Over the past few years, the sport of girls wrestling has rapidly grown and now nearly every state has a separate tournament for its female athletes. Even the past couple of seasons New York has put on an invitational event for the state’s top wrestlers, but it wasn’t until this season that the NYSPHSAA put on a championship event at the same level as the males.

That does not happen without many people pushing for and working hard to get the female athletes their rightful opportunity. Among many of those driving forces — especially in Section VI — are Chautauqua Lake coaches Pete and Emily Dorman.

All of the hard work both Pete and Emily have put in was recognized not at just the state level, but nationally by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. During the first girls state championships both Pete and Emily were recognized as the 2024 New York State Girls Head Coach and Assistant Staff of the Year, respectively.

Not only have the Dormans done so much for the sport of girls wrestling, but they have also created a successful program at Chautauqua Lake and with both of those factors they are the obvious choices for the first Post-Journal/OBSERVER Girls Wrestling Coach of the Year award.

Chautauqua Lake’s Pete, center, and Emily Dorman were the recipients of the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s 2024 New York State Girls Head Coach and Assistant Staff of the Year. Photo courtesy of Michelle Gilbert

Chautauqua Lake’s team success began in its Section VI league and the Eagles managed to put together an undefeated regular season. The victories included a 45-20 result over Dunkirk, 50-14 win over Sweet Home, 42-21 victory over Niagara Wheatfield, 43-20 defeat of Ken-Ton and a narrow 32-31 victory against Fredonia. Chautauqua Lake also defeated Section V’s Alexander/Pembroke/Byron Bergen/Honeoye Falls-Lima 36-26 to complete the perfect dual schedule.

Chautauqua Lake was upset in the championship of the Section VI duals, losing to Niagara Wheatfield 35-29, a one-match swing deciding the competition. Advancing to the final, the Eagles defeated Clarence 32-25, Dunkirk 34-30 and then Iroquois 50-5.

Throughout the year, Chautauqua Lake also found plenty of team and individual success at tournaments with several wins.

Starting with the Rich Morton/Salamanca Invitational, the Eagles placed third as a team and had winners in Kassidy Benedetto at 94 pounds and Lilly Hyde at 152. Then at the North Tonawanda Ladyjack girls tournament the Eagles had first place finishes from Noli Paddock at 132 and Hyde at 152.

Chautauqua Lake improved to second at the fourth annual Linda C. Knuutila Memorial tournament and Hyde once again claimed first at 152. That was followed by second at Chautauqua Lake’s own invitational with Benedetto winning at 94, Paddock at 132 and Hyde at 152. Then, at the Southern Tier Memorial tournament, Paddock earned first for the Eagles at 132.

The Eagles earned a team victory at the Lockport Invitational with wins from Paddock at 132 and Hyde at 152. Then in their final realgar-season tournament at the Burt Ernst Memorial, Tori Lombardo won at 100, Paddock at 132 and Hyde at 152.

Shifting the focus on the individuals, it was time for Chautauqua Lake to gear its athletes up for the opportunity at qualifying for the first girls state championships. In the Section VI state qualifier, the Eagles had inaugural sectional champions in Paddock at 132 and Hyde at 152. Coming in second was Benedetto at 94 pounds to earn a spot at states. Kortlyn Fairbank took third and booked her trip to Albany filling in as the first alternate at 100.

Of the 10 local girls wrestlers headed to the inaugural state championships there were four of them going from Chautauqua Lake. Both Paddock and Hyde were tabbed as No. 2 seeds in their weight classes. In the tournament, each of the girls managed victories and Paddock climbed all the way to No. 3 in the state.

It was a big year for girls wrestling in New York and at Chautauqua Lake and there is not enough credit that can be given to the 2025 Post-Journal/OBSERVER Girls Wrestling Coaches of the Year Pete and Emily Dorman.