Dtown West’s Findora, Kennett’s Pardo reach state quarters, 9 other locals alive
HERSHEY >> Downingtown West’s Dom Findora and Kennett’s John Pardo arrived at the PIAA Championships in Hershey in two different states of mind.
For Findora, this is his fourth and final trip to states, and the Giant Center is more of a familiar venue than an overwhelming atmosphere. For the sophomore, Pardo, in his first trip, it was more of the latter.
The vet did what was expected, while the newbie shook off those butterflies as the only two locals to reach quarterfinals in the Class 3A tournament. They will have two chances, Friday, to get one more win to clinch a state medal.
“My freshman year, I kind of accomplished my goal by getting here and won a match and I felt good,” Findora said. “Right now, I’m more prepared and feel like I’m wrestling at a high level. I’m excited to see what happens.”
In his opener, Findora (138 pounds) scored a first period takedown and rode Central York’s Carter Davis out before locking up a cradle in the second to finish him. Abington Heights freshman, Brian Heard, is next up with a trip to the semifinals, and a guaranteed top-six medal, on the line.
“I’m just staying focused,” Findora said. “I’m ready to wrestle the quarterfinals and take it one match at a time. I’m just trying to keep having fun with coach (Brad) Breese and the guys.”
Pardo (215) was a little more cautious in his opener against fellow sophomore, Ryan McMillan of Wilson (West Lawn). After a scoreless first, Pardo earned an escape early in the second and scored a takedown late in it to give him enough to hold on for a 3-2 win.
“I was very nervous,” Pardo said. “It’s definitely not the way I wanted to win but I’m just glad to get the win and move on to the next match.”
Up next for Pardo is Seneca Valley senior, Liam Volk-Klos. Pardo has a chance to become Kennett’s first sophomore to place.
“It feels good,” Pardo said. “I want to come back and get some more wins.”
Nine of the other 11 locals remain alive for day two. Southeast Regional champs, Carmen Cortese (120) of West Chester Henderson and Oxford’s Cannon Hershey (126) dropped their first bouts and will have to take the long way to the podium if they can get there.
Cortese fell to Father Judge’s Sean Logue, 7-3, while Hershey, who had to shed almost a pound before weigh-in, got pinned by Pine-Richland’s Anthony Ferraro, for his first loss of the season.
Henderson’s Billy Wilson (132) nearly saw his season and career end, down 7-0 to Spring Grove’s Ivan Vega in the second. Wilson reversed Vega to his back and finished him off late in the period.
“It means a lot,” said Wilson, who will get Bethlehem Liberty’s Javien DeLeon next. “I haven’t been wrestling my best, but I’m never out of a match. I knew if I stayed calm I could get something and I did.”
West Chester East’s Max Parnis (138), Conestoga’s Jake Allred (189) and Kennett’s Darrale Barrett (172) and Bailey Shindle (285) won their pigtail bouts but lost their first-round bouts, and will need to win two matches, Friday, to place.
West Chester Rustin’s Marek Seaman (172) fell victim to Manheim Township’s Kevin Olavarria, 7-2, in the first round, but cruised against Manheim Central’s Brett Barbush. He will face Quakertown’s Calvin Lachman, next.
Henderson’s Palmer Delaney (145) and Kennett’s Josh Barlow (160) were eliminated with two losses. Delaney finished his career with a record of 97-41.
Octorara’s Mike Trainor (145) won his first match and will face Boyertown’s Chance Babb in quarters.
