NY STATE WRESTLING: NEWARK VALLEY’S CALLAHAN SEEKS HIGH FINISH AT CHAMPIONSHIPS (February 26, 2026)
By TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
ALBANY — The path to the podium at the 2026 NYSPHSAA Division II Wrestling Championships is full of obstacles, but Newark Valley’s Titus Callahan has his sights set on getting there.
“My expectation is to earn a place on the podium at the state tournament,” said the senior.
Competing at 190 pounds, the same weight he wrestled at the 2024 state tournament, Callahan has drawn the No. 9 seed this time. He weighed in the low-160s two years ago, but is bigger and stronger now — and also has the big stage experience under his belt.
“Having competed at the state level before, I believe I will be more composed and confident under the arena lights,” he said. “The experience has helped me better understand the atmosphere, manage my nerves, and prepare mentally for the intensity of the moment. I am focused on performing at my highest level and capitalizing on the opportunity in front of me.
Callahan won’t be alone as classmate Cadin Creeley is also back at the state tourney.
Sporting a 36-4 record, he will pick up a bye in the first round, then face eighth-seeded Aiden Brito (18-3) of Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy, a Public Schools Athletic League team out of the Bronx.
A victory in that bout will bring a quarterfinal clash with Unatego/Unadilla Valley/Franklin standout Yanni Drapaniotis, the No. 1 seed at 40-0. Drapaniotis, one of six undefeated competitors in the D-2 tourney, scored a fall over Callahan when the two met for the Section IV title.
Others to watch are Trent True (47-1), the No. 2 seed and a two-time state placer from Holland Patent in Section III, No. 3 seed Liam English (26-1), a three-time state place-winner from Berne-Knox-Westerlo/Middleburgh in Section 2, and Tavio Hoose (25-5), the fourth seed. Hoose, a state champ in 2023 and runner-up in 2024, transferred to St. Francis then came back to Southwestern in January.
“My expectation for each of our wrestlers is to be proud of themselves for qualifying for the state tournament and to compete at a level that they are satisfied with,” coach Larry Kasmarcik said. “I have maintained high standards for our team throughout the entire season, and those expectations remain unchanged as we head into this weekend.
“Both Titus and Cadin have previously qualified for the state tournament, so they understand the nerves, intensity, and experience that come with competing at that level.
“Over the past few weeks, we have had outstanding practices and have worked with excellent partners who have helped us prepare for this weekend. We are confident in the work we have put in and look forward to the opportunity to compete.”
The event will be held Friday and Saturday at MVP Arena here. Friday’s opening ceremonies start at 9:30 a.m. with the first round of wrestling beginning at 10 a.m. On Saturday, wrestling starts at 9:30 a.m. The consolation finals will begin at 2:15 p.m. The championship finals opening ceremony starts at 5:50 p.m., followed by the championship finals at 6:05 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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