A feeder for the Falconer/Cassadaga Valley program, the Kris Schimek-coached team included 40 state qualifiers, 16 of whom were place winners, including five state champions. They were Maciela Garcia, Girls G1 Division, 43-pound bracket; Chase Beichner, D2 Division, 63-pound bracket; Theo Monacelli, D3 Division, 61-pound bracket; Kamdyn Schimek, D3 Division, 70-pound bracket; and Jaxson Love, D5 Division, 55-pound bracket.

Falconer Youth Wrestling finished third overall in the boys and girls combined team scoring — the top “school” program in the state. The other two teams ahead of the Falconer program were wrestling “clubs,” which take youngsters from throughout their surrounding areas.

In 2024, Falconer Youth Wrestling had 15 state qualifiers and nine of them placed.

The other place winners from Falconer were Alexandria Ward, runner-up, Girls G1, 52 pounds; Alexandria Ward, sixth, D2 boys, 54 pounds; Paislee Dickerson, fifth, Girls G2, 62 pounds; Sierra Shelters, fifth, Girls G2, 69 pounds; Hannah Evans, runner-up, Girls G3, heavyweight; Micah Barber, fourth, D4, 59 pounds; Fisher Ward, fifth, D4, 67 pounds; Tucker Calimeri, fifth, D6, 58 pounds; Connor Howard, fourth, D6, 94 pounds; Logan Marucci, runner-up, D9, 170 pounds; and Carson Braley, fifth, D9, heavyweight.

Kamdyn Schimek positions his opponent for a pin during D3 Division, 70-pound action over the weekend.

The Falconer Youth Wrestling program also won the Chautauqua County Dual Championships (kindergarten through sixth grade).

Joining Schimek on the coaching staff are Jason Beichner, Nick Mitchell, Steve Shelters, Tom Labart, Dan Overend, Matt Howard, Rob Ward, Travis Dickerson, Ben Torres and Nick Bennett.

WRCL WRESTLING CLUB

The WRCL Wrestling Club also had a nice trip to Syracuse with three girls reaching the top of the podium.

Reaching the top of G4 185 pounds was Meghan Pauley, G4 152 pounds was won by Lilly Hyde and G3 160 pounds was won by Chloe Hosier.

Jaxson Love works on his opponent during D5 Division, 55-pound action over the weekend.

Another four reached the first-place match, but finished second on the podium with Bruno Muscarella at D5 70 pounds, Chester Machemer at D8 87 pounds, Christopher Bowen at D10 124 pounds and Kassidy Benedetto at G3 85 pounds.

Also reaching the podium are Lila Betts in third at G1 47 pounds, Mae Machemer in third at G2 69 pounds and 6th in D6 70 pounds, Logan Fuller fourth at D10 116 pounds, Hunter Detweiler fifth at D3 65 pounds, Charlie Machemer fifth at D4 63 pounds, Eva Colon-DeJesus fifth at G4 126 pounds, Jordin Eddy fifth at D10 138 pounds, Anahi DeJesus fifth at G4 152 pounds, Tatum Bensink fifth at G4 185 pounds, Luca Pendl sixth at D4 56 pounds and Aurora Maring sixth at D7 110 pounds.

MAPLE GROVE YOUTH WRESTLING

Maple Grove came up just short of the top spot as Rylan Achterberg took second at D2 78 pounds.

Carter Linamen also reached the podium taking sixth at D7 142 pounds.

Maciela Garcia works on top of her opponent during Girls G1 Division, 43-pound action in Syracuse.

GOWANDA WRESTLING CLUB

Gowanda nearly reached the top of the podium as Everett Gernatt nabbed a second-place finish at D6 94 pounds.

Also reaching the podium are Maverick Olszewski in third at D3 65 pounds, Bryson Olszewski in third at D6 70 pounds, Daphne Twoguns in third at G3 68 pounds, Jayce Hubbard in fourth at D5 75 pounds, Ashton Draudt in fifth at D1 41 pounds, Xander Zybert in fifth at D6 66 pounds, Raelyn Diebel in fifth at G3 106 pounds and Jack Hontz in sixth at D1 41 pounds.

SOUTHWESTERN WRESTLING CLUB

Jace Penhollow represented the Southwestern Wrestling Club well with a third-place finish at D7 120 pounds.

Chase Beichner won the D2 Division, 63-pound title in Syracuse.

SALAMANCA

Stryker Brown was a winner for Salamanca Youth Wrestling Club, taking first at D6 58 pounds.

Kasen Hardy came up one win short of the championship, taking second at D10 285 pounds, Liam Daniels was fourth at D7 96 pounds, Ashtin Oakes took fourth at D4 101 pounds, Anna Martens placed fifth at G3 68 pounds, Kaiden Daniels earned sixth at D6 94 pounds and Miles Whitcomb took sixth at D2 58 pounds.