Hatboro-Horsham’s Dom Morrison, Owen J. Roberts’ Dillon Becthold win gold at 3A PIAA Championships

HERSHEY >> After coming so close the year prior, Owen J. Roberts’ senior Dillon Becthold couldn’t deny he looked ahead towards this moment during the season.

When Bechtold got his chance again, to compete for a title in the Class 3A PIAA Championships, he made sure to leave no doubts.

With a pin against Abington Heights’ Caleb Marzolino in the 215-pound final, Bechtold became the first Wildcat to win state gold since Dan Mancini in 2019.

Owen J. Roberts’ Dillon Bechtold gets in on a shot against Abington Heights’ Caleb Marzolino. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

“It was on my mind all year long, pretty much,” Bechtold said. “Usually I’m just looking at the next tournament or the next match, but definitely in the back of my mind it was just there the entire time.”

Bechtold finished runner-up as a junior and fifth as a sophomore, but he had two pins and was never threatened in the tournament.

Against Marzolino, Bechtold took a 2-0 lead into the second period before getting into a scramble. Bechtold maintained the high ground and Marzolino didn’t bail soon enough, getting stuck on his back for the fall three seconds before the period ended.

“You’re always a little nervous for big matches like that,” Becthold said. “I was able to keep my cool and score some points and come away with the win. It’s really awesome.”

Owen J. Roberts’ Dillon Bechtold pins Abington Heights’ Caleb Marzolino in the 215-pound final. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

Dillon’s younger brother Dean Bechtold (285) settled for second, losing by technical fall to Nazareth’s three-time state champ, Sean Kinney. Hatboro-Horsham’s Dom Morrison (107) was the only other Class 3A state champ from District 1.

For Dean, there was no shame in losing to the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament and he even received a word of encouragement from Kinney while they shook hands after the bout.

“He told me it’s alright and that I was a tough wrestler and that I’m gonna have the state title the next two years,” Dean said.

Owen J. Roberts’s Dean Bechtold locks up with Nazareth’s Sean Kinney in the 285-pound final. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

With six of the other seven heavyweight medalists graduating, Dean agrees with Kinney’s assessment.

“I think the next two years it’s gonna be my state title to lose,” Dean said.

Morrison will have high expectations in the future as well, but not more than what he placed on himself this season.

“I definitely expected it,” Morrison said. “I came in here full of confidence. This was my goal at the start of the season and I knew I could do it. I was No. 1 in the state before this and I proved it.”

Hatboro-Horsham’s Dom Morrison celebrates after winning the Class 3A 107-pound state title. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

Morrison finished his season with a 43-3 record, winning all four of his state matchups by decisions. In the finals, he took the lead on a locked-hands violation by Cedar Cliff’s Aiden Herndon and then escaped later in the second. Herndon was awarded a point when Morrison’s shoelaces came untied, resulting in his second stalling violation.

Morrison survived the final 17 seconds and became the Hatters’ first state champ since Dennis Merriam in 1975.

“My school isn’t really a wrestling school, so it’s amazing,” Morrison said. “I’m never gonna forget this moment.”

Hatboro-Horsham’s Dom Morrison celebrates after winning the Class 3A 107-pound state title. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

Ridley’s Curtis Nelson (107) and Quakertown’s Collin Gaj (152) were dealt losses in their finals matches.

Nelson led Norway’s Landon Sidun early but couldn’t hold on in a 6-3 decision.

Gaj nearly pulled off a takedown late in the third but couldn’t finish against always stingy Kollin Rath of Bethlehem Catholic.

Quakertown finished fourth in the team standings behind Beca, Nazareth and State College. Owen J. Roberts was a half-point behind the Panthers, in fifth place. Both District 1 schools set program-records for points scored at the state tournament, with 67 and 66.5, respectively.

Owen J. Roberts’ Dillon Bechtold smiles on top of the podium after winning the Class 3A 215-pound final. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)