SC New York News

Albany, N.Y., May 20, 2024—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) welcomed Dundee High School girls state wrestling champion Peyton Mullin to the state Capitol today. Mullin was recognized on the floor of the state Senate and Assembly with a Legislative Resolution (S2393) honoring her 235-pound weight class title at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Girls Invitational State Championship at the SRC Arena and Events Center in Syracuse on January 26, 2024.

O’Mara and Palmesano introduced Mullin during today’s Assembly and Senate sessions. She was accompanied by her mother Leslie, father DJ, grandfather Mike, and grandmother Shanon.

Mullin, a freshman who began wrestling at age four, entered this year’s state championships as the ninth seed. She ultimately defeated defending champion Mackenzie LaForest from Waverly High School to capture the title. Her first NYSPHSAA championship highlights an already notable wrestling career that includes 142 total career wins and an undefeated 14-0 record in the 235-pound weight class. Mullin is also a two-time New York Wrestling Association for Youth (NYWAY) state champion and a girls Wayne-Finger Lakes League champion.

In May, Mullin placed first in the Freestyle Fargo National Qualifiers and will travel to North Dakota in July to participate in the Fargo Junior Nationals.

In a joint statement, O’Mara and Palmesano said: “We always welcome and look forward to these opportunities to pay tribute to dedication, excellence, hard work, and success throughout our school communities. Peyton Mullin is only a freshman in high school yet she’s already a state champion and an honor roll student-athlete who is well on her way to a remarkable wrestling career, and a bright and promising future with her sights set on the Olympics. It is a testament to Peyton’s own determination, hard work, and skill, as well as to the incredible support she receives from her family, coaches, teammates, and the community at large. She stands as a great source of pride for our entire region.”

The joint Senate-Assembly resolution sponsored by O’Mara and Palmesano reads: “In light of her recent accomplishments, Peyton Mullin has brought honor and just pride to her school and community on the local, state, and national level. Sports competition instills values of teamwork, pride and accomplishment; Head Coach Sheldon Gibson and Peyton Mullin have clearly contributed to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of their school.”

Dundee School Superintendent Chris Wood commented: “Peyton is an outstanding young woman and a true example of a Scotsmen. She is kind, caring and a great student athlete. We all look forward to seeing what Peyton can accomplish in the future. Congratulations Peyton!”

Dundee Athletic Director Scott Shepardson added: “Peyton is a pleasure to work with at Dundee Central School. She works hard in everything that she participates in; this shows through her outstanding performances even as a freshman. It was a privilege to watch her bring home our first-ever state title. I have gotten the chance to watch her win two indoor track-and-field shot put titles as an eighth grader and ninth grader. The entire Dundee community are very proud of all of her accomplishments.”

Dundee Head Wrestling Coach Sheldon Gibson stated: “Peyton Mullin is a freshman student-athlete from Dundee which lies in upstate Finger Lakes Region. She has recently won an NYSPHSAA Female Wrestling State Championship in heavyweight class as well as two NYWAY Wrestling State Championships. On May 4th she participated in Freestyle Fargo National Qualifiers where she placed first advancing to North Dakota in July for Fargo Junior Nationals."

He continued: "She has been wrestling her whole life plans college-level wrestling dreams Olympic participation someday." He concluded by noting that "wrestling huge part life continues train everyday off-season," adding that "Peyton honor-roll student also participates football track field."