Congratulations to the three Girls Varsity wrestlers, who took first place honors at the Section IX Wrestling Championships, held Feb. 11 at FDR High School.

“We had a dominant performance,” said Varsity Coach Dan Gallo. “Our team finished in first place with 207 team points, followed by Saugerties with 85 points; and Middletown with 79 team points.  In total, our team brought 16 wrestlers, with 14 earning their way to the podium in addition to nine finalists. Way to go girls, I’m so proud of their achievements.”

This is the fourth year that there has been a Section IX championship tournament in girls wrestling, which is the fastest growing sport in New York State.

This sectional championship follows the second girls invitational tournament held in late January. This past October, the recommendation of the NYSPHSAA Girls Wrestling Committee was approved and NYSPHSAA will hold its first-ever state championship in the 2024-25 school year. This decision met NYSPHSAA’s championship philosophy of having a minimum of four teams in six sections. Already, there are four teams in seven sections.

For the 2024-25 school year, the Section IX championships will precede the 2024-25 NYSPHSAA Girls Wrestling Championship and serve as the qualifying tournament.

“Congratulations to our Section IX champions as well as all our place winners,” said Athletic Director Tim Bult. “To say our team dominates is an understatement. The team has accomplished so much in their first year as a girls varsity wrestling team. Their success is due to their hard work, commitment to the sport, determination and tenacity. Next year, the Section IX championship tournament will be the qualifier for the first-ever state girls wrestling championship tourney. We’re looking forward to seeing the continued successes of this team.”

First-Place
Victoria Barbarini, 100-pound weight class
Jaida Macaluso, 132-pound weight class
Leah Lofstedt, 165-pound weight class

Second-place
Amelia Patzelt, 94-pound weight class
Makenna Matone, 100-pound weight class
Peyton Matone, 114-pound weight class
Sara Pauls, 120-pound weight class
Ryleigh Jennings, 126-pound weight class
Patricia Deslandes, 235-pound weight class

Third-place
Keira Filip, 107-pound weight class
Vanessa Tepper, 114-pound weight class
Sophia Franco-Coelho, 120-pound weight class
Brooke Besson, 152-pound weight class

Fourth-Place
Ana Albornoz, 132-weight class

See more photos on the district’s Facebook page.