Leopards advance three to PIAA semifinals
Belle Vernon's Zachary Hartman flips Central Dauphin's Andrew Wert in the 132-pound quarterfinal round of the PIAA Class AAA Individual Wrestling Championships Friday at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Ringgold's Doug Gudenburr faces off against Easton's Evan Fidelibus in the 138-pound quarterfinals of the PIAA Class AAA Individual Wrestling Championships Friday at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Albert Gallatin's Tim Wallace won his 160-pound consolation round bout against Cumberland Valley's Quentin Miliken at the PIAA Class AAA Individual Wrestling Championships Friday at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Waynesburg Central's Shaun Wilson scores two points to win in overtime against Council Rock South's Riley Palmer in their 138-pound quarterfinal bout in the PIAA Class AAA Individual Wrestling Championships Friday at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Holly Tonini
Belle Vernon’s Milton Kobaly flips Lower Dauphin’s Evan Morrill in their 182-pound quarterfinal bout in the PIAA Class AAA Individual Wrestling Championships Friday at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Holly Tonini
Belle Vernon’s Austin Bell won his 170-pound quarterfinal bout against Mifflin County’s Noah Stewert in the PIAA Class AAA Individual Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
HERSHEY — Belle Vernon High School wrestling coach Mike Doppelheuer and his wrestling team had a good day Friday in Hershey at the PIAA Class AAA Individual Wrestling Championships.
“This was the kind of day that makes me excited for Belle Vernon wrestling,” Doppelheuer said after three of his wrestlers secured spots in Saturday morning’s semifinals. “We’re guaranteed four placewinners and I am very happy for those guys.”
Zach Hartman, the Leopards’ 132-pounder, advanced with a 5-1 win over Andrew Wert, of Central Dauphin, Austin Bell had a tough match, hanging on for a 3-2 victory over Noah Stewart, of Mifflin County, at 170 pounds and 182-pounder Milton Kobaly pounded Quakertown’s Evan Morill, 13-4.
Derek Verkleeren, who Doppelheuer described as wrestling as good as he’s ever seen him, had the unfortunate luck to run up against one of the hottest wrestlers in the tournament. Mifflin County’s Hayden Hidlay pinned Verkleeren in 5:03.
He responded with a big victory in his first consolation match and is guaranteed to join his trio of teammates on the stand.
“Our big thing now is to get these guys a good night’s rest and get them mentally prepared for the semifinals,” Doppleheuer said. “I’m still going with the thought that we’re going to get a couple gold medals. I know the quality of opponent these guys will face, but I also know the quality of wrestlers my guys are.
BVA’s junior 106-pounder Jacob Dunlop’s consolation round run came to an end in the second round when he gave up a takedown late and lost, 3-1, to Matt Wilde, of Boyertown.
Mitch Hartman came back from his first-round defeat with a 4-2 win over Cade Moisey to advance at 160, but then fell in his next bout and was eliminated.
The Leopards are in third place in the team standings with three semifinalists and one alive in the consolation round.
Waynesburg Central’s only wrestler in the quarterfinals, Shaun Wilson, outlasted Council Rock South’s Riley Palmer, 9-7, to reach this morning’s semifinals.
The Raiders’ Caleb Morris won a pair of matches in the 120-pound consolations. Cole Rush lost his second-round consolation bout and was eliminated, while 152-pounder Terry Victor won his first consolation bout to advance to the third round. Kyle Homet lost his second-round consolation bout to be eliminated, and Colin McCracken won by pin in his second-round consolation.
Morris was eliminated via technical fall at 120. The Leopards’ Verkleeren secured a major decision against Victor at 152, eliminating Victor. Belle Vernon’s Mitch Hartman went out on a close loss at 132 and the Raiders’ McCracken stayed alive with a decision.
Albert Gallatin’s Tim Wallace overcame a heartbreaking loss in the first round to come back and post an impressive 5-0 win over Quentin Milliken in a second-round consolation bout at 160 pounds. Wallace’s season came to an end, however, in his next bout when he was pinned in 1:59 by Dan Ireland, of Conestoga.
Ringgold’s Doug Gudenburr streak of wins ended at two when he was pinned in the quarterfinals by Easton’s Evan Fidelibus in 4:26.