B-R now in contention for 2nd State Champion this year, as Tavyn MacDonell remains perfect on the mat this weekend heading into State Finals match tonight in Albany

[PHOTOS BY CHAR STONE]

By John Anderson/Wellsville Sun

ALBANY — Tavyn MacDonell had a perfect Friday and Saturday. It’s what the Bolivar-Richburg wrestler has worked for his entire career, this moment. At 7 p.m. he will wrestle in the State Finals.

MacDonell has made some noise in states in the past and cheered on Trent Sibble’s victory from the MVP Arena in Albany.

But make no mistake, this weekend so far has been his. It started when he found out he won the 2024-2025 New York State Sportsmanship Award. After earning a bye, MacDonell had a near-perfect 16-1 technical fall victory over Markus Bazelais of Island Trees.

The Section V champion then won 10-2 over Kazio Jallick of Maine-Endwell in the Quarterfinals. One person who earned an at-large bid from Section V was Noah Leitten of Perry. Leitten may have won Sectionals this year, but MacDonell was in his way, and again in Super Sectionals.

If there was one wrestler who knows MacDonell well enough to win, it’s Leitten. The two matched up more than Rocky and Apollo Creed.

Leitten did not disappoint, but MacDonell was not going to lose and pulled out a thrilling 6-5 victory. It’s showed just how hard both wrestlers have trained and what kind of shape and endurance they have.

MacDonell is now 48-1 on the season, and at 7 p.m. he will face Sacket Harbor’s Kayleb Martin (36-3) for the State Championship.

In a preview in the Wellsville Sun of the states, the articles stated, “If MacDonnell reaches the finals, he could face a rematch with Sackets Harbor’s Kalyeb Martin, the No. 2 seed. Last year in states, the two had an epic battle with MacDonell taking home the 1-0 victory.”

Sure enough, they will face off.

Char and Fred Stone have been in Albany all week shooting the girls and boys State Wrestling for the Wellsville Sun and for Memories by Charzy.