HERSHEY -- Three defending state champions from District 3 eased into Friday's quarterfinals at the PIAA-AAA Wrestling Championships at GIANT Center.
Chance Marsteller of Kennard-Dale, a two-time state champ and the top high school wrestler in the nation, needed just 42 seconds to pin Lucas Markowitz of Delaware Valley at 160 pounds.
Also at 160, Central Dauphin's Garrett Peppelman, last year's title-holder at 152 pounds, earned a 15-5 major over Ossie Bowers of General McLane.
In fact, all seven of the defending champions in Class AAA earned quarterfinal spots.
Garrett Hammond of Chambersburg, another PIAA champion, won his 152-pound match with a 16-1 tech over Rashon Lusane of Norristown in 4:37.
District 3 will have 38 wrestlers in Friday's quarterfinals at GIANT Center: 14 in Class AA and 24 in Class AAA, respectively.
Mechanicsburg's Joey Krulock suffered a knee injury and defaulted in 33 seconds to Jake Young of Bethlehem Freedom at 170 pounds.
