Niagara-Orleans League Wrestling Preview

The Newfane Panthers again dominated the Niagara-Orleans League dual slate and league tournament in 2018-2019 and, by all accounts, should be expected to do so again this season. However, a new season is a fresh opportunity for a hungry team to challenge the defending champion.

Newfane Panthers

Head coach: Matt Lingle

2018-2019 results: 5-0 league, 13-8 overall, Niagara-Orleans league champion, #5 WNY Athletics small school final ranking, New York State Sportswriters Association (NYSSWA) Honorable Mention small school final ranking

Key losses: Josh Gill, Ty Cassinelli

Key returners: Andy Lucinski, Adam Huntington, Nick Voelker, Ryan Nugent, Jaden Heers

Newfane notched its 30th straight league win and sixth consecutive league title in 2018-2019 under first year head coach Matt Lingle and will look to make it seven this winter. They were also the 6th seed for the Section VI Division II Duals before the cancellation. The Panthers lose a Section VI champion in Gill to graduation as well as state qualifier 3rd placer Cassinelli. However, one of the best in Section VI in Andy Lucinski returns with two sectional titles and a state tournament runner-up finish under his belt, now a junior. Adam Huntington is his partner in the lower weights and should be a back-to-back punch in the lineup. It works out perfectly that returning sectional finalist Ryan Nugent lands almost exactly between Lucinski and Jaden Heers in the lineup, and, as long as they all get favorable certifications, should settle right into those spots causing a matchup problem for a lot of teams. Consider Heers a preseason favorite to claim the Division II 285-pound sectional title. The star power on this team is unquestionably bright, but what will be the difference maker for Newfane as they try to ascend to the top of all Section VI small schools will be who makes the step up throughout the lineup. Newfane drops into Class C/D from B this season.

Akron Tigers

Head coach: Tony Ricchiazzi

2018-2019 results: 4-1 league, 5-10 overall, N-O 2nd place

Key losses: Millard Young

Key returners: Josh Cummings, Brian Corelli

The Tigers took a bit of a step back in 2018-2019 after a run to Section VI Duals final the previous season. After a very low graduation turnover, Coach Ricchiazzi should have a good pool of athletes back with a handful of seniors in the lineup. Junior Josh Cummings and senior Brian Corelli are the only wrestlers returning with Class C/D place finishes. Even if this Tiger team were to fall short of Newfane in their league dual, going 4-1 in the N-O and a winning overall record should be highly attainable goals this season.

Albion Purple Eagles

Head coach: Patrick Uveino

2018-2019 results: 3-2 league, 5-6 overall, N-O 3rd place

Key losses: Jessy Cruz

Key returners: Amilicar Morales, Ellwood Hafner, Bryce Kelly, Cody Wilson

Albion was competitive with all of their league rivals in 2018-2019, including Newfane. The Purple Eagles earned an invite to the Section VI Duals two seasons ago, so some of the wrestlers on this team do have the experience of that highly competitive race for inclusion into the most elite dual tournament in season. Cody Wilson placed 4th in the Class B tournament and then 4th in the Division II state qualifier a week later, earning a nice win in the consolation semifinal to advance to the 3rd place match. Perhaps a solid year on the gridiron could help lead into a rebound season on the mat for Albion. Forty students have already signed up to wrestle in Albion…a hugely encouraging sign of possible good things to come for the Purple Eagles.

Medina Mustangs

Head coach: Eric Gross

2018-2019 results: 2-3 league, 2-4 overall, N-O 4th place

Key returners: Rashawn Bloom, Colby Petrie, Chase Weese, Robert Morehouse

Medina has the benefit of returning all four Class C/D place winners and their two Section VI divisional place winners. Colby Petrie was the star in this lineup last season and, after winning the C/D 126-pound title, had a lot of momentum going into the state qualifier and settled for 3rd. Sophomore Rashawn Bloom had to settle for a share of 6th place at the Class C/D tournament but then stormed to 4th in Division II a week later in what was a promising 208-2019 campaign as a freshman.

Wilson Lakemen

Head coach: Mike Carlo

2018-2019 results: 1-4 league, 2-17 overall, N-O 5th place

Key returners: Luke Atlas, Allan Schultz, Trent Kenny, Anthony Dispenza

Like their league rival Medina, Wilson graduated no postseason place winners and instead return four Class C/D placers and Section VI place winner in Anthony Dispenza. Dispenza of course is already having a great season on the gridiron for the Lakemen and can hopefully translate that energy to the mat in helping lead this team. Despite last season’s overall record, give head coach Mike Carlo credit for organizing a dual heavy schedule for his young team. Carlo added ten dual meets between two dual tournaments and five additional non-league duals on top of their N-O schedule. A good competitive attitude toward a tough schedule will eventually help Wilson take a big leap forward on the mat, maybe even as soon as this year.

Royalton-Hartland/Barker Rams

Head coach: Matt McCauley

2018-2019 results: 0-5 league, 1-12 overall, N-O 6th place

Key losses: Andrew Schafer, Karson Grover

Unfortunately for this squad, their only two post-season placers graduated in the spring. Before Schafer and Grover graduated however, they did help the Rams to a win in 2018-2019 to keep the team from going winless. After getting into a 23-0 hole against Maple Grove at the Starpoint Duals, Coach McCauley’s Rams clawed back to earn a one-point win, 39-38, earning six pins and a gutsy decision win by Grover up a weight. Hopefully the thrilling experience of that come from behind win will inspire a leader to emerge now that the top wrestlers from a year ago are gone. The Rams will compete in Class C/D in the post-season, down from Class B.