Last weekend wrestlers from the Keystone State competed for a Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling Junior High State Championships. One of the toughest state championship events in the country, more than 500 youth wrestlers competed for state gold.
Leading the way was Mac Church of Waynesburg as he posted a perfect 5-0 record. He went unscored upon as he won two bouts by fall and three others by shutout decisions.
In the 97-pound bracket it was Jackson Arrington of Forest Hills who dominated his competition. He won three bouts by fall, another by shutout before using a 7-1 decision over Nico Taddy to win gold.
Erik Gibson of Forest Hills dominated the 140-pound bracket as he won two bouts by fall, one by shutout tech-fall, and another by shutout decision. He then took home the gold in thrilling fashion as he used a last second takedown to defeat Mac Stout 6-4.
Here is a look at the top place winners in each of the Junior High brackets:
77-pounds
Hunter Sloan of Central Bucks East took home the 77-pound title as he defeated Carson Wagner of Northampton in double overtime 4-2. Taking home the bronze was Zachary Jacaruso of Delaware Valley who defeated Hunter Johnson of Mifflin County 2-1 in the consolation finals.
82-pounds
Jacob VanDee of Union City took home the 82-pound title when he defeated Chad Ozias
Connellsville 5-2 in the championship bout. Wrestling back for third place was Nic Allison of Mifflin County who defeated Levi Donnel of Butler 3-0.
87-pounds
Tyler Kasak of Central Bucks East won the 87-pound title with a victory by fall over Conner Harer of Muncy in 2:21. Wrestling back for the bronze was Luke Simcox of Central Mountain as he defeated Easton Toth of Forest Hills 4-2.
92-pounds
The 92-pound champion was Mac Church of Waynesburg who used a third period escape to defeated Ty Watters of West Allegheny 1-0. Battling back for bronze was Scott Johnson of Muncy as he defeated Chris Arciuolo of Bethlehem 4-2.
97-pounds
Jackson Arrington of Forest Hills captured the 97-pound title as he defeated Nico Taddy of West Allegheny 7-1. Dante Frinzi of Quakertown won the consolation bracket with an 8-2 victory over Connor Pierce of Harborcreek.
102-pounds
The 102-pound title went to Cole Homet of Waynesburg who defeated Levi Haines of Biglervville 4-3. In the consolation bracket it was Braden Bower of Williamsport who defeated Jrake Burford of Highlands 10-3 to win the bronze.
107-pounds
Rocco Welsh of Waynesburg held onto a 3-2 decision to defeat Riley Bower of Williamsport for the 107-pound gold medal. Battling back for the bronze was Rune Lawrence of Frazier who defeated Kelin Laffey of Pine Richland 4-3.
112-pounds
Kole Biscoe of Southern Columbia used a 5-0 decision over Noah Teeter of Forest HIlls in the title bout to captured the 112-pound top spot. Brandon Chletsos of Easton rebounded to hold onto third as he defeated Dylan Bruch of Elizabeth Forward 8-0.
117-pounds
Winning the 117-pound championship was Hunter Mays of Pennsbury. Mays impressed in the finals as he defeated Nolan Daerr of Hempfield 13-3 in the championship bout. In the consolation finals it was Colton Stoneking of Waynesburg who defeated Marek Seaman of West Chester Rustin 3-1.
124-pounds
Jared Keslar of Connellsville took home the gold medal when he defeated Nick Foster of East Stroudsburg 4-3. Wrestling back for the bronze was Brian Allen of Abington who used a late escape to defeat Luke Moore of Chestnut Ridge 3-2.
132-pounds
Grant MacKay of North Allegheny used a third period escape to capture the 132-pound title over Jake Rimpa of Fort Laboeuf 1-0. Matthew Chase of Wilkes-Barre Area wrestled back for the bronze as he defeated Isaiah Wright of Daniel Boone 5-0.
140-pounds
Erik Gibson of Forest Hills used a last second takedown to defeat Mac Stout of Mount Lebanon 6-4. Wesley Barnes of Southern Columbia won the bronze with an 11-3 victory over Mark McGonigal of Clearfield.
147-pounds
The 147-pound championship was awarded to Gavin Garcia of Southern Columbia as he defeated Nicholas Feldman of Solanco 7-3. Wrestling back for the bronze was Jack Pletcher of Latrobe as he defeated Alex Taylor of Bellwood Antis 9-5.
157-pounds
Winning the 157-pound championship was Ty Nixon of Muncy who defeated Campbell Walls of Hollidaysburg 12-5. Alijah Wheeler of Bermudian Springs claimed the bronze when he defeated Brock White Jr. of Burrell 3-0.
167-pounds
Cole Weightman of Belle Vernon claimed the 167-pound title when he defeated Elijah Selling of Jersey Shore 4-1. Noah Tustin of Waynesburg captured the bronze medal with an 8-3 decision over John Campbell of Cathedral Prep.
187-pounds
Brayden Roscosky of Kiski Area used two takedowns in the third period to defeat Logan Harmon of Apollo Ridge 4-3. Jeffrey Meader of Lake Lehman used a takedown with :03 seconds left in the third to win the bronze medal 2-1 over Oliver Billotte of Clearfield.
212-pounds
The 212-pound championship was won by Kolby Franklin of DuBois as he defeated Ty Banco of Trinity 17-2. Wrestling back to win the bronze was Brayden Crocker of Oil City who defeated Andrew Sampson of Moon by fall in :37.
252-pounds
Altoona’s Trevor Manley captured the 252-pound title with a victory by fall in 4:11 over Dyer Stine of Southern Columbia. Stone Joseph of Kisik Area battled back for the bronze as he defeated Dakota Marion of Belle Vernon 4-3.
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