Members of Minisink Valley’s varsity wrestling team and Head Coach Kevin Gallagher were recently honored by The Times Herald-Record’s Varsity 845 high school sports news program.
Zack Ryder was named Varsity 845 Wrestler of the Year.
Zack, a sophomore, had a tremendous year, winning his 100th career match, earning a third section title and a second NYSPHSAA individual championship at 160 pounds. He helped guide the Warriors to a NYSPHSAA Division I dual-meet championship win.
“If you include last year’s unofficial state tournament Zack, won his third in a row,” said Head Coach Kevin Gallagher.
As a seventh- grader Zack finished second in the State at 106 lbs.; in his 
eighth-grade year, he won the state title at 126 lbs. As as a freshman, in the height of the pandemic, he won the unofficial state title at 152 lbs.; and this year as a sophomore, Zack won the title at 160 lbs.
“Zack is not only a great wrestler but a great teammate and role model for younger wrestlers in our program and beyond,” Coach Gallagher added.
Coach Gallagher was named Coach of the Year.
Under his leadership, Minisink Valley tied the Section IX record with most Division I section champions (eight) this season. As a team, the Warriors won the 2021-22 NYSPHSAA Division I Dual Meet Championship and went 29-0 in dual meets during the season. Individually, they saw three state champions at the individual championships in Albany with P.J. Duke, Zack Ryder and Ethan Gallo all winning their respective weight classes.
The 2021-22 Varsity 845 Wrestling All-Stars:
126 pounds
First team: Anthony Tresch, freshman
138 pounds
First team: P.J. Duke, freshman
145 pounds
First team: Luke Greiner, sophomore
152 pounds
First team: Eric Tigue, senior
160 pounds
First team: Zack Ryder, sophomore, and “Wrestler of the Year”
172 pounds
First team: Mikey Altomer, senior
189 pounds
First team: Andrew Filip, junior
215 pounds
First team: Ethan Gallo, junior
Second team
Zak Mckernan, junior, at 132 lbs.
Honorable mention
Wyatt Boice, seventh grade, at 110 lbs.