Local duo set for state wrestling championships this weekend at Albany

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart/Barker’s RJ Townsend, left, and Albion’s Stryker Sanders will be competing in the state wrestling championships this weekend in Albany.

Two local wrestlers – Albion freshman Stryker Sanders (118) and Roy-Hart/Barker junior RJ Townsend (285) – will be competing in the state Division 2 championships this weekend at Albany.

It will be the second trip to the states for Sanders who went 2-2 a year ago, and the first for Townsend.

Sanders,  the No. 13 seed, who is 37-6 will open against No. 20 Tristan Bellis a junior from Red Jacket who is 34-4.

The victor will face No. 4 seed Lukas Mills-Travis, a junior from Bath Haverling who is 37-4 in the second round.

“Stryker really needs to stick to his game. Move his feet, stay disciplined and focus on scoring the next points,” said his father Albion Coach Mike Sanders. ” Everybody is tough at this level. So sticking to what has worked for him throughout the season is important. That, and he has to keep his foot on the gas pedal all six minutes.”

Townsend, who is 33-4 and the No. 21 seed, will open against No. 12 seed Trey Parker a sophomore from Susquehanna Valley with a 32-10 record.

The victor will face No. 5 seed Nick Oosterom, a junior from Port Jervis, who is 38-3.

“RJ will need to continue to wrestle well on his feet to be successful,” said Roy-Hart/Barker Coach Matt McCauley. “We will also try to avoid being on the bottom since we give up around 30 pounds to the heavy kids in the 285 class.”

The first two rounds and the quarterfinals are scheduled for Friday with the semifinals and finals on Saturday.

The Nisgara-Orleans Lesgue will also be represented at the state championships by Akron senior Joey Burg (165) and Newfane junior Jake Morello (150).