February 22, 2012

Aubin receives at-large bid to NYS championships

Purchase this image

Al Aubin will be joining John and Zach Diekel at this weekend’s state wrestling championships.

Aubin was selected to compete in this weekend’s tournament as an at-large bid and will compete in the 120-pound weight class.

He finished second at the Section II championships on Feb. 18, falling in the finals to Corinth’s Zach Marcel by pin in the first period. The match was redemption for Marcel who finished to second to Aubin in last year’s sectional championships.

At-large bids give second- and third-place finishers at sectional tournaments a second chance to compete at the state championships. At-large bids are determined by season record and previous state and sectional performances.

Aubin is the defending Section II champion at 120 pounds and had 25 wins on the season, so he had a strong case for an at-large bid.

He and Marcel could renew their rivalry this weekend. Both are in the same bracket and could square off in the quarterfinals if they advance.

John Diekel, who defeated Albany Academy’s Cam Milliken for his first Division II title, is seeded seventh at 138 pounds.

Zach Diekel received a three seed at 195 pounds.

The New York wrestling championships will be held at the Times Union Center in Albany on Friday and Saturday, Feb 24 and 25.

Preliminary matches will begin at 10 a.m. with quarterfinal bouts tentatively scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., followed by wrestle-backs from 4 to 8 p.m.

Semifinal matches will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, followed by wrestle-backs at 12:30 p.m. and consolation finals at 2 p.m.

Championship bouts will begin at 6 p.m.

For a full schedule, brackets, and additional information, visit www.nysphsaawrestling.com.