's Harrison Aguirre, right, wrestles South Lewis' Matthew Mark in the final of the 215-pound weight class during the Teike-Bernabi Wrestling Tournament, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023.

Harrison Aguirre (McQuaid): Senior was a runner-up at the Eastern States Classic in the 215-pound weight class. Won 31 of his first 32 matches. Also won tournaments at Avoca, Batavia, Spencerport, Wellsville and Niagara County Community College.

Brockport's Dino Battisti, right, reacts after beating Rush-Henrietta's Fletcher Smith in the final of the 145-pound weight class during the Teike-Bernabi Wrestling Tournament, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023.
Brockport's Dino Battisti, right, reacts after beating Rush-Henrietta's Fletcher Smith in the final of the 145-pound weight class during the Teike-Bernabi Wrestling Tournament, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023.

Dino Battisti (Brockport): A senior who won 26 of his first 29 matches this season. Season markers include first-place finishes as a 145-pounder at Newark and Spencerport. There also are a most outstanding wrestler award at Lockport and a runner-up finish at Webster Schroeder. Advanced to states last season.

Dominic Blekot (Webster Thomas): Senior is a reliable member of a team line-up that won a Monroe County division title. Runner up in the 215-pound weight class at Canandaigua tournament.

Ryan Cieslinski (Spencerport): Junior placed sixth at Eastern States Classic as a 116-pounder. Tournament winner at Monroe County championships and Medina. Placed eighth at 2023 state championships.

Mason Depew (Canandaigua): A junior who advanced to states last season. The 215-pound tournament champion at Penfield, Red Jacket and Canandaigua this winter. Runner-up at SUNY Oswego and at the Monroe County Championships.

Pittsford’s Zach Gerby celebrates his win over Brockport’s Paul Rose in the final of the 152-pound weight class during the Monroe County Wrestling Championships, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
Pittsford’s Zach Gerby celebrates his win over Brockport’s Paul Rose in the final of the 152-pound weight class during the Monroe County Wrestling Championships, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.

Zach Gerby (Pittsford): A junior who wrestles as a middleweight. He placed eighth at this year's Eastern States Classic as a 145-pounder and is the current 152-pound Monroe County league champion. Finished third at 2023 Section V's state qualifier and failed to advance to Albany.

Cameron Guffey (Webster Thomas) Junior won the 116-pound weight class at the Penfield tournament. His runner-up finishes at SUNY Oswego and Canandaigua could be just as impressive.

Thomas’s Connor Guffey (L) and Juan Eckebrecht wrestle in the 108 pound match. Guffey won the match 11-6.
Thomas’s Connor Guffey (L) and Juan Eckebrecht wrestle in the 108 pound match. Guffey won the match 11-6.

Connor Guffey (Webster Thomas): A freshman who has wrestled at the state championships. The current 108-pound Monroe County league champion. An outstanding wrestler at the Penfield tournament and also a tournament winner at SUNY Oswego.

Rush-Henrietta’s Jackson Koppers, right, wrestles Pittsford’s Rudy Antonucci in the final of the 160-pound weight class during the Monroe County Wrestling Championships, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
Rush-Henrietta’s Jackson Koppers, right, wrestles Pittsford’s Rudy Antonucci in the final of the 160-pound weight class during the Monroe County Wrestling Championships, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.

Jackson Koppers (Rush-Henrietta): A junior who is the current 160-pound Monroe County champion. Also, a champion at the Phoenix tournament and a runner-up in Spencerport's tournament.

Landon Lazarek (Hilton): His recent return from an injury is part of a one-two mid-season boost to Hilton's lineup. A middleweight in his senior year, he placed fourth at states last year.

Trey LeChase (Fairport): A sophomore who wrestled at the state championships last season. This winter, he has also finished second at the North Syracuse tournament and third in the Monroe County Championships in 124-pound weight classes that included two wrestlers on this watch list.

Samson McKissick-Staley (Pittsford): Sophomore began the season 29-0, including victories on his way to an Eastern States Classic championship. Wrestled at 145 pounds during the Section V Division I Dual Meet Championships. Placed sixth last year at states.

Honeoye Falls-Lima's Chris Noto wrestles BGAH's Darren Florence in a 110-pound semifinal match at the NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships at MVP Arena in Albany, on Saturday, February 25, 2023.
Honeoye Falls-Lima's Chris Noto wrestles BGAH's Darren Florence in a 110-pound semifinal match at the NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships at MVP Arena in Albany, on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

Christopher Noto (Honeoye Falls-Lima): As a sophomore, his resume ranks right up there among current wrestlers in Section V. Has placed fifth and third at the state championships. This season, he was named an outstanding wrestler of tournaments at Eastridge, Windsor in Section IV (Binghamton region) and the Monroe County Championships.

Bennet Palmeri (Fairport): Freshman finished in seventh place at 101 pounds during the Eastern States Classic. Current 101-pound Monroe County champion.

Philly Provenzano (Fairport): Junior wrestled to a sixth-place finish at 131 pounds at the Eastern States Classic. Won 28 of his first 36 matches this season, including a tournament triumph at the Monroe County Championships. A runner-up at the Windsor tournament in Section IV (Binghamton region).

Churchville-Chili’s Cael Raines, right, wrestles HF-L’s Waylan Winseman in the final of the 145-pound weight class during the Monroe County Wrestling Championships, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
Churchville-Chili’s Cael Raines, right, wrestles HF-L’s Waylan Winseman in the final of the 145-pound weight class during the Monroe County Wrestling Championships, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.

Cael Raines (Churchville-Chili): Senior may be on track to wrestle at the state championships for a third time. He has never finished in the top-eight at states. Current 145-pound Monroe County champion also wrestled at that weight during a tournament at Hornell in January and the team's two most recent dual meets.

Churchville-Chili’s Coy Raines, right, wrestles Canandaigua’s Mason Depew in the final of the 215-pound weight class during the Monroe County Wrestling Championships, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
Churchville-Chili’s Coy Raines, right, wrestles Canandaigua’s Mason Depew in the final of the 215-pound weight class during the Monroe County Wrestling Championships, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.

Coy Raines (Churchville-Chili): The 215-pound Eastern States Classic champion is a senior, with just one loss this season. His aim is a higher finish at the state championships, where he placed sixth last year. He has won three other tournaments this winter, including the 215-pound Monroe County championship.

Churchville-Chili’s Gael Sanchez, left, wrestles Webster Thomas’ Anthony Cimino in the final of the 285-pound weight class during the Monroe County Wrestling Championships, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
Churchville-Chili’s Gael Sanchez, left, wrestles Webster Thomas’ Anthony Cimino in the final of the 285-pound weight class during the Monroe County Wrestling Championships, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.

Gael Sanchez (Churchville-Chili): Senior is the current 285-pound Monroe County league champion. Also won the tournaments at Hornell and Akron in the Buffalo region or Section VI. He has never won a SuperSectional tournament. He is also looking for his first Section V class title.

Cade Sands (Addison): 2023 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Division 2 team member placed eighth at the Eastern States Classic in the 138-pound division. His senior year season includes a tournament championship at Hornell, where he was named an outstanding wrestler.

Jonathan Testa (Hilton): Sophomore returned from an injury just before the Section V Dual Meet Division I Championships. A 2023 SuperSectional champion who wrestled at states, he helped strengthen Hilton's lineup. Wrestled at 116 pounds during the sectional dual meet final won by the Cadets.

Luke VanGorden (Palmyra-Macedon): Senior wrestled to a fifth-place finish at the Eastern States Classic in the 190-pound weight class. Won 190-pound tournament titles at the Wayne-Finger Lakes Championships, Red Jacket and in Section III, Phoenix.

Waylan Winseman (Honeoye Falls-Lima): 2023 AGR Division 2 Team member is a junior. Runner-up at Monroe County Championships in the 145-pound division. Wrestled at 126 pounds last season.

Brockport's Richard Wood, top, wrestles Avon/Geneseo's James Chase in the final of the 124-pound weight class during the Teike-Bernabi Wrestling Tournament, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023.
Brockport's Richard Wood, top, wrestles Avon/Geneseo's James Chase in the final of the 124-pound weight class during the Teike-Bernabi Wrestling Tournament, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023.

Richard Wood (Brockport): A junior who won 30 of his first 31 matches. He lost to Noto in the 124 final of the Monroe County Championships. His share of tournament titles include Newark, Lockport in Section VI or Buffalo region, Spencerport and Webster Schroeder. Placed seventh at the 2023 state championships.

William Wood (Brockport): Sophomore was 24-3 after 27 matches. Won 138-pound weight classes in January during tournaments at Newark and Lockport in the Buffalo region. Also a champion at Webster Schroeder's tournament.

Braidon Woodward (Palmyra-Macedon): Senior won the 170-pound Eastern States Classic division. Former Canisteo-Greenwood team member was an outstanding wrestler award winner at the Wayne-Finger Lakes Championships.

More Section V wrestling league champions

Churchville-Chili’s Andrew Frost, top, wrestles Brockport’s Dylan Fitzgerald in the final of the 170-pound weight class during the Monroe County Wrestling Championships, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
Churchville-Chili’s Andrew Frost, top, wrestles Brockport’s Dylan Fitzgerald in the final of the 170-pound weight class during the Monroe County Wrestling Championships, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.

The wrestlers below also carry league titles into one of the five Section V class championships on February 3:

  • Robert Armstrong (Wayne), Wayne-Finger Lakes, 138 pounds.

  • Elijah Bender (Dansville/Wayland-Cohocton), Livingston County, 215 pounds.

  • James Chase (Avon/Geneseo), Livingston County, 124 pounds.

  • Keegin Christian (Palmyra-Macedon), Wayne-Finger Lakes, 152 pounds.

  • Dylan Cullen (Hornell), Livingston County, 285 pounds.

  • Barrett David (South Seneca), Wayne-Finger Lakes, 116 pounds.

  • Daniel DeBadts (Warsaw), Livingston County, 190 pounds.

  • Kaiden Ellis (Dansville/Wayland-Cohocton), Livingston County, 145 pounds.

  • Andrew Frost (Churchville-Chili), Monroe County, 170 pounds.

  • Alan Gray (Letchworth), Livingston County, 116 pounds.

  • Jared Haers (Palmyra-Macedon), Wayne-Finger Lakes, 215 pounds.

  • Luke Herendeen (Palmyra-Macedon), Wayne-Finger Lakes, 285 pounds.

  • Myles Jarzyna (Livonia), Livingston County, 152 pounds.

  • Holden Kelly (Perry), Livingston County, 131 pounds.

  • Noah Leitten (Perry), Livingston County, 160 pounds.

  • Robert Pullen (Waterloo), Wayne-Finger Lakes, 124 pounds.

  • Cody Quick (Palmyra-Macedon), Wayne-Finger Lakes, 160 pounds.

  • Zachary Rooks (Palmyra-Macedon), Wayne-Finger Lakes, 131 pounds.

  • Wyatt Sartori (Dansville/Wayland-Cohocton), Livingston County, 101 pounds.

  • Steve Schulz (Palmyra-Macedon), Wayne-Finger Lakes, 145 pounds.

  • Joe Scott (Letchworth), Livingston County, 108 pounds.

  • Logan Snyder (Hornell), Livingston County, 170 pounds.

  • Peter Thompson (Dansville/Wayland-Cohocton), 138 pounds

  • Barrett Wetherbee (Red Jacket), Wayne-Finger Lakes, 108 pounds.

  • Kurt Ziegler (Wayne), Wayne-Finger Lakes, 101 pounds.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V wrestling championships 2024: Standouts as the meet nears