NYSPHSAA WRESTLING: EDISON PAIR MAKES HISTORY AS THEY HEAD TO STATES WITH BIG GOALS; HORSEHEADS, ELMIRA WRESTLERS SET FOR D1 STATES (February 25, 2026)

BY BRIAN FEES
Southern Tier Sports Report
ELMIRA HEIGHTS — Before this year it didn’t take long to tell the history of the Edison wrestling team at states. 

The list of state qualifiers, and medalists, was one name long, and that one qualifier came over 20 years ago.

In 2005 Mark Bailey finished third at D2 states. 

That’s it, that’s all the state qualifiers the Edison wrestling team had had. 

That is until this year. This season the Edison wrestling team had a pair of state qualifiers with Greg Golden winning sectionals at 175 pounds and Mason Vanderhoff finishing second at 110 pounds it’s his second trip to states, as he made it as an eighth-grader at Horseheads a year ago. 

“I wanted that spot,” Vanderhoff said of getting back to states. “I know I got second at sectionals, but I’m glad I got it done. It’s an absolutely amazing feeling. the last time there was a state qualifier was when my dad was in school, but too bad it wasn’t my dad.”

Both wrestlers are seeded among the top nine in the state in their weight.

“It’s very exciting,” Golden said. “Especiallly since last year I got sold short. So, I made it a mission this year. I’m going to come here, I’m going to dominate. So, that’s what I’ve done and that’s what I’m going to keep doing.”


“It’s actually great, I know what I’m up against, that’s the number one kid in the state, last year’s state champ,” Vanderhoff said.

And, Vanderhoff would love to see McKee for the fourth time this year.

“I can’t wait, I want it so bad,” he said. 

For both wrestlers there is already history made as they became the second and third state qualifiers in program history and it is the first time in program history two wrestlers made states in a season.

“It was a big thing,” Golden said. “Especially this program history, to do something for my coach that he deserves. To get the kids in here, working hard every day, not fooling around was a big thing. I have to thank my teammates for helping me get here, because without them I wouldn’t be here.”

Having Vanderhoff around this year helped things as well.

“That helped a lot too,” Golden said. “he’s also still young, so sometimes I get on him as well. He’s always a kid that even when he didn’t want to, he would go to the extra practice, so that helped. We had kids that actually wanted to wrestle all season so that was a big key thing this year.

“It helped a lot (having Vanderhoff make states as well). We have been to a lot of other rooms this year, so that’s helped a lot. Wrestling kids in Division I I’m not going to see later on.”

The Spartans spent some time working out with Horseheads this week, as Vanderhoff got a chance to wrestle some of his former teammates in Josh and Tanner Knapp and Connor McAllister. 

“It’s amazing,” Vanderhoff said. “I have been wrestling Josh and Tanner. Josh is a three-time sectional champ this year.”

For Golden it meant chances to work out with Zach Schrage, a fourth-seed at states, and Jaxson Burchard, a sixth seed. 

“It’s good, they are both good kids,” Golden said. “Anybody I’m able to work with that I’m not used to wrestling is a key factor, it helps a lot.”

Burchard is wrestling at 190 pounds in Division I and is taller than Golden, and that taller wrestler is something Golden likes the chance to see.

“I kind of like wrestling taller kids,” Golden said. “It helps out being able to practice with them to see what I can do.”

Golden tried to think less this year and just go out and wrestle.

“This year I don’t think so much, I just go out there and wrestle,” he said. “Be yourself, everytime you step on the mat go dominate and that was the key that took me far this year. That’s my goal everytime I step on the mat, dominate.”

Being a senior just added to the motivation this year.

“You don’t get anything back, it’s senior year,” Golden said. “Especially after football season, we came so close, we could have gotten a state title, and it’s like dang, I know the feeling of being close and it sucks. Last year I kind of screwed myself over of being able to go. This year I made it a mission from last wrestling season and this football season. I was like this is all me.”

For Vanderhoff this whole season was a big change coming to a new school.

“I had Rocco (Franchi at Edison). I have known him my whole life,” Vanderhoff said. “We have been practicing together. But, it’s definitely a lot different than Horseheads. I love Weber (Edison coach Kevin Weber). It’s a big change though.”

Last year Vanderhoff got used to tough competition, having to fight each day just to get into the lineup at Horseheads.

“It was a hassle,” Vanderhoff said. “I was 101 at the beginning of the season, lost that spot, then I went up to 108 for sectionals and had to wrestle Josh. I lost there, but I’m glad I beat him this year.”

Both Vanderhoff and Josh Knapp are at states again this year, one in Division I and one in Division II. For Vanderhoff it was fun getting to wrestle Knapp this year.

“It was more like a reunion, it was nice to see each other.” 

While getting to states is special. The two have bigger goals. Both would like to be the next state medalist for the Spartans. And, both have their eyes set on being the School’s first state finalist, and first state champion. 

“I am going to go out there and win, that’s what I’m going to do,” Golden said. “It’s (making a state final) a big thing in my mind. I’m going to go out there and try and get it done.

“It’s a really good feeling to be able to make history (with two state qualifiers). Hopefully the same thing happens next year, I hope. But, being the first to do it is a great thing.”

Vanderhoff is trying to motivate his other teammates to get to states next year as well.

“I have been motivating a lot, he said. “Rocco (who was 27-12 and third at the IAC Championships as a freshman this year), I think he’s going to get it done next year and I think he’s going to go.”

Having each other at states just makes the trip better for both.

“He’s a 110 pounder, there is a big difference between us, but to have someone else to talk to, to not be sitting there yourself the whole time, it’s a good feeling,” Golden said.

“It’s great,” Vanderhoff said. “I’m glad I’m going with Greg, it’s about to be a fun time there.”

While Golden hasn’t been to states before, he’s treating it like any other matches.

“It’s just another tournament,” Golden said. “Don’t treat it any differently, just another tournament.”

DIVISION 1 WRESTLING STATES
Seven Horseheads wrestlers and three wrestlers from Elmira head to MVP Arena in Albany on Friday and Saturday to compete in the Division I Wrestling State Championships. 

110 POUNDS
Horseheads has two state qualifiers at 110 pounds. 

Josh Knapp is the 10th seed at 35-5. He opens with No. 7 Brendan Stoutenburg of Saratoga Springs (40-6). Connor McAllister is the 16th seed. He opens with No. 17 Carmine Catapano of Sayville (37-7). 

118 POUNDS
Horseheads’ Tanner Knapp is the 11th seed with a 29-11 record. He starts the tournament with No. 6 Will Russell of Manhasset (41-6).

126 POUNDS
Elmira’s Hunter Parker is the 16th seed at 24-13. He opens with No. 17 Washingtonville’s Owen Milmore (31-6).

132 POUNDS
Gavin Hornsby of Horseheads (33-3) is the 13th seed and he opens with No. 20 Aiden Vollmer of Webster-Schroeder (35-9).

138 POUNDS
Elmira and Horseheads each have a wrestler at the weight. 

Scott Fairbanks of Elmira is the 16th seed (26-9) and he opens with No. 17 Giovanni Lang (37-6).

Kole Zufall of Horseheads is the 20th seed at 15-12 and he takes on No. 13 Gianni Gennaro of Washingtonville (26-9). 

144 POUNDS
Elmira’s Lavonte Gibbons is the 17th seed at 37-3. He opens with No. 16 Carlos Contreras (32-10). 

165 POUNDS
Zachary Schrage of Horseheads is the fourth seed at 17-1. He has a bye then takes on the winner of No. 13 Jon Schroff (36-2) and No. 20 Conor HIckey (28-8). 

190 POUNDS
Jaxson Burchard of Horseheads is the sixth seed at 29-4. He takes on No. 11 Dylan Fitzgerald (43-1). 

GIRLS’ STATES
Horseheads’ Ellisa Bly heads to MVP Arena in Albany on Thursday to compete in girls states.



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