`9 champions return for a shot at another crown`

LIST OF PAIRINGS

By The Associated Press

At least one of the nine PIAA wrestling champions returning to Hershey this week will go home without a gold medal.

Easton's Jamarr Billman and Kittanning's Chamie Hooks, who have won a Class AAA title apiece, both qualified at 140 pounds. They have been placed in opposite brackets and can meet only in the finals or the consolation brackets.

Billman, a three-time state placewinner who has accepted a scholarship to Penn State, won the 130-pound title last year. Hooks won at 140 as a sophomore, but was second at 145 last year. He dropped back to 140 this season.

``It wouldn't have been fair to have them meet in the quarter finals,'' Kittanning coach Denny Stewart said. ``Both should have an opportunity to get back to the finals.''

This scenario has occurred several times since the PIAA adopted its predetermined bracket, the most notable involving four-time state champions Bob Truby of Trinity and Ty Moore of North Allegheny.

Truby, who won two state titles in Maryland prior to capturing a pair of titles in Pennsylvania, won the 119-pound Class AAA title as a junior then returned at the same weight during his senior year in 1987.

Bethlehem Catholic's John Likens won the 112-pound title in 1986 and would have been in the same half of the bracket as Truby, but the PIAA stepped in and placed them in opposite halves of the bracket.

``That's all everybody talked about, and it turned out to be one of the most boring matches I've ever seen,'' Stewart said.

Truby won 2-0.

The same thing happened two years later when Moore and Brad Silimperi of Nazareth were in the same half of the 112-pound Class AAA bracket. They met in the finals, with Moore claiming the third of his four titles with 4-3 victory.

Billman earned his fourth consecutive state berth by winning the Northeast Region title Saturday, while Hooks claimed his second Southwest Region title with a 4-3 double overtime victory over Greensburg Salem's George Carter.

Billman and Hooks are two of the five previous Class AAA champions.

Harrisburg's Mike Khan won the 103-pound title last year after placing second the year before, while the Hempfield duo of Brian Burrows and Vince DeAugustine are also back. Burrows won at 140 last year and has since moved to 145. DeAugustine is the defending champion at 160.

In Class AA, four past champions are back.

Bald Eagle Nittany's Trap McCormack is a heavy favorite at 112 after winning back-to-back titles at 103 in 1995 and 1996.

Tri-Valley's Josh Miller won the 112-pound title as a freshman, but has lost in the finals the last two years at 119 and 125. He returns at 125.

Line Mountain's Mike Shingara, a 152-pounder, is a two-time PIAA champion. Hanover's Josh Henson won the 140-pound title last year and returns at the same weight.

Back to TOP // Herald Sports // Herald Home page

Updated Feb. 27, 1997
Questions/comments: herald@pgh.net
For info about advertising on our site or Web-page creation: advertising@sharon-herald.com