Dalton Elias described the New York State Public High School Athletic Association wrestling championships as a “gladiator-like competition” before heading to Albany’s Times Union Center to take part in the winter’s biggest meet.
The West Genesee senior was getting his chance at a state crown after winning the Section III Division I (large school) championship at 182 pounds, beating Central Square’s Isaac Havens in the Feb. 7 title bout at SRC Arena.
Elias credited his time with West Genesee’s football team for his wrestling success, saying that reaction time, mental toughness and conditioning are important to do well at both sports. He also said that self-motivation, fueled by a defeat in the sectional semifinals in 2014, helped him to the 33-4 record that earned him a trip to Albany.
In the opening round on Friday, Elias faced Richie Jones, from St. Joseph’s (Buffalo), the Catholic Association champion. And Jones would dominate the bout, gaining points at a rapid pace and never letting Elias get off the mat as, by a 15-0 margin, Jones gained a technical fall, the bout ending in the middle of the third period.
Relegated to the consolation bracket, Elias took on Mahopac’s Mike Dinardo. Here, Elias again stayed on the mat until the third period, but Dinardo recorded a pin with 1:44 left.
All told, just two Division I wrestlers from Section III – New Hartford’s Kelan McKenna (106 pounds) and Whitesboro’s Tyler Hudson – made it to the semifinals on Saturday.