Marshall Peppelman of Central Dauphin

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(The Patriot-News)

PITTSBURGH - So much for two in a row.

A year ago, the Pennsylvania All-Stars shocked the high school wrestling elite from around the United States during the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic. But this year was different.

The U.S. contingent scored sweet revenge on the floor at the Fitzgerald Fieldhouse at the Unversity of Pittsburgh, by crushing the best from the Keystone State 30-13.

This one was essentially in the bag with four matches to go. But there was a highlight from one midstate wrestler.

In the third-to-last match of the evening, Central Dauphin's Marshall Peppelman scored a 1-0 decision over Ohio 160-pound champion Nick Sulzer.

After a scoreless first period, Peppelman rode Sulzer out in the second before escaping in the third. Peppelman was poised to increase his advantage to 3-0 with a takedown, but the buzzer went off, completing the match.

Boiling Springs' Joe Spisak battled in his 130 bout before dropping a 3-1 decision to Ohio three-time champion Jamie Clark.

Winners for Pennsylvania were Selinsgrove's Spencer Myers at 215, Central Mountain's Andrew Alton at 145 and Council Rock South's Josh Dziewa at 135.

Central Mountain's Penn State-bound Dylan Alton dropped a 7-6 decision to Michigan three-time state champ Jackson Morse in which Morse hit a controversial takedown at the side of the mat when the buzzer went off in the third period.

Former Cumberland Valley standout Mike Evans, who transferred to Blair Academy and was representing New Jersey at 171, defeated Council Rock North's Jamie Callender 8-5.

In the preliminary match, New York topped the WPIAL All Stars 26-21.

Tyler Buckman right, of Central Dauphin reverses Steve Spearman left, of McDowell.

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(JOHN C. WHITEHED, The Patriot-News)

It’s only 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, it’s rainy, dreary and incredibly windy, yet the string of automobile headlights lined up on Hersheypark Drive heading for Giant Center stretches from the arena’s intersection beyond the crest of the hill more than a half-mile back.
   
Had one of the six mats used during the PIAA Wrestling Championships been outside, the wind could have rolled it up and rolled it over to Hersheypark Arena, where the championships used to be conducted.
   
But it was the Class AAA semifinals these 8,000 fans wanted to see and little was going to stop them.
   
For good reason. The Triple-A semis are by far the highlight of the eight-session, three-day event. This year’s talent level was Triple-A squared.
   
Check out these champions’ college choices: Josh Dziewa to Iowa. Josh Kindig to Oklahoma State. Mitchell Port to Division I Edinboro. The Alton twins to Penn State. Marshall Peppelman to Cornell. Spencer Myers to Maryland. Evan Craig to Rider.
   
That’s a small sampling.
   
So next year, when you’re en route to the tournament and someone asks you for directions to Giant Center, the answer is simple: “Practice, practice, practice.”
   
How popular is this PIAA event, you ask? I can tell you.
   
Pennlive.com received 442,645 page views for the wrestling coverage over the three days. There were 2,300 people involved in online chats, and they sent more than 3,000 messages.
   
That shows the passion not only statewide, but one person online was in China and another in Florida.
   
However, what would a tournament that draws that much attention and was witnessed by 57,000 fans be without a complaint? I just happen to have one.
   
If you’re a wrestler and you’ve just lost a match, have the decency to shake your opponent’s hand. Look him in the eye and shake his hand. Don’t slap at his hand, don’t offer your left hand, don’t turn your back and throw your hand at his, possibly hitting it, possibly not.
   
Grow up and shake his hand. Losing a match won’t be the worst thing that will happen to you in your life.
   
Having said that, a tip of the mat to Central Dauphin’s Tyler Buckman, the 130-pound senior who lost a heartbreaking finals match to Erie McDowell sophomore Steve Spearman.
   
Buckman not only shook Spearman’s hand, he gave him a pat on the shoulder. And after the two shook the hands of the opposing coaches, Buckman stopped Spearman at the side of the mat and hugged him.
   
The fans appreciated the quality of the match, and they let them know afterward with rousing applause. They also appreciated the sportsmanship.
   
I wouldn’t call this a complaint because you’d have to be a fool to complain about Andrew Alton of Central Mountain, voted the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler.
   
But I would have voted for heavyweight Craig of Abington Heights. He won his second title by pinning four straight opponents. He’s not yet at the already collegiate level of the Alton twins or CD’s Peppelman, but he’s getting mighty close.
   
And if ever there was a year to start an Outstanding Runner-up award, my vote would go to CD’s Buckman.
   
Another tip of the mat to the four District 12 (Philadelphia city schools) wrestlers who earned medals.
   
Shane Springer of La Salle College was runner-up to Dylan Alton at 152. Casey Kent of La Salle lost his first match and won five straight bouts to place third at 125. Only two other wrestlers did that, and it’s quite a feat.
   
Nick Bongard of Monsignor Bonner was sixth at 119, and Anthony White of Northeast Catholic was seventh at 140.
   
Lest you think that Saturday night marked the end of the season, think again. The season will be capped off Saturday with the Dapper Dan Classic at the Pitt Field House.
   
Joe Spisak of Boiling Springs and CD’s Peppelman are part of a Pennsylvania all-star team that will take on a team of stars from around the United States.
   
It’s a prestigious event, one which the USA has dominated as of late. This year could be different.
   
Spisak will face Jamie Clark, a three-time Ohio champion from St. Edwards with a career record of 128-8. Clark is heading for Illinois; Spisak, for Virginia.
   
Peppelman will meet Nick Sulzer, also from St. Edwards and a one-time champ who is 146-17 and headed for UVa.
   
Other matches that should be quite interesting include Andrew Alton against Joe Cozart (226-4), a four-time Florida champ headed for Iowa State; Dylan Alton against Jackson Morse (184-9), a three-time Michigan champ headed for Illinois, and Craig against Bobby Telford (116-40), a two-time Delaware champ en route to Iowa.
   
Mike Evans of Blair Academy in New Jersey by way of Cumberland Valley is on the U.S. team and is set to face Jamie Callender of Council Rock North. Evans also is headed for Iowa next season.
   
The match begins at 8 p.m. It will be preceded at 6 p.m. by a match between a team of WPIAL (Pittsburgh suburbs) all-stars and a team of New York state stars.
   
If you’re not wrestled out, the NCAA Championships begin today in Omaha, Neb. Plenty of action will be on ESPNU Friday (10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.) and Saturday (11 a.m.), and the finals are 7:30 p.m. Saturday on ESPN.

One week after competing for a state gold medal at the PIAA
Class AAA Wrestling Championships in Hershey, Pa., Liberty
High School senior Anthony Marino will head west for the
36th annual Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic in Pittsburgh.
Marino, the runner-up at 119 pounds at last Saturdays
state tournament, will meet three-time Ohio champion Ty Rich
of Aurora in Saturday nights USA vs. Pennsylvania
showdown at the University of Pittsburghs Fitzgerald
Field House.
The all-star event starts at 8 p.m., and is preceded by the
New York vs. West Pennsylvania matchup.
Marino, who compiled a 128-22 career record, lost 8-4 to
undefeated Nico Megaludis of Franklin Regional in the PIAA
final. Marino is the District 11 and Northeast Regional
champion.
Rich finished high school with a 163-22 record and plans to
continue his wrestling career at Virginia Tech.
Three-time Pennsylvania champions Dylan Alton of Central
Mountain at 152 pounds and Marshall Peppelman of Central
Dauphin at 160 headline the Keystone States team.
Blair Academy will be represented by two wrestlers on the
USA squad. Cornell recruit Chris Villalonga is scheduled to
compete at 140 pounds and Iowa recruit Mike Evans is the
189-pounder.
Terry Havelka of Burgettstown and Chris Mary of Canon
McMillan will coach the Pennsylvania team.
Michael Blouse can be reached at 800-360-3601 or
mblouse@express-times.com. Talk about sports in the region
at lehighvalleylive.com/forums.

Marshall Peppelman of Central Dauphin will be remembered

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(JOHN C. WHITEHEAD, The Patriot-News)

Walking out of Giant Center late Saturday night and into the bluster and drizzle, it was the perfect time to reflect on the events that occurred over the high school wrestling season.

At first, there was some anxiety taking over for longtime wrestling writer and colleague Rod Frisco, someone who has a limitless knowledge of the sport and has been a staple for 25 years.

But after a while, things settled down and I was able to get a grasp of what was going on. Along the way, the wrestling community was patient and provided great moments that won’t soon be forgotten, at least not from this side of the room.

My mind wondered to an epic dual meet between Central Mountain and Central Dauphin in the state semifinal dual that many experts rank above and beyond anything they have ever seen. That match alone sold me on team wrestling.

But by the time I reached down to open my car door, my thoughts shifted to what was witnessed on the floor of Giant Center over the last three days during the PIAA Wrestling Championships, where members of the 2009-2010 class of local wrestlers made memorable runs and solidified legacies.

It will be a long time before anyone forgets Central Dauphin’s Marshall Peppelman.

The 160-pound superstar displayed his power by standing West Allegheny’s Troy Reaghard straight up on his back like one of those buoys that bounced up and down in the ocean and pinned him in 3:02.

It was the perfect end to a career that included three straight individual state titles, six team titles, Powerade and Beast of the East championships and a district record 181 wins.

All were accomplished with a touch of class.

"I can’t name one moment out of all the success I had — the team titles, the individual titles — each is a moment all in itself," Peppelman said. "These are all memories that I can look back on that will last a lifetime."

Potential was also realized and completed in the Rams’ camp during this state tournament.

Kenny Courts came in as a highly touted freshman, got hurt and missed states and then came back to finish second last year as a sophomore. You could just sense at the beginning of this season, he was going to complete his mission.

He did, beating Cumberland Valley’s Tristan Warner in the final — not an easy task — to give the Rams back-to-back gold medals at 160 and 171.

"It’s been an amazing ride," the lightning-quick Courts said. "I’ve worked so hard since last year’s loss, especially on improving on the bottom, and it feels great to get something that I’ve worked so hard for."

And no one will forget CD’s Tyler Buckman and his unbelievable match against McDowell’s Steve Spearman in the 130-pound final. It was easily the best match of all the finals, Class AA or Class AAA.

Watching Buckman on the mat is fun any time. Whether he is leading or trailing, this guy can pull athletic moves that just captivate and wow a crowd.

"It’s been a pleasure coaching these kids," CD head coach Jeff Sweigard said. "They earned everything they got. Besides all the medals, they go out and work hard.

"They came up through the program together. They do the extra training, the extra lifting and they are all buddies and get a long."

But this season wasn’t just about Central Dauphin and its wrestlers. Not by a long shot.

How about Cumberland Valley’s Shawn Greevy? Was there a wrestler that showed more guts and moxie this season than this guy, coming back from an ugly knee injury in December to get a silver medal at 135?

No way.

The Eagles’ Warner should be commended for his efforts. He lived in Courts’ shadow most of the season and kept racking up impressive wins. He never wilted under pressure and if not for Courts, he would be the one celebrating a state championship.

A new star also stepped to the forefront this season in the form of East Pennsboro’s Zachary Nye.

Some speculated —- we took a wait-and-see attitude —- that he feasted on Capital Division competition and didn’t have the chops to hold up against the heavy hitters in Class AAA.

Wrong.

Fact is, Nye is legit. His speed and his tactical wrestling ability netted him a silver at states. One more offensive flurry or counter, and he beats Selinsgrove’s Spencer Myers for the gold.

"It was a goal, and is really everyone’s goal, to win a state title," Nye said. "But my expectations weren’t exactly to be a state runner-up.

"I’m proud of what I did this year. I’m disappointed with the end, but happy with the season."

Don’t worry, Zach, you will be in the hunt next season. And no doubt it will be fun to watch.

A special thanks also goes out to Boiling Springs’ Joe Spisak. This kid is classy and took some tough defeats in three seasons before reaching the top of the podium on Saturday afternoon at 130.

No one deserved it more.

The regular season was also dotted with great team matches. Big Spring and Mechanicsburg, Mechanicsburg and Chambersburg and Big Spring and Mechanicsburg again. See the trend here? That young Wildcats squad is going to be a handful during the 2010-2011 season.

Stay tuned.

Central Dauphin to Cumberland Valley, Middletown to Mechanicsburg and all the wrestlers in between, it was a great season.

And I can’t wait for the next one.

Tyler Buckman vs. Steve Spearman was the event's top match

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(JOHN C. WHITEHEAD, The Patriot-News)

1.  WILDCATS REVENGE: After falling short in the team championships, it only seems fitting that Central Mountain win the team title in the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships. The Wildcats were led by Andrew and Dylan Alton, who won titles at 145 and 152, but also had two other placers to break Central Dauphin’s streak of six straight team titles.

2.  CRAIG IS KING HOSS: When you look at Abington Heights’ Evan Craig, you see a big guy who looks like he doesn’t have much athletic ability. Ah, that is the first mistake. Craig has that and more, proving it by pinning every one of his opponents on the way to a second straight state title at 285.

3.  BEST IN SHOW: If the Class AAA and Class AA finals were the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the match between Central Dauphin’s Tyler Buckman and McDowell’s Steve Spearman was the top entry — by far. It had twists, turns, suspense and drama all wrapped into one, and the crowd showed appreciation with a postmatch ovation.

4.  NICE GUYS FINISH FIRST: Boiling Springs’ Joe Spisak is a friendly and respectful kid that keeps his nose clean and works hard. He is the poster child for what this sport is really about, and it was good to see him get rewarded for his four years of tireless work with a state title.

5.  LEGACY CEMENTED: It isn’t often that you catch a glimpse of someone so developed and so accomplished at their craft that they are in a class of their own. But Central Dauphin’s Marshall Peppelman getting his arm raised after a pin in the finals for a third straight state title seemed like an appropriate ending.

HERSHEY, Pa. | If Liberty High School senior Anthony Marino
had one wish for his final day at the PIAA Class AAA
Wrestling Championships, it was to let it fly.
Marino did that in Saturdays night 119-pound
championship bout, matching Franklin Regional junior Nico
Megaludis point-for-point through the first two periods. It
was almost enough.
Anthony held nothing back, Liberty coach Jody
Karam said. I think he maybe got a little bit tired in
the third period because he went so hard in the first two
periods.
Megaludis took control with five points in the third and
went on to win his second consecutive state championship
with an 8-4 decision.
Marino joined Nazareth junior Zach Horan as the top two
finishers from The Express-Times region. Horan, who fell to
undefeated Bellefonte senior Mitchell Port in the 125 final,
won a state silver medal for the third consecutive year.
Blue Mountain senior Josh Kindig, who earned the 140-pound
title with an 8-3 decision over Pittsburgh Central
Catholics Lorenzo Thomas, was the only District 11
wrestler to win a PIAA Class AAA title for the second year
in a row.
Megaludis scored the first takedown against Marino but the
Hurricane reversed him in the second period and the two went
into the third tied at 3. Then Megaludis, who finished the
season at 36-0, seemed to find another gear.
We let it fly, Marino said. He was the
better wrestler tonight. I knew what he was coming in to
this. Im not going to run from anybody.
Marino ended his career at 128-22 overall a record that
includes a 2009 fifth-place medal at states. A District 11
and Northeast Regional champ this year, hes headed to
Bloomsburg.
I would say he progressed as the years and weeks went
by, Karam said. Thats all you can ask.
Hes a better wrestler than when he came in and
thats a credit to Libertys assistant coaches and
his partners in the room.
Coincidentally, Megaludis was the same wrestler who beat
Horan in overtime in last years 112 state final.
Horan has faced extremely tough competitors in the finals
ever since his freshman year when he ran into a senior
103-pounder, Council Rock Souths Mark Rappo. This
time, Horan took on Bellefonte senior Mitchell Port.
Horan took down Port 42 seconds into the first period but
Port escaped and added a takedown of his own with 10 seconds
left in the period. Port, who improved to 45-0 for the
season, added one last takedown at the edge of the mat with
four seconds remaining for a 6-3 decision.
Its just heartbreaking, Nazareth coach
Dave Crowell said. I just feel so bad for him. He puts
his life into it. But, like I told him, you are not defined
by the score of one wrestling match. Hes defined by
the person hes become.
Hes become a great team man. While we would
like to win every wrestling match, if its me, those
kinds of other things matter more.
In other Class AAA finals action, the Central Mountain
brother duo of Andrew Alton and Dylan Alton finished their
careers with a combined five state titles. Andrew, a
145-pounder, took his second title with a technical fall
over West Alleghenys Aaron McKinney. Dylan won his
third consecutive state gold medal with an 11-4 decision
over La Salles Shane Springer at 152.
Eleven other wrestlers from the Express-Times region earned
medals in Class AAA.
In the consolation rounds, Eastons Mark Hartenstine
and Northamptons Austin Sommer both closed their
careers with their best state finishes. Hartenstine, who
placed eighth last year, defeated Garnet Valleys
Joseph Marino 5-0 for the bronze medal at 140. Sommer, a
seventh-place finisher in 2009, beat Kiski Areas Zack
Shannon 5-2 for third at 152.
Nazareth 145-pounder Ryan Krecker won a fourth-place medal
for the second year in a row. Northampton senior Jordan
Glykas won his first state medal, a fourth at 125.
Easton sophomore Mitch Minotti, who decisioned Pleasant
Valleys Jordan Toledo in both the District 11 and
Northeast Regional finals, earned a 4-0 win over Toledo for
fifth at 130. Liberty junior Anthony Cabera beat
Eastons Evan DiSora 3-0 in the fifth-place match at
103; Cabrera defeated DiSora by that same score in both the
district and regional finals.
Libertys Devon Lotito (seventh at 112),
Parklands Tarik Haddad (eighth at 189) and Wade Rivera
(fifth at 160) and Whitehalls Taray Carey (sixth at
215) also claimed medals in Class AAA.
Beth Hudson can be reached at sports@express-times.com.

HERSHEY, Pa. | Mark Hartenstine kept a positive outlook on
his wrestling career past and future after a third-place
finish at Saturdays PIAA Wrestling Championships at
the Giant Center.
The Easton Area High School senior dropped a 2-0 decision
at 140 pounds to Pittsburgh Central Catholics Lorenzo
Thomas in the Class AAA semifinal round, but bounced back to
earn the state bronze medal. Hartenstine defeated Joseph
Marino of Garnet Valley 5-0 in the third-place bout.
The semifinals were kind of a bummer, said
Hartenstine, who finished his season with a 44-3 record.
Definitely, I wanted to be in the state final and
hopefully win gold.
Hartenstine ends his otherwise outstanding Red Rovers
career without a postseason title.
He lost to Blue Mountains Josh Kindig, the No.
2-ranked 140-pounder in the nation according to Intermat, in
both the District 11 and Northeast Regional finals.
Theres always next year, Hartenstine
said. Ill wrestle at Maryland, and the NCAA
Tournament is even bigger than this. Its not like
its too late to win that title.
Hartenstine expects to compete at 141 pounds in college but
said he could redshirt next season.
Red Rovers teammate Mitch Minotti, a sophomore, defeated
Pleasant Valleys Jordan Toledo 4-0 in a fifth-place
consolation at 130 pounds.
Northampton senior Austin Sommer captured the bronze medal
at 152 pounds and earned plenty of respect with his
semifinal performance.
Sommer took two-time defending state champion Dylan Alton
of Central Mountain to the limit before suffering a 10-6
setback. The Konkrete Kids standout was within 8-6 in the
third period but allowed a late takedown.
Most kids who wrestle him go out knowing theyll
lose, said Sommer, who was 40-5 this season.
Id seen him all over the Internet pinning
opponents in 20 or 30 seconds, but nobodys unbeatable.
I thought, Why not? I felt like I wrestled
well.
Sommer defeated Zack Shannon of Kiski Area 5-2 in the
third-place consolation.
Other Class AAA medalists included Libertys Anthony
Cabrera, fifth at 103, and Devon Lotito, seventh at 112;
Eastons Evan DiSora, sixth at 103; Northamptons
Jordan Glykas, fourth at 125; and Nazareths Ryan
Krecker, fourth at 145.
Pen Argyl freshman Mikey Racciato came through with a
superb performance in the Class AA meet.
He placed third at 130 pounds, pinning Shamokins
Brandon Pesarchick in overtime in 5:42 to earn the bronze.
His only loss was a 9-8 decision to eventual runner-up Frank
Martellotti of Shady Side Academy in the semifinals.
Its pretty cool to finish third as a
freshman, said Racciato, who finished 45-5. My
goal now is to do better and better until I win it. ... I
really hope to get the gold medal one year. Its tough,
though, because this year I was only one point from the
final.
Mikey Racciato is one of four Green Knights to leave
Hershey with state medals. Senior Phil Racciato finished
sixth at 145 pounds, junior Jamie Welsh was eighth at 112
and freshman Matty Williams placed sixth at 103.
Other Class AA medalists included Pius Xs Anthony
Bilotta, fifth at 103 pounds, and Luke DeLuise, seventh at
171; Northern Lehighs trio of Nikko Stevens, sixth at
135, Craemer Hedash, sixth at 152, and Colin Hedash, fifth
at 171; and Catasauquas Curtis Garner, fifth at 215.
Michael Blouse can be reached at 800-360-3601 or
mblouse@express-times.com. Talk about sports in the region
at lehighvalleylive.com/forums.

Central Dauphin's Marshall Peppelman won his third straight PIAA title with a pin against West Allegheny's Troy Reaghard.

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(JOHN C. WHITEHEAD, The Patriot-News)

Results and quick recaps from each match of the PIAA Class AAA championship finals.

103 POUNDS
In an ultimate tie breaker fourth overtime, Canon McMillan's Conner Schram burst out of the grasp of Hempfield's Austin Miller to win a, let's say, 'tentative' 103-pound final. The wrestlers exchanged escapes in the first and second periods and did little from their feet on their way to a four-overtime marathon.

112 POUNDS
Derry Area's Jimmy Gulibon won his second PIAA title in as many years, putting on a clinic from his feet in a 12-5 decision over Blue Mountain's Corey Keener. Gulibon struck twice in the first period and never trailed to finish his season with a 36-1 record and state gold.

119 POUNDS
Franklin Regional's Nico Megaludis out-lasted Liberty's Anthony Marino, using constant pressure in the final period to win an 8-4 decision. Megaludis, the state champ at 112 pounds last season, scored a late takedown to put the finishing touches on the victory.

125 POUNDS
Bellefonte's Mitchell Port and Nazareth's Zachary Horan went back and forth in a match jam-packed with action. Port got the better end of some wild flurries and came away with a 6-3 win.

130 POUNDS
A wild ride from start to finish, McDowell's Steve Spearman scored an emphatic late takedown to topple Central Dauphin's Tyler Buckman 7-6 in rideout time. Buckman escaped to take a 6-5 lead, but surrendered the winning takedown and just missed turning Spearman for back points in the final seconds.

135 POUNDS
Council Rock South's Josh Dziewa finished his dominant run through the 135 bracket, making short work of Cumberland Valley's Shawn Greevy with a first-period pin. Dziewa won two matches by fall and out-scored his other two opponents 7-0 in capturing the gold.

140 POUNDS
Blue Mountain's Josh Kindig led from start to finish, disposing of Pittsburgh Central Catholic's Lorenzo Thomas in an 8-3 victory in the finals. Kindig was the gold medal winner at 135 last season and repeated at 140 with two pins and two decisions.

145 POUNDS
Central Mountain's Andrew Alton won his second straight PIAA title with a 23-8 technicall fall over West Allegheny's Aaron McKinney. Alton tore through the 145 bracket with two pins and two technicall falls, in which he totaled 50 combined points.

152 POUNDS
Dylan Alton used a quick flurry to grab an early lead and cruise to an 11-4 victory over Lasalle's Shane Springer. Dylan Alton one-upped twin brother Andrew with his third straight PIAA gold medal.

160 POUNDS
Central Dauphin's Marshall Peppelman used his signature tilt to put West Allegheny's Troy Reaghard on his back, then sunk in a deep half nelson to flatten him out in a second-period pin. The win sent Peppelman to his third straight state title.

171 POUNDS
Familiar rivals squared off in the state finals as Central Dauphin's Kenny Courts won a third straight matchup against Cumberland Valley's Tristan Warner, this time for state gold. Courts took an early 4-0 lead when he dumped Warner to his back and held on for a 6-4 win.

189 POUNDS
A second caution stall against Council Rock North's Jamie Callender gave Springfield's Andre Petroski the tying point, and after taking a 5-4 lead on an escape, Petroski re-paid the favor with a couple of stalling calls in the final minute. Callender cashed in 33 seconds into overtime, wrapping up a clean double leg and securing a 7-5 win.

215 POUNDS
Selinsgrove's Spencer Myers controlled East Pennsboro's Zach Nye from the neutral position and handed Nye his first loss of the season, 5-3. Nye was aiming to become East Penn's first gold medalist since 1978.

285 POUNDS
Abington Heights' Evan Craig battered and bruised Central Mountain's Zack Corl on his way to defending his state title with a second-period pin. Craig led 4-0 when he cranked Corl to his back with an arm bar and finished the pin at the 2:45 mark.

Bo Candelaria of Middletown captured third place in the 145-pound bracket of the PIAA Class AAA wrestling tournament.

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(JOHN C. WHITEHEAD, The Patriot-News)

Complete results from matches for third, fifth and seventh place at the PIAA Class AAA wrestling championships at Giant Center in Hershey.

103-pound consolations
3rd place: Jordan Conaway, New Oxford, d Chris Vassar, Cedar Cliff, 3-1.
5th place: Anthony Cabrera, Liberty, d Evan DiSora, Easton, 3-0.
7th place: Ethan Kenney, Connellsville, d Billy Rappo, Council Rock South, 6-3.

112-pound consolations
3rd place: C.J. Palmer, Delaware Valley, d Dereck Enders, Big Spring, 3-1.
5th place: Thomas Traxler, Bellefonte, d Paul Bewak, Hempfield Area, 5-2.
7th place: Devon Lotito, Liberty, won by DQ over Kevin Flack, William Tennet.

119-pound consolations
3rd place: Brandon Choate, Blue Mountain, d Matt Harkins, Hatboro, 11-5.
5th place: Derrick Nelson, Waynesburg Central, d Nick Bongard, Monsignor Bonner, 3-1.
7th place: Matt Malfaro, Boyertown, d Dylan Nguyen, Red Lion, 7-0.

125-pound consolations
3rd place: Casey Kent, Lasalle, d Jordan Glykas, Northampton, 5-4.
5th place: Cameron Throckmorton, South Western, md Scott Wolfinger, Quakertown, 11-3.
7th place: Matt Rappo, Council Rock South, p Dylan Mogan, Bethel Park, in 2:41.

130-pound consolations
3rd place: Tyler Rauenzahn, Blue Mountain, d Dan Neff, Solanco, 9-4.
5th place: Mitchell Minotti, Easton, d Jordan Toledo, Pleasant Valley, 4-0.
7th place: Mason Popham, Unionville, d Erik Galloway, State College, 3-2.

135-pound consolations
3rd place: Nick Catalano, Canon McMillan, d Travis Shaffer, Derry, 8-6.
5th place: Alex Pellicciotti, Boyertown, d Jacob Chamberlain, Pleasant Valley, 7-0.
7th place: Joey Mazzi, Lasalle, p Seth Ehlo, Central Bucks West, in 0:25.

140-pound consolations
3rd place: Mark Hartenstine, Easton, d Joseph Marino, Garnet Valley, 5-0.
5th place: Brian Brill, Central Mountain, d Matt Martoccio, Council Rock South, 4-0.
7th place: Anthony White, Northeast Catholic, d Brett Harner, Norristown, 3-1.

145-pound consolations
3rd place: Bo Candelaria, Middletown, d Ryan Krecker, Nazareth, 3-2.
5th place: Andy Candiello, North Allegheny, p Billy Randt, West York, in 1:33.
7th place: Donald Paul-Miller, Pocono Mt. East, d Justin Harold, Kiski Area, 2-1.

152-pound consolations
3rd place: Austin Sommer, Northampton, d Zack Shannon, Kiski Area, 5-2.
5th place: Matt Hundenski, Hopewell, p Cameron Fine, Elizabeth Forward, in 1:50.
7th place: Will Resnick, Penncrest, d Jayshon Wilson, Carlisle, 4-3 in OT.

160-pound consolations
3rd place: JM Staudenmayer, Plymouth Whitemarsh, d Colton Spade, Lewistown, 3-2.
5th place: Wade Rivera, Parkland, won by forfeit over Pat LaBuz, Hazleton Area.
7th place: John Bolich, Upper Moreland, d Nick Bonaccorsi, Bethel Park, 3-1.

171-pound consolations
3rd place: Jared Kay, Hazleton Area, d Josh Popple, Coughlin, 4-3.
5th place: Tyler Wilps, Chartiers Valley, p Robbie Fitzgerald, Downingtown East, in 4:53.
7th place: Jermaine Easter, Cathedral Prep, d Matthew Transue, Stroudsburg, 6-5.

189-pound consolations
3rd place: Antonio Giorgio, Warwick, d Phil Sprenkle, Dallastown, 8-3.
5th place: Michael Pollard, Corry, p Kyle McWreath, Trinity, in 4:45.
7th place: Eric Shaffer, Greater Latrobe, d Tarik Haddad, Parkland, 2-0.

215-pound consolations
3rd place: Nick Ruggear, Oxford, d Joe Stolfi, Souderton, 9-4.
5th place: Sean Sadosky, St. Mary's, d Taray Carey, Whitehall, 8-3.
7th place: Brandan Clark, Methacton, d Travis Friend, Cumberland Valley, 2-1.

285-pound consolations
3rd place: Adam Lazenga, Bethel Park, d Marcus Robbins, Norristown, 6-2.
5th place: Caleb Baker, General McLane, d Averee Robinson, Susquehanna Twp., 3-2.
7th place: Cody Mason, Jersey Shore, d Dave Dewan, Springifeld, 5-1.

Big Spring's Dereck Enders controls Delaware Valley's C.J. Singer in their 112 lb. bout in the quarterfinal round of AAA State wrestling finals at Giant Center.

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(SEAN SIMMERS, The Patriot-News)

• PIAA Class AAA wrestling photo gallery

If you were one of the other 15 wrestlers positioned in the Class AAA 112-pound bracket, you had a tough time scouting Dereck Enders 112 matches.
   
There just weren’t many.
   
Throughout the season, the Big Spring junior predominantly competed at 119 and had a smattering of bouts at 125 and 112. So unless the rest of the field visited the District 3 Championships, the Enders-file at 112 was small.
   
They all know him now.
   
Enders used the skills he gained at the heavier weights to his advantage and blew into today’s Class AAA semifinal round by scoring a rough-and-tumble 4-2 quarterfinal decision over Delaware Valley’s C.J. Palmer.
   
“I think [112] fits me better,” Enders said. “Everyone at 119 is a head taller than me. Being at 119 has made me stronger and quicker.
   
“It feels so good, real good to make the semifinals. It still hasn’t sunk in yet.”
   
Enders (32-4) showed his speed early in the first period when he took down Palmer to sprint out to a 2-0 lead. But there was no extending the advantage in the first period.
   
The lanky Palmer used his height and reach to his benefit. He wiggled free early in the second to cut the gap in half and went on the offensive, trying to score on the much shorter and stockier Enders.
   
Enders chose down to start the third and ripped his arms and hips through, turning a reversal to take a 4-1 lead. But Palmer followed up with an escape and went on the attack.
   
“He was long and was able to get in on me, he just didn’t finish,” Enders said. “Coach [Kemal Pegram] always tells me that the best offense is a good defense and that if you have good offense, you have good defense.”
   
Enders needed all of it.
   
Down by two, Palmer picked up the pace and tied Enders up with 10 seconds left. But before he could gain total control for a takedown, the buzzer sounded and another local wrestler was in the semifinals.
   
“It was a close call,” Enders said. “It was close, but I kept the whizzer and was able to hold on the last 10 seconds. It felt like a long time.“
   
Up next, returning state champion Jimmy Guilbon, of Derry, in this morning‘s 8 a.m. semifinal round.
   
“He’s just another wrestler,” Enders said. “I’m going to go after him. There have been a lot of upsets, and I’m going to go out and give it my all.”
   
Middletown’s Bo Candelaria gave it his all and came out with a hard-fought 2-1 overtime victory over Nazareth’s Ryan Krecker, who beat Candelaria earlier this year 7-2.
   
This time was different. Candelaria showed great defense and kept his opponent off balance with each wrestler scoring an escape to end regulation tied at one.
   
After a scoreless first two overtime periods, Krecker let the stronger Candelaria up in the third and couldn’t manage a takedown to drop the decision and send Candelaria into a semifinal tilt with Central Mountain stud Andrew Alton.
   
“I’m satisfied with the win, but I’m not finished yet,” Candelaria (31-3) said. “I have Alton tomorrow and that is my prize.
   
“I haven’t seen him wrestle, so I’m going to wrestle my game and do what I’ve done well all year.”
   
East Pennsboro’s Zachary Nye (215) and Susquehanna Twp.’s Averee Robinson (285) also cracked the semifinals.
   
Nye (38-0) racked up the 100th win of his career in beating Methacton’s Brandan Clark 3-0. Meanwhile, Robinson (36-2) earned a semifinal bout with Central Mountain’s Zach Corl (38-5) by decking Clearfield’s Andre Buck 7-4.
   
Still alive for medals in the consolation bracket are Cedar Cliff’s Christopher Vassar (103), Carlisle’s Jayshon Wilson (152) and Cumberland Valley’s Travis Friend (215).