Simcox wins opener, moves to PIAA semifinals

HERSHEY, PA – Central Mountain’s Luke Simcox made his first appearance at the PIAA AAA state championships a successful one Saturday morning. The Wildcat freshman earned a 5-2 win over Patrick Snoke (11-5), a senior from Northampton.

After a scoreless first period, Simcox scored an escape 15 seconds into period two and earned a takedown midway through the period for a 3-0 lead; Snoke scored an escaped in the waning seconds and after two periods, Simcox led, 3-1. Snoke chose down to start period three and Simcox turned him for two back points for a 5-1 lead before Snoke closed out the scoring with a late escape for a 5-2 Simcox win.

The victory moved the Wildcat wrestler to 24-3 on the year and into a semifinal match later Saturday morning. His opponent will be Tyler Kasak (13-0), a sophomore from Bethlehem Catholic. Kasak advanced with a 2-1 win over Matt Repos (24-4), a sophomore from Central Dauphin. Simcox defeated Repos by a 5-3 score at last weekend’s western “super regional.”

With his win over Snoke, Simcox is assured of finishing no lower than sixth in his initial appearance at states. He is two wins away from a state title at 126 pounds.