The Herald, Sharon, Pa: Winter sports '96-'97

Published Sunday, March 9, 1997

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PIAA AA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Heartbreak in Hershey

A dejected Josh Pearce of Commodore Perry ponders the final match of his scholastic career, moments after a double- overtime rideout loss in the PIAA AA 275-pound state championship match. It was the second straight finals' loss for Pearce. (David E. Dale/Herald)

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LOCALS DROP 3 TITLE BOUTS IN FINAL SECONDS
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Pearce, Walker, Brown suffer 1st losses

By Lynn Saternow
Herald Sports Editor

HERSHEY, Pa. _ So close, but yet so far!

That was the situation for the Commodore Perry Panthers who finished second in the race for the team title at the PIAA Class AA State Championships Saturday afternoon at HersheyPark Arena.

The Panthers needed one victory out of its two finalists, but for the second straight season both Nevada Walker (145) and Josh Pearce (275) finished as runners-up and Perry lost the title to Line Mountain by a score of 62-59.

action shot

Commodore Perry's Nevada Walker attempts to maintain his balance as Burrell's Joel DesLauriers works for a single-leg takedown in the 145-pound championship match. Walker gave up an escape with 15 seconds left in the bout to lose, 4-3. (David E. Dale/Herald)

In fact, Mercer County was blanked in the finals for the first time since 1990 as Jamestown's Kevin Brown also suffered a heartbreaking defeat at 160.

All three finals loses couldn't have been much closer. Brown and Pearce both lost in overtime rideout situations, while Walker fell in the last few seconds, 4-3.

So close, but yet so far.

``Two seconds again, it really hurts,'' said Perry coach Bob Parker, much more concerned for the feelings of his young men than losing out on the team title. ``I feel so bad for those guys, they both worked so hard.''

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Mark Chess grabbed a third-place medal at 171 to help Commodore Perry get the state runner-up trophy.

Jamestown's Kevin Brown looks for an opening against Hanover's Josh Henson in the 160-pound title bout. Brown dropped a 2-1 decision in double-overtime. (David E. Dale/Herald)

Two other Mercer County matmen grabbed places and earned All-State honors. Sharpsville's Tom McMath took third at 125, while Lakeview's Mike Dye grabbed fifth at 145.

Following are summaries of locals in state action:

Walker didn't appear his usual whirlwind self in the finals early on against Joel DesLauriers of Burrell as no points were scored in the first period and the Panthers junior was called for stalling. In the second, DesLauriers, the Southwest Region champ, notched an escape and takedown to lead 3-0 heading into the third frame.

Walker came to life midway through the period, nailing an escape and quick spin-behind takedown to tie the score. However, with 15 seconds remaining, DesLauriers earned an escape and was able to fight off Walker the rest of the way for the win. Walker hit a front-headlock roll and almost spun behind before the final whistle.

So close, but yet so far!

``It looked like he was a little bit tight for the first period and a half,'' said coach Parker. ``But it's easy to get tight down here. He came on strong in the last period and he would have won it if he had a few more seconds.

``The only good thing about it is that he's a junior and he'll have another shot at it. He's good enough to win it, that's for sure. It just didn't happen this time.''

Walker closed out the year with a 35-1 record and is 94-13 for his career. DesLauriers, a senior, went 36-2 and 137-14.

Brown and Josh Henson of Hanover engaged in a battle on their feet. After no first period takedown, Brown escaped early in the second. In the third, Brown ``kicked out'' Henson at the opening whistle and still no takedown occured and regulation ended at 1-1. In overtime, there was still no takedown, despite several attempts by Brown, forcing a rideout period.

Henson won the flip and chose down. He stood and broke free in seven seconds to hand Brown a 2-1 defeat. The loss was tough to take for the Jamestown contingent, especially since Brown was making all the shots. Henson was warned for stalling early in the second period, but the referee never followed up and called him again.

So close, but yet so far!

``Kevin was the aggressor the whole time,'' said Muskies' coach Stan Skakalski. ``Kevin was taking all the chances and the other kid was just countering. But I'm proud of Kevin, he's a heckuva kid. It's a great thing to make the finals here, but I'd be just as proud of him if he didn't place. He'll be back next year.''

The silver medal was the initial place finish for Brown in three trips to Hershey as he lifted his career record to 100-9 with a 37-1 junior campaign.

Pearce and finals' foe Ryan Kehler of Tri-Valley provided one of the better wrestled heavyweight bouts in years as both were taking leg shots, a rarity for the big guys. After no first period takedown, Pearce escaped in the second and Kehler followed suit in the third to send the match to overtime.

After no takedown in overtime, Pearce won the flip and chose down for the rideout period. The Panthers' senior almost escaped early, but Kehler held on then threw in legs to ride out the final seconds for the victory.

So close, but yet so far!

``I'm still mad about the one referee call,'' said Parker, referring to the second period when Pearce was almost around Kehler for a reversal. Kehler was crying to the ref that his knee was hurting while Pearce pulled on his leg and the ref broke the hold as ``potentially dangerous'' which put Pearce back on the bottom.

``That should have been a reversal,'' said Parker. ``But Josh wrestled his heart out. We knew that would be a tough match.''

Pearce, who has already signed to wrestle for Edinboro University next season, ended his final campaign with a 36-1 mark and overall record of 111-12. Kehler went 37-1 and 119-30.

Third place consolations

McMath continued the control style wrestling that gave him a 5-1 record in the state tourney. The Blue Devils junior fell behind 2-1 in the first period against Josh Wickert of Boiling Springs, but took command in the second with a takedown for a 3-2 lead. He reversed early in the third and kept the pressure on as he rode out for a 5-2 triumph.

``Tommy wrestled an excellent tournament, excellent,'' said Sharpsville coach Ron Haywood. ``Except for two periods against (West Branch's Rob) English (a 9-4 loss in the quarterfinals) he was in control on his feet and on top.

``For his first time here he did a tremendous job. I'm looking forward to coming back next year with the same two guys (Tom and Mike Germano, who missed medaling by one match).''

McMath closed out the year with a 39-3 record.

Chess locked in a tremendous physical battle with Kyle Sweppenhiser of Line Mountain, a match with great importance to the team race. The pair ended regulation at 4-4 and the overtime period saw no change, although both came close to takedowns. Sweppenhiser won the flip for the 30-second rideout period and chose down. Chess threw in the legs early and then held until the final buzzer for a big victory that gave Commodore Perry a temporary 59-58 lead in the team race. It was somewhat a redemption for Chess who cost the team a point for unsportsmanlike conduct after his semifinals loss.

What was coach Parker thinking when Sweppenhiser chose down in the rideout?

``I was glad,'' he said, ``Mark's strong point is on top, the way he uses his legs. Once he got his legs in I knew he had it. After losing in the semis (Friday), Mark was disappointed and wanted to go home. But he pulled himself together and came back strong to help the team. I'm really glad for him and I hope he builds on this for next year.''

The Panthers' junior closed out the season with a 27-6 record.

Fifth place consolations

Lakeview's Dye lent a hand to Commodore Perry in the team race as he knocked off Max Shingara of Line Mountain, 13-9. Dye was leading 4-2 late in the second period, but gave up a reversal in the waning seconds which tied the bout at 4-4.

In the third frame, Dye scored a quick stepover for a reversal and back points, but Shingara reversed to cut Dye's lead to 8-6. Dye again reversed and later picked up three more back points for a commanding lead. He then wrestled cautiously the rest of the way for a 13-9 triumph.

``He tore 'em up down here,'' said a happy Lakeview coach Eric Mount about his senior star. ``He set goals and worked hard all year. To come here and place is just icing on the cake.

``He's been a good role model for the younger kids. We're in the midst of a rebuilding situation and he gives the kids someone to look up to.''

Dye, who went over the magical 100-win plateau earlier in the postseason, closed out the year with a 37-4 mark.

Following is a brief rundown on the finals matches not involving locals:

103

Senior Kyle Szewczyk of North Star, a fourth-place finisher climbed to the top of the awards platform this year by defeating Washington sophomore Dan Kosek (38-6). Szewczyk (35-0) notched a pair of takedowns for deciding points in a 4-2 decision.

112

Trap McCormack won his third state title to close out a great high school career. McCormack won his first two for Sugar Valley, which was consolidated this year into Bald Eagle Nittany. The uniform change didn't matter as McCormack won a 3-0 decision over Chris Mussleman of Claysburg-Kimmel (32-5). McCormack went 41-0 this season for a career record of 138-4.

119

A pair of sophomores went at it here with Loyalsock's Tom Waldron following in the footsteps of his older brother Mike last year by winning the 119 title. Waldron edged B.J. Wise (27-5) of Benton, 8-5, to remain unbeaten (30-0).

125

Tri-Valley's Josh Miller, a state champ two years ago, failed to return to the winner's circle as Rob English of West Branch scored an exciting 10-6 victory. English posted a 35-0 season, while Miller finished 35-3. In his career, Miller had 144 victories.

130

Brian Klass of Wilson turned Keith Blose of North Lehigh to his back and Blose never recovered as Klass won a 5-0 victory. Klass, a senior, went 38-1 this year and had 131 career victories. Blose was 33-5.

135

Gabe Webster of Sayre and Cory DeBias of Northern Lehigh didn't cause much excitement as they posted a 1-1 score after the regulation match. But only seconds into the overtime, DeBias (39-1) shot and Webster (34-0) spun behind for a 3-1 victory.

140

Joe Henson of Hanover notched his second straight state crown with a 5-2 triumph over Frank Piff of Catasauqua. Henson, 37-0, won 135 career bouts.

152

Mike Shingara of Line Mountain won his third state championship with a controlled 5-0 victory over Warren Stout of Brookville. Stout had his second runner-up finish in as many years here. Shingara (36-1) finished his career with a 141-4 mark. The victory gave his team a 62-59 lead over Commodore Perry in the team race.

171

Senior Andy Povenski of Palisades finished off an undefeated season (37-0) with a pin over sophomore Steve Sinkovich of Mt. Carmel.

189

Jeff Eure of Upper Dauphin scored a takedown only seconds into overtime for a 6-4 victory over Shawn Weaver of Bald Eagle Nittany. Eure finished 35-0, while Weaver was 41-2.

Notes: Mike Bell, former Grove City High state champ, was inducted posthumously into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. (Photo and story in Monday's Herald.) ... Other Hall inductees were: Ron Bracken, David Caslow, Dr, Kenneth J. Faust, Dave Kling, Robert Marshall, Donald L. Reese, Richard Rhoades, John ``Buzz'' Walters and Al Wolstenholme. ... Scott Patton of Jamestown refereed the state tournament, working the Class AAA finals Saturday. Jerry Nowakowski of Waterford was the other District 10 referee who worked the state event. ... Other District 10 wrestlers who didn't reach the finals, but earned places at state were: Aaron Diehl, 103, Girard, 3rd; Joe Ciotti, 119, Girard, 4th; Adam Huck, 130, Fort LeBoeuf, 4th; Joe Charlton, 140, Fort LeBoeuf, 5th; and Travis Hummel, 152, Eisenhower, 5th. ... 25,945 fans attended the AA tournament sessions, with 7,311 at the finals.

RELATED STORIES:

Complete state results

Wrestling fans puzzled by congressional VIP gathering

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Updated March 9, 1997
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