McDougald 2-0 At High School All-Star Wrestling Showcase

Niagara Falls senior Willie McDougald got his final campaign underway early on Saturday in Albany at the Journeymen Northeast Duals high school exhibition.

McDougald went 2-0 on the day against two fellow high-caliber high school athletes. Willie first took down #11 nationally ranked Joseph Zargo from New Jersey by earning a takedown with only fifteen seconds remaining in the bout to secure the 4-3 decision victory.

“It was a great experience for him,” said Niagara Falls head wrestling coach DJ Giancola. “He was able to compete at a high level against one of the best in the country.”

In his second match, McDougald cruised to win by technical fall over Vermont’s Keegan Coon. Coon placed 5th in the inter-state 2019 New England Championships last spring.

The all-star athletes involved in the high school showcase were able to perform for prospective college coaches as the event was part of the collegiate Journeymen Duals at Hudson Valley Community College outside of Albany.

McDougald won a state title in 2017-2018 but fell in the 2019 state final. With his final season kicking off on Monday, the first official day for winter sport practices, McDougald should become the Wolverine’s all-time winningest wrestler by seasons’ end, a season in which he should be a favorite to secure another state title.