The Herald, Sharon, PA Published Sunday, March 8, 1998

WRESTLING
PIAA WRESTLING TOURNAMENT
CP's Walker, Reynolds frosh Nestor take gold
* * *
Raiders also take home team title
* * *
TIGERS' MAUSSER, DEVILS' McMATH FALL IN FINALS


PIAA wrestling results _ Results Saturday in the PIAA wrestling tournament:
CLASS AA
Team Scoring Leaders
  • Reynolds 73
  • Northern Lehigh 56 1/2
  • Loyalsock 45
  • Wyalusing 41 1/2
  • Brookville 41
  • Bedford 40
  • Beth Center 38 1/2
  • Claysburg-Kimmel 34
  • Cochranton 34
  • Hershey 33.
Finals
103 -- Chris Fleeger, Loyalsock, dec. Ulysses Davis, Beth Center, 7-3.

112 -- Justin Owens, West Branch, dec. Chris Musselman, Claysburg Kimmel, 3-1.

119 -- Cam Plocus, Marion Center, dec. B.J. Wise, Benton, 4-2.

125 -- Tom Waldron, Loyalsock, dec. David Patrick, Wyalusing, 10-5.

130 -- Justin Nestor, Reynolds, dec. Dustin Ziegler, Bedford, 4-2 (OT).

135 -- Corey DeBias, Northern Lehigh, dec. Justin Olano, Tri-Valley, 8-3.

140 -- Jake Stork, Schuylkill Valley, dec. Tom McMath, Sharpsville, 9-2.

145 -- Gabe Webster, Sayre, dec. Max Shingara, Line Mountain, 6-4.

152 -- Nevada Walker, Commodore Perry, dec. Jeremy Reitz, Brookville, 8-7.

160 -- Rick Hogue, Cochranton, dec. Josh Hewes, Pine Grove, 13-8.

171 -- Steve Sinkovich, Mount Carmel, dec. John Paxton, Berlin Brothersvalley, 11-6.

189 -- Jeff Eure, Upper Dauphin, dec. Eric Mausser, Sharon, 4-3.

Hwt -- Josh Snyder, Hershey, pinned Josh Baker, Bedford, 2:49.

  • Outstanding wrestler -- Josh Snyder, Hershey.

  • Coach of the year -- Brian Hills, Reynolds.

    Third Place Consolations

    103 --     Evan Sola, Conrad Weiser, dec. Adam Renner, Seneca, 1-1 (OT) (rideout).

    112 -- Nick Rockwell, Canton, injury default over Aaron Maldet, Westmont Hilltop, 1:09.

    119 -- Brad Yoder, Southmoreland, dec. Steve Hluschak, Northern Lehigh, 10-9.

    125 -- Shawn Whyte, West Greene, dec. Jason Nestor, Reynolds, 1-0.

    130 -- Brad Groover, York Suburban, major dec. Brad Keister, West Snyder, 19-8.

    135 -- Josh Weyandt, Chestnut Ridge, dec. Eric Maciejczak, Lake Lehman, 6-4.

    140 -- Jason Gilligan, Brookville, major dec. Dana Keesler, Wilson, 10-2.

    145 -- Sean Thomas, Washington, dec. Randy Mort, Beth Center, 3-2.

    152 -- Jesse Martinez, Hanover Area, dec. Nick Frick, Central, 6-1 (OT).

    160 -- Todd McCoy, United, pinned Mike Greenberg, Canton, 3:21.

    171 -- Mike Beckowski, Saucon Valley, dec. Jason Schlingman, 3-2.

    189 -- Brock White, Burrell, dec. Derek Tipton, Claysburg Kimmel, 3-2.

    Hwt -- Tim Bennett, Fort Cherry, dec. Dan Svirbly, Reynolds, 3-2.

    Fifth Place Consolations

    103 -- Bruno Iorfido, Ridgway, pinned Marc Piermattei, Line Mountain, 4:39.

    112 -- Steve Popovitch, Reynolds, injury default over Dan Butera, Carlynton, 2:00.

    119 -- P.J. Sargent, Southern Columbia, pinned Frank Noviello, South Williamsport, 2:19.

    125 -- Josh Herzog, Northern Lehigh, dec. Derek Sola, Conrad Weiser, 7-0.

    130 -- Howard Kressley, Brandywine Heights, pinned Gabe Nickeson, Wyalusing, 2:22.

    135 -- Jeremy Artman, Saegertown, injury default over Tommy Nagle, Cambria Heights, 4:16.

    140 -- Justin Johnson, Wyalusing, dec. Joe Charlton, Fort LeBoeuf, 7-1.

    145 -- Keith Blose, Northern Lehigh, dec. Bob Tumpak, Reynolds, 8-1.

    152 -- Scott Belcastro, Washington, dec. Brad Peters, Montoursville, 7-6.

    160 -- Barry Rhodes, Chestnut Ridge, dec. Denny Mitchell, Smethport, 6-4.

    171 -- Matt Hogue, Cochranton, forfeit over Steve Spicer, Delone Catholic.

    189 -- Mark Thatcher, Wilson, pinned Brian Guzek, South Park, 0:12.

    Hwt -- Luke Fragale, Cameron County, dec. Beau Truitt, East Juniata, 5-0.

    CLASS AAA Team scoring leaders

    Northampton 70 1/2, Bald Eagle Area 59, Cumberland Valley 58, Parkland 56 1/2, Franklin 44, Waynesburg 40, Chartiers Valley 36, Mount Pleasant 36, Methacton 32, Greensburg Salem 30 1/2.

    Finals

    103 --     Jim Thornton, Cumberland Valley, dec. Brian Hutton, Chartiers Valley, 6-5.

    112 -- Andy Migyanko, Trinity (Dist. 7), dec. Mike Diaz, DuBois, 10-4.

    119 -- Anthony Rivera, Shikellamy, dec. Jared Sullivan, South Western, 7-6.

    125 -- Brad Mockler, Canon-McMillan, dec. Byron Warner, Dallastown, 5-4.

    130 -- Mark Conley, Downingtown, dec. Mike Pirozzola, Neshaminy, 4-3.

    135 -- Cory Ace, Franklin, dec. Kurt Koser, Lower Dauphin, 11-6.

    140 -- Justin Giovinco, Plymouth Whitemarsh, dec. Hunter Guenot, Bald Eagle Area, 4-2.

    145 -- Derek Jenkins, Parkland, dec. Charlie Brenneman, Hollidaysburg, 6-4.

    152 -- Pat O'Donnell, Waynesburg, dec. Eric Woehr, Pennridge, 3-1.

    160 -- Robbie Waller, Mount Pleasant, dec. Joe Chirafisi, Kiski Area, 7-2.

    171 -- Christian Luciano, Northampton, dec. Nick Richmond, McGuffey, 7-3.

    189 -- Jon Trenge, Parkland, dec. Jon Sauve, Cumberland Valley, 3-2.

    Hwt -- John Hard, Northampton, dec. Dave Armstrong, Central Bucks West, 2-1 (OT) (tiebreaker).

  • Coach of the year -- Donnie Rohn, Northampton.

  • Outstanding wrestler -- Mark Conley, Downingtown.

    Third Place Matches

    103 --     Mario Stuart, Bethlehem Liberty, dec. Jim Hartey, Norristown, 3- 1 (OT).

    112 -- Jeff Albano, Methacton, dec. Brett Lundquist, Latrobe, 6-3.

    119 -- Josh Moore, Franklin, pinned Mike Seybold, Waynesburg, 4:33.

    125 -- Greg Jones, Pennsbury, dec. Mike Maney, Bald Eagle Area, 6-4 (OT).

    130 -- Corey Guenot, Bald Eagle Area, dec. Blake Romano, Cumberland Valley, 8-5.

    135 -- Kevin Maier, Reading, dec. Jason Staso, Norwin, 6-3.

    140 -- George Carter, Greensburg Salem, dec. Nate Sheaffer, Northern, 6-3.

    145 -- Gabe Higley, Oil City, dec. Jay Kotsko, Hazleton, 11-9.

    152 -- Matt King, Connellsville, major dec. Chris Haines, Gettysburg, 14-5.

    160 -- John Williams, Peters Township, dec. Ryan Wilt, Spring Grove, 2-0.

    171 -- Mike Minella, Chartiers Valley, dec. Erik Warg, Council Rock, 6-3.

    189 -- Phil Hard, Northampton, dec. Ryan Cummins, Warwick, 3-2.

    Hwt -- Steve Itterly, Nazareth, dec. Steve Kovach, West Chester East, 5-3.

    Fifth Place Matches

    103 --     Joey Rivera, Stroudsburg, dec. R.J. Paterniti, Erie Prep, 5-0.

    112 -- Mike May, Derry, dec. Brandon Newill, Mount Pleasant, 6-2.

    119 -- Seth Lisa, Northampton, dec. Jason Meister, Phoenixville, 4-3.

    125 -- David Fordoski, St. Marys, dec. Nick Rauch, Jersey Shore, 5-2.

    130 -- Russ Heeman, Philipsburg Osceola, dec. Joe Little, Erie McDowell, 8-3.

    135 -- Eric Narkiewicz, Warwick, dec. Corey Bainey, Philipsburg Osceola, 6-4.

    140 -- Anthony Andrews, Johnstown, dec. Jim Hanning, McGuffey, 7-5 (OT).

    145 -- John Pagnotta, Methacton, dec. Angelo Palmieri, Mount Lebanon, 3-1.

    152 -- Donnie Keith, Baldwin, dec. Luke Bundy, DuBois, 8-6.

    160 -- Wally Spotts, Jersey Shore, dec. Todd Wearing, Seneca Valley, 6-3.

    171 -- Brad Lovas, Penn Trafford, dec. Steve Foote, Dallastown, 7-5.

    189 -- Mark Shrout, Franklin Regional, dec. Barry Osborne, Lewistown, 14-11.

    Hwt -- Chris D'Amico, Bethlehem Liberty, major dec. Tim Taylor, Clearfield, 15-6.
    • By Lynn Saternow
    Herald Sports Editor

    HERSHEY, Pa. _ It was the year of the Raiders!

    Reynolds High wrestling team capped a fantastic season by winning the PIAA State AA Championships team title Saturday afternoon at HersheyPark Arena, with Raiders mentor Brian Hills being honored as Class AA ``Coach of the Year,'' freshman Justin Nestor winning a gold medal and four other Raiders earning state places.

    ``What a weekend,'' Hills exclaimed moments after Nestor's finals victory at 130 pounds, while his young protege sat nearby with tears of joy in his eyes.

    Nestor's brother Jason (125) and Dan Svirbly (275) copped fourths; Steve Popovitch (112) took fifth and Bob Tumpak (145) placed sixth as the Raiders compiled 73 points to clinch the team championship. Northern Lehigh was second with 561/2.

    It was also a great year for three other Mercer County individuals who won places at state, especially Commodore Perry's Nevada Walker (152) who finally won a state title after losing the last two seasons in the finals. Sharpsville's Tom McMath (140) and Sharon's Eric Mausser (189) fell short in their bids to become the first state champions for their schools.

    ``It's really nice to win Coach of the Year at the same time you win a state team title,'' said an elated Hills. ``I won the coach's award in 1992, but we lost the team title by a half-point. This really completes our season.''

    And what a season. The Raiders finished the dual meet campaign at 14-1, including 8-0 in the Mercer County Athletic Conference. They added on team titles in the Section 3, District 10, Northwest Region and PIAA tournaments.

    ``We accomplished about everything we wanted to accomplish. The only snafu was that loss to Ridgway (at the Ultimate Duals). We had an outstanding group of kids. I'm only sorry that the season goes too fast sometimes. These kids were outstanding academically, socially as well as in wrestling.

    ``We had good leadership from the older kids and some younger kids who stepped it up. And I had a dedicated coaching staff. You don't win coach of the year awards without great assistants (John Tofani, Brian Nestor and Mark Bartolo).

    ``And of course, Justin has an opportunity to become a four-timer. I'm not putting any pressure on him, but at least he has the opportunity.

    ``I hope he's an example to the other kids in the practice room. The kids that work the hardest end up with the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. No one works harder than the Nestors.''

    Following are summaries of Mercer County inviduals in the state finals and consolation matches:

  • CP's Walker put the finishing touches on one of the most illustrious mat careers among county matmen as he finally earned a state crown after two straight finals losses.

    And he really earned it against Brookville's Jeremy Reitz, who Walker defeated the last two seasons in the regional finals.

    Trailing 6-3 with 44 seconds to go, Walker became a man possessed. He reversed with 38 seconds remaining and kicked out Reitz immediately. Walker showed fierce determination in chasing Reitz and picked up a stalling point to cut Reitz's lead to 7-6.

    Walker made a final leg shot and earned a takedown going off the mat with 4 seconds left. He rode out the final ticks for an 8-7 triumph.

    ``When I took him down, I thought I would have to go into overtime,'' said Walker, pointing out he didn't know about the stalling point. ``When I looked at the clock and saw 8-7, I was so-o-o-o happy.''

    So was Coach Bob Parker, who gushed, ``I love that kid. He's something special. There's no quit in that kid and his conditioning paid off. Jeremy wore down. Jeremy's a good wrestler and he wrestled a great match, but Nevada went after it and got it.

    ``Three times losing would have killed that kid.''

    Walker admitted he was worried about the thought of losing again. ``I was scared,'' said Walker, as he signed autographs for youngsters who swarmed to him after the awards presentations. ``I was nervous all day thinking about winning. Now I'll think about colleges.''

    Parker, who indicated earlier that this was his last season as coach of CP added, ``I guess this is a great way for me to retire.''

    Walker finished the season with a 37-2 mark and his career at 131-15, making him the fifth-winningest wrestler in county annals.

  • Reynolds freshman phenom Justin Nestor took on Bedford senior Dustin Ziegler, a fifth-place finisher in '97.

    The physical maturity and experience were on the side of the older grappler, but Nestor had the heart and mat savvy far beyond that of a typical freshman.

    Ziegler scored a takedown in the first period and rode out Nestor. In the second, Nestor escaped early but after no change the score stood 2-1 heading in the third frame. Nestor tried to turn Ziegler several times in the third period and was awarded a stalling point that sent the match to overtime, tied 2-2.

    Nestor shot in on a single leg and finished off the takedown with 37 seconds into the overtime period.

    ``When I got the leg in overtime, I knew I was going to get the takedown,'' said Nestor. ``I felt confident I was going to win.''

    Hills said he was worried in the third period until Nestor was awarded a stalling point with just over 30 seconds left.

    ``We never saw the ref warn the kid for stalling, he never clearly signalled it. We were debating whether to have Justin kick him out,'' said Hills. ``Luckily, Justin knew it.''

    ``He called it after we went off the mat,'' said Nestor, ``I heard the ref say `Red, you're warned for stalling,'[TH]''

    Nestor may have been wearing green on his ankle, but he certainly showed he isn't ``green'' where it counts.

  • Sharpsville senior McMath couldn't match up with Jake Stork of Schuykill Valley on his feet as Stork notched four takedowns en route to a 9-2 victory.

    ``He (Stork) had a nice takedown,'' said Sharpsville coach Ron Haywood. ``That outside single was really nice; Tommy just couldn't counter it.

    ``But that doesn't take away from all he's done ... a silver medal, there's nothing wrong with that. We'll take that for him and the school district.

    ``He'll be missed. The little kids all look up to him and like him. He and Mike Germano have meant a lot to our program.''

    McMath, who finished third last season, closed out the year with a record of 25-4 and a career mark of 108-18. He's the first two-time place winner for Sharpsville.

  • Sharon's Mausser came close, but couldn't unseat defending state champ Jeff Eure of Upper Dauphin who stalled his way to a 4-3 victory in a battle of unbeatens.

    Mausser, trailing 4-2 going into the last frame after giving up two takedowns, tried to turn Eure throughout he final period, but Eure kept balling up. Mausser was awarded one-point late for Eure's stalling, but a second never came as the time ran out.

    ``I thought about having Eric kick him out, but he already lost two takedowns and Eric is so good on top,'' said Tigers coach Dave Ciafre. ``You can't give up a takedown on the edge of the mat and that's what happened. That kid's a state champ and he knows what it takes to win here. He got that four points and he felt it was enough to win.

    ``But Eric wrestled hard. And I feel his best wrestling is still ahead of him.

    ``Our team has had a lot of firsts this year and Eric's a big part of them. I'm going to miss him. He's a really good kid.''

    Mausser, who finished the season at 35-1 and had 92 career victories, was Sharon's first-ever District 10 champ, the school's first two-time regional winner, and its first state finalist.

  • Reynolds' junior Jason Nestor had won three straight consolation matches in overtime, but this one ended in regulation, a hardfought 1-0 defeat at the hands of Shawn Whyte of West Greene. Whyte finished third for the second straight year.

    ``He needed to be a little more aggressive,'' said coach Hills, ``But we can't overlook the job Jason did after losing in the quarterfinals. He came back and won three straight matches against some real good kids. Fourth place in this weight is great.''

    Nestor, who has 100 wins on his career, finished the season at 37-4.

  • Perhaps the most pleasant surprise for the Raiders was the effort of heavyweight Svirbly. Ranked only 18th in the state coming in, he proved the ``experts'' wrong by finishing fourth. He went against Tim Bennett of Fort Cherry, losing a tough 3-2 decision.

    ``He's one of the key reasons for the team championship,'' said Hills. ``Coming in we were just hoping that he might get in for a place and here he is wrestling for third. It was a great way to close out his career for us.''

    He finished the season with a 31-8 record.

  • Raider junior Popovitch had his match with Dan Butera of Carlynton come to an unfortunate end. Popovitch was leading 6-3 when the two hit heads, the top of Popovitch's head cracking into Butera's lower jaw. Butera immedately dropped to the mat as if hit by a boxer's best knockout punch.

    Popovitch (37-4) was awarded a default in 2:00.

    ``You hate to see that kind of thing happen,'' said coach Hills. ``I hope the kid's all right. Steve was really wrestling well in that match. He did a great job down here for us, getting a fifth place in a really tough weight class.''

  • Senior Tumpak (34-4) couldn't seem to get anything going against Keith Blouse of Northern Lehigh as he fell behind 6-0 on two tilts and a penalty point. The final score was 8-1.

    ``Bobby's had a great career so it was really nice that he came down here three times and finally won a place on the medal stand. He's been our leader all year, on and off the mat. He was like having a third coach on the team.''

    He finished his career with a record of 122-28.

    A brief rundown on finals matches not involving locals:

    103 -- Loyalsock sophomore Chris Fleeger finished off a perfect 33-0 campaign with a 7-3 victory over Bethlehem Center sophomore Ulysses Davis (30-5).

    112 -- Chris Musselman of Claysburg-Kimmel (35-3) was relegated to state runner-up for the second straight season as he dropped a 3-1 decision to Justin Owens of West Branch (37-1).

    119 _ Another state runner-up from '97, B.J. Wise of Benton, ended with the same fate in '98 with a 4-2 loss to Cam Plocus of Marion Center in a battle of unbeatens.

    125 -- Defending state champ Tom Waldron, a Loyalsock junior, returned to the top of the medal stand with a 10-5 triumph over David Patrick of Wyaluing. Waldron finished 38-0.

    135 -- Northern Lehigh's Corey DeBias capped a perfect 39-0 season with an 8-3 triumph over Justin Olano of Tri-Valley. It was the 133th victory of his career.

    145 -- Defending state champ Gabe Webster avenged a defeat in the Northeast Region finals to Max Shingara of Line Mountain as he edged Shigara, 6-4.

    160 -- District 10 champ Rick Hogue made his return to state this season a good one as he won the title with a 13-8 decision over Josh Hewes of Pine Grove. Hogue, who finished third his sophomore year but missed making it to state because of injuries in '97, finished the year 34-3 and his career at 108-25.

    171 -- Mt. Carmel's Steve Sinkovich made the jump from state runner-up last season to champion as he downed John Paxton of Berlin Brothers Valley, 11-6.

    275 -- And the hometown fans went wild! Hershey's Josh Snyder pinned Josh Baker of Bedford in the finals in 2:49, his fourth straight pin of the tournament as he posted a 33-0 record.

    Notes: Other state placewinners from District 10 included: Seneca's Adam Renner (103), 4th; Saegertown's Jeremy Artman (135), 5th; Ft. LeBoeuf's Joe Charlton (135), 6th; Cochranton's Matt Hogue (171), 5th. ... Inducted into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame were: Joe Ayersman, John Diven, Ronald L.Garrison, Bob Guzzo, Bill Hilburt, James A. Jones, Jerry Rodriguez, Thomas L. Vaux, Fred Kavelak and Jerry McDonald. ... Tom Canavan, president of the Pennsylvania Federation of USA Wrestling, was named USA Wrestling Man of the Year...Mercer County's Bob ``Bo'' Bell refereed the AA finals, his fourth appearance in the state finals. He went to work early, doing the 103 title match.


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