After placing six wrestlers in the Section 9 Division 1 (large schools) semifinals, New Paltz — the smallest school in Division 1 — long-time coach Ryan Pullman is looking for an even better showing this season.
“A lot of the Division 1 coaches were impressed with our showing,” says Pullman, now in his 14th year as head coach. “And we can do even better. And five of the six who placed are back, we just have to replace Devin (Dixon, who graduated), and I think we can place even more than last season.”
Last season placers at Sections were: junior Ethan Palanca, second at 138 pounds; senior Levi Wyns, fifth at 145; senior Logan Michael, fifth at 152; senior Aidan Cuppett, fifth at 132; and senior Eliot Crocco, sixth at 113.
Also returning are junior Evan Jansen at 275 pounds, senior Jason Harding at 160, freshman Finn Gibson at 132, freshman Cole Cuppett at 106, senior Matt Thomas at 170, senior JoJo Tanzi at 160, senior Ethan Feshold at 138, senior Mitch Gobson at 138 and senior Eric Thomas at 195 (recovering from an injury from football season).
“We have a bunch of newer guys who need experience, and unusually, lots of seniors and lots of freshmen, with 25 coming out…so we’ll see. I have high hopes for the season,” adds Pullman.
The Huguenots open the season at Saugerties on Wednesday, December 4 at 6 p.m.; with their home-opener with NFA, Highland, Warwick, Beacon, Columbia, Saratoga and Walt Whitman of Long Island in an Alumni Tournament on Saturday, December 14 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.