Who are Section III’s most valuable wrestlers at the midway point of the season?

Syracuse, N.Y. — Several of Section III top boys and girls wrestlers are flexing their muscles on the mat this season.

Syracuse.com asked CNY’s top coaches who they think is their mid-season MVP.

Here are the responses we received.

Boys

Mike Boyhan, Auburn, 138

“He has shown great leadership as a captain both on and off the mat. He has had an outstanding season thus far wrestling some elite competition and suffering only one defeat against a state-level opponent. Off the mat he leads by example with his work ethic in school maintaining high honors and continues that work ethic in practices and meets and is a great leader for the underclassmen.” — Dan Butler

Jack Burton, Marcellus, 138

“He has an excellent work effort and elite attendance. He doesn’t run around screaming like Ray Lewis and perform like Jerry Lewis. Even-keeled and always punctual. He has been a finalist in all tournaments entered this season and avenged losses to three opponents from last season.” — Todd Donovan

Cole Croniser, Adirondack, 116

“Cole is a senior captain and is a leader in the classroom and on the mat. He leads by example and his hard work and positive attitude rubs off on the young guys in our room that are scrapping to get to the varsity level.”— Joe Galligan

Zenon Derocha, Hannibal, 138

“He’s 19-0, a returning state qualifier. His work ethic sets him apart. He does what it takes to be a champion all year round.” — Nick Woodworth

Kamdyn Dorchester, Carthage, 285

“Kamdyn is a leader for us both on and off the mat. He is having an excellent senior campaign and is currently undefeated. His commitment to the weight room and international styles in the offseason, along with being a three-sport athlete, has created an example for others to follow in our program.” — Don Dorchester

Maxx Fesinger, West Genesee, 170

“Maxx is a team captain and currently he is 20-0 with several wins over section champions and state place finishers. He was a champion of the 2024 Windsor Christmas tournament, which is one of the toughest tournaments in upstate New York. Maxx has put in the work and it shows. I’m excited to see how he finishes this season.” — Brian McAvan

Nathan Freebern, Oswego, 131/138

“Nathan is a very dedicated individual who excels on the mats and in the classroom. As a freshman, he competed in the Section III championships and placed fifth, and academically he is among the top 10 in his class at Oswego High School. This year, he is competing at a high level and has set high expectations for himself. He currently has an 11-6 record with eight pins on the season. Look for Nathan Freebern to climb the ranks and be among the top wrestlers in Section III.” — Mike Howard

Eddie Geer, Chittenango, 160

“In his senior year, he has a 12-2 record and recorded his 100th career win at the Kenneth Haines Memorial tournament. He has been a great leader for our team and continues working hard as the season approaches an end.” — Nic Bacon

Kymah Gummow, Indian River, 116

“Kymah is just a freshman and he is starting to click on all cylinders. Fresh off a tournament win at a tough Windsor tournament. He also shows great leadership on our very young team.” — Jamee Call

Joe Rafuse, Fayetteville-Manlius, 124

“Incredibly hard-working kid. Learns from his mistakes and transfers that learning to wins faster than anyone we have in the room. Really great to coach a kid like Joe Rafuse.” — Eric Wood

Girls

Marissa Crofoot, Fulton, 185

“Team captain. High honor roll. Always the hardest-working kid in the room and putting in extra work on her own time.” — Jeff Waldron

Shea Ellsworth, 100, Chloe Tice, 185, Cicero-North Syracuse

“Shea Ellsworth is a second-year wrestler (sophomore) who is 16-4 on the season with first-place finishes at the Phoenix and C-NS tournaments. She has been a leader on and off the mat for our program. Chloe Tice is a first-year wrestler (junior) who is 17-2 on the season with first-place finishes at the C-NS, Midlakes and Baldwinsville tournaments. She brings a great work ethic and a positive attitude to the program.” — Ryan Caraher

Giuliana Jones, Mexico, 126

“Giuliana proves herself time and time again as being a dedicated, hardworking and devoted athlete. She shows up for all open mat sessions, workouts and practices. Picking her as a captain came with ease, as her leadership is exemplary. Her team mindset is strong and is chased closely by her personal skill set and desire to create, work hard toward and accomplish personal goals. She pushes her teammates in positive ways, to be the best they can be. An MVP in my book isn’t measured by wins and losses. I look towards the athlete who encompasses passion, strong work ethic and a positive attitude. This is one of the most coachable athletes I have worked with to date, and her heart is what truly shines. Each day, Giuliana brings the best of herself to the mat.” — Karintha Myslivecek

Mya Locke, Homer, 120

“She has put in a lot of time during the offseason. It has been great to see her growth.” — Anna Cummings

Layla Meany, West Genesee, 165

“Pushes the pace with her partners at practice and takes it one step further with her opponents. Always encouraging her teammates, win or lose. Positively a powerhouse.” — Dalton Elias

Haylee Robinson, Baldwinsville, 126

“She leads by example both on and off the mat, setting the tone for our entire team. Her dedication, resilience and hard work inspire her teammates to push their limits and perform at their best. As a second-year captain, Haylee is a fierce competitor whose leadership fosters unity and determination, making her an invaluable asset to the team’s success.” — Brett Cataldi

Lacey Teaken, Fayetteville-Manlius, 126

“As my longest-tenured wrestler, she is off to a 14-2 start. She is a leader and role model on and off the mat for all the new girls on the team.” — Tom Hazelmyer

Rylynn VanTassel, Indian River, 132

“She’s a natural-born wrestler with a strong wrestling family background. She initially started on boys’ teams in fifth grade until the women’s league was formally created by NYS this year. She’s won every tournament she’s been at this season (she has a wall of championship brackets at home and has a goal to fill up the entire wall with them), she’s a team captain, a natural-born leader, someone who knows when to have fun and when to be serious, a person that will never give up or give in no matter how painful or difficult a wrestling situation may be, and someone I see with the ability to win sectionals and make it to states this year (all as a freshman). She exemplifies all the things wrestling teaches — confidence, relentlessness and discipline. I’m extremely proud to coach a girl like Rylynn. Kids like her (boys or girls) don’t come around often.” — Scarlett De Witt

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