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Medals galore for local Centre County wrestlers as they finish up competition at PIAA State Wrestling Championships

By Kenny Varner

HERSHEY – Centre County was well represented in wrestling action in the third and final day of the PIAA wrestling championships at Hershey’s legendary Giant Center as  Centre County matmen were still alive for medal contention.

Leading the charge was State College’s Asher Cunningham posted his second state title going unblemished throughout the three day journey.

At 189-pounds, Bald Eagle’s Caleb Close was able to reach the finals and finished as a runner up, falling 11-1 to Faith Christian’s Adam Waters. The senior capped off a brilliant career. That saw him finish with 171 wins in his brilliant career.

At 114 pounds, Penns Valley’s Max Dinges started his final day against Eli Herring from Bishop McCourt in consolation action with a chance to battle for a third place medal.

In the match, the two had a scoreless first.

Dinges took the down position for the second period. It would be a smart move as he was able to pull off the escape and then battle for a chance at a takedown.

The two would head into the third period with Dinges clinging to the slim lead. Herring tied it leading to a tie but Dinges picked up a clutch late take down, giving him the 4-1 victory and a trip to the third place finals.

In the third place bout, Dinges matched up with Thomas Boyce of Conrad Egen.

Dinges finished the championships in a Sudden Victory thriller 3-0 with a takedown securing him a third place nod.

At 121, Tanner Guenot battled back from an injury to face off against Liam Lawler of Bishop McDevitt for seventh place.

After yesterday’s injury, Guenot had to fofeit the match but he still was able to capture an 8th place finish.

Next it was Bald Eagle’s Caden Judice’s turn as the 133-pounder battled Brayden Hartranft from Berks Catholic.

After a scoreless first, Judice took the lead after picking up an escape.

Judice would also take a 1-0 lead into the third period. Hartranft tied it with an escape of his own sending the match into a sudden victory situation. In the second round of Sudden Victory Judice got the escape. Judice was able to hang on and get the 2-1 victory.

In the battle for the third place medal, Judice went toe-to-toe with Cathedral Preps Keagan Oler.

In one of the many contests Judice faced over the weekend, the Eagles’ grappler found himself involved in another one.

Despite the tough battle Judice would have to settle for fourth place as he fell 11-8.

At 152-pounds, State College’s Jon Whitbred faced off against Central Bucks West’s Chris Dennis.

After a scoreless first, Dennis, from the down spot, picked up an escape to take a 1-0 advantage into the third.

Whitbred tied it with an escape. But Dennis countered with a takedown, giving the Central Bucks West wrestler to victory.

Bellefonte’s Swisher rounded out his career with an 8th place finish, capping off the talented showing by the locals.

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