SECTION II STANDS OUT
Whether it be the undefeated Poulin or the experienced Griskowitz, Section II wrestlers look to make a splash this weekend
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY » Friday night kicks off the 2020 New York State High School Wrestling Championships at the Albany Times Union.
Several local high schools are sending wrestlers to represent Section II in hopes of bringing back some hardware for the section. Of those wrestlers, some stand out.
Shenendehowa’s Stevo Poulin is 43- 0 this season and has only lost once in his career. Other stands outs are Saratoga’s Erik Griskowitz, Ballston Spa’s Nick Palso, and Shaker’s Ryan Stein.
Read below to hear about some of the section’s most exciting wrestlers heading into the weekend.
STEVO POULIN
Shenendehowa High School
Class: Junior
Weight: 113 lbs
Season record: 43- 0
Career Record: 128-1
Section 2 Tournament: Pinfall victory over Averill Park’s Nathan Fischer (0:18); Pinfall victory over Saratoga’s Kyle Griskowitz (0:12); Pinfall victory over Burnt Hills’ Gabriel Goss (0:20); 1st Place
WORK TO GO UNDEFEATED: “This summer I just
put in so much work, waking up at 5 am with my coach, busting my butt for the World Team Trials and all that, so I didn’t really have a break. It’s just been six months of really hard work.”
Season Thoughts: “This season has been a lot about helping out my whole team. It’s been more of a team effort than individual. Especially in sectionals, coming in as the one seed, obviously I’m the favorite, so I’ve just been trying to help out my teammates t0 get them to states. We got two other guys.
States Outlook: “Yeah, I’m looking out for myself this weekend, I’m looking forward to a win, but trying to get my teammates as far as possible as well.”
ERIC GRISKOWITZ
Saratoga High School Class: Senior Weight: 145 lbs Season Record: 36- 4 Career Record: 194-39 Section 2 Tournament: 4- 0 victory over Shen’s Malachy McGarry; 3-1 victory over Amsterdam’s Jacob Garcia; Pinfall victory over Mohonasen’s Derek Lagasse (1:53); 1st Place
Toughest Opponent: “Sean Malenfant from Averill Park”
THE ROAD BACK: “In the spring I was playing lacrosse and the ball was going out of bounds so I dove for it. I landed weird and hurt my shoulder. That took me out for the rest of the spring season and the fall lacrosse season.”
“I just came back from a torn rotator cuff surgery. I got back two weeks before the season started. I was not sure how the shoulder would hold up, honestly, but it was fine most of the season. There was one little fluke where I had to rest.”
Season Thoughts: “I’m extremely happy with how the season went. I won sectionals. I won Class A’s. There were two tournaments I didn’t win, but that’s okay. It was a good season.”
States Outlook: “This weekend I’m really hoping to just go out there and wrestle the best I can. Last year I definitely did not wrestle to my full potential. This year I’m hoping to go make a statement and get on the podium. This is definitely not an experience year, since I’ve been there before. I’m hoping to pull off some upsets.
NICK PALSO
Ballston Spa High School
Class: Junior Weight: 106 lbs Season Record: 40- 4 Career Record: 127-39 Section 2 Tournament: Pinfall victory over Shen’s Vincent Grembocki (2:12); Pinfall victory over Queensbury’s Ryan Vanguilder (0:24); Pinfall victory over Saratoga’s Jacob Pratt (0:39); 1st Place
Season Thoughts: “I’m proud that I had 31 pins this year. I need to work on getting out from the bottom.”
States Outlook: “It’s my third year going. I’m hoping to place this year. I’m gonna have a tough road to get there since I got the three seed in my first match. It feels great to go again and to be the sectional champion.”
Favorite UFC Fighter: “Jon Bones Jones”
COLDEN DORFMAN
Shenendehowa High School
Class: Junior Weight: 160 lbs Season Record: 37-10 Career Record: 96-55 Section 2 Tournament: Pinfall victory over Queensbury’s Scott Miller (1:37); 3-2 victory over Averill Park’s Mason Lumbra; Pinfall victory over Shaker’s Bassir Rezek; 1st Place
Season Thoughts: “I’m proud of getting to states and all the matches I’ve
won up to this point. I’m just excited to get into this weekend and hopefully win a title.”
States Outlook: “It definitely takes a lot of work. It’s been a constant grind, nonstop. My goal wasn’t to make it to states. My goal is to win states this year.”
Favorite Wrestler: “I’d say [Jordan] Burroughs, [Kyle] Dake and [Kyle] Synder are the biggest guys I look up to.
BROCK DELSIGNORE
Shenendehowa High School
Class: Junior Weight: 182 lbs Season Record: 41- 4 Career Record: 180-23 Section 2 Tournament: Pinfall victory over Amsterdam’s Alejandro Christopher (1:09); Pinfall victory over Queensbury’s Dylan Schell (2:57); TF victory over Niskayuna’s James Murphy (22-7); 1st Place
Tou g he s t Opp o - nent: “Spring Ford’s Joey Milano at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic and the Beast of the East Tournament”
Season Thoughts: “I’ve put a lot of work into the sport the past couple years. This season I’ve tried to focus on a lot of positioning. It’s definitely a lot of hard work to get to where I am.”
States Outlook: “I’m looking forward to competing this weekend and I’m ready to go. I hope to get the state championship of course. I believe this is my year to do it. I’ve been there a couple times, so I kinda know what it’s like.”
Favorite MMA Fighter: “Henry Cejudo”
RYAN STEIN
Shaker High School Class: Sophomore Weight: 220 lbs Season Record: 35-2 Career Record: 67-12 Section 2 Tournament: 2- 0 victory over Burnt Hills’ Victor Little; Pinfall victory over Saratoga’s Austen Douglas (2:44); 11- 6 victory over Averill Park’s Chad Rist; 1st Place
Tou g he s t Opp o - nent: “Burnt Hills’ Victor Little”
Season Thoughts: “I’m proud of how hard the team worked this year. We had a tough schedule this year, we battled with Shen and battled with Burnt Hills. Our team is young.”
“I’m proud of my season so far, I’ve accomplished things that I’ve wanted to, placing decent in states. I only had two losses this season and I had a few small mistakes I need to fix coming into states. Those guys that I lost to are gonna be at states too. I’ve been working hard this season with my practice partners, that’s what gets you better, especially in the off-season. It’s the work in the off-season that really pays off on the mat. The grind everyday, it’s not just about wrestling, it’s lifting, stretching and getting the help that you need mentally and physically to be prepared.”
Favorite UFC Fighter: “Probably Conor McGregor because of his arrogance and he’s funny to watch, the stupid stuff that he does in the ring. Plus, his swag.”
MICHAEL SANTORE
Shaker High School Class: Sophomore Weight: 126 lbs Season Record: 36- 6 Career Record: 105-21 Tou g he s t Opp o - nent: “Minisink Valley’s Zack Ryder”
Season Thoughts: “The first part of the season was rough, but I love my teammates, we’re a family. I’ve had a good season. Didn’t get scored on at all in sections and got the win.
States Outlook: “I’m going into the state tournament at the 10 seed andI’mhoping to take out the 7 seed in my first match. This year I’m looking to place at states and next year and the year after I’m hoping to keep placing and hopefully win it.”
Favorite Wrestler: “I like Bo Nickal.”