Shen's Makenzie Harbour upsets defending state champion at Section 2 girls' wrestling state qualifier

Feb 17, 2026 - 08:00

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Shen's Makenzie Harbour upsets defending state champion at Section 2 girls' wrestling state qualifier

Shenendehowa's Makenzie Harbour jumps into the arms of her coach after defeating Columbia's Bella Satalino during the Section 2 girls' wrestling state qualifier at Guilderland High School on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 in Guilderland Center. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)

GUILDERLAND CENTER - Makenzie Harbour entered Monday's match carrying the weight of two losses to Columbia senior Bella Satalino earlier this season. She had replayed them in her mind.

The pin. The missed opportunities.

The feeling of being close, but not close enough.

But, on Monday, Harbour finally broke through against the previously undefeated state champion.

The Shenendehowa junior defeated Satalino, handing the Columbia senior her first loss in two years and capturing the 138-pound title at the Section 2 girls' wrestling state qualifier at Guilderland High School.

"I still can't even wrap my head around it," Harbour said. "I've been waiting for this."

Her victory punctuated a dominant day for Shenendehowa, which amassed a Section 2-best 187.5 points, while Niskayuna-Schenectady was second with 145 points. Harbour was joined atop the podium by teammates Sydney West (107 pounds), Sophia Paone (114), Madalyn Hill (120) and Ava Guilmette (165), as Shenendehowa asserted itself as a force heading into the NYSPHSAA championships on Feb. 26 at MVP Arena in Albany.

Still, Harbour's breakthrough stood apart. Satalino entered as the No. 1 seed, riding an 83-match win streak and carrying the aura of one of the state's most dominant wrestlers. Harbour, seeded opposite her at 35-3, had lost twice to Satalino this season, including by pin at the Section 2 Class 1 qualifier on Feb. 8.

This time, Harbour wrestled with clarity and conviction.

"I feel like I have my mentality back," she said. "I didn't stop moving my feet. I just took what was there."

Harbour said her earlier losses came down to positioning and hesitation, small moments that made the difference against an elite opponent. On Monday, she refused to let history dictate the outcome.

"I just looked at it like any other match," Harbour said. "I knew she was good. She had some matches on me before, but I didn't let that stop me. I knew from the first time that I could do it."

When the final whistle sounded, Harbour had secured the defining win of her season.

"I just feel like I truly earned it," she said. "I put in the work."

Avery Mancini of Burnt Hills/Scotia, top, wrestling Brook Connors of Mechanicville/Stillwater during the Section 2 girls' wrestling state qualifier at Guilderland High School on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 in Guilderland Center. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)

Mechanicville/Stillwater sets early tone

While Harbour delivered the day's most dramatic result, Mechanicville/Stillwater made its presence felt early in the finals. Freshman Brooke Connors captured the 94-pound title, followed by senior Alianna Lyon, who defended her 100-pound championship.

Lyon defeated Bethlehem junior Alessia Lilly in a rematch of last year's sectional final. The two had split regular-season meetings this year, but Lyon relied on experience and preparation to control the bout and secure her second straight title.

Connors' title win came against Burnt Hills/Scotia/Ballston Spa eighth grader Avery Mancini, who had defeated Connor in last year's sectional final. With their season series split entering the match, Connors delivered a composed performance to complete her rise.

"I've wrestled her a lot before, and she's beat me every time," Connors said. "I didn't even place at sectionals last year and I won this year. I really just want to scream."

The duo's success reflected the competitive environment in the Mechanicville/Stillwater wrestling room.

"We fight a lot at practice," Lyon said. "But at the same time, we push each other."

For Lyon, defending her title carried added meaning beyond the medal itself.

"I'm really excited. … I'm more excited that I get to do it with Brooke, because last year I went all by myself," she said.

Shenendehowa's Kaitlyn Young, bottom, wrestling Ella Gregg of Niskayuna/Schenectady during the Section 2 girls' wrestling state qualifier at Guilderland High School on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 in Guilderland Center. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)

13 Section 2 champions crowned

Among the 13 wrestlers crowned champions on Monday, three returned to the top of the podium, successfully defending their Section 2 titles and reinforcing their status among the area's elite.

Those repeat performances came from Mechanicville/Stillwater's Lyon, and Shenendehowa's Hill and Guilmette, while 10 other wrestlers claimed area titles.