Hilton’s Yianni Diakomihalis celebrates his fourth state title after winning the finals of the 138-pound class (Division I) (Photo: Adrian Kraus, Democrat & Chronicle)
Hilton (N.Y.) junior Yianni Diakomihalis added to his string of New York state wrestling titles Saturday.
Diakomihalis, who won a world cadet (15-17 year old) title last summer, claimed his fourth state championship when he defeated Matthew Grippi, a sophomore at Fox Lane (Section I), 13-5. The major decision in the 138-pound final was the second for Diakomihalis, who also won two matches by technical fall.
Diakomihalis was named to the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Preseason Wrestling Team in November.
But he seemed happier than a family member took home a state title.
Greg Diakomihalis, a 14-year old with the Hilton team, won the Division I state title at 99 pounds. Diakomihalis defeated Dylan Ryder, a sophomore at Half Hollows West in Section XI on Long Island and top seed in the weight class, 7-4 in the Division I final.
“It’s cool to do it as an eighth-grader, there are people who don’t always win this tournament,” Greg Diakomihalis told the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.
“They let me sit in the corner,” Yianni Diakomihalis said to the Democrat and Chronicleabout watching his brother’s match. “I’m more excited for him. I can’t believe it, it’s crazy.”