Josh Deeter of Franklin doesnt attend Franklin High School. Deeter
attends Rocky Grove. The Orioles started co-oping with Franlkin fro the
2007-08 season. He is the first Rocky Grove HS wrestler to appear at the
state tournament since Erne Shorts competed at Rec Hall in 1975. Deeter
competed at 171 for most of the season before electing to compete at 189
for the postseason. As an undersized 189-pounder, Deeter finished the
PIAA Class AAA tournament 0-2 with losses to Central Cauphins Tony
Dallago and Joe Stolfi of Souderton.
District 10 has just one AAA semifinalst, Cathedral Preps Rocco Wellek,
a West Virginia recruit. Both Wellek and Dallago, whos headed to
Illinois, won the Top Hat Invitational tournament on the seasons opening
weekend. District 10 in AA is running away with honors Reynolds has two
semifinalists as does neighbor Greenville. Sharon, Hickory, Fort LeBoeuf,
Maplewood, Harbor Creek, and Grove City each have one semifinalst.
Mercer County has 14 medalists.
Shady Side Academy leads AA with four semifinalists. Returning state
champs Dane Johnson and Roman San Doval will be joined 2007 state champ
Frank Martellotti and Matt Cunningham. Following the way in AA with
three semifinalists is Benton. The Tigers coach Russ Hughes knows
something about three finalists in both 1990 and 1991 when he won his
two titles, Hughes was one of three Tigers to win in each year along
with twin brother John and Tom Yurko.
Central Dauphin which last week crowned a record eight South Central
Regional champions had six advance to Saturday mornings AAA semis.
Shyheim Brown (103), Simon Rice (119), Tyler Buckman (125), Marshall
Peppelman (152), Kenny Courts (160), and Dallago at 189 will represent
the AAA dual meet state champs.The state record for individual champions
in one year is four, last done by Northamprton in 2003
Century Club Members and Beyond: (more to be posted- let me know of
any we missed)
150:
Shane Young of Penn Trafford #119
Cort Choate of Blue Mountain
#130
100:
Pat Leavitt, Schuylkill Valley
Joe Bonaduce, Unionville
Aaron Fry, Muncy
Tim DeFrances, Commodore Perry
THIRTY FIVE YEARS
IN THE MAKING -- Tonight
Selinsgrove junior Spencer Myers will attempt to become his schools
first state champ since Dave Becker won the 155 pound crown in 1974,
the last year the championships were held at the Harrisburg Farm
Show Arena. 1974 was also the first year
of the split in classifications. For that year only the classes
were known as Class A and B. Not only
will Myers be trying to win for the Seals, he is trying to become
his dad Todd’s first state champ after
guiding the Seals’ Seth Martin to a runner-up finish seven years
ago.
STREAK ENDS –
Clearfield senior
285-pounder Sean Owen had his 79-bout win streak snapped in this
morning’s semifinals by
Abington Heights
(Clarks Summitt) Evan Craig.
Owen’s win streak dated back to the 2007
Top Hat Tournament finals when he lost 4-3 to Dan
Nickoli of Central Dauphin East.
SEEING DOUBLE –
Central Mountain
twins Andrew and Dylan Alton will attempt to win 140 and 145
respectively. Andrew (45-0) puts his unblemished record on the line
against Hempfield (D-7) Area’s Jack
Bachman (47-1). Dylan (46-0) will attempt to win his second-straight
state championship against defending 145-pound state
champ Joey Napoli
of Cumberland
Valley.
Napoli, a senior, sports a
45-0 record.
NO RECORD –
Central Dauphin entered the semifinals with six wrestlers
still alive for gold. The Rams split their six matches leaving the
state record for individual champs in one
year intact at four. Clearfield
in 1941, Waynesburg in 1943, Lock Haven in 1961, North Allegheny in
1990 and the 2003
Northampton
squad all crowned four champs.
LEADING THE WAY –
with 11 finalists is District 7. The WPIAL
is guaranteed at least two champions as
all District 7 finals will take place at 103 and 125 pounds. At 103,
Derry Area freshman Jimmy Gulibon meets
Hempfield’s Paul
Bewak. The 125-pound final pits Greater
LAtrobesenior Nathan Pennesi
agains Wast
Mifflin junior Sam Sherlock.
END OF AN ERA --
This year’s finals marks the first time in ten
years that neither
Northampton or
Easton will crown a champion. The Red Rovers
and Konkrete Kids have combined for 55
state champions including 23 over the past decade.
ON THE TRACK FOR
THREE – While Dylan Alton looks to add the second
of a possible three state titles, earlier in the day
Shady Side
Academy
senior Dane Johnson scored an 11-3 major decision over
United’s Robert Henderson to win his
third title. Johnson became 25th to accomplish the feat.