WAGNER TO WRESTLE FOR THIRD IN GIRLS STATE TOURNAMENT

By Joe Walker

HERSHEY – Kendall Wagner has place fourth and eight in the PIAA Girls State Wrestling championships, but today she will wrestle for third place, as the Central Mountain Lady Wildcat junior posted a solid 7-3 decision over Sierra Ripka (34-3) of Greater Latrobe in the consolation semifinals at the Hershey Giant Center this morning. 

Wagner, a Bucktail junior, is now 28-8 and scored the first points in the bout, as after a scoreless first period she got an escape and then with 18 seconds left in the second period recorded a takedown and a 4-0 lead. In the final period, Wagner received a penalty point for Ripka not having a headlock hooked up correctly and it was 5-0. 

Wagner then got called for too hard a crossface to make it 5-1, which was followed by a Ripka reversal to cut it to 5-3. Wagner then re-reversed Ripka with 19 seconds left and rode her out for the 7-3 win and a place in the consolation finals match for third place. 

It was the second win for Wagner over Ripka, as she won a 5-2 sudden victory over her in the Central Regional tournament. Ripka was a fourth place finisher in last season’s state tournament. 

In the third place match, Wagner will face Southeast Regional runner-up Isabella Priano (31-5) of Central Bucks. Priano was a 13-1 major decision winner over Southeast Regional third place finisher Lane Harrington (33-9) of Strath Haven. 

The 3rd-5th-7th place matches for all three divisions will get started at 11:30 am and then the championship finals in all divisions will get underway at 4 p,m.