NY STATE GIRLS WRESTLING: NEWARK VALLEY’S MERRILL READY FOR CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNEY EXPERIENCE (February 26, 2026)
By TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
ALBANY — Newark Valley’s Hadley Merrill makes her state-level debut at the 2026 NYSPHSAA Girls Wrestling Championships today and is keeping the tournament in perspective.
“I just hope to do well and take in the experience,” the 8th-grader said.
The unseeded Merrill (21-8), competing at 94 pounds, opens the tournament against sixth-seeded Zoey Hernandez from Rocky Point out of Section XI. A returning state qualifier, Hernandez is 24-3. She went 0-2 at last year’s tournament.
In her second match, Merrill will face third-seeded Fern Jewett (28-3) of General Brown in Section III or Shane Dharaleen from Middletown in Section IX. Both wrestlers are returning state qualifiers with Jewett placing sixth last year.
Jewett and Merrill met in the quarterfinals of the Windsor Lady Knights Invitational in January. Jewett won by tech. fall and went on to place first. Merrill took fifth.
Merrill is coming off an impressive showing at the state qualifier where she recorded a pair of tech. falls before pinning top-seeded Madison Farberman of United 55 seconds into the second period. Farberman was ahead, 8-1, to start the period.
“I've been involved with our wrestling program for well over 30 years, but this is my first as a head coach,” Dennis Wright said. “This will be a whole new experience with our girls program being brand new this year. Hopefully we put in a great showing and make our community proud.”
Merrill is familiar with state-level competition, having qualified for the state cross country championships in November. She placed 21st in Class D.
Opening ceremonies begin at 9 a.m. and wrestling starts at 9:30 a.m. Finals opening ceremonies start at 5 p.m. with the consolation and championship finals starting at 5:15 p.m.
The tournament will be streamed live on www.nfhsnetwork.com/associations/nysphsaa/wrestling. Subscriptions are offered for $13.99 per month or you can purchase an annual pass for $79.99. Both subscriptions renew automatically until you cancel them.
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