Simcox defeated in semifinals, into consolations

HERSHEY, PA – Central Mountain’s Luke Simcox fell in the PIAA AAA semifinals to Tyler Kasak from Bethlehem Catholic Saturday morning. The score was 7-2 in favor of Kasak. With the loss, Simcox falls into the consolation semi-finals Saturday afternoon. His opponent will be former state champion Ethan Berginc from Hempfield Area, a wrestler Simcox defeated at the west super regionals last Saturday.

Simcox could not get his offense going against the undefeated sophomore Kasak (14-0). Kasak scored first with a first period takedown and Simcox quickly escaped; it was 2-1 at the end of one. Period two saw Simcox escape to knot the score at 2-2, but Kasak picked up a late takedown for a 4-2 lead after two. Kasak added an escape and another late takedown in period three to set the final at 7-2.

With the loss, Simcox, now 24-4, will finish his first visit to the state tourney anywhere from third to sixth place. The consolation semifinal round is to begin at 4 p.m. The final round is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Earlier Saturday, in the quarterfinals, Simcox earned a 5-2 win over Patrick Snoke (11-5), a senior from Northampton.