HERSHEY >> After two grueling days of action, six area wrestlers have moved into the the semifinals at the PIAA Class AAA championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Pennridge, Owen J. Roberts and Quakertown each have a pair of wrestlers still alive in the hunt for a coveted Pennsylvania State Championships.
For Pennridge, Colby Martinelli (107) worked a second period tilt for three near fall to mark the difference in a 4-2 win over Nicholas Salamone of Easton. Martinelli had reached the quarterfinals with a one minute fall over Eirn Montoya of Mount Lebanon. Martinnelli will face Luke Siriani of Abington Heights in semis.
Colby Martinelli of Pennridge ties up with Easton’s Nick Salamone in their 107-pounf quarterfinal (BILL RUDICK for MediaNews Group)
“It was a goal of mine to get a medal, not I want to see if I can get on the top of the podium,” said Martinelli. “Once I got the claw in, I knew I’d get the tilt, and I wasn’t going to give up the lead.”
The Rams Talan Hogan stormed to a dominant 11-3 victory over JP McCaskey’s Kevin Olivaria to move on following a 5-2 first round win over Mifflin County’s Avery Aurand.
Penridge’s Talan Hogan smiles as the clock ticks down to zeroes in his quarterfinal win over McCaskey’s Kevin Olivarian (BILL RUDICK for MediaNews Group)
Quakertown’s Mason Ziegler (121) put on a takedown clinic late, scoring three of them in the final two and a half minutes to earn a 7-3 quarterfinal victory over Hunter Johnson of Mifflin County. Up next for Ziegler is Dean House of Daniel Boone.
Quakertown’s Mason Zigler scores a takedown at the edge in his 121-pound bout. (BILL RUDICK for MediaNews Group)
“I didn’t come hear just to get a medal,” said Ziegler. “The only thing I’m focused on is gold. I felt really good late in the match, because I know there is no one that can out last me.”
Ziegler’s teammate, Collin Gaj (145), has been dominant thus far, outscoring the opposition 16-3 in two matches, including an 11-2 major decision over Nico Taddy of West Allegheny in the quarters. Looming in semis is Central Dauphins Matt Repos.
The Panthers’ Calvin Lachman also reached the quarterfinals, but was eliminated. Lachman dropped a 12-5 to Sonny Sasso of Nazareth in the quarters, and then lost 6-4 to Penn Trafford’s Owen Ott in the consolations.
For Owen J Roberts, the Bechtold brothers, Dean (189) and Dillon (215) will both be looking to continue the path to a state title after quarterfinal wins. Dean was up 2-1 late in the second when his opponent, Vaughn Spencer of Pine Richland, was forced to injury default.
Owen J Roberts’ Dean Bechtold picks up a takedown over Pine-Richland’s Vaughn Spencer in their 189-pound quarterfinal (BILL RUDICK for MediaNews Group)
Dillon Bechtold is unscored upon in the tournament, having outscored his opponents 16-0, including a 5-0 shutout of Armstrong’s Connor Davis in quarters. Up next for Bechtold is a showdown with JP McCaskey’s Jose Garcia.
OJR’s Dillon Bechtold is in control of his 215-pound quarterfinal against Armstrong’s Connor Jacobs (BILL RUDICK for MediaNews Group)
“This is the kind of tournament and outcome Dillon works for all year,” said Owen J Roberts coach Steve DeRafelo. “Dillon is wrestling really well here. Both he and Dean are at this all year long to put themselves in position to be right where they are.”
The Wildcats’ Sam Gautreau (152) will also be bringing home hardware. After falling to Northampton’s Dagen Condommitti in the quarterfinals, Gautreau rebounded with a blood round win. Clinging to a 3-1 lead late in the third, Gautreau scored at takedown in the final seconds to earn a 5-1 victory over Bode Marlow of Thomas Jefferson.
“Even though I got in on the shot, I knew I had to keep running my feet to get the takedown,” said Gautreau. “It’s great to know we’ve got three of us medalling. We are always pushing each other in the room, and supporting each other.”
Other locals that earned a spot on the podium with wins in the consolations are Perkiomen Valley’s Max Tancini (107) and Gavin Pascoe (160), along with Boyertown’s Gavin Sheridan (133).
In class AA action, Faith Christian has all but wrapped up the team title, with two wrestlers in the championship finals, and another seven coming home with medals.
Guage Botero gets the takedown in his semi-final bout at 121 (BILL RUDICK for MediaNews Group)
Gauge Botero (121) and Adam Waters (172) each earned their slot in the gold medal match with pins in the semi-finals. Botero will square off against Montgomery’s Brandt Harer, while Waters will face Holden Garcia of Notre Dame-Green Pond.
Adam Waters picks up the fall in his 172-pound semi-final (BILL RUDICK for MediaNews Group)
Wrestling for third place are Chase Hontz (139) and Cael Weidemoyer (152). Kole Davidheiser (107), Mason Wagner (133) and Luke Sugalski (160) will wrestle for fifth place, while Arment Waltnbach (127) and Jason Singer (189) are in seventh place bouts.
Faith Christian leads second-place Notre Dame-Green Pond 127-93 headed into the medal rounds.
