Two Minisink Valley varsity wrestlers won the NYSPHSAA wrestling state championship in their weight classes on Feb. 23 at the MVP Arena in Albany.

Junior Zack Ryder won in the 189-pound weight class to earn his fourth state championship title (including COVID year).

“Zack came back from an early season from a broken bone in his elbow and with only eight matches before the state tournament and he dominated the competition at 189 pounds,” said Varsity Head Coach Kevin Gallagher. “Zack has not lost a high school match since midway through his eighth-grade season.”

Senior Ethan Gallo won his second state title in the 215-pound weight class and is a four-time place winner (including COVID year).

“Ethan placed sixth as a freshman, second as a sophomore and now has back-to-back state titles,” said Coach Gallagher.

Senior Andrew Filip took second place in the 172-pound weight class.

“Andrew is a six-time Section IX place winner and  two-time state winner,” Coach Gallagher said. “He placed seventh as a sophomore and fourth as a junior.”

The Warriors won the state title for the second year in a row and now have won a state title three years in a row. During the COVID-19 year, Warriors also were ranked first in the state.

“Winning the team title took the effort of all of the Warriors that competed in the State tournament so a big shout out goes to Wyatt Boice, Anthony Tresch, Zak McKernan, Luke Greiner, Zach Filip, Quinton Morgan, Andrew Filip, Zack Ryder, and Ethan Gallo,” Coach Gallagher added.