Eagles senior Mason Maring finishes out the clock earning an 18-5 major decision over Wilson’s Hamza Merrick during the 285-pound final at the New York State D2 wrestling qualifier at Steele Hall Arena in Fredonia on Sunday. P-J photo by Christian Storms

FREDONIA — Last year Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Panama/Clymer’s Mason Maring lost in the state final of the 215-pound weight class. Coming into his senior year with some unfinished business, Maring moved up to the final weight class at 285 pounds and on Sunday he found no problem earning another trip to Albany.

Maring squared off with Wilson’s Hamza Merrick, also looking to get back to states, and he battled to an 18-5 major decision in the championship of the Section VI New York State Qualifiers at Steele Hall.

“Over the years I’ve learned you only need one more point than the other guy,” Eagles senior Mason Maring stated. “You can take the matches slower, you don’t have to go quick and chaotic. You can take your time and really focus on your craft.”

While a year ago Maring reached states as one of the second-place finishers, this time he leads the group of seven local sectional champions in Division 2.

“It feels great,” Maring said about returning to states. “I’ve got to get back there and get the job done that I didn’t finish last year.”

Eagles senior Mason Maring works Wilson’s Hamza Merrick toward a near fall at 285 pounds in the New York State Division 2 wrestling qualifiers at Steele Hall Arena in Fredonia on Sunday. P-J photo by Christian Storms

Maring claimed the only championship for the Eagles, but he will not be going alone as Thandon Bensink qualified at 131 after falling in the final to Eden’s Trevor DellaPenta before beating Maryvale’s Cody Freyburger 18-6.

Southwestern once again had a strong showing with two first-time champions and a runner-up to book three trips to Albany.

Junior Adrian Torres first knocked off 101-pound top-seed Mason DellaPenta of Eden in a narrow 7-2 decision which he scored four points in the final period.

Sophomore Miles Torres looked to show up his brother with a bigger victory at 108 pounds against Fredonia/Forestville/Silver Creek freshman Rocco Muscarella. However, looking to secure a technical fall, Muscarella turned the tides and rallied from a 20-6 deficit with eight quick points in which he nearly pulled out a win with a pin.

That nearfall was as close as Muscarella got as Torres buckled down and secured a 21-14 decision for the sectional title and a trip to states.

Randolph’s Caden Inkley works over Cheektowaga’s Mohammad Noor at 152 pounds. P-J photo by Christian Storms

Unfortunately for Muscarella, he then lost his second-place bout against Albion’s Stryker Sanders 4-3.

Southwestern earned its third trip to states at 124 pounds with Carmine Calimeri, but it came from Falconer/Cassadaga Valley’s first celebration with Dylan Newman securing another sectional title.

After a close first period, Newman was in control en route to an 18-8 major decision.

The Golden Cougars managed an even bigger win at 190 pounds when sophomore Patrick Braley claimed the sectional title with a technical fall 18-3 against Medina’s Brody Fry.

Randolph mirrored the Golden Cougars with its two sectional champions, both a closer victory and then a technical fall. At 138 pounds, senior Domanik Clark knocked off top-seed Abdulham Albaneh of Lackawanna in a narrow 5-3 decision.

Randolph’s Caden Inkley points the No. 1 after winning the Section VI D2 title at 152 pounds. P-J photo by Christian Storms

Then fellow senior Caden Inkley did Clark one better as he secured a technical fall victory over Cheektowaga’s Mohammad Noor 21-1 at 152 pounds.

Jamestown once again had a couple of podium finishes in Division 1 and Tyler Zwald made his way back to states after his true-second bout at 131 pounds. The Jamestown senior fell to Williamsville North’s Brayden Kellison 8-5, but battled back with a 15-5 major decision over Amherst’s Mohsin Ali.

The Red & Green reached the podium with Zach Little in 3rd at 108, Aaden Howard and Nicholas Melendez at 4th and 5th at 124 and Cole Bloomquist 3rd at 160 after falling in a true-second 5-2 to Kenmore-Tonawanda’s Sawyer Dickinson.

Reaching the podium in Division 2 are Chase Shirley for the Eagles in 3rd at 101, Randolph’s Kamren Anderson 4th at 101, Eagles’ Zander Lombardo at 5th at 108, Hillbillies’ Mayson Simmons 5th at 116, Eagles’ Gavin Burchanowski 3rd at 124 and Golden Cougars’ Gabe Lundmark 4th at 124, Gowanda/Pine Valley’s Nathan Warrior 5th at 138 and Eagles’ Jordin Eddy 6th at 138, Maple Grove’s Jaxon Kraft 3rd at 145 and Falconer/Cassadaga Valley’s Noah Brandt 5th at 145, Falconer/Cassadaga Valley’s Charlie Reichenbach 4th at 160, Gowanda/Pine Valley’s Maddox Hudson 3rd at 170, Eagles’ Colton Hamilton 4th at 190, Golden Cougars’ Javonte Hackett 5th at 190 and Maple Grove’s Ezekiel Padd 6th at 190, Southwestern’s Brayden Potter 4th at 215 and Frewsburg’s Brandon Francis 6th at 215, Eagles’ Walter Lukasiak 3rd at 285 and Salamanca’s Kasen Hardy 5th at 285.

Randolph’s Domanik Clark maintains position on Lackawanna’s Abdulham Albaneh at 138 pounds. P-J photo by Christian Storms

Southwestern’s Adrian Torres hangs on for the win against Eden’s Mason DellaPenta during the 101-pound final. P-J photo by Christian Storms

Southwestern’s Miles Torres eyes the clock as he maintains position on Fredonia/Silver Creek/Forestville’s Rocco Muscarella during the Section VI D2 108-pound championship. P-J photo by Christian Storms

Falconer/Cassadaga Valley’s Dylan Newman holds position against Southwestern’s Carmine Calimeri en route to winning the Section VI D2 124-pound title. P-J photo by Christian Storms

Falconer/Cassadaga Valley’s Patrick Braley controls his match against Medina’s Brody Fry en route to winning the Section VI D2 190-pound title. P-J photo by Christian Storms