Posts Tagged ‘PIAA Championships’
Gerrit Nijenhuis Wins Battle of Nationally Ranked Wrestlers with Edmond Ruth for State Gold
HERSHEY, Pa.: Canon-McMillan stud Gerrit Nijenhuis knew he was on a collision course with Susquehanna Twp. star Edmond Ruth. This is the match high-school wrestling fans have been talking about since December. Ruth moving up to Class 3A, and two nationally-ranked competitors projected to meet for state gold. It was only a matter of time.…
Read MoreFranklin Regional’s Carter Dibert Starts Fast and Finishes Off Run to State Title
HERSHEY, Pa.: Franklin Regional’s Carter Dibert knew everything he needed to about Seneca Valley’s Dylan Chappell. Not only are the two wrestlers friends, they are practice partners. That’s both good and bad when you are staring across the mat at each other with a state championship on the line at Hershey’s Giant Center. A week…
Read MoreDayton Pitzer Shakes Freshman Nerves and Finishes off State Gold Medal Match
HERSHEY, Pa.: Mount Pleasant’s Dayton Pitzer had a modest goal when he entered his first year of high school wrestling. You really couldn’t blame him. It’s not easy being a freshman in this game, and adding the weight of more self-imposed expectations doesn’t make it any easier. Then, Pitzer changed his mind. He was putting…
Read MoreAndrew 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…
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