HERSHEY — On the first day of the PIAA tournament, just getting to day two is really all that matters.
It doesn’t have to look pretty, or even textbook, and Oxford’s David Cox (160 pounds) was proof of that, Thursday.
Cox was one of four locals to reach the Class AAA quarterfinals at the Giant Center in Hershey. Downingtown East’s Wade Cummings (126), Conestoga’s Dan Iredale (160) and West Chester Rustin’s Costas Hatzipavlides (182) also won their first round bouts, and Cox did it with some unorthodox flair.
Trailing 2-0 quickly in the first period against the Northeast region’s champ, Cade Moisey of Northampton, Cox was able to score a takedown with his leg, prying Moisey backwards for a pair of near-fall points as well.
“(Moisey) shot in on a single and I was trying to get funky and caught him in a half nelson with my foot,” said Cox, who won, 8-2. “It’s something I practice a lot because I have great coaches.”
Cox will face Mifflin County’s Trent Hidlay in quarters when that round starts at 2:15 p.m., today.
Iredale, like the other quarterfinalists, are a win away from a state medal, but there are no easy matches on day two.
Conestoga’s Dan Iredale works against Waynesburg Central’s Kyle Homet in a 3-2 win. (Nate Heckenberger – For Digital First Media)
The Stoga senior scored a late takedown against Waynesburg Central’s Kyle Homet for a 3-2 win, the first at states for a Pioneer since 2003.
“I knew coming into the tournament, it’s the top 20 kids in Pennsylvania and everyone knows how good PA wrestling is,” said Iredale, who gets returning sixth-place medalist Bailey Shutt of Lower Dauphin next. “My coaches have been telling me all the matches here are pretty close, and going into the second with the score 0-0 is no big deal. It’s going to be like that and come down to a takedown or two. Usually I’m pretty slow my first match of tournaments, for whatever reason, but I’m happy I came away with the win.”
Hatzipavlides knocked off a regional champ, also, bettering Altoona’s Brinton Simington, 3-1. The Rustin senior won his preliminary match and then used a takedown in the final ticks of the second to earn him the win that sets up a matchup with Chambersburg’s Drew Peck.
“(The late takedown) got me the lead, of course, but I never like to sit on a lead,” Hatzipavlides said. “I was still thinking to score, but I knew I had some breathing room.”
Cummings got a good tuneup in the first round, using seven takedowns to engineer a technical fall
Downingtown East’s Wade Cummings collects near-fall points against Hazleton’s Chris Lasecki on his way to a technical fall. (Nate Heckenberger – For Digital First Media)
over Chris Lasecki of Hazelton. Next up is the top-ranked 126-pounder in the state, Tyshawn White of Central Dauphin. It’s the second straight year Cummings gets the top-ranked kid in quarters.
“It’s motivation,” Cummings said. “I have nothing to lose and I’m going to let it fly. I’m right there with everyone, and if I wrestle my match get to my offense it shouldn’t be a problem.”
Avon Grove’s Kevin Edwards (145) and Vince Walls (285), Coatesville’s Chase Stephens (152), Downingtown West’s Cole Zapf (170) and Rustin’s Isaiah Spriggs (220) are still alive in the consolation bracket and will have to win two straight bouts to place.
Edwards, who placed fifth at regionals, wasn’t even supposed to be in the tournament if not for an injury to Pottstown’s Bryant Wise. Now he has a chance for a medal and will get East Pennsboro’s Matt Danner next.
“It’s kinda like getting second life, knowing I wasn’t supposed to be here,” Edwards said. “I got here on a technicality, so no one expects a lot from me, so that takes away the pressure and I can just go out and have fun.”
Church Farm School’s Sebastian Corrales. (Nate Heckenberger – For Digital First Media)
Sebastian Corrales (113) was the first qualifier first qualifier from Church Farm since 2011, but his trip ended after two straight losses.
“I’m glad I got here my freshman year and I’m looking forward to next year and the years after that,” Corrales said.
Downingtown East’s James Strommer (113) and Alec Horne (160) had their careers end in Hershey with two losses, and Downingtown West’s Doug Zapf (106) and Conestoga’s Kade LaMarre (220) were also eliminated.
