Casper Stewart did something on Saturday that nobody else in Batavia High School history has ever done before -- win a state championship.

He was crowned the Division II 145-pound champ after beating Kieran Cullen (Greenville, Section II) 4-2 in the finals.

His path to victory included a preliminary win over Turner Sochia (Gouverneur, Section X), a quarterfinals win over Colton Havens (Canisteo-Greenwood, Section V), and a semifinal win over Riley Monica (South Jefferson, Section III).

He finishes the season with a 52-3 record and a career record of 279-20. He was a six-time state qualifier, finishing third in 2020, 4th in 2022, and third in 2023.

His 279 wins is fourth all-time in career wins in New York State, and his 202 career pins rank him first all-time in the state and #4 nationally.

He is committed to wresting at Army West Point, a Division I program.

Submitted photos.

After 25 years of dedication to the sport of wrestling, head coach Rick Stewart of Attica-Batavia has said Tuesday's meet was his last home match.  

Despite a 36-31 loss on Tuesday to Webster Thomas in wrestling, there was still a celebratory aura on senior night at Batavia High School.  

It was Wrestling Mayhem at the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena on Sunday, with 375 people attending. 

The event drew wrestling fans from as far away as Denver as well as Erie, PA.

Empire State Wrestling participants competed in single, tag-team and title belt matches.

Kati Murray, rink manager said it was well received by many in the community, with positive comments on social media, and the promoter said it was a great venue for the event.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Three local wrestlers had strong showings at the NYS championship meet this week, one of the area's top grapplers, Casper Stewart, finishing third in his class, 152 pounds.

That wasn't the result he and his coach and father were hoping for, said Rick Stewart (dad and coach).

" It’s hard to put things in words right now," Stewart aid. "Obviously, it is not the result we wanted, and we are disappointed.  He set the bar very high and expect to accomplish the goals.  Even though this year’s season is an amazing accomplishment with a 51-1 record with a third-place finish at states and an eastern states title, the ultimate goal wasn't achieved, and that will be the motivation for next year. I'm very proud of him and know he will do great things in this sport. He is beyond driven."

Casper’s comments about the future, Just keep training hard, working with good training partners and coaches.

Other local podium finishers in Genesee County:

• Alexander senior Ben Merill finished 4^th in division two, 138 lb. weight class
• Byron-Bergen junior Malachi Smith finished 6^th in division two, 189 lb. weight class

To view the final results, click here.

Photos and information provided by the Attica-Batavia team

Alexander Gage Wagner, a senior, notched his 100th in and took first place this weekend the Second Annual Robert Bradshaw Memorial Tournament in Canandaigua.

Wagner wrestled in the 152-pound weight class.

Submitted photos and information.

Press release:

On March 2nd, 2022, the Le Roy Wrestling Club took home the Greater Rochester Youth Wrestling League Championship!

Team Le Roy entered the Western Division with a 6-0 record, once again allowing the Le Roy team to display their athletic skills amongst the best of the Greater Rochester Youth Wrestling League (GRYWL).   

In dominant fashion, Le Roy exhibited their extensive skills versus Hilton, Brockport, and Greece in three separate battles, allowing the team to advance.  Their opponent in the championship semi-finals was Webster Thomas.   

Le Roy won 40-17 over Webster Thomas to advance to the final championship bracket vs. HFL.

HFL was a tough team, but fell short as Le Roy won 47-18 for its first of many anticipated future GRYWL championships!

Le Roy’s success is attributed to a unified village collaborating for the greater good of developing youth wrestling.   A huge thank you to Sean Valdez and D&R Depot for their amazing facility and support.    Jonathan Lauricella (coach), Troy Ireland (coach), Zach Condidorio (coach), Matthew Wojtaszczyk (coach), Cory Beardsley (coach), Rob Stiles (coach) and several parents have assisted as well in every capacity from coaching, managing concessions, and caring for one another throughout the season.   Congratulations to the Le Roy Wrestling Club!

Photos by Mary Winseman

Two Le Roy wrestlers came away from the Section V tournament on Saturday with championship titles.

Brock Flint won at 160 pounds and Joey Brennan won at 162 pounds.

Coming in second at 138 pounds, Cole Rauscher, and at 152 pounds, Nate Andrews.

Photos by Tim McArdle.

Brock Flint

Joey Brennan

Even with four grapplers winning their matches, Le Roy's wrestling team couldn't hold on for a win in its first meet of the season on Tueday night at Cal-Mum, losing 36-16.

Winners for Le Roy:

• Joey Brennan, pin
• Cole Rauscher, pin
• Mike Covert, pin
• Brock Flint, major decision, 13-2

Photos and information submitted by Tim McArdle.

Andrew Englerth remains undefeated on the season in wrestling with his 47th win, coming in as a 160-pound D2 state qualifier.

He will now wrestle for a state championship in Albany during the tournament Feb. 28 and 29.

Englerth beat Justin Smith, of Marcus Whitman/Penn Yan, in a major decision, 13-4.

Also picking up championship wins were Zach Hannan, Byron-Bergen, at 152 pounds, beating Kade Slayton of Hornel in a 2-0 decision, and Mitchell Gaiser, Alexander, beating William Tennity of Wayne in a fall at 4 minutes.

Photos submitted by Tim McArdle.