Posts by Jeremy Elliott
Andrew Cerniglia Makes a Statement, Dominates Gabe Miller in Gold Medal Match
HERSHEY, Pa.: There was some obvious tension between Notre Dame-Green Pond’s Andrew Cerniglia and Pequea Valley’s Gabe Miller during the Parade of Champions Saturday afternoon at Hershey’s Giant Center. The handshake was less than cordial. Of course, it’s understandable. Miller stormed back from an early deficit and pinned Cerniglia in the Regional final a week…
Read MoreJackson Arrington Avenges Loss to Kole Biscoe and Claims State Gold
HERSHEY, Pa.: Forest Hills is building something special in its wrestling room. Especially in the lower weight classes. That was evident during this year’s PIAA Championships at Hershey’s Giant Center. And the leader of the Rangers pack was Jackson Arrington. The Rangers freshman avenged an early-season loss to Southern Columbia freshman Kole Biscoe thanks to…
Read MoreEaston’s Andrew Balukas Stuns The State Field, Pins Dorian Crosby to Reach State Finals
HERSHEY, Pa.: Easton’s Andrew Balukas stood in the hallway under the stands at Hershey’s Giant Center with dried blood all over his face. There was blood on his singlet, on his arm, and a few drops on his leg. His right eye lid had five stitches to repair the cut he suffered 30 minutes early…
Read MoreFinn Solomon Gets Sweet Revenge In State Semifinal Victory Over Kyle Burkholder
HERSHEY, Pa.: Franklin Regional’s Finn Solomon has been waiting for another shot at Hempfield Area’s Kyle Burkholder. That’s not a surprise. Anytime a wrestler loses twice to the same competitor, he or she is ready for a rematch. It was supposed to happen at sectionals, but Burkholder forfeited after an injury. So, that meant…
Read MoreAndrew Cerniglia Runs The 145 Pound Gauntlet and Beats Caleb Dowling to Reach State Finals
HERSHEY, Pa.: Notre Dame-Green Pond’s Andrew Cerniglia wasn’t intimidated when the PIAA Championship brackets came out last Sunday. Instead of worrying about being pinned by Pequea Valley’s Gabe Miller in the regional final, which put him in a loaded top half of the state bracket, he embraced the challenge with a simple, “Well, it’s time…
Read MorePatrick Gould Takes One Step Closer to Gold With Win Over Top-Ranked J.J. Wilson
HERSHEY, Pa.: East Stroudsburg South’s Patrick Gould was well aware of what he was facing in Friday’s PIAA Championship quarterfinal round. All eyes were on him as he approached the mat. That’s what happens when you are one of the better wrestlers in the state and you are facing the top-ranked wrestler in your…
Read MoreCathedral Prep’s Paniro Johnson Upsets Nationally-Ranked Jagger Condomitti to Reach State Semis
HERSHEY, Pa.: Erie Cathedral Prep’s Paniro Johnson knew it was going to be an uphill battle to make it to the state finals. It didn’t matter that Johnson was a returning state medalist in Class 3A-120 a year ago. That meant nothing in this field. He was competing in a super-tough 145-pound weight class against…
Read MoreCaleb Dowling Makes Statement, Downs Defending State Champ Nathan Haubert in Quarters
HERSHEY, Pa.: Caleb Dowling came into the PIAA Class 2A Championships as a marked wrestler. He’s the guy everyone wants to beat. That comes with the territory when you are the No. 1-ranked wrestler in the state. But, the St. Joseph’s Catholic standout didn’t feel like the favorite, not with the defending 145-pound state…
Read MoreFinn Solomon Likes The Bright Lights, Advances to Quarters After Win over Tal-Reese Flemming
HERSHEY, Pa.: It’s become commonplace for freshmen wrestlers to feel comfortable with their surroundings in Hershey’s Giant Center. The early-February state team duals has helped. So has the fact that these wrestlers are competing in more big events at a young age. Franklin Regional’s Finn Solomon hasn’t had the luxury of wrestling in team states.…
Read MoreCanon-McMillan’s Kenny Hayman Storms Back From 5-1 Deficit to Defeat Patrick Noonan
HERSHEY, Pa.: There are a lot of aspects that go into being a wrestler who can perform on the sport’s biggest stage. Of course, there is the obvious. You have to be in good condition, both in strength and stamina. You also need to have the right mindset. Then, there is the trait that isn’t…
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