PIAA wrestling motors into Day 2, District 3 favorites advance

Published: 3/08 7:48 pm

Updated: 3/08 8:06 pm

HERSHEY, Pa. (AP) - A returning PIAA champion needed a takedown in overtime to keep his hopes alive for a repeat.

But Kiski Area's Matt McCutcheon will gladly take the victory Friday for another shot at glory on the PIAA's biggest wrestling stage.

McCutcheon pinned Council Rock South's PJ Steinmetz at 6:55 to move on in the Class AAA quarterfinals at 195 pounds.

It was one of the most dramatic bouts of the afternoon of the second day of the tournament, with each wrestler's every move drawing more attention from anxious fans as time ticked away.

The winners bracket in Class AAA is done until Saturday. Class AA grapplers return for the Friday evening session.

One returning champ lost earlier Friday after Mifflinburg's Nazar Mironenko lost at 285 pounds in Class AA.

Some of the area's top wrestlers have advanced to the semifinals at the PIAA Wrestling Championships.

Kennard-Dale's Chance Marsteller, the nation's top high school wrestler, scored a tech fall in 3:20 (19-4) over Academy Park's Abner Thompson at 160 in Class AAA.

Another defending PIAA champion, Garrett Hammond of Chambersburg earned a tech fall in 2:48 (16-0) over Brendan Burnham of Pine Richland.

Cedar Cliff's Chris Vassar reached the semis for the second straight year, beating Matt Hammerstone of Crestwood 6-3 at 145 pounds.

Central Dauphin's Tyson Dippery won his 182nd career match, setting a new school record, with a tech of Josh Ortman of Parkland, 15-0 at 3:29 in the 138 pound quarterfinals.

Central York freshman Dylan Chatterton advances at 106 with a pin in 1:44 against Michael Scheetz of Northampton.

In Class AA, Adam Geiger of Trinity, who will play football at Penn State, advanced to the 195 lb. semifinals with a 15-7 major decision over Skylar Ebner of Muncy.

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