The talk around state wrestling practice was that this year's Section 9 Division II team could be its best.

The section returns a record-high four medalists - Port Jervis senior 220-pounder James Oosterom; Onteora brothers Nick and Nate Ross (138, 170); and, Red Hook senior Matt Morris (126) - to state championship weekend in Albany.

However, seeding was unkind to the returning medalists: Oosterom (who placed fifth at 220 last year), Nick Ross (third at 138) and Morris (sixth at 113) received No. 7 seeds. Nate Ross (sixth at 152) is a No. 9.

The local Division II wrestlers earned the most medals (five) and tied for the section's highest point total (70) in 2019.