Jamestown senior Tyler Zwald eyes the clock in his first-round match at 131 pounds in the NYSPHSAA Division I wrestling championships at MVP Arena in Albany on Friday. P-J photo by Christian Storms

ALBANY — When Jamestown’s Tyler Zwald made the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Division I wrestling championships a year ago it was a short trip to the MVP Arena with two losses at 131 pounds.

The Jamestown senior made his final trip to the state championships count as he picked up his first victory at the event with a 10-2 major decision over Luke Dakin of FDR Hyde Park-IX in the first round of the 131-pound bracket.

Zwald earned the early takedown and after that was in control the entire match. Dakin scored a reversal in the second period, but Zwald was able to avoid trouble picking up an escape and another takedown in the third.

Things won’t get any easier for Zwald as his prequarterfinal matchup is against two-time defending state champion and top-seed Luke Satriano of Valley Central-IX.

Chautauqua Lake sophomore Thandon Bensink scored a pin in his first trip to states a year ago in the 116-pound bracket at Division II and this year at 131 pounds he started as the slight underdog in a No. 17 and No. 16 bout. Bensink gave up the early takedown to Karahn King of John Glenn-XI, but was able to battle back in the second period.

Jamestown's Tyler Zwald holds off Luke Dakin of FDR Hyde Park-IX during the first round at 131 pounds in Division I. P-J photo by Christian Storms

Bensink scored a takedown that was quickly reversed and trailed 5-3, but a reversal and King starting on bottom allowed Bensink to grind out another pin at the state tournament in 4:40.

While Zwald and Bensink made their first trips to states a year ago, it was the first appearance for Southwestern sophomore Miles Torres as the No. 14 at 108 pounds in Division II.

Unfortunately, as Torres was entering the mat he began cramping and that delayed the start of the match. Then once things got going his cramps did not subside and injury time was needed.

Things did not get better as No. 19 Jack Gallagher of Nanuet-I was given the forfeit win due to injury.

Torres is slated to enter the consolation bracket with his opponent being the loser of the matchup between No. 9 Colton Schmiesing of Oyster Bay-VIII and No. 8 Caden Higley of Sidney-IV.

Zwald is congratulated by his coaches after securing a first-round victory. P-J photo by Christian Storms

Follow along for updates of the prequarterfinals on x.com @Chris__Storms when the remaining seven local wrestlers join the action with Division II wrestlers Adrian Torres of Southwestern at No. 3 in 101 pounds, Carmine Calimeri of Southwestern at No. 7 and Dylan Newman of Falconer/Cassadaga Valley at No. 6 both in 124 pounds, Domanik Clark of Randolph at No. 8 in 138 pounds, Caden Inkley of Randolph at No. 4 in 152 pounds, Patrick Braley of Falconer/Cassadaga Valley at No. 5 in 190 pounds and Mason Maring of Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Panama/Clymer at No. 2 in 285 pounds.

Chautauqua Lake sophomore Thandon Bensink embraces assistant coach Ryan Gibbs after securing a first-round pin at 131 pounds in Division II of the NYSPHSAA wrestling championships. P-J photo by Christian Storms

Chautauqua Lake head coach Ken Rowe congratulates sophomore Thandon Bensink after securing a first-round pin at 131 pounds in Division II of the NYSPHSAA wrestling championships. P-J photo by Christian Storms

Chautauqua Lake's Thandon Bensink rolls Karahn King of John Glenn-XI for a pin during the first-round of the Division II wrestling championships at MVP Arena in Albany on Friday. P-J photo by Christian Storms