Leading off today: Ryan Wolcott's first victory over the weekend during the Section 4 Division II state qualifier gave the Waverly wrestler 200 career wins.
That's an impressive number for sure for the 220-pound senior, who advanced to his fourth state wrestling tournament, set for the end of the month in Albany, a week after breaking Colin McDonald's school mark of 195 wins.
But ponder this for a moment: Wolcott would have to wrestle for the better part of two more seasons to catch Burke Paddock. The 170-pound Warsaw senior, who's headed to the University of Iowa next fall, pinned Dakota White of North Rose-Wolcott 3:53 into the Section 5 Division II final to post his 300th career triumph.
That accomplishment leaves Paddock two wins short of the Section 5 and presumed state record of 302, set in 2012 by Quinton Murphy of Holley. Paddock will be shooting for his second straight state crown and his family's seventh title in Albany beginning Feb. 28.
A couple of other quick wrestling notes as we await Wednesday's announcement of the wildcards:
• Hilton brothers Anthony, Vincent and Louie DePrez all advanced to the state meet for the second consecutive season.
• Fayetteville-Manlius, which hadn't produced a champion in Section 3's state qualifier since 1974, had two victors Saturday under first-year coach Rich Romeo: Pat Quinlan (132 pounds) and Tristan Broddus (145).
• Central Valley Academy senior Laken Cook became the first Section 3 Division II competitor to win the state qualifier five times. Cook, who has 204 career wins, won the 138-pound class by defeating Garrett Mitchell of Camden.
Hockey surprises: Two of the state's top three Division II boys hockey teams saw their seasons end in the Section 5 quarterfinals Saturday.
Alex D'Agostino registered a hat trick for ninth-seeded Penfield as the Patriots upset Irondequoit, ranked second in the state by the NYSSWA, 5-2. D'Agostino tied the game 2-2 in the third period with 9:35 left and scored the go-ahead goal with 4:47 left. Patrick Massey made 30 saves for the win.
In the other upset, 14th-ranked Webster Schroeder eliminated No. 3 Aquinas 2-1 as junior Ryan Beutel made 24 saves. Jeremy Caulkins scored the winner at 4:42 in the second period on the power play.
Defending NYSPHSAA Division II champ Syracuse CBA/Jamesville-DeWitt knocked off No. 13 New Hartford 4-1 in the Section 3 quarterfinals. Tim Decker made 25 saves and Ryan Decker and Ryan McKee scored on the power play to break a 1-1 tie.
Blazing Millrose performance: Tappan Zee junior Luke Gavigan won the boys invitational mile in near-record time at the Millrose Games.
Gavigan crossed the finish line in 4:08.96 -- the No. 3 effort in state history, a national season best for school boys
