Fairport's Brady Unger among three Section V wrestlers to win state titles

A quick reminder of how difficult it can be to win a high school state wrestling title.

This was the largest group of wrestlers from Section V to go to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Championships, 65, if you combine the Division I or large schools and Division II qualifiers.

Three of those wrestlers made it to the other side of the championship bracket, becoming state champions, all for the first time:

• Brady Unger, Fairport senior, Division I 172 pounds

• Caleb Sweet, South Seneca senior, Division II 145 pounds

• Trent Sibble, Bolivar-Richburg senior, Division II 285 pounds

Brady Unger

Brady Unger, a senior at Fairport and a third-place finisher at the 2022 state championships, won a 3-2 decision over Minisink Valley's Andrew Filip in the Division I 172-pound final.

Filip appeared to attempt a headlock and throw Unger to the mat. Unger slipped Filip's grip, and moved behind his opponent to score two points with about 50 seconds remaining in the first two-minute period.

The lead was reduced after Filip slowly rose to his feet and was released by Unger for an escape about 40 seconds into the second period. Unger began the third period on his knees.

Filip attempted to put Unger on his back while on the Fairport wrestler's right side for about a minute. The wrestlers ended up on the edge of the mat's circle, where Unger reached back and moved Filip so that they were facing each other.

Unger was awarded one point for an escape, and finished the season undefeated with a 46-0 record after avoiding being taken down by Filip the rest of the championship match.

More:Section V wrestling results for the 2022-23 season

Caleb Sweet

The Division II 145-pound final was no contest, as Sweet had a big lead early on his way to becoming a state champion for the first time.

Sweet, a senior at South Seneca, went from fending off a drawn out single-leg takedown attempt by Fonda-Fultonville/Johnstown's Owen Hicks, to being on top and in control.

The surprise lead was 5-0 at the start of the second period, and Sweet went on to move his record to 43-1 after claiming the title.

Trent Sibble

Bolivar-Richburg senior Trent Sibble had been here before, on the mat during the 2022 Division II state finals at MVP Arena in Albany. He lost a one-point decision in overtime.

Sibble, in another weight class, battled Warrensburg/Lake George 285-pounder Tristen Hitchcock through a scoreless first period. Hitchcock gave up a one point for an escape at the start of the second period, but then tripped Sibble to the mat to take a 2-1 lead.

Another non-contested escape for Sibble evened the score during the second period. After the match moved to the third period, Sibble rode and then tilted Hitchcock enough to earn two back points for a 4-2 lead with 32 seconds remaining.

When the match was over, Sibble rose to his feet, swiped his headgear to the mat and started hugging coaches in his corner.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Brady Unger, Caleb Sweet, Trent Sibble win NY state wrestling titles