Wrestling: Complete preview of the 2024 Section 1 Division I tournament

Before wrestlers compete for section titles at the Section 1 Division I tournament on Saturday and Sunday at the Westchester County Center, here is a class-by-class look at some key matchups, wrestlers to watch, and other noteworthy storylines to keep an eye on.

Division I seeds: Seeds for the 2024 Section 1 Division I tournament

Division II seeds: Seeds for the 2024 Section 1 Division II tournament

101 pounds

Premier matchup: Fotis Koufalis (New Rochelle) vs. Gio Tornambe (Yorktown)

With the way the bracket and seeding played out, there will be plenty of compelling 101-pound bouts to watch for as the tournament unfolds, but this potential semifinal gets the top spot. The two were originally going to square off in the Westchester County semifinals, but Tornambe sustained a concussion and was forced to withdraw, while Koufalis went on to win the title and Most Outstanding Wrestler honors. Now healthy, these two are on pace to meet in the sectional semifinals with more at stake.

Wrestler to watch: Vincenzo Mannello, Byram Hills/Briarcliff/Valhalla/Westlake

It's been quite the debut for the Westlake seventh-grader, and he has a chance to make history this weekend. Mannello could potentially become only the second seventh-grader in Section 1 history to win the title, joining Penn State commit and No. 1 nationally-ranked P.J. Duke, who won in 2020 at Carmel before moving to Minisink Valley. He enters with a 28-5 record, with most wins coming by major decision, technical fall or pin, and his lone losses all came by decision against state-ranked opponents.

NEWS: Stakes raised for 2024 Section 1 tournament after loss of state-tournament bid

Keep an eye on: Divisional champs

This is one of two weight classes where the top four seeds are divisional champs. Mannello and Koufalis are newcomers to the varsity scene and are enjoying impressive debut seasons. Meanwhile, Tornambe and Yonkers' Will Miller are returning all-section finishers looking to place even higher on the podium this year.

108 pounds

Premier matchup: Ethan Steuber (Somers/North Salem) vs. Carlos Deoleo (Yonkers)

Both wrestlers have taken big strides this year. Steuber built off of his breakout freshman year with a 30-7 record, and he's in the running for a podium spot. As for Deoleo, the No. 2 seed is enjoying a breakout campaign of his own and enters with a 26-7 record. The two met back in December, when Deoleo scraped out a 6-5 victory, but both wrestlers have improved since then.

Wrestler to watch: Nick Fortugno, Byram Hills/Briarcliff/Valhalla/Westlake

The reigning Section 1 champ took some tough losses very early in the season when he was competing at higher weights. Since cutting down to 108, he's held the top spot. Fortugno enters the weekend with a 34-5 record and is in the driver's seat as the No. 1 seed to take another section title.

Keep an eye on: First-time all-section wrestlers

Outside of Fortugno, there are no returning all-section grapplers at this weight class. There's only one senior in this weight class, so for everybody else, it's an opportunity to reach the podium for the first time and a building block moving forward to next season.

116 pounds

Premier matchup: Ryan Ball (Somers/North Salem) vs. Charles Przymylski (Mahopac)

If they can fend off any upset bids, this will be a fun finale to watch. The standout duo never crossed paths during the regular season, but they may finally collide with a title on the line. Both wrestlers advanced to the blood round at the NYSPHSAA Tournament last season, but only one of them will get to make the trip to Albany this year. Ball is 39-2, while Przymylski is 29-9.

Wrestler to watch: Ryan Ball, Somers/North Salem

The Tuskers' standout has had a vice grip on the top spot in his weight class all season long. He has his sights set on capturing back-to-back section titles and crossing the 40-win mark for the second straight season. Ball defeated every Section 1 116-pounder he faced by major decision, technical fall or pin.

Keep an eye on: Bracket-busters?

Brewster sophomore Thomas Looby Jr. could be a potential bracket-buster as the No. 6 seed. He had plenty of momentum after dropping down to 116 at the midway point of the season and got a first-period pin over Mahopac's Przymylski in the Shoreline Classic finals. He also got injured in the process, but was able to return just in time for the postseason. If he's able to return to form, he can muster a deep run. The road won't be easy though, as Ossining's Colin Liebertz and Przymylski are rolling with loads of confidence. A few other formidable foes as lower seeds include New Rochelle's Matteo Crino, ninth-seeded Bobby Brophy of Suffern and 11th-seeded Chase Allocca of Carmel.

124 pounds

Premier matchup: Ryan Fitzpatrick (John Jay-East Fishkill) vs. Henry Ramirez (Mahopac)

The two have met three times this season and are on course to make it four in Saturday's quarterfinals. Fitzpatrick won the first two meetings by pin early in the season, but Ramirez came back and gutted out a 6-5 last-second victory in last week's divisional finals. This matchup of returning all-section finishers has the potential of being one of the better Day 1 bouts.

Wrestler to watch: Dillon Arrick, Arlington

The Binghamton commit has been on a warpath for section title redemption. Arrick dispatched all of his Section 1 opponents by technical fall or pin this season, not allowing his foes to go the distance. He reached the 200-win club earlier in the season and continues to add to his tally, but potentially winning his first Section 1 title since 2022 and getting a chance to return to states as a senior will rank among the top victories he's had in his career.

Keep an eye on: How Clarkstown North's Dylan LaRocco regroups from loss

The Rams' senior won his first 39 matches before getting his perfect season broken up by Arrick in the divisional finals, where the Arlington standout pinned him in the first period. With a week to regroup, can the second-seeded LaRocco come back even stronger and go all the way to get another shot at Arrick?

131 pounds

Premier matchup: Amari Payton (North Rockland) vs. Liam Dwyer (Somers/North Salem)

These two have experience facing off against other top seeds in this bracket, John Jay-Cross River's Joe Gabriele and Byram Hills/Briarcliff/Valhalla/Westlake's Neil Paulercio, but they have never wrestled each other. The 131-pound bracket will be ultra-competitive at the top, and this potential semifinal meeting can set the tone to begin the second day of action. Payton is unbeaten against Section 1 competition, while Dwyer has exponentially grown as the season unfolds.

Wrestler to watch: Amari Payton, North Rockland

A two-time all-section finisher, the Red Raiders junior is aiming to make a leap and capture a section title. Payton won his third Rockland County title this season and enters sectionals with a 26-1 record, his lone loss coming to Newburgh's Matt Mercado. Twenty of his 26 wins came by major decision, technical fall or pin, and he also has a 7-1 win against Paulercio from the Shoreline Classic finals.

Keep an eye on: A top-heavy bracket

This bracket is the only one where the top five seeds are all returning all-section finishers. Payton and Paulercio are two-time all-section wrestlers, with Paulercio winning a section title in 2022. Carmel's Ken Keltto and Somers/North Salem's Liam Dwyer landed on the podium last year, while John Jay-Cross River's Joe Gabriele was all-section and a state-qualifier in 2022. This is a credentialed group, which will make for an intriguing semifinals and championship match, and it will be a tough climb to the podium for anyone else looking to unseat this quintet.

138 pounds

Premier matchup: Ryan Ciardullo (Clarkstown North) vs. Parker Trento (Tappan Zee)

We could see a battle between two of the better wrestlers in Rockland in the semifinals. Ciardullo is enjoying a breakout sophomore season that includes a Rockland County 138-pound title. Trento, who won a Rockland title last year, didn't have the same success this year and fell short of a repeat at 145 pounds, but he's bounced back well since then. Despite the two wrestlers bumping weights around 138, 145 and 152, they never crossed paths, but they might on Sunday with a trip to the finals on the line.

Wrestler to watch: Joe Tornambe, Yorktown

Tornambe is the front-runner and favorite for a Section 1 title three-peat. He enters the weekend with a 27-3 record and 22 pins.

Keep an eye on: 66-0?

How many wrestlers can say they went through all four years of high school without losing to a single Section 1 opponent? Tornambe is four wins away from a section title, and also a perfect four-year run against Section 1 competition. The Sacred Heart commit hasn't lost to a local opponent since his eighth-grade season in 2020. Since starting high school, he's won a pair of Section 1 titles and placed at the NYSPHSAA tournament in 2022.

145 pounds

Premier matchup: Justin Riello (North Rockland) vs. Thomas Tsoi (Byram Hills/Briarcliff/Valhalla/Westlake)

They've been fixtures in the lohud 145-pound rankings and may finally get a chance to square off in the semifinals. Both wrestlers finished just outside of the top three at sectionals last year and aim to finish even higher this year. The second-seeded Riello is 27-5 entering Saturday, while Tsoi is 28-11.

Wrestler to watch: Thomas Iasiello, Scarsdale

After winning a section title last year and settling in at 145 pounds, Iasiello has his sights set on another championship. The Raiders' junior standout enters with a 31-5 record with 21 wins by pin or technical fall.

Keep an eye on: The podium race

Including Iasiello, there are a total of six returning all-section wrestlers in this weight class, which is the most out of any other tournament bracket. Riello, Tsoi, John Jay-East Fishkill's Kevin Murphy, Yorktown's Nick Bucello and Arlington's Dominic Bronzi all landed on the podium last year. How will the race play out this year? Will a new wrestler earn all-section status?

152 pounds

Premier matchup: Chris Nocca (Horace Greeley) vs. Nikita Rusnak (Carmel)

The fireworks will come early. This potential quarterfinal bout will be one top matches for the first day, and it will set the tone going into a loaded Sunday slate. The top-seeded Nocca is enjoying a breakout year and has several wins against state-ranked opposition since taking a 5-4 opening day loss to Rusnak. As for the Carmel sophomore, Rusnak has put together another quality season and aims to make his mark at sectionals after missing out last season. He likely would've been an all-section finisher as a freshman, but suffered appendicitis just days before the tournament. Rusnak won't be holding back this year.

Wrestler to watch: Anthony Lofaro, Ossining

After a great showing at the Eastern States Classic, where he reached the second day of competition as a 160-pounder, Lofaro cut down and returned to the weight class where he was a state-qualifier last season. His season debut at 152 didn't go as planned, as he took fourth at the Westchester County championships, but he's bounced back well and has settled down. He's entering with solid momentum and a 39-5 record.

Keep an eye on: Upset specials

Much like last year's Section 1 Division I 152-pound bracket, there's plenty of parity at this weight class. Last year, 14 of 29 total matches were decided by four or fewer points and there were 10 instances where the lower seed won. Could we see something similar this year? There's plenty of parity at this weight class, with wrestlers on both ends of the brackets trading wins and losses, and there have been a series of close matches in the regular season between those seeded in the top 11. Who will rise to the occasion this weekend?

160 pounds

Premier matchup: Sam Szerlip (Nyack) vs. Nick Greco (Mahopac)

This is a potential semifinal bout between two high-caliber wrestlers eager to return to states in their final high-school season. Greco, a two-time all-section finisher, qualified for states as a sophomore and is hoping to make it back. He enters with a 36-5 record. As for Szerlip, he was one of Section 1's highest-placing finishers last year at the NYSPHSAA tournament as a wild card, taking third. It's their senior years and only one wrestler will get to go to Albany, so they're going to leave it all on the mat in this one.

Wrestler to watch: Sam Szerlip, Nyack

His late-January switch to a new weight class has shaken up the dynamic at 160. The RedHawks' senior all-state standout captured his first career Rockland County title a few weeks ago, but now he's on the hunt for his first Section 1 title. Szerlip is 34-5 this year and is unbeaten against Lower Hudson Valley competition. All but one of his wins against Section 1 competition came by major decision, technical fall or pin.

Keep an eye on: The top four seeds

This quartet will be difficult to crack. Between Szerlip, Greco, Rye's C.J. Luth and Peekskill's Martin Palomeque, they boast an average record of 36-4. Szerlip and Greco are no strangers to this stage, but for Luth and Palomeque, they're hoping to finish their career-best years with some hardware.

170 pounds

Premier matchup: Dylan Shelton (North Rockland) vs. Vincent DiRenno (Suffern)

It doesn't matter the sport, you can count on a spectacle whenever rivals North Rockland and Suffern face off. Both wrestlers are enjoying career-best seasons and they're on course to square off in the semifinals. Shelton edged out DiRenno in last week's divisional final at Suffern, with Shelton earning a 4-3 win. Expect another closely-contested match.

Wrestler to watch: Leo Venables, Carmel 

Alongside Yorktown's Tornambe, Venables is looking to claim his third straight Section 1 title this weekend. He had a delayed start to the wrestling season due to his part helping Carmel reach the football state finals, but he's carried that winning momentum over to the mat and barely showed signs of rust. Wrestlers rarely went the distance with Venables this season as 18 of his 20 wins came by technical fall or pin.

Keep an eye on: The up-and-comers

Venables and Shelton are the lone returning all-section wrestlers, but there are a handful of wrestlers at this weight class enjoying career-best years − Rye's Jack Anderson, Clarkstown North's Isaac Brightly, Byram Hills/Briarcliff/Valhalla/Westlake's Joe Barbuto − and several others that won't be easy outs, despite getting unfavorable seeding: John Jay-East Fishkill's Danny Morrison, Somers/North Salem's T.J. Mauro and Ossining's Sal DeSenso.

190 pounds

Premier matchup: Justin Daniyan (Somers/North Salem) vs. Steven Hill (Scarsdale)

After just missing the podium last season, Daniyan stormed to the No. 1 seed of the bracket and is primed for a deep run this year. The only thing that may stop him from reaching the finals is Scarsdale's Hill, as the two are set to collide in the semifinals. Expect another thriller between the two. Daniyan won the first meeting with a first-period pin in December, but Hill won the recent rematch at divisionals in a 7-6 finale.

Wrestler to watch: Ian Sutherland, Brewster

Last season, he was the odd man out in a top-heavy 172-pound weight class that featured three top-10 state-ranked wrestlers battling for a section title and one of two qualifying spots to go to states. This year, Sutherland is back with a vengeance and he's elevated his game, but will have to make his climb as the No. 3 seed. Sutherland was the Lower Hudson Valley's highest-placing finisher at the Eastern States Classic, where he took fourth, and 33 of his 35 wins this season came by major decision, technical fall, fall or forfeit.

Keep an eye on: A deep weight class

Don't expect any freebies in this bracket. The 190-pounders competing this weekend boast a collective record of 378-125, which is the highest total win percentage (75.1%) of the entire Section 1 tournament, regardless of division. Ten of the 16 competing wrestlers in this bracket have seven or fewer losses. The Section 1 Division I 152-pound weight class is right behind at 72.9%.

215 pounds

Premier matchup: Thomas Anderson (Rye) vs. Rocco Lore (Yorktown)

Both wrestlers have spent a majority of the season in lohud's top five, with Lore enjoying a breakout year at 215 and Anderson spending most of his time at 285 before opting to drop down to 215 for the postseason. Anderson enters with a 25-5 record while Lore is 23-8. There are no common opponents between them, so it'll be interesting to see how his potential semifinal plays out, with the winner getting their shot at Alex Berisha.

Wrestler to watch: Alex Berisha, Fox Lane

The Foxes' 215-pound star set a goal to return to Albany, reach the podium in his return trip, and clear out any opposition that stands in his way. He will be the favorite to collect a second-straight Section 1 title. Berisha bested his opponents by major decision, technical fall or fall in every Section 1 match he wrestled this season. He's also a two-time Eastern States Classic medalist and has numerous wins over returning all-section and all-state grapplers.

Keep an eye on: The all-section race

Berisha may be the clear favorite, but don't sleep on what could be an intriguing podium race. Berisha is the only returning all-section wrestler. For everyone else, this is a chance to get on the podium for the first time. There's plenty of depth spanning into the middle-to-lower seeds, which could present a lot of exciting bouts in the quarterfinals and in the wrestlebacks, as they compete for one of six all-section spots.

285 pounds

Premier matchup: Michael Mauro (John Jay-East Fishkill) vs. George Gjergji (Yorktown)

If both wrestlers can avoid any upsets and reach the final, this is panning out to be another heavyweight championship thriller to conclude the tournament weekend. Mauro has a pair of wins over Gjergji, who had been lohud's top-ranked 285-pounder until Mauro opted to bump up for the postseason. While the season series may be lopsided, the matches have been pretty close. In a December dual meet, Mauro won, 4-0. At last week's divisionals, they were tied 2-2 before Mauro took control in the final period and pulled away for a 7-2 victory.

Wrestler to watch: Michael Mauro, John Jay-East Fishkill

He chose to bet on himself and bump up to 285 for the postseason after wrestling 36 of 38 regular season matches at 215. His decision changed the dynamic of an already ultra-competitive weight class, adding one more contender to the mix.

Keep an eye on: Breakout finishes

After returning all-section quartet Mauro, Gjergji, Ossining's Marlon Wheatley and Peekskill's Ruben Gray, there are plenty of wrestlers in this bracket who have taken big strides on the mat this season and are hunting for their first podium finish. Any one of the top 11 seeds could potentially go far, while the bottom end of the bracket has some scrappy heavyweights.

Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay. 

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY wrestling: 2024 Section 1 Division I championship preview