New York USA Wrestling

“But don't ever take sides with anyone against the family again. Ever.”...

Such was the quote made famous by Al Pacino in his portrayal of Michael Corleone during the "Godfather"; and apparently that wisdom was imparted on 3x DII State medalist/2024 runner-up, Christopher Noto.... 

Making clear on Friday morning his declaration to always "choose family", NY-USAW's #8 overall 2026 Big Board revealed his intentions to follow in the footsteps of older brother, Anthony (2x NCAA DI All-American; former 4x NYS State champ) by giving his verbal bond to Head Coach, Scott Moore, and his staff at Lock Haven University!!

Unofficially credited as the owner of a 122-7 record since making his varsity debut for the Cougars of Honeoye Falls-Lima as a 7th grader during the 2020-2021 COVID-impacted season, the standout out of Section V has remained one of our personal favorite prospects throughout his scholastic journey; as we very much foresee one, if not a pair of NYSPHSAA crowns in his future as an upperclassman!!

Amassing a 10-4 record in his three pilgrimages to South Pearl Street, the youngest of Tony & Susan's three sons (middle child, Nicholas, wasn't too shabby either; 4x State placer/'23 silver) has come away with finishes of 3rd, 5th, and 2nd in 2022 through 2024 at weights of 102, 110, and 126...

All of his losses under the roof of MVP Arena have been sustained against a defending and/or eventual state titlist, as he'd drop semifinal contests in back-to-back season (2022 and 2023) to 5x medalist/4x finalist/3x champ, Darren Florance (BGAH); lose a 3-2 heartbreaker in the 2023 consolation semis to Aidan Shufelt (2x State placer for Groton before relocating to Virginia where he won a 2024 State gold and was a NHSCA bridesmaid); and then got upended in the 2024 finale by rival, Chase Nevills (3x medalist/2x champ on behalf of Copenhagen)...

While that breakthrough/coronating moment in Albany has yet to be realized by Noto; his efforts have not been without a plethora of banner/marquee victories during the process, as the path to three consecutive semifinal berths have taken him past the likes of Dominick Callara (2022 State 7th for Medina), Carmine Calimeri (3x State placer/2024 bronze for Southwestern), & HFL teammate, Jacob McVige (2x state top-8) in 2022....Respective 2x State placers in the persons of Ryan Farley Avon-Geneseo) & Ashten Haley (Cobleskill-Richmondville) in 2023...And finally Haley (5-3 nailniter in the quarters) & Deposit-Hancock's Landyn Shaffer (2024 State 6th) this past February en route to the already cited runner-up distinction!!  

Noto's collection of "Tier 1" victories perhaps even more pronounced during regular-season competition, just a sampling of the fellow blue-chippers he has bested while in the midst of being a 3x Monroe County Champion, a 3x Windsor place/2024 titlist, a 2023 Eastern States Classic 5th, and the brass ring winner at the 36th STWOA Annual Kickoff Classic (2023) include: 2x over Richard Wood (2x DI State placer/2024 3rd for Brockport), Ryan Ferrara (2x DI State placer/2022 runner-up; 2024 Fargo 16U GR AA for Chenango Forks), Ryan Cieslinski (2023 DI State 8th in honor of Spencerport), Jakob Lucinski (2x NYS DII placer/2024 runner-up on behalf of Newfane), Deydon Soto (2x Connecticut All-State placer/2024 Champion), Finnegan O'Brien (2024 NYS DII 3rd for Locust Valley; now at Chaminade), Caden Barrientos (2024 NYS DII 4th for Lewiston-Porter), Dylan Depew-Cappadonia (2024 DII 5th for Canisteo-Greenwood), Trevor DellaPenta (Eden; 2023 DII State,  8th), & even the previously recognized/praised, Nevills!!!

Unblemished (11-0) in career at the S5 Championships, Noto has posted victories by scores of 6-0, 6-2, and 15-0 in the 2022-2024 finales over McVige, Gary McDowell Jr. (Bolivar-Richburg; 2023 NYS DII 7th), and 2024 NYS Qualifier, James Chase (Avon-Geneseo)!!! 

Perhaps a little unknown/under-appreciated on the national circuit because he has not been an active participate at event such as Fargo or Super 32 (did go 3-2 in '23 with wins over 2x PIAA 5th Lucas Fye; 2024 Florida State 3rd, David Leiva, & 3x Louisiana State finalist/2x gold, Tyson Roach), Noto made his talents evident this past April when he earned his first HS AA honors behind a 4th-place showing at NHSCA Sophomore Nationals...

During this stay in VA Beach, he'd register victories over Anthony Andrews  (3x Delaware State medalist/2024 runner-up), 2x Kentucky State finalist/2024 King, George Dennis, and Jonathon Romero (2x New Mexico placer/2024 champ) among others!!!

One of those true treasures that believes in honing his craft at all times during the offseason, just because he is not making trips to the Dakotas does not mean Noto has not been putting in the work...

In fact, the opposite is true as he has logged a 34-4 resume in making appearances at the I-90 Duals (April; 7-0), Brady Strong National Duals (4-0; May), NHSCA Nationals Duals (6-3; May), Nickel City Duals (4-0; June), 1000 Island Duals (4-1; August), and most recently the Columbus Day Duals (9-0)!!!

Christopher clearly being an individual who does not shy away from ambitious objectives; living up to the "Noto" name will not be a simple task when you consider that since transferring to the Eagles before the 2021-2022 year, Anthony has not only been a 3x National Qualifier/2x AA (4th in '23, 3rd in '24); but also is a 3x Defending MAC Champion, the 2x reigning Conference Wrestler of the Year; and a former (2022) Conference Newcomer of the Year recipient....He has an aggregate vitae of 87-10 while donning the Crimson & White singlet!!  

Ousmane Duncanson (#9 2024 Big Boarder/3x DII State titlist for Tioga) & [Darren] Florance (#10) were both part of LHU's 2024 recruiting class, making it two straight hauls that boasted a NY-USAW top-10 prospect!

CHRIS NOTO CHEAT SHEET:

*8th Overall Junior prospect on the NY-USAW Big Board (2026)

*Career Record of 122-7

*3x NYSPHSAA State placer/2024 runner-up @126 pounds

*3x Defending Section 5 Champion

*2024 NHSCA Sophomore All-American (4th)

*2023 Eastern States Classic 5th