PERRY ADVANCES AND KUNES STILL ALIVE IN STATE TOURNAMENT

By Joe Walker

HERSHEY – The Central Mountain Wildcats’ Dalton Perry advanced to the state quarterfinals, while sophomore teammate Aiden Kunes is still alive in the consolations at the boys PIAA Class AAA State Wrestling Championships at the Hershey Giant Center. 

Perry had little trouble advancing as he built up a 9-2 lead before pinning Jared Gonzalez of Notre Dame Green-Pond in just 1:01 of their round of 16 bout. Perry, now with 97 career falls, will face Ian Longenberger (43-7) of Boiling Springs in the quarterfinals. 

Perry is now 40-3 on the season and 159-15 in his career and a win over Longenberger would put the Bucktail senior into the state semifinals and assure him of his fourth state wrestling medal and becoming just the sixth Clinton County wrestler to achieve the feat. 

Kunes won his preliminary round bout by a narrow 3-0 decision over Noah Fenner (30-10) of Easton, which was Kunes second win over Fenner, as he had major decisioned the Rover back in the Top Hat Tournament, which is long ago in the wrestling world. 

Kunes (37-11) then met Southeast regional champion Quinn McBride (30-7) of Pennridge in the quarterfinals. McBride was leading 4-0 when he hit Kunes with a pancake and recorded a fall over the Wildcat in 1:15 of the second period. 

Kunes apparently was either bumped in the head during the move or hit his head on the mat when brought down, but in either case he had to be attended to by the training staff. The trainers and doctors rule him clear of concussion protocol at that time, but will be rechecked again after the Friday weigh-ins. 

If Kunes is good to go, in the second round of consolations he will face the winner of the first round consolation match between Zach Sherman (34-11) of Chambersbuirg and Jackson Orrell (38-7) of Red Lion. 

Besides Perry, District six had just five other wrestlers advance into Friday’s championship quarterfinals, as Altoona had a pair in Braiden Weaver (121) and Luke Sipes (160) advance. State College had a pair of advancements in Asher Cunningham (172) and James Whitbred (152), while Mifflin County 285 pounder Payton Kearns rounded out the District 6 six pack. 

In the team race, District 11 private school powerhouses Bethlehem Catholic and Notre Dame Green-Pond lead the team race after day one, as Beth Catholic has 28 points and Notre Dame GP has 27 points and both teams have five wrestlers in the championship quarterfinals. Notre Dame Green-Pond) is up to Class AAA. as they competed in Class AA last season. 

Connellsville and Nazareth are tied for third with 23 points and each with four in the quarterfinals. Northampton is fifth with 19.5 points and Altoona sits in sixth place with 18.5 points and their pair of quarterfinalists

In the boys Class AA tournament, it is the private school battle at the top, as Bishop McCort is leading after day one with 58.5 points and 10 in the championship quarterfinals. Faith Christian Academy is in second with 54.5 points and also has 10 wrestlers in the quarterfinals, while Bishop McDevitt is in third with 33.5 points and five in the quarterfinals. 

Montoursville is in fourth place with 31 points and has five in the quarterfinals, while Warrior Run is in fifth place with 20 points and four wrestlers in the quarterfinals. Bald Eagle Area sits in sixth place with 19.5 points and three quarter finalist in Tanner Guenot (121), Caden Judice (133) and Calen Close (189), while Darren Lomison (139) is still alive in consolations. 

The Championship Quarterfinals and second round of consolations are set for 2:15 pm on Friday with the third round of consolations to follow.