Class AAA Preliminary Round - Thursday
The fireworks started early in Class AAA. In the first bout of the tournament, Cedar Cliff freshman Chris Vasar needed the rideout period to edge fellow freshman and Northwest Regional champion, Christian Stone of Clearfield, 1-0.
The Vasar decision was the first of three shutouts at 103 pounds. Hempfield (District 3) junior, Austin Miller ran his record to 37-2 with a 10-0 major over Council Rock South sophomore Billy Rappo. Canon-McMillan freshman Conner Schram improved to 39-4 via an 11-0 whitewashing of Methacton junior Rob D’Annunzio.
The lone 103 fall came from New Oxford junior Jordan Conway. He also has the weight class’s best record at 39-1. Conway will meet Schram in Friday afternoon’s quarterfinals.
Jimmy Gulibon of Derry Area, the 2009 103-pound champion, needed just two minutes, forty seconds to score a 16-1 technical fall over Kevin Flack of William Tennent in the 112 pound class. Gulibon’s quarterfinal opponent, Devon Lotito of Bethlehem Liberty, also made quick work of his opening opponent. Lotito pinned Punxsutawney’s Seth Speck in just 1:07.
At 119, District III and South Central champion, Dylan Nyguen of Red Lion was upended by Brandon Choate of Blue Mountain, 17-11. Last year’s 112-pound champion, Nico Megaludis has moved up to 119 where he was a 10-3 winner over Nick Bongard of Monsignor Bonner. The Franklin Regional junior (33-0) will next meet Nazareth’s Franco Ferraina (30-7).
CHAMPION REPORT – Josh Kindig of Blue Mountain is also looking for his second-straight state title. The Eagle senior pinned his way to the quarterfinals by decking Council Rock South junior Matt Martoccio with just six ticks left on the first period clock.
Andrew and Dylan Alton of Central Mountain are looking to become the second twins in Pennsylvania wrestling history to win states two straight years. The Hughes brothers of Benton, Russ and John won in 1990 and 1991. Dylan is seeking his third title and would be the 35th or 36th in state history, depending on Coudersport senior Dirk Cowburn’s results in Class AA.
Andrew scored a 27-9 tech fall while Dylan pinned his opponent in just 14 seconds.
Also going for title three is Central Dauphin senior Marshall Peppelman at 160, up a weight from last year. Peppelman also stayed unbeaten (47-0) by downing Spring-Ford junior Matt Krueger.
Abington Height’s first-ever state champion, Evan Craig (285) is on target for his third straight finals appearance and second-straight title. The Comet senior (47-0) pinned Marcus Robbins of Norristown in 1:45. Next up for Craig is Bethel Park senior Adam Lazenga (41-1).
Craig’s win was 166 for his career, which ties the District II record set by Matt Dragon of Lake-Lehman in 2005.
UNBEATABLE SO FAR – In addition to Megaludis and the Altons (42-0 each), Pennsbury freshman Josh DiSanto remained perfect (32-0) with a 20-4 technical fall. Also staying unbeaten were Bellefonte’s Mitchell Port (42-0), McDowell sophomore Steve Spearman (39-0)
Peppelman’s teammate Kenny Courts moved on and stayed unblemished this season (39-0). Courts, at 171, pinned Hatboro’s Nick Lynch. Also unbeaten at 171 is Chartiers Valley senior Tyler Wilps (37-0).
Spencer Myers, last year’s 215-pound runner-up and Selinsgrove’s lone representative here the past two years, moved to 41-0 by scoring a 13-1 decision over Dawson Peck of Chambersburg.
On the same side of the 215 bracket, St. Mary senior Sean Sadosky, an 11-7 winner over Scott Syrek of Owen J. Roberts. Sadosky is now 34-0.
On the other side of the bracket is Zachary Nye (37-0) of East Pennsboro.
Nate Giorgio of Warwick an 8-5 loser to Myers in last year’s 215-pound semifinal, moved down a weight and is still unbeaten (25-0) at 189. Giorgio pinned Lewistown sophomore Tyson Searer.
FINALIST DEFEATED – Nate Gaffney the 215-pound champion a year ago won’t repeat. The Falcon senior was handled by Methacton’s Brandan Clark 6-2. It was Clark’s 100th career win. Clark’s quarterfinal opponent is Nye.
Bradford’s Mark Havers will have to wait for next year to improve his second-place finish of a year ago. Havers, a junior, lost in overtime 8-6 to Bobby Scheivert of Chichester.