Congratulations to varsity wrestler PJ Duke, who is the 2024 NYSPHSAA 160-pound weight class wrestling state champion!

PJ won in his weight class at the state championship tournament held this past weekend at the MVP Arena in Albany, where he was also named “Most Outstanding Wrestler.”

“PJ wrestled great and either pinned or won by tech fall in every match,” said Varsity Coach Kevin Gallagher.

At the tournament, three varsity wrestlers also earned medals in their weight classes:

Anthony Tresch placed third in the 145-pound weight class.

“Anthony came back from a quarter final loss to win four straight on his way to third,” Coach Gallagher said.  “Anthony really opened up and beat some very good kids.”

Luke Greiner placed fifth in the 152-pound weight class.

“Luke did a great job in a loaded weight class,” said Coach Gallagher. “Luke has been a great leader and we have had a Greiner in our lineup for the past 13 years. Luke and his brothers Jarred and Conor have left a great legacy.”

Zack Filip placed seventh in the 190-pound weight class.

“Zach, only a sophomore, took seventh at 190 pounds while only weighing around 180 pounds,” Coach Gallagher said.

Wyatt Boice and Kevin Crowe-Bailey each lost in the blood round and just missed placing.  Quinten Morgan won his first match and then was bumped out in a controversial call and came up short. Nate Racz, only a sophomore, also made the trip but went 0-2.

Minisink Valley also won the team title with 88.5 points, two and a half points over Plainedge in Long Island, the team which beat Minisink Valley in the dual state championship this past January

“The guys wrestled awesome and it took a total team effort to win the team title,” he added.  The “Minisink Valley has either won the state dual tournament and or the individual title in each of the last five years.”