Story by Ken Cohen
LIBERTY — February 12, 2013 – Three Sullivan County wrestlers won their weight classes at the Section IX Division 2 championships Sunday at Liberty High School, automatically qualifying them for the state tournament in Albany February 22 and 23.
First-place finishes by Kevin Palko of Tri-Valley (152), Andy Martinez of Liberty (182) and Jesse Corcoran of Eldred-Fallsburg (220) led a very respectable Sullivan County showing at the sectionals. Edon Lulanaj of Eldred-Fallsburg lost a heartbreaking 1-0 decision in the 285 finals while Tadeusz-Loarca, also of Eldred-Fallsburg finished third at 195.
For Martinez, it was his third consecutive Section IX, Division 2 title at 182 pounds. The senior dominated his opponents Sunday, winning the semifinal and finals by 7-0 and 16-2 decisions.
Last year, Martinez finished sixth at the state tournament.
This will be Palko’s and Corcoran’s first trip to the state tournament. Palko, a senior, won three matches en route to his title, including a 6-2 decision over top-seeded Sam Cruz of Highland in the finals.
Top-seed Corcoran cruised to his first-place finish with a quick 1:10 pin in the quarterfinals, a 13-2 decision in the semifinals and a 5:02 pin in the finals.
Eldred-Fallsburg was the highest finishing Sullivan County team.
In the Division 1 tournament at Monroe-Woodbury, Monticello did not advance a wrestler to the states.

SECTION IX DIVISION 2 WRESTLING TOURNAMENT
(Top Local finishers)
152- Kevin Palko (T-V), champion
182- Andy Martinez (Lib), champion
220- Jesse Corcoran (E-F), champion
285- Edon Lulanaj (E-F), runner-up
195- Tadeusz-Loarca (E-F), third
170- Kevin Morgans (Lib), fourth