By Lynn Saternow

Herald Sports Editor



Sharon senior Jordan Moss has seen the sights from the top of the medal stand in Hershey and guess what – he wants that view again next weekend. In fact, a solid crew of Mercer County matmen also would like to be perched somewhere on that pedestal.

Moss (145) and Reynolds’ Mason Beckman (119) each won their third straight Northwest AA Region Championships Saturday night at Sharon High and lead a group of 20 countians to Hershey for the PIAA state tourney this coming weekend.

Moss has finished three times already on the state podium including the top in 2008. In his two years Beckman has medaled twice. They’re both shooting for more and their third regional crowns are a step in that direction.

Winning second straight regional titles Saturday were Reynolds’ Dylan D’Urso (125) and Ridgway’s Garet Pisani (135).

Other county champions Saturday were: Reynolds’ Austin Matthews (130); Greenville’s Cody Copeland (140); Commodore Perry’s Brandon Collins (152), Stephen Ceremuga (189) and Brian Hooks (215); and Sharon’s Lewendo Teague (171).

Other champs included: Ridgway’s Corey Bush (103) and Joe Chittester (285); Union City’s Shane Rankin (112); Coudersport’s Dirk Cowburn (160);

The Reynolds Raiders of coach Brian Hills won their 9th straight region team title with 98.5 points, topping Ridgway 76.5. Commodore Perry finished third with 62.5.

“It’s nice to win again,” said Hills. “It gets to a point where you want to win everything. But we lost a good Fort LeBouef team at the state duals. Our kids showed great resolve in coming back.”

The top three wrestlers in each weight move on to state which opens Thursday morning at Hershey Giant Center. As always, District 10 wrestlers dominated the field over District 9 representatives.

Following is a look at the weight classes:

103 – This was a pairing of district champions as Harbor Creek’s Tyler Pier tangled with Ridgway’s Corey Bush (33-3). Pier (36-8) pinned Bush last year in the consy finals, but this time Bush got revenge. Trailing 7-2, he roared from behind, took the lead and pinned Pier in 5:53.

112 – Mercer’s Matt Spragale (37-16) was somewhat a surprise finalist, upending D-10 champ Nate Dias of Commodore Perry, 5-4, in the semis. But in the finals, Union City’s Shane Rankin (43-2) had just a little too much horsepower for the Mustang. Rankin, a 3rd-place finisher in 2008, was in control most of the way after the first takedown for a 6-4 final. Jamestown’s Tyler Roberts topped Sharon’s Jarray Norris, 10-6, in the consy match to advance.

119 – For a third straight week Beckman (45-0) faced Jamestown sophomore Aaron Roberts (34-9) in a finals match and again it was a mismatch as Beckman jumped out 6-2 then pinned Roberts in 1:24. Of course every match on the tournament trail has been a mismatch for the takedown-wizard Beckman who has 7 technical falls and 2 pins thus far.

125 – Raider sophomore D’Urso (38-6) faced a D-10 finals rematch with Iroquois’ Dylan Simmer, where D’Urso won 7-0. This one was a lot shorter. D’Urso took down Simmer to his back for a fall in 1:21 to earn his second region title.

130 – A meeting of district champs saw Reynolds freshman sensation Austin Matthews (41-6) take on Redbank Valley senior Trevor McCauley (39-3). Matthews led 2-0 after one period and tacked on back points in the second for a 5-0 front. The aggressive Raider continued to pour it on in the third with a reversal and back points en route to a 10-0 win.

“The guys are realing amping up,” said Raider mentor Hills after his big three youngsters copped titles. “It’s the way you want them to be wrestling heading for state.”

135 – Ridgway’s Pisani (34-2) notched his second straight title with ease, rolling past Quinton O’Rourke of Johnsonburg, 10-2.

140 – Greenville sophomore Copeland (37-1) continued his torrid run through the tournaments where he has rarely been tested. In the finals against Northwestern’s Ian Chiesa it was no contest as Copeland rolled 13-2. Mercer’s Herbie Hennegan finished third to earn a ticket to Hershey.

“He’s showing some versatility,” said Greenville coach John Reynolds of his standout. “As a sophomore he’s riding high going to states. When you pin as many guys as he does, you sometimes worry about going 6 minutes. He’s proved he has no problem doing that.”

145 – It was a rematch of the D-10 finals here as Sharon’s unbeaten Moss took on Reynolds Luke Taylor (38-12). Moss won a 3-2 thriller last week, but this week was a different story. Moss jumped out early here, blocking a Taylor roll-through for a takedown and back points. By the close of the first period, Moss (42-0) led 7-1. The Tiger star poured it on from there for a tech fall, 21-6 in 5:52.

“We worked some other finishes (on leg shots) this week,” said Sharon coach Dave Ciafre. “He’s amazing. You show him something once and he picks it up right away. This was a good tune-up for state. Hopefully we’ll keep this train rolling.”

152 – The crowd loves an underdog and went wild for Commodore Perry’s Brandon Collins (33-4) who scored a neutral with 13 seconds to go for a 4-3 victory over previously unbeaten Jeremy King of Fort LeBoeuf. King (37-1) defeated Collins, 3-1, in the finals last week.

“”I’m really proud of him,” said CP coach Kevin Drew. “Brandon is wrestling well at this time of the year and that’s what you want heading down to state. He’s going to Hershey and being a regional champion is icing on the cake.”

Mercer’s Kyle Mariacher finished third to advance.

160 – It was a highlight match of the finals as Coudersport’s 2-time state champ Dirk Cowburn took on defending region champ Wes Phipps (33-2) of Grove City, a state place-winner last year. Cowburn (45-1), who was upset at regions last year, scored an early takedown and it was a tough battle the rest of the way. But Cowburn held on for a 4-3 victory.

Hickory’s Tyler Gargano lost to Cowburn in the semis, but came back to take third and advance.

171 – It was another meeting of district winners here as Sharon’s Lewendo Teague tangled with Ridgway’s Zack Zelcs. Teague scored a reversal late in the second period to go on top 4-3. In the third, Teague escaped. However, Zelcs scored a takedown in the final seconds of regulation to tie the count at 5 and force overtime. Teague shot in for a takedown and clinched the 7-5 victory.

“He made a nice adjustment,” said coach Ciafre of the final takedown. “The kid had been trying to bait him into going for that low single. Lewendo attacked the other leg. Smart. He was a little frustrated after the match was tied, but he recovered quickly and composed himself. For a kid that hasn’t wrestled that long, he’s really impressive.”

Reynolds’ Greg Baptiste finished third, pinning Sharpsville’s Phillip Bucher in the consy finals.

189 – It was a battle of unbeatens here as Commodore Perry junior Ceremuga took on Brookville’s Jacob Shields. Ceremuga (38-0) dominated on his feet to build an 8-4 early lead and went on to record an 11-6 victory over Shields (10-1), the 100th win of his career.

Greenville’s R.J. Malson, a 2009 champ, finished third.

215 – In a District 10 finals rematch, Commodore Perry’s Hooks tangled with Union City’s undefeated Jared Burger. Burger pinned Hooks last week, but this one went to overtime tied at 1. Hooks (37-2) picked up a leg and scored a takedown in OT for a 3-1 victory that gave CP three champions. Burger fell to 44-1.

“I said before, I couldn’t wait until the postseason started,” said CP mentor Drew. “We were wrestling well coming into the tournaments and that’s what you want. We had a few disappointments this weekend, but overall I’m pleased the way we’re wrestling heading to state.”

In pointing to his three champs he said, “These kids train hard, but not only do they practice hard, they’re smart wrestlers and they focus on what they need to do. The goal of everyone is to medal at state and it just depends on how high you finish.

“I’m really looking forward to going to Hershey.”

285 – It was another clash of unbeaten matmen here with Union City’s Greg Reinke facing Ridgway’s Joe Chittester. Chittester (37-0) escaped in the third overtime period for a 2-1 triumph over Reinke (27-1). Greenville’s Dillon Sarcinella took third to move on.

With section, district and region team crowns locked away, Raider coach Hills again turns his attention to state, but more importantly how far his team has come.

“Really at the start of the year I didn’t know what we had,” said the veteran coach. “But as the season went on and the kids kept developing, we turned into a good team. I’m looking forward to next weekend. We go down there and see what we can do.”

———

Top 10 teams: Reynolds 98.5, Ridgway 76.5, Commodore Perry 62.5, Union City 49, Fort LeBoeuf 47.5, Sharon 47, Greenville 43, Mercer 40, Northwestern 28, Jamestown 27.5.



Championship Finals

103 – Corey Bush (Ridgway) pinned Tyler Pier (Harbor Creek), 5:53

112 – Shane Rankin (Union City) dec. Matt Spragale (Mercer), 6-4

119 – Mason Beckman (Reynolds) pinned Aaron Roberts (Jamestown), 1:24

125 – Dylan D’Urso (Reynolds) pinned Dylan Simmer (Iroquois), 1:21

130 – Austin Matthews (Reynolds) maj. dec. Trevor McCauley (Redbank Valley), 10-0

135 – Garet Pisani (Ridgway) maj. dec. Quinton O’Rourke (Johnsonburg), 10-2

140 – Cody Copeland (Greenville) maj. dec. Ian Chiesa (Northwestern), 13-2.

145 – Jordan Moss (Sharon) tech fall Luke Taylor (Reynolds), 21-6, 5:52

152 – Brandon Collins (Comm. Perry) dec. Jeremy King (Ft. LeBoeuf), 4-3

160 – Dirk Cowburn (Coudersport) dec. Wes Phipps (Grove City), 4-3

171 – Lewendo Teague (Sharon) dec. Zack Zelcs (Ridgway), 7-5 OT

189 – Stephen Ceremuga (Comm. Perry) dec. Jacob Shields (Brookville), 11-6

215 – Brian Hooks (Comm. Perry) dec. Jared Burger (Union City), 3-1 OT

285 – Joe Chittester (Ridgway) dec. Greg Reinke (Union City), 2-1 2OT



Consolation Finals

(Only winner advances)

103 – Nate Schwab (Smethport) pinned Brandon Puckley (Ft. LeBouef), 1:45; 112 – Tyler Roberts (Jamestown) dec. Jarray Norris (Sharon), 10-6; 119 – Sean Byham (Saegertown) dec. Jesse Wolfe (Johnsonburg), 3-1; 125 – Matt Bryer (Cochranton) dec. Derek Brothers (Curwensville), 2-1; 130 – Levi Morton (North East) dec. Ian Grecco (Brockway), 4-2 2 OT; 135 - Tim Clark (Saegertown) pinned Dylan Reinsel (Clarion), 2:19; 140 – Herbie Hennegan (Mercer) dec. Garrett Smith (Seneca), 10-5; 145 – Mikel Boughner (Cochranton) dec. Shawn Stancliff (Ft. LeBoeuf), 8-6; 152 – Kyle Mariacher (Mercer) pinned Brad Lucas (Youngsville), 4:34; 160 – Tyler Gargano (Hickory) dec. Danny Walters (Clarion), 7-5; 171 – Greg Baptiste (Reynolds) pinned Phillip Bucher (Sharpsville), 4:56; 189 – R.J. Malson (Greenville) dec. Jared Merritt (Northwestern), 4-2 OT; 215 – Matt Mongera (Seneca) dec. Brandon Bradney (Ft. LeBoeuf), 1-0; 285 – Dillon Sarcinella (Greenville) dec. Lee Russell (Cranberry), 6-1



Consolation Semifinals

103 – Puckley pinned Landon Clayton (Lakeview), 2:12; Schwab maj. dec. Jonas Reaugh (Jamestown), 16-5; 112 – Norris maj. dec. Karl Lightner (Smethport), 21-13; Roberts dec. Nate Dias (Comm. Perry), 6-3; 119 – Byham dec. Jake Keller (Curwensville), 3-1; Wolfe dec. Ian Abplanalp (Grove City), 3-2; 125 – Brothers dec. Matt Graff (Maplewood), 7-0; Bryer dec. Tyler McCauley (Redbank Valley), 4-3; 130 – Morton dec. David Osterberg (Northwestern), 6-4 OT; Grecco dec. Max Zimmerman (Johnsonburg), 2-1; 135 – Clark pinned Kirby Buchanan (Grove City), 1:58; Reinsel dec. Riley Smith (Ft. LeBoeuf), 6-4; 140 – Smith dec. Tanner Hannold (Keystone), 1-0; Hennegan default over Brandon Bailey (Redbank Valley); 145 – Stancliff dec. Randy Perkins (Greenville), 6-5; Boughner dec. Alex Gunter (Clarion), 5-4; 152 – Mariacher dec. Adam Greenman (Port Allegany), 9-4; Lucas pinned Nathan Hartless (Brockway), 4:19; 160 – Gargano dec. Nate Smith (Seneca), 5-4; Walters dec. J.T. Mannozzi (Mercer), 4-1; 171 – Bucher dec. Hunter Bardo (Cameron County), 6-4; Baptiste maj. dec. Matt Schiemer (Comm. Perry), 11-2; 189 – Merritt dec. Justin Loll (Cranberry), 3-1; Malson dec. Tyler Lewis (Lakeview), 4-2; 215 – Bradney pinned R.J. Swartz (Mercer), 4:52; Mongera dec. Joel Yahner (Brockway), 3-0; 285 – Russell maj. dec. Manning, 11-3; Sarcinella dec. Ryan Benson (West Middlesex), 5-4.



Championship Semifinals

103 - Pier pinned Puckley, :34; Bush dec. Reaugh, 3-0; 112 – Spragale dec. Dias, 5-4; Rankin dec. Lightner, 10-6; 119 – Beckman tech fall Wolfe, 25-7, 4:00; Roberts dec. Keller, 9-7; 125 – D’Urso tech fall McCauley, 16-0, 6:00; Simmer dec. Brothers, 2-1; 130 – Matthews pinned Grecco, 3:03; McCauley dec. Osterberg, 6-0; 135 – O’Rourke dec. Smith, 8-2; Pisani pinned Clark, 1:20; 140 – Copeland dec. Smith, 9-2; Chiesa pinned Bailey, 3:39; 145 – Moss dec. Boughner, 10-3; Taylor pinned Perkins, 2:22; 152 – King tech fall Hartless, 17-2, 5:08; Collins dec. Greenman, 2-0 OT; 160 – Phipps dec. Walters, 9-3; Cowburn maj. dec. Gargano, 11-2; 171 – Teague dec. Baptiste, 5-3; Zelcs tech fall Bucher, 16-0, 5:57; 189 - Ceremuga dec. Malson, 9-4; Shields dec. Merritt, 2-1 2OT; 215 – Burger dec. Bradney, 4-3; Hooks dec. Yahner, 2-1; 285 - Reinke (Union City) maj. dec. Manning, 16-2; Chittester dec. Sarcinella, 4-3.



Consolation Quarterfinals

103 – Schwab pinned Nick Hart (Camb. Springs), :41; Clayton dec. Trey Constable (Brookville), 4-2 OT; 112 – Norris dec. Cody Bova (Coudersport), 9-5; Roberts dec. Nick Schrecengost (Redbank Valley), 14-7; 119 – Abplanalp dec. Brett Smith (Brookville), 3-1; Byham dec. Taylor Fox (Ft. LeBoeuf), 8-3; 125 – Graff dec. Mitch Kaltenbaugh (Ft. LeBoeuf), 7-5; Bryer dec. Kyle Caggiano (Ridgway), 9-2; 130 – Zimmerman forfeit over Kody Pace (Ft. LeBoeuf); Morton dec. Luke Marshall (Greenville), 7-4; 135 – Buchanan dec. Cam Cianci (Reynolds), 9-3; Reinsel dec. Kevin Nowakowski (Harbor Creek), 8-5; 140 – Hannold forfeit over David Church (Ft. LeBoeuf); Hennegan dec. Trevor Hartless (Brockway), 5-1; 145 – Stancliff pinned Zach Baughman (Keystone), :35; Gunter dec. Alex Gular (Port Allegany), 5-2; 152 – Mariacher dec. David Holiga (Greenville), 7-5; Lucas dec. D.J. Skraba, 9-4; 160 – Smith dec. Alex Svetz (North East), 10-5; Mannozzi dec. Sam Skara (Ridgway), 4-2; 171 – Bardo dec. Jordan Elchynski (North East), 8-6; Schiemer pinned Jacob Cieleski (Brookville), 4:03; 189 – Loll dec. Josh Tomiczek (Saegertown), 5-1; Lewis pinned Zach Brinkley (Brockway), 1:17; 215 – Mongera pinned James Hahn (Sheffield), 3:18; Swartz dec. Braden Bowser (Redbank Valley), 3-1 OT; 285 – Benson dec. Peter Jackson (Fairview), 3-1; Russell dec. Justin East (Camb. Springs), 6-5.