WILDCATS TO WRESTLE FOR THIRD PLACE
By Joe Walker
HERSHEY-The Central Mountain Wildcats rebounded from a semifinal loss to two-time defending state champion Bethlehem Catholic in a big way, as they dominated the Rams of Central Dauphin by 42-16 score and advanced into the Class AAA Consolation Finals. The Wildcats will face District 1 runner-up Pennridge (21-4) in the battle for third place. Pennridge defeated District 7 champion Connellsville 39-33 to advance.
The Wildcats won 10 of the 13 bouts in their win over Central Dauphin this morning, as Hunter Donley made his return to the line-up with a 16-1 technical fall win at 160 pounds. Senior Luke Simcox added a major decision win, while Dalton Perry received a forfeit at 139 pounds,
Giovanni Tarantella (285), Gavin Heverly (107), Aiden Kunes (121), Patrick Tarantella (127) and Griffin Walizer (152) all posted regular decision wins. The tech fall by Donley had put the match out of reach after 160, the Rams standout Ryan Garverick recorded a fall at 172 pounds over Wildcat senior Wyatt Kramer. With the match out of reach, the Rams then forfeited to Bryce Brungard (189) and Rocco Serafini (215) to set the final at 42-16.
The Wildcats and Pennridge match gets started at 1 pm, alongside the championship match between District 11 powers Bethlehem Catholic and Easton. The Class AA championship of Bishop McCort and Faith Christian Academy will also be at the same time, while Reynolds will face Notre Dame (Green Pond) for third place.
CENTRAL MOUNTAIN 42, CENTRAL DAUPHIN 16
285 – Giovanni Tarantella (CM) WBD 4-2 (3-0); 107 – Gavin Heverly (CM) WBD 5-4, (6-0); 114 – Francis Perri (CD) WMD Caden Stoner, 11-1, (6-4); 121 – Aiden Kunes (CM) WBD Luke Hitchcock, 7-2, (9-4); 127 – Patrick Tarantella (CM) WBD Aiden Mariano, 11-6, (12-4); 133 – C.J. Ferree (CD) WBF Mario Serafini, 1:52, (12-10); 139 – Dalton Perry (CM) WBForfeit, (18-10); 145 – Luke Simcox (CM) WMD Liam Flanigan, 15-5, (22-10); 152 – Griffin Walizer (CM) WBD Gavin Reynolds, 5-3, (25-10); 160 – Hunter Donley (CM) WTF Mason Wydra, 16-1, 5:00 (30-10); 172 – Ryan Garverick (CM) WBF Wyatt Kramer, 2:05 (30-16); 189 – Bryce Brungard (CM) WBForfeit (36-16); 215 – Rocco Serafini (CM) WBForfeit (42-16)
