Jack Buell is about as experienced a wrestler as they come. Beginning with the Sherburne-Earlville Marauders as a 112-pound seventh-grader, Buell has grown into a muscular 195-pounder who is the number one ranked Section III Division II wrestler in his weight class, and a likely contender for a high placement in the state tournament next month in Albany.

Buell was tabbed as a talented up-and-comer from the moment he stepped on a varsity mat. He is closing in on 100 career victories, and would likely have 70 or 80 more wins if not for his biggest bug-a-boo: injuries.

"He's been unlucky (with injuries)," said S-E varsity wrestling coach, Bim Palmer. "He's worked hard and stayed healthy this season. That combination has led to his success."

Other than his eighth-grade year, Buell has not wrestled a complete varsity season. He has 25 wins already this year, but missed nearly two weeks in December after suffering a freak injury in the Clyde Cole Tournament finals.

Since that tournament in Oxford, Buell has racked up sublime performance after sublime performance, and his stature continues to grow on a statewide level. "He's definitely not someone to forget about," Palmer said. "He opened some eyes at the end of last year, and people know who he is this year."

At the Eastern States Classic, the most prestigious regular season wrestling tournament in New York State, Buell entered the event as a number eight seed, and pre-tournament forecasts did not have the junior grappler in the title mix.