HISTORIC WIN: Marcellus-Onondaga Captures First-Ever Section 3 Division 2 Wrestling Championship

In a display of grit and collective will, the Marcellus-Onondaga wrestling program etched its name into the history books this weekend, again capturing its second sectional title; the first was the Section 3 Division 2 Wrestling Dual Meet Title. For the first time in program history, the Mustangs-Tigers are the Section 3 Division 2 Team Champions, ascending to the top of one of the most competitive wrestling landscapes in the greater CNY area. These championships combine the strengths of individual wrestlers and whole-team match-ups.  

The victory, secured at the Section 3 Championships, marks the culmination of a multi-year rise for the Mustangs-Tigers. Entering the tournament as a team to watch, Marcellus-Onondaga didn’t just compete; they raced up points using a blend of individual performances and critical "bonus points" to outlast perennial powerhouses.

A Full Team Effort: While individual titles are the hallmark of the Sectional weekend, the team championship is won in the consolation brackets and the early rounds. From the opening whistles on Saturday morning, the Mustangs-Tigers showed the depth that has become the program's trademark over the past few years.

Every member of the lineup contributed to the scoreboard. Whether it was a lightning-fast pin in the championship quarterfinals or a gritty, come-from-behind decision in the semifinals and blood round, the Mustangs-Tigers refused to yield. By the time the finals began on Saturday afternoon, the math was clear: Marcellus-Onondaga had built a lead that reflected their season-long slogan of "15 Weight Classes, One Goal."

Standout Performances:

The Mustang-Tiger’s path to the podium was paved by several standout performances that electrified the Syracuse crowd.

Key veterans, who have been staples of the CNYWrestling leaderboards for years, delivered when the lights were brightest. Senior leadership proved pivotal, with several wrestlers reaching the top of the podium to claim individual Sectional titles, securing their spots in the upcoming New York State Championships at the MVP Arena in Albany.

However, it was the "unsung heroes"—the wrestlers who battled back through the wrestle-backs to take third and fifth place—who ultimately sealed the team title. These crucial points allowed Marcellus-Onondaga to pull ahead of traditional D2 titans like Little Falls, Jordan-Elbridge, and Holland Patent, who were trailing, and the point differential became too great for them to make up and wrestle back.

A Program Transformed: For Head Coach Donovan and his staff, this title is the result of years of culture-building. Once a program looking to find its footing, Marcellus-Onondaga has transformed into a regional juggernaut through a rigorous off-season schedule and a "blue-collar" approach to practice.

The Road Ahead: The celebration will be short-lived, but sweet, with the Section 3 D2 trophy finally heading to Marcellus-Onondaga. The Mustangs/Tigers now pivot their focus to the state level. A small but strong contingent of Mustangs-Tigers will represent Section 3 at the NYSPHSAA Championships at the beginning of March, looking to add individual state medals to their historic team campaign.
For the community of Marcellus and Onondaga, the 2026 season will forever be remembered as the year the Mustangs-Tigers became kings, Sectional Champions. 

Final Team Standings – Section 3 D2 Championships: Marcellus-Onondaga, Little Falls, Jordan-Elbridge, and Holland Patent. For full individual brackets and match-by-match results, visit CNYWrestling.com.