POTTSTOWN – Two local wrestlers survived the rigors of the two-day Southeast Regional AAA Tournament at Pottstown’s Strom Gymnasium on Feb. 28 and March 1 to advance to the PIAA State Championships March 6-8 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Spring-Ford junior 113-pounder Ryan Hayes placed second for a silver medal, and Perkiomen Valley senior 160-pounder Nick Giangiulio earned a third-place bronze medal at regionals to land berths at states.
Spring-Ford finished fifth in team scoring with 39 points on a day that also saw Pioneer Athletic Conference counterpart Boyertown placed first with 91 pointers and another PAC-10 school, Owen J. Roberts, notch third with 51 counters.
Pennridge came in second with 80.5 markers while Council Rock South finished fourth with 41 to complete the top five schools.
Hayes fell to Owen J. Roberts junior Derek Gulotta, 9-3, in the championship finals in rematches of the PAC-10 and District 1-AAA West tourney finals. It marked the eighth edition of the Hayes-Gulotta confrontation, and Gulotta has won every time, although some of the bouts have been close.
After a scoreless first period, Hayes started in the down postion to start the second period and scored with an escape point. But Gulotta turned the tide with a headlock move that produced a two-point takedown and three-point near fall prior to the end of the second period. Gulotta (33-5) tacked on two more takedowns in the third stanza as well as an escape point while Hayes also managed an escape point.
Still, overall, Hayes (37-7) achieved his goal of earning a trip to Hershey for the state tournament.
“That was my goal, to get to states,’ said Hayes. “It came back down that way. I took it to Derek. I did my best, but it just was his match, like last week. I had a good feeling up off of last year and not placing at all to winning and finishing runner-up. Every match he comes up on top. I was more excited before the match because I knew I was going to Hershey.
“My mindset was never down. He got me with the headlock. He capitalizes on my mistakes, but it is close every time.’
In the quarterfinals, Hayes beat Pennsbury sophomore Connor Joyce on a 10-1 major decision. In the semifinals, Hayes decisioned Upper Perkiomen junior Dustin Steffenino, 5-2. Steffenino went on to place third for a bronze medal with a 4-1 verdict against Joyce in the consolation finals. So Steffenino was also headed to Hershey for states.
