Leading off today: The NYSPHSAA wrestling committee on Thursday released the list of 120 wildcard entries selected to round out the field for the state tournament March 8-9 at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester.
Section 5 leads the way with 24 bonus selections, followed by Section 3 (21), Section 4 (18), and Sections 2 and 6 (16 apiece). Section 11 had the most Division I selections with 10, one more than Sections 2 and 5. In Division II, Section 5 competitors took 15 berths, followed by Section 3 with 14.
A year ago, Section 5 qualified 27 extra participants in the first year of the wildcard system, with Section 2 (20) and Section 3 (18) next.
A pair of 2007 wildcards won New York State Public High School Athletic Association championships, both in Division I: Devon Brown (Marathon, 119 pounds) and Lance Wade (Islip, 152).
The 2008 wildcards are:
Division I
Wt. Wrestler School
96 Matt Ross Rocky Point-11
96 James Montante Penfield-5
96 Rocco Rosso Greece Olympia-5
96 Nick Kelley Shenendehoiwa-2
103 Jose Vasquez Huntington-11
103 Nick Meinsen John Glenn-11
103 Anthony Finocchiaro Baldwinsville-3
103 Anthony Facchini Seaford-8
112 Brandon Escobar Rocky Point-11
112 Jake Benedetto Islip-11
112 Matt Gray Indian River-3
112 Justin Skretny Pioneer-6
119 Shaun Bohn Watertown-3
119 Casey Lanave Chenango Forks-4
119 Alex Marianetti Greece Athena-5
119 Alex Bagne Maryvale-6
125 Devon Brown Marathon-4
125 Drew Bloss Cornwall-9
125 Dan Riggi Scotia/Glenville-2
125 Jesse Sgaglione Plainedge-8
130 Nick Terenzi Spencerport-5
130 John Cataldo MacArthur-8
130 Nick Oligney Lansingburgh-2
130 Brandan Mckeown Burnt Hills-Bal Lk-2
135 Mike Castellano John Glenn-11
135 Nic Stella Sweet Home-6
135 Josh Veltre Greece Olympia-5
135 Guiseppi Lanzi Amsterdam-2
140 Michael D'Amato Valley Central-9
140 Rob Troy Walt Whitman-11
140 Keifer Smyder Chenango Forks-4
140 Steve Ramos Clarkstown North-1
145 John Coffey Pearl River-1
145 T.J. Neidhart Shore.-Wading Riv.-11
145 Seth Elvin Fairport-5
145 Matthew Gaynor Clarke-8
152 Jonah Messina Cheektowaga-6
152 Jesse Barnett Chenango Forks-4
152 Paul Dilandro W. Hampton Beach-11
152 Ryan Darch Batavia-5
160 T. J. Brownell Unadilla Valley-4
160 Dan Foster Cortland-3
160 Derek Wignall Deposit/Hancock-4
160 John Paris Amsterdam-2
171 Marc Giordano New Hartford-3
171 Sam Weiner White Plains-1
171 John Velieri Hilton-5
171 Alex Webb Grand Island-6
189 Brett Adams E. Syracuse-Minoa-3
189 Jared Myhrberg Queensbury-2
189 Jake Newcomb Niskayuna-2
189 Conor Pryor Ward Melville-11
