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Quick work: Frazier’s Lawrence breezes to 4th regional championship

By Jonathan Guth 3 min read
article image - Jonathan Guth | For the Herald-Standard
Frazier’s Rune Lawrence control’s Mount Union’s Josh Ryan during their finals bout in the 215-pound weight class on Saturday in the PIAA Southwest Class AA Regional Championships at Altoona High School. Lawrence pinned Ryan in 41 seconds for his fourth regional title.

ALTOONA — Rune Lawrence doesn’t work by the hour … or minute for that matter.

The Frazier senior continued his domination over a high-school career that will end next weekend at the state championships in Hershey by winning his fourth PIAA Southwest Class AA Regional Championship on Saturday at Altoona High School.

Lawrence pinned Mount Union’s Josh Ryan in 41 seconds to become the ninth four-time winner of the regional.

Lawrence won’t be on his own in Hershey. The Commodores will have four individuals, which is a program first, as teammates Tyler Clark (5th at 133), Ryan Celaschi (4th at 160) and Jackson Angelo (4th at 189) qualified. Celaschi is a two-time qualifier, while Clark and Angelo will be competing at states for the first time.

Clark’s victory in the fifth-place consolation match was the 100th win of his career.

Lawrence (29-1, 141-8) breezed through the 215-pound weight class in winning his four bouts by fall in 2 minutes, 33 seconds at the regional. He won his round of 16 and quarterfinal bouts in 15 and 18 seconds before “needing” 1:19 for victory in his semifinal match.

Lawrence is currently at 99 pins for his career and hopes to reach 100 at this week’s state tournament.

Bentworth’s Chris Vargo became the eighth earlier in the finals at 127.

“I was pretty confident I was able to turn him after I got that first takedown against him (Ryan),” Lawrence said. “In most matches, the first takedown wins the match, so usually if you get that first takedown, you are in a good spot. I saw he was sitting back on his heels a little bit and I just went for the takedown.”

Lawrence hit Ryan with a perfectly-executed blast double-leg takedown before turning Ryan for the fall.

Per what has become the norm with the West Virginia University commit, Lawerence didn’t provide any post-match or medal-ceremony theatrics.

Lawrence will focus his attention on his fourth and final trip to the Giant Center, where he hopes to become the 14th wrestler in the 86 years of the state tournament to win four championships. Gavin Teasdale was the last two to win four titles, as he did so for Jefferson-Morgan from 2015-18.

A potential finals match looms between Lawrence and Muncy junior Austin Johnson, who won the Class AA state title at 215 last year.

“I’m pretty sure since we’re both state champs, we will be on opposite sides of the bracket,” Lawrence said. “If we have the opportunity to meet, may the best man win.”

Frazier was third in the southwest regional tournament standings with 82 points behind champion Bishop McCort (237.5 points) and Bentworth (84).

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