End of an Era for Wrestling Captains

While the team earned several placements throughout the season, these three stood out as top performers. Each of them began wrestling in elementary school, and their years of dedication were evident on the mat. Their commitment to the sport, their teammates, and personal growth earned all three the role of team captain during their senior year. With consistent top-three finishes at tournaments over multiple seasons, they have secured their place among the most accomplished wrestlers in Xaverian history.

 

Mateus Dalton began wrestling in third grade, inspired by his father who also coached. “I kept coming back because I love the one-on-one aspect of the sport and how physically and mentally challenging it is,” Mateus shared. Competing in the 195-pound weight class throughout high school, he often wrestled opponents who were much taller. Despite the challenge, he pushed forward and in his senior year, faced one of his toughest tests at the Division 1 South Sectionals. On February 15, Xaverian hosted the tournament with 13 schools in attendance. Mateus placed third in his weight class. “Placing at states was definitely a rewarding feeling as I had beat a couple wrestlers who had beat me the year before,” he said. His performance earned him a spot at the State Tournament, where he finished just shy of the podium in fifth place.

 

Nathan Sayers also got his start early, beginning in first grade due to his father’s background as a high school wrestler and coach. He stuck with the sport and built a strong foundation at Xaverian. His freshman and sophomore years were full of victories and placements, but he took things to another level during his junior season. On January 3, 2024, Nathan achieved his 100th career win and ended the year with an impressive 186 victories. That momentum carried over into his senior year. At the South Sectionals, he competed in the 126-pound weight class and finished in first place, qualifying once again for the State Tournament. “Winning Sectionals for the fourth time was a great feeling, especially since I was able to do it at Xaverian in front of a home crowd,” he said. Preparing for States, Nathan focused on daily practices, extra workouts, clean eating, and staying mentally ready to compete. His dedication led to a second-place finish at the State Tournament and capped off an incredible high school career.

 

George McAteer also began wrestling in the third grade, encouraged by his father to give the sport a try. His freshman and sophomore seasons at Xaverian were strong, leading to a major milestone in his junior year. On February 24, 2024, George reached 100 career wins. He continued to excel in his senior season, placing first in the 132-pound weight class at the Division 1 South Sectionals. “It was difficult making weight during breaks and maintaining a lower weight, and yes, it did make practices a bit harder, but I made it work,” George said. His first-place finish qualified him for the State Tournament, where he placed second in his weight class. Thanks to his consistent success, George will continue his wrestling career at Ithaca College.

Through their commitment, resilience, and success, Mateus Dalton, Nathan Sayers, and George McAteer have left an undeniable mark on Xaverian wrestling history. As they move on to college, all three are confident that the future of the program is in good hands. They see great potential in the younger athletes who are ready to carry the torch. Their legacy will continue to inspire generations of Xaverian wrestlers to come.