Last week, we previewed the Suburban Council wrestling season. This week, we turn our attention to the Colonial Council, where several talented grapplers are back to make another run at a state tournament appearance.
Albany Academy Cadets
Senior middleweight Kyle Jasenski is looking for his third consecutive appearance at the state tournament this season. He’s won two Section 2 Class B titles and has reached the finals of the Division 1 Sectional tournament twice, winning once in 2015. Middleweights Drew Bogdan and Zarek Thomas are also back, as are lightweight Jefferson LaMountain and heavyweight Zach Zebrowski.
Cobleskill-Richmondville Bulldogs
Two-time Sectional champion Brandon Merchant graduated in June, but the Bulldogs remain loaded with three returning Class CC champions — brothers Devin and Ethan Cooper, and Greg Hotaling. All three will be gunning for a state tournament berth.
Cohoes Tigers
Defending Class CC Sectional champs Nate Giller (170 pounds) and Reggie Poulin (285) return for the Tigers this year, as does Dwayne Compton (132), who finished third in his weight class at Sectionals.
Ichabod Crane Riders
The Riders have three returning starters who placed at the Class CC Sectionals last season — Brandon Gardner (152), who finished second; Jared Kwarta (126), who took third place; and Jerald Rhoades (132), who was fourth.
Lansingburgh Knights
Lightweight Abbil Zahid will seek to improve upon his fourth-place finish at the Class CC Sectionals last year. Brenden Finch, Tyler Harris, Caleb Morrissey, Jacob Pease and Luke Pondillo are also back this season for the Knights.
LaSalle Cadets
Heavyweight Anthony Alltomer and light-middleweight Caiden Mondore the list of returning starters for LaSalle. Alltomer won his weight class at the Class B Sectionals, while Mondore turned in a second-place finish at the Class B tournament and a third-place finish at the Division 1 championships.
Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Indians
Losing Sectional champions David Ingraham and Keith Houghtaling hurts RCS, but having Naphtali Steward, Ryan Allman and Brandon Mogul return keeps the Indians in the hunt for a league title. Steward (195 pounds) won the Class CC title and finished second at the Division 2 tournament last season, while Allman (113) was a state tournament representative as a wildcard. Mogul (120) also impressed last year, placing second at the Class CC tournament and third at the Division 2 tournament.
Schalmont Sabres
Heavyweight Noah Baker (285 pounds) will try to improve upon his third-place finish at last year’s Class CC tournament. Andrew Beck (126), Justin Bush (195), Joseph Casholle Jr. (145), Jake Dembroski (170), Radion Nichols (99) and David Pahl are also back for the Sabres.
Voorheesville Blackbirds
Middleweight Jake Weidman (152 pounds) seeks his second consecutive Class D Sectional title. Other returning starters include Andrew Amedio (220), Kai Fischer (160), Devin McGill (138), Nick Pidgeon (145) and Casey Weis (195).
Watervliet Cannoneers
The Cannoneers feature five wrestlers who placed in the top three of their weight classes at Sectionals last year, paced by Division 2 champion Collin O’Brien (182 pounds) and Class C champions Connor Lyons (120) and Hunter Weaver (195). Class C runner-up Patrick Moore (126) and Andrew Larvia (220) also return for Watervliet.
