Shenendehowa’s Austin and Hunter Meys wrapped up perfect high school seasons by winning their weight classes at last weekend’s New York State High School Wrestling Championships at Rochester’s Blue Cross Arena.
Austin steamrolled through the 171-pound weight class with three pins to earn Most Outstanding Wrestler honors for Division I (large schools). The junior capped his run with a first-period pin against Section III champion Collin Toney.
Hunter had to go the distance to win the 189-pound title. The senior used three takedowns to defeat Josh Peters 7-3 in the finals.
It was the second state titles for the Meys brothers, but the first time they won their weight classes in the same year. Austin won his first state crown in 2005, while Hunter captured his first title last year.
The Meys brothers’ efforts helped Section II win the team title at the state tournament with 238 points. Section VIII (Long Island) was second with 190 points.
Luke Popolizio also factored into Section II’s success. The Shen lightweight reached the 103-pound finals before losing to Section XI’s Ken Collado 4-2 in two overtimes. It was Popolizio’s second consecutive appearance in the state finals.
Shen’s T.J. Popolizio (sixth, 119 pounds), Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake’s Brendan McKeown (sixth, 130) and Ballston Spa’s Alex Steciuk (fourth, 160) also placed at the state tournament.`