By TIM TAYLORTioga County Sports Report
ALBANY — In his first attempt, Owego’s Gavin Lovell has reached the podium at the 2026 NYSPHSAA Division II Wrestling Championships held at MVP Arena.
The 7th-grader placed eighth at 103 pounds, setting the stage for what could become an impressive high school career.
Lovell went 2-1 on Friday to move himself into the “blood” round, which determines whether or not a competitor places or goes home.
A trip to the podium hinged on Lovell’s first match Saturday against No. 8 seed Brennon Egan of Broadalbin-Perth. He never trail and took advantage of three takedowns to record an 11-5 decision.
Lovell’s final two bouts didn't go the way he hoped they would. He lost by fall in 2:53 to No. 5 seed Freddy Smith from Sherburne-Earlville then, in the 7th-place bout, he dropped an 8-3 decision to Mount Sinai’s Parker Menechino.
“He was third at our sectionals, and the only one to make the podium from Section IV, so it's a huge accomplishment,” coach Mike Daly said.
“You always want more when you don't take anything but first, but we can't be upset about the result for him. We're happy and he's ready to do the work it takes, I think, to climb the podium in the future, and that's what it's all about.”
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PHOTOS BY MIRANDA SZYMANSKI, TIM BIRNEY & TIM TAYLOR.
