Mason Maring, top, and the rest of the Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Panama/Clymer Eagles will compete in the NYSPHSAA Dual Meet Championships today at SRC Arena and Events Center in Syracuse. P-J file photo

The last three years the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Division II Wrestling Dual Meet Championships have been won by Section IV’s Tioga, but this morning there will be a new champion crowned at the SRC Arena and Events Center in Syracuse.

Representing Section VI in the circle will be the Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Panama/Clymer Eagles to vie for the championship. That road will begin with Section VII’s Peru at 10:30 a.m. followed by Section XI’s John Glenn at noon.

“I think this is probably the least mature team we’ve had go, and some things went our way to get here,” Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Panama/Clymer head coach Ken Rowe said. “We’re fortunate to get the opportunity. We have a very young team and I think if we can put it together we’ll have a good weekend.”

A year ago, the Eagles were bounced from the tournament by Section III’s Palmyra Macedon 38-26 and the season before it was eventual champion Tioga edging Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Panama/Clymer 33-24.

“Last year we ran into the finalists and the year before we ran into the champs,” Rowe said. “I think this is one of our better opportunities if we can put it together. It’s going to be about keeping them motivated and confident.”

The Eagles have had plenty of turnover since last year’s tournament, but for the third year in a row they will represent Section VI and this time they come in as the No. 8 seed.

“I had the conversation with them; I don’t think they recognize how special it is to go,” Rowe said about his team continuing to reach states. “It’s not a gimme, this year we had to fight for it. I think we try to press the issue that it’s never a guarantee.”

John Glenn is the tournament’s top seed after losing to Tioga in the championship last year. Section X’s Gouverneur comes in as the No. 2 seed in a group with seventh-seeded Salem-Cambridge of Section II and unseeded Wayne of Section V.

In another group, there is No. 3 Plainedge of Section VIII with No. 6 Sherburne Earlville of Section III and unseeded Port Jervis of Section IX. In the final group is No. 4 Seaford of Section VIII, No. 5 Unatego/Unadilla Valley/Franklin of Section IV and unseeded Nanuet of Section I.

“There are no real common opponents,” Rowe said about the competition. “We know their state reps and weaker spots maybe, but when it comes down to it we may be able to make a couple moves it just comes down to them wrestling. We’re looking forward to a good weekend.”

Even with the turnover, Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Panama/Clymer brings back quite a few experienced wrestlers. That group is headlined by senior Mason Maring competing at 285 pounds. Returning this year as the 215-pound runnerup from the NYSPHSAA Division II championships, Maring has posted a 32-1 record with his only loss coming from last year’s 285-pound state runnerup William Wortkoetter of St. Francis.

“When you get someone who has made the state tournament and then places, kids look up to him and follow,” Rowe said about Maring and the heavyweights. “Our second-string heavyweight is ranked really high, there is comfort there. It’s nice to have the been there, done that.”

Thandon Bensink also reached the individual state meet last year with Maring and he has had quite the sophomore campaign thus far mainly competing at 124 pounds with a 34-8 record and a win at the Byron-Bergen Invite.

“Last year things really lined up for him,” Rowe said about Bensink. “For him to get where he got, he’s still one of the most improved guys.”

Fellow sophomores Colton Hamilton (29-9) and Walter Lukasiak (13-4) have fought well at the higher weights behind Maring with Hamilton going from 190 to 215 pounds and Lukasiak backing up Maring.

“Walter has done very well,” Rowe added. “Rankings only mean so much, but he’s wrestled very well too. Colton Hamilton has had a great year with some mental and physical maturing to do.”

At the lower weight classes, the Eagles have had success with seventh-grader Chase Shirley (28-12) at 101 pounds and freshman Zander Lombardo (28-9) at 108 pounds.

Also at the disposal of the Eagles are freshman Alex Bourgeois (19-13) usually competing between 131-138 pounds and sophomore Gavin Burchanowski (25-13) battling between 124-131 pounds.

“We haven’t finalized what we’re doing at those weights,” Rowe said about his team. “But it won’t affect them further in the postseason and might help us line up. We’ve had young guys make mistakes, but it’s our job to get them all on the same page.”

Even with a lot of turnover from last year’s leaders, Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Panama/Clymer brings a lot of talent to the state duals today and the strong group of youth will gain valuable experience against the state’s top wrestling teams.