Over the weekend, three wrestlers from Newburgh Free Academy competed at the state championships at MVP Arena in Albany.

Brothers, Jackson Merli (145) and Cooper Merli (102), represented the Goldbacks, along with Anthony Manzi (160) in Division I competition.

Cooper Merli received the #8 seed in his bracket. After a first-round bye, he defeated Vincent Graulau (Mohonasen) with a 12-10 decision, advancing to the quarterfinals.

He then had a tough match against top-seeded Ryan Ferrara (Chenango Forks), which he lost in a 3-1 decision.

The eighth-grader was then eliminated in the wrestleback bracket by #4 Ralph Keeney (Ballston Spa), 9-2. He finished the season with a record of 35-6.

Jackson Merli, the only Goldback with experience at the state level, received the #9 seed in his 145-pound bracket.

After a bye, Merli was defeated in the second round by #8 Justin Klein in a major decision, 10-2.

The senior then dropped his first wrestleback match, 5-3, after going to sudden victory against Sean Degl (Iona Prep). He finished his year with a record of 36-7.

Anthony Manzi received the #12 seed in his 160-pound bracket. He dropped a 7-5 decision in the first-round against #21 Liam Levantovich (Horseheads).

Manzi, a senior, topped #11 Dillon Carter (Yorktown Heights) with a major decision in the wrestlebacks, 15-6, to stay alive.

He was then eliminated after a sudden victory overtime, 3-1, by #14

Jesiere Carter (Niagara Falls). He went 38-7 during his senior season.