Cover photo courtesy of Jeff Pataky
Niagara Wheatfield has earned the top seed in the 7th Section VI Division I Dual Meet tournament for next Saturday's sectional championship & NYSPHSAA Dual Meet Championships qualifier at Niagara County Community College.
WNY top ranked Wheatfield (7-1 overall) wrestled to a runner-up finish in the 2023 sectional championships but competed at the NYSPHSAA Dual Meet Championships for the third time, earning an at-large entry to the tournament. The Falcons are looking for their 3rd sectional dual meet title after having last won in 2020 and previously in the first edition of the tournament in 2017.
#2 ranked Williamsville North/East has earned the program’s highest seed thus far at the Duals with the 2-seed in the large school tournament. Returning 4th place team Amherst has earned the 3-seed. Niagara Frontier League rivals Grand Island and North Tonawanda will face off in the first round for their third meeting of the season so far. The teams are 1-1 and the Vikings have the latest head to head victory with a 34-33 win on Dec. 20th in their league match.
The Lumberjacks will make their first ever appearance at the sectional duals while both Wheatfield and Clarence will continue their streaks of competing in the Duals in every contested tournament so far (tournament cancelled in 2019 due to weather and 2021 due to the pandemic).
Wrestling begins at 10am on Saturday, Jan. 6th at Niagara County CC.
7th Annual Section VI Div. I Dual Meet Championships seeds:
1. Niagara Wheatfield (7-1)
2. Williamsville North/East (4-0)
3. Amherst (9-1)
4. Grand Island (11-6)
5. North Tonawanda (9-3)
6. Clarence (9-7)
7. Niagara Falls (9-2)
First round matches:
1-Niagara Wheatfield – bye
2-Williamsville North/East vs. 7-Niagara Falls
3-Amherst vs. 6-Clarence
4-Grand Island vs. 5-North Tonawanda