You’ve heard about their accomplishments on the mat. Now get to know the 14 wrestlers representing Lower Hudson Valley small schools who will win the 2026 Group 1 II boys wrestling championship.
These wrestlers, along with 28 men’s wrestlers (14 champions and 14 qualifiers) from Division I varsity schools, local champions from CHSAA and AIS and 18 women’s wrestlers (13 champions and 5 qualifiers) will compete in the New York State Championships. The women’s championship will be held on February 26 at MVP Arena in Albany. The men’s tournament will be held Feb. 27-28, also at MVP Arena.
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Let’s meet the champion.
Mason Sampillo, Nanuet, 103 pounds
What does winning Group One this season mean to you? It means a lot to me to win another Division 1 championship, especially since my team and I have faced so much adversity this year.
What has been your biggest highlight on the mat this season? Winning my second Group 1 title in the first session. No matter the pressure, I always learned to overcome it and it showed when I won.
What was your favorite wrestling moment this year? My favorite wrestling moments are connecting with my team because they are a part of my success.
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Best advice you’ve ever received? Be grateful for where you are because your worst day is also someone else’s best day.
Which song best represents you in 2026? “No Comparison,” Boogie’s witty hoodie.
Jack Gallagher, Nanuet, 110 pounds
What does winning Group One this season mean to you? To be a two-time champion means the world.
What has been your biggest highlight on the mat this season? When I pinned my opponent in the first quarter final.
What has been your favorite wrestling moment this season? When I enjoy spending time with my friends.
Best advice you’ve ever received? keep going.
Which song best represents you in 2026? “New York State of Mind”, Billy Joel
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Alex Wish, Pleasantville, 118 pounds
What does winning Group One this season mean to you? everything. I worked hard to get here.
What has been your biggest highlight on the mat this season? Win the first group title.
What has been your favorite wrestling moment this season? Go to the GPS for a double practice session.
Best advice you’ve ever received? Surrender to the consequences.
Which song best represents you in 2026? house music
Kelvin Jimenez, “Sleepy Hollow,” 126 pounds
What does winning Group One this season mean to you? This means a lot. This is a great achievement, but it is not the main goal. The main goal is to become famous in the states.
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What has been your biggest highlight on the mat this season? Won the first group title again.
What has been your favorite wrestling moment this season? Heading into the county finals.
Best advice you’ve ever received? Block out outside noise.
Which song best represents you in 2026? Meek Mill “Dreams and Nightmares”
Brendan O’Sullivan, Pearl River, 132 pounds
What does winning Group One this season mean to you? Winning my third division title means a lot. It feels good that I will have another experience in Albany and hopefully a place to stay.
What has been your biggest highlight on the mat this season? Probably my favorite highlight of the season on the mat was when I won the home O’Connell tournament. It feels good to win at my own school.
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What has been your favorite wrestling moment this season? My favorite moment of the season was winning sectionals with my brother Liam and I’m so happy we got to go to state together.
Best advice you’ve ever received? The best advice I ever received was from my coach about staying calm under pressure and chasing that next score.
Which song best represents you in 2026? My favorite songs this year are “Hate It Or Love It”, The Game & 50 Cent.
John Parisi, Nanuet, 138 pounds
What does winning Group One this season mean to you? It means everything and I look forward to making a statement in Albany.
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What has been your biggest highlight on the mat this season? It was great to win the first division doubles title again at home against Pearl River.
What has been your favorite wrestling moment this season? Going to Syracuse with all my friends.
Best advice you’ve ever received? Everything happens for a reason and trust God’s way.
Which song best represents you in 2026? “I have become an animal”, three days of grace.
Ciaran Egan, Pleasantville, 144 pounds
What does winning Group One this season mean to you? everything. Always working hard.
What has been your biggest highlight on the mat this season? Winning the first division was because it was my comeback after losing to him (Edison Garbarino of Pawling).
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What has been your favorite wrestling moment this season? Be lazy at the beginning of practice.
Best advice you’ve ever received? Hard work pays off.
Which song best represents you in 2026? House music.
Liam O’Sullivan, Pearl River, 150 pounds
What does winning Group One this season mean to you? This means the world to me. I’ve wanted to win this for a long time.
What has been your biggest highlight on the mat this season? This game (first quarter final).
What has been your favorite wrestling moment this season? Seeing my brother win the county (Rockland County Championship).
Best advice you’ve ever received? Wrestle without any pressure and have fun.
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Which song best represents you in 2026? “Love You” J. Cole
Frank Perlleshi, Pleasantville, 157 pounds
What does winning Group One this season mean to you? This means a lot. The long hours of training finally paid off.
What has been your biggest highlight on the mat this season? Earn a spot in the Section 1 finals.
What has been your favorite wrestling moment this season? Extra time training with my brothers (Victor and Christian).
Best advice you’ve ever received? Odd numbers in a championship are the next best thing: first, third, fifth.
Which song best represents you in 2025? “Style is rare,” Guner.
Miles Sheridan, “Sleepy Hollow,” 165 pounds
What does winning Group One this season mean to you? That’s great, but it’s not my main goal. I want a state title.
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What has been your biggest highlight on the mat this season? Win the division and get my 100th win.
What has been your favorite wrestling moment this season? sleep.
Best advice you’ve ever received? Give it a try.
Which song best represents you in 2026? “Trophy,” Drake.
Ethan Mitev, Ardsley, 175 pounds
What does winning Group One this season mean to you? This means I have to work harder.
What has been your biggest highlight on the mat this season? Fixed people.
What has been your favorite wrestling moment this season? Eating cake and playing video games.
Best advice you’ve ever received? Life is hard.
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Which song best represents you in 2026? Tchaikovsky’s “Slavonic March”.
Ryan Darcy, Pearl River, 190 pounds
What does winning Group One this season mean to you? I don’t know how much effort and time I put into winning.
What has been your biggest highlight on the mat this season? Probably hanging out with teammates. They really mean a lot to me.
What is your favorite wrestling mat this season? Went to eat Dairy Queen with my teammates.
Best advice you’ve ever received? Pray, hope, don’t worry.
Which song best represents you in 2026? “Oops,” Michael Jackson.
Hudson Garbarino, Pawling, 215 pounds
What does winning Group One this season mean to you? It feels very good. Make all the work worth it.
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What has been your biggest highlight on the mat this season? Win the first group title.
What has been your favorite wrestling moment this season? Buffalo Wild Wings vs. Team.
Best advice you’ve ever received: No goal is too difficult to chase.
Which song best represents you in 2026? “Kill Too Hard”, Wu-Tang Clan.
Brian Lennon, Nanuet, 285 pounds
What does winning Group One this season mean to you? To have this opportunity to get a chapter title means a lot.
What has been your biggest highlight on the mat this season? From fourth place last season to champion this season.
What has been your favorite wrestling moment this season? Go out with the team.
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Best advice you’ve ever received? No goal is too hard to chase.
Which song best represents you in 2026? “Hate it or love it”, The Game and 50 Cent.
Phil Strum is local sports editor for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared in Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Meet Division 1. 2026 2nd Class High School Wrestling Champions
