O’Mara, Palmesano welcome Odessa-Montour High School wrestling champion to the Capitol: Dylan Houseknecht captured state championship earlier this year

Albany, N.Y., June 5—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) on Tuesday welcomed Odessa-Montour senior Dylan Houseknecht to the state Capitol.

In February, Houseknecht captured the 285-pound Division II wresting title at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Wrestling Championships at the Times Union Center in Albany.  Houseknecht’s state title is the first state wrestling championship in the school’s history.  He ended the season with an overall 44-2 record.

O’Mara and Palmesano sponsored a Legislative Resolution (J819/K210) paying tribute to Houseknecht’s victory.  

The O’Mara-Palmesano resolution, unanimously approved by the Senate and Assembly, reads, in part, “In a sport such as wrestling, which demands athletic prowess, speed and agility, Coaches Bill Lindsley and Daniel Batchelder worked hard to hone the skills of this champion, teaching this outstanding athlete lessons which will prove invaluable both on and off the mat…Dylan Houseknecht has clearly utilized dedication, determination and teamwork in providing a lasting contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of his school.”

Odessa-Montour Central School District Superintendent Christopher Wood said, “Dylan is an outstanding young man that has had a fantastic career at Odessa-Montour.  He was a champion on the wrestling mat but his accomplishments are far greater in the classroom and what he has done with and for his fellow classmates.”

Coach Dan Batchelder said, “Dylan is a champion in every respect, as he is the first individual State Champion and first State Wrestling Champion in our school’s history.  He is as an outstanding student and a young man with a bright future who cares about his family, teammates, school, and our community at large. His commitment, work ethic, and incredible success have been incredible for all of us to be part of and serves as a stellar example for younger student athletes to follow.  It has been a great honor to work with Dylan and I am excited to see what his future brings."

Houseknecht is also a member of the football, and track and field teams.  An outstanding student, he is ranked 14th in his class with a GPA of 91.  He plans to attend the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland this fall.

He was also recently named to the “2019 Top 24 Drawer” team honoring the top scholar-athlete-citizens representing schools in Schuyler and Chemung counties.

[In the attached photo in the Assembly Chamber on Tuesday, June 4, from left to right: Chris Houseknecht (Dylan’s father), Senator O’Mara, Dylan Houseknecht, Assemblyman Palmesano, Scott Houseknecht (Dylan’s grandfather), and Coach Dan Batchelder.]