Hundreds of high school wrestlers from across New York are in downtown Albany this weekend for the NYSPHSAA wrestling state championships at MVP Arena, and for one Bethlehem senior and his longtime coach, it feels like a farewell tour.
Bethlehem’s James Nalbone is coming off a historic performance at the Section II state qualifier, where he captured the 132‑pound title and became the school’s first section champion in 28 years. He said the run through the bracket — knocking off the top seed, the No. 3 seed and everyone else in his path — still doesn’t feel real.
His focus now shifts, though, to the state tournament. Nalbone will be one of the many student‑athletes on the mats at MVP Arena as wrestlers from across New York compete for a spot on the podium over two days.
“Going to the states, I know I can do the same thing,” Nalbone said. “I know every dude in that bracket. I know I can beat them.”
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association says its individual wrestling state championships bring together qualifiers from its 11 sections along with schools from New York City’s Public Schools Athletic League and the Catholic High School Athletic Association. The event, which has used a two‑division format for more than two decades, now features more than 500 athletes after the field was expanded in recent years, according to the association.
For seniors like Nalbone, it is one last chance to leave a mark at what he calls the highest level of high school wrestling in the state.
“You have to work hard, and you get to really know that this is the best level in New York wrestling you can get,” Nalbone said.
In his corner is head coach Chris Braga, who plans to retire after this season. Braga has coached wrestling since 1994 and said stepping away after so many years will not be easy.
“I’m going to miss it,” Braga said. “You know, it’s been a long time; it’s been a big part of my life.”
Braga said his relationship with Nalbone, on and off the mat, is part of what makes this weekend special.
“He’s such a great kid,” Braga said. “He’s smart, he’s driven, motivated … I’m going to miss him.”
The 61st annual state tournament began Friday morning at MVP Arena, with preliminaries and quarterfinals leading into a full day of semifinals and wrestlebacks on Saturday.
Finals are scheduled for Saturday evening, following a parade of finalists and pre‑match ceremonies. The association says tickets for each session start at $16 and are available through the arena box office and website.