Wagner Takes Eighth Place at States

By Joe Walker

HERSHEY- Kendall Wagner’s history run will finish on the podium at the PIAA Girls State championships, the Central Mountain Lady Wildcat finished in eighth place in the 170 pound weight class on Saturday afternoon. 

Wagner, a Bucktail sophomore, was pinned in 1:36 of the final period of her 7th place match with Grace Haflich (30-7) of Bethlehem Catholic. Haflich, who was the southeast regional champion, took a 2-0 lead into the final period for which Wagner chose the down position to start the final period. 

Wagner escaped early in the final period to make it a 2-1 bout, but as the two were both trying upper body moves, Heflich caught Wagner off balance and brought her down to her back and recorded the fall. Wagner thus will finish in eighth place with a very good 20-7 record. 

Wagner becomes the history making run as the first Central Mountain Lady Wildcat state place winner in the inaugural PIAA sanctioned girls wrestling championships. Of course also adds to her winter season, as she has been one the team leaders for the Bucktail Lady Buck basketball 

team as well, juggling both sports at the same time and also excelling at both sports at the same time, I guess that is history as well. 

Another local lady wrestler was wrestling for 7th place as well, as Bald Eagle Area’s Grace Crestani was pinned in 1:36 of her bout with Aaliyah Armstong (25-5) of Central Dauphin. The Lady Eagle will finish her junior season with a 23-14 record, an eighth place finish and a spot on the podium as well. 

NOTE: Wildcat senior Griffin Walizer lost both of his close bouts today and will finish in sixth place, more of his matches will appear in the boys story after today’s championship finals.