SHARON – Returning champion Derek Brothers of Curwensville advanced to the 112-pound finals of the PIAA Northwest Region Class AA Wrestling Tournament with a 6-2 decision over District 9 rival Derek Konen of Ridgway Saturday morning.
A five-point second period was decisive for Brothers, who won the 103 region crown last year and placed eighth in the state.
After a scoreless first period, the Golden Tide sophomore reversed early in the second period, but Konen tied the bout with a reversal. Then, in the waning seconds of the period, Brothers reversed again and picked up a key point when the Elker senior was penalized for interlocking.
Brothers (30-3) rode the final two minutes and got his final point when the third caution was called against Konen (33-11) in the last five seconds.
In the District 9 tourney last weekend, Brothers was the gold medalist and Konen, the defending titlist, placed third.
Brothers will meet District 10 third place finisher Adam Matthews (29-14) of Reynolds for the region title Saturday evening. Matthews, a freshman, defeated District 10 sixth placer Nate Dias (30-12) of Commodore Perry 10-1 in the other semifinal.