Latest published newsletter
2025–26
SEASON RECAP
Revisit the state championships, season awards and the people who made the season memorable.
Read the season recapFriends of Section II Wrestling
FOR THE
WRESTLERS.
FOR THE
COMMUNITY.
Recognizing achievement, sharing local stories and helping Section II wrestlers grow through the sport.
OUR TEAMS. OUR STORIES. OUR COMMUNITY.D1 BOYSSECTION II
D2 BOYSSECTION II
GIRLSSECTION II
This season
2026–27.
THE NEXT
CHAPTER.
A new season is ahead. Follow Friends for local wrestling news, athlete recognition and the stories that bring our community together.
Preseason | October 20262025–26
From the mat to the community
THE STORIES
THAT STAY.
Watch the 2025–2026 season recap and a tribute to Coach Joe Bena.
Season recap
The 2025-2026 Section 2 Wrestling Season
Watch on YouTube: The 2025-2026 Section 2 Wrestling SeasonIf a player won’t load, open its Watch on YouTube link.
The newsletter archive
EVERY SEASON.
EVERY STORY.
Roundups, recognition and community stories, organized by season. Every issue opens at its original Canva or Smore link.
For 2023–24, Weeks 4–5 were published as one combined issue. View the separate season recap video.
43 issues linked from the existing Friends collections. Original newsletters remain unchanged. The 2025–26 and 2024–25 collections share one Canva hub. Dates are shown where recorded; the linked collection may contain additional season materials.
The people behind the legacy
SECTION II.
HALL OF FAME.
Meet the wrestlers, coaches and contributors whose impact reaches beyond the mat. Explore the Friends Hall of Fame book and the history of wrestling in the Capital Region.
Read the Hall of Fame book
2025–2026 edition | Digital bookExplore the record
HISTORY
LIVES HERE.
Trace Section II wrestling through past tournaments, championship results and the names that shaped the sport.
Results and archive links open the original records at CNYWrestling.com. Coverage varies by year and event.
010203
Season & tournament archives
Browse CNY’s Section II archive by season, with event results and bracket links where available.
Sectional champions
Explore CNY’s records of Section II champions across generations.
From the archives: 1960
A window into an earlier era of Section II wrestling through the original sectional results.
About Friends
ROOTED IN THE
CAPITAL REGION.
Friends of Section II Wrestling is a not-for-profit organization supporting local wrestlers and the sport.
We recognize achievement, publicize local wrestlers, fund awards and help athletes grow through wrestling. Coaches, families, alumni and supporters all have a place in that mission.
Part of the community since2012
Founded in October 2012, with a shared commitment to the athletes and people of Section II wrestling.
The people behind Friends
OUR BOARD
Fred DeCelle
President
Chad Languish
Vice President
Bob Winchip
Treasurer
Joe Guardino
Secretary
- Anthony Servidone
- Matt Ronca
- Steve Karandy
- Josh Marks
- Alison West
- Brandon Lapp
- Mike Pendergast
- Frank Fronhoffer
- Diana Acors
- Harley Greeley
- Jeremy Matson
Bena’s Boys
Honoring Coach Bena and the values he taught through wrestling. Find community updates and current program information.
Visit Bena’s BoysOur mission & award recipientsWatch Coach Joe Bena LegacyThe next generation
Connect with the Capital District Youth Wrestling League for youth wrestling news and information.
Explore youth wrestlingCommunity. Support. Legacy.
BENA’S BOYS.
Honoring Coach Joe Bena by helping the next generation grow through wrestling.
Our mission
KEEPING HIS
LEGACY MOVING.
Bena’s Boys celebrates Coach Joe Bena’s legacy through community and support, providing financial assistance to a Section 2 wrestler for offseason training, camps and clinics.
Established in 2019 by Matt Sitors, Steve Karandy and Mark Caulfield, the program honors the wrestling traditions Coach Bena built at Duanesburg.
The Bena’s Boys Award
The award recognizes dedication, grit, hard work, resilience, a positive attitude, a relentless work ethic and sportsmanship.
2026 Bena’s Boys Award recipient
Justin Mullis
Past recipients shown in the poster
- 2020Tyler Rossini Burnt Hills
- 2021Dylan Schell Queensbury
- 2022Renso Montalvo Amsterdam
- 2023Donovan and Dominick Witko Schenectady
- 2024Scott Nicolella DuanesburgCailan Drake Shaker
- 2025Nico Rivera Mohonasen
Read the full poster text
Our mission
Coach Bena spent his life building and improving the sport of wrestling. Our mission is to keep that momentum rolling by celebrating his legacy through community and support. We provide financial assistance to a Section 2 wrestler to help them access offseason training, camps, and clinics.
Our roots
Established in 2019, Bena’s Boys was founded by Matt Sitors, Steve Karandy, and Mark Caulfield to honor the enduring legacy of Coach Joe Bena. After retirement, Coach affectionately referred to the three of them as “Bena’s Boys” as they worked to uphold the wrestling traditions he built at Duanesburg.
The Bena’s Boys Award
Each year, we recognize a wrestler who embodies the values Coach Bena instilled in his wrestlers: dedication, grit, hard work, and resilience. A candidate for this award is more than just a talented athlete; they possess a positive attitude, a relentless work ethic, and epitomize the true meaning of sportsmanship.
Impact
Through the sale of our branded apparel and community donations, we turn your support into opportunities for local wrestlers. The Bena’s Boys award is proudly presented annually at the Friends of Section II Wrestling Banquet in March.
The past award recipients pictured in the poster are listed above, covering 2020–2025.
HAVE A STORY TO SHARE?
Send news, corrections or questions to Friends. For photos, please include the photographer’s credit and permission to share.