Randy Morrison joins Upstate New York Chapter NWHOF Board

Current Section X wrestling chairman, past head coach at Gouverneur High School, and 2022 Upstate Chapter Lifetime to Service honoree Randy Morrison is the newest member of the Upstate New York Chapter NWHoF Board of Directors. With the addition of Randy to the Board, the Upstate Chapter now features seventeen men and women who cover the nine Upstate New York NYSPHSAA sections as well as various Catholic schools and AIS programs in the upstate region. Welcome, Randy!

Dr. Thomas Martin Steps Away from Upstate NY Chapter Board

The Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Thomas Martin for his many years of service to our Board of Directors. Dr. Tom was selected in 2015 for the Outstanding American Award and has been a Board member for over 10 years. During this period, Dr. Tom has demonstrated a strong commitment and stewardship to the missions of our Chapter. Always displaying the utmost integrity, eagerness, and willingness to help our Chapter flourish and thrive. Furthermore, Dr. Tom has earned the respect and attention of all the Board members who he has worked with over the years. Dr. Tom Martin will be greatly missed! Our Chapter wish him and his family the very best.    

Friends of Section II Wrestling 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

Albany Christian Brothers Academy Class of 2007 graduate Michael N. Chaires, Jr and Capital District Wrestling Officials Association referee Dave Essex were honored by the Friends of Section II Wrestling as the two newest Section II Wrestling Hall of Fame inductees in March. Chaires was recognized for his outstanding career in which he was a three time Section II champion, a three time NYS finalist, and a two time NYS champion finishing with a career record of 221-19. Michael won or placed at numerous national level tournaments and wrestled at the Division I level for the University of Virginia. Essex was recognized as an outstanding referee with 40 years of service. Dave has refereed both the NYS Dual Meet and individual federation tournaments and over 30 Section II class and state qualifier tournaments. Dave has also held leadership roles within CDWOA and the NYS Wrestling Officials Association. Congratulations, Michael and Dave!

Section V Wrestling Hall of Fame Honors New Inductees

On May 13th, Section V Wrestling welcome six new inductees to its Hall of Fame:

Richard Romeo – coach, North Rose-Wolcott and Canandaigua

James Cannon – coach, Brockport High School

Hon. David Egan – wrestler, Marshall High School, Spencerport, and RIT

Cody Hutchenson – wrester, Haverling High School

Dan Mandara – wrestler, Canandaigua High School

Matt Smith – official, Section V WOA and NYSWOA

30th Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship Banquet and Awards Ceremony

On May 19th, Upstate New York Chapter honoree Dennis DiPaolo and Family and Scholarship Committee welcomed nine decorated high school senior wrestlers and friends & family hailing from Section VI and Msgr. Martin schools for its 30th Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship Fund awards banquet at the family restaurant in Blasdell. The Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship Fund plays a major role in supporting the WNY community through its charitable efforts. Each year, the Scholarship Committee recognizes outstanding senior wrestler student-athletes with special awards and recognition of their hard work and high character. The 2026 awardees:

Griffin LaPlante, St. Francis High School –

Ilio DiPaolo Award

Rory White, St. Francis High School –

Gary Castanza Award

Cullen Edwards, St. Francis High School –

The “Destroyer” Wrestling Award

Bryce DellaPenta & Trevor DellaPenta, Eden High School-

Bill Hein Dedicated Wrestling Award

Michaela Thomas, Iroquois High School –

The Cauliflower Alley Club Award

Carmine Calimeri, Southwestern High School –

The Knuutila Family Award

William Wortkoetter, St. Francis High School –

Harrison Phillips #97 Award

Quinn Martin, St. Mary’s High School –

Buffalo Joe Andreessen Award

SUNY Niagara Names First Head Coach of New Women’s Team

On May 18th SUNY Niagara Athletics announced Latifah McBryde as the first coach of the new Thunderwolves women’s wrestling team. McBryde is a four time NAIA All-American and 2025 NAIA national champion wrestling for Life University and hails from the City of Buffalo. McBryde will lead the Thunderwolves starting in their inaugural 2026-2027 season.

Brockport’s Middendorf is the 2026 SUNYAC Men's Wrestling Rookie of the Year

The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) announced Brockport freshman Trevor Middendorf as the 2026 conference Rookie of the Year for men’s wrestling. Middendorf qualified for the Division III Championships after winning the 125-pound title at the SUNYAC Championships. Trevor added three more tournament place finishes to his resume this season as well. Middendorf took 3rd at 124-pounds in the NYS federation championships as a senior wrestling for Newark Valley High School (Section IV) in 2025.

New Section VI Wrestling Chairman

The Upstate New York Chapter would like to wish ‘best of luck’ to new Section VI boy’s wrestling chairman Joe Scapelliti. Joe is a past head coach at Lockport High School and has served on the Section VI Wrestling Committee and currently still serves on the WNY Wrestling Coaches Association where he was also a past president. Likewise, the Chapter congratulates outgoing Chairman Mike DeBarbieri, a 2014 recipient of the Upstate Chapter’s Lifetime Service to Wrestling award, for a great career coaching in and representing Section VI.

Mike Fusilli’s NYS college wrestling notes: Binghamton head coach Ryan LeBlanc

What drew you to the position?

I was born in Binghamton and have always followed the program, so this opportunity is deeply personal. It has long been a goal of mine to return to New York State and lead a premier college wrestling program. What makes Binghamton truly special is the combination of high-level academics and the caliber of student-athletes we are able to recruit and develop.

I was also drawn to the commitment from leadership. The investments that Eugene Marshall (Director of Athletics) and Dennis Kalina (Senior Deputy Director of Athletics / COO) have made in facilities, resources, and scholarships position our program to compete at a high level within the EIWA and nationally. That alignment and vision made this an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

What were two highlights from your first season?

Two moments stand out that really reflect the growth and competitiveness of our program:

Carter Baer defeating returning All-American Danny Wask (Navy) in double overtime at the EIWA Championships to secure his first NCAA qualification. That was a defining moment for him and a great example of proof of concept in our program.

Mikey Squires earning a late-season win over then No. 3 Stephen Little (Little Rock), which propelled him into the national rankings. It showed the level our guys are capable of competing at when they’re performing at their best.

Beyond those individual performances, team wins over in-state rivals like Hofstra, Buffalo, and LIU were important steps in establishing our identity and competitiveness within the region.

What can fans look forward to in the next five years?

Fans can expect a program built on consistency, development, and pride in representing Binghamton University. We are focused on developing student-athletes who compete at a high level on the mat while also representing the university the right way off it.

You’ll see continued growth from our athletes over the course of their careers, a clear and defined culture, and a team that competes with toughness, discipline, and purpose. Our goal is to build a program that is exciting to watch, consistently competitive at the conference and national level, and one that our community is proud to support.

Anything further to add?

We’re grateful for the continued support from our alumni, families, and fans. It plays a direct role in the growth of our program and the experience we’re able to provide our student-athletes.

Go Bearcats.

Upstate New York Chapter Golf and Social is August 10th

The Upstate New York Chapter of the NWHOF is planning to have a social event this summer at O’Hara Restaurant located at the Millstone Golf Course in Elbridge, NY.

The purpose is to offer past honorees and advocates/friends of wrestling an opportunity to enjoy each other’s fellowship. We are planning to have a lunch at 1:30 pm and anyone interested in golfing should arrive between 8:00 am and 9:00 am – there are no tee times at Millstone, first come, first served. If you go between these times you should be finished by the time of the luncheon. 

This is NOT a fund-raising event. Just a chance to say hello, enjoy good friends, and reminisce about the past. Please feel free to come a little earlier to talk with your friends.

Where: Millstone Golf Course - 354 NY-5, Elbridge, NY 13060

Who: Past Honorees and friends of wrestling

What: Lunch & golfing – we will have three lunch options. Individuals will be responsible for the cost of their lunch and golf.

When: August 10, 2026

Please let us know if you are planning to attend by August 3, 2026. We will need numbers for the catering at the restaurant.

Contact – Carl Koenig – 607.244.8432 – carlkoenig@stny.rr.com or Bob Zifchock – 845.649.3752 – rcz_20@yahoo.com