SHARON – Curwensville Area High School lightweights Derek Brothers and Jake Keller were unable to recover from tough semifinal losses in the Northwest Region Class AA Wrestling Tournament Saturday in Sharon High School and fell short of qualifying for PIAA Championships.
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Brothers’ outstanding career for the Golden Tide ended with a 2-1 loss to District 10 fourth placer Matt Bryer of Cochranton in the consolation finals.
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A reversal at the end of the second period decided the rematch of Friday’s quarterfinal bout that the Golden Tide senior had won 8-6.
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“Derek got high on legs and fell off that kid’s back right at the buzzer,” Curwensville coach Duane Wriglesworth II said. “I’ve never seen that happen with him before.”
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In the morning semifinals, D-10 runner-up Dylan Simmer of Iroquois beat Brothers by the same score, blocking his path to possible third region title via a stalling point in the third period.
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“Derek got nailed with three stall calls, and I just wish they wouldn’t have let that match be decided by them,” Wriglesworth said. “Simmers is short and stocky and very strong. He was in a real low stance, and Derek was having trouble getting in on his legs.
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“All Slimmer wanted to do was push. Every time, Derek would take a step back and try to turn the corner. He’s an open wrestler and doesn’t like to have to tie up, because he likes throw-bys, slide-bys and drag-bys.
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“He’s wrestled many matches that way and never was called for stalling. I felt there was no way three calls were justified.”
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Brothers, a two-time PIAA placewinner, sandwiched a 7-0 win over Maplewood’s D-10 third placer Matt Graff between those heart-breakers, registering a takedown in the first period, a near fall in the second and a reversal in the third.
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That shutout was school-record win No. 131 for the three-time District 9 champion, who was 32-5 this season.
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Though it was a frustrating and disappointing finish for Brothers, Wriglesworth chose to keep everything in perspective.
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“Look at what he has accomplished,” he said, noting all the post-season success. “He can be proud of that.
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“Derek is a talented young athlete, and I really enjoyed coaching him.”
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Keller, a sophomore making his first region appearance, fell behind late in the first period of his semifinal bout with D-10 runner-up Aaron Roberts of Jamestown and was unable to finish off a third-period comeback.
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Roberts hit a Peterson Roll for a four-point move to take a 5-2 lead into the second period, but Keller tightened the bout at 7-6 with his second takedown at the end of the second period.
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Another Peterson early in the third period gave Roberts what proved to be the deciding points as Keller’s escape with about a half-minute remaining set the final at 9-7.
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Trailing 2-1 late Roberts  held on for a 9-7 victory to earn a rematch of the D-10 finals with Reynolds standout Mason Beckman. The result was the same, though, as Beckman (45-0) posted a 1:24 fall for his third consecutive region crown.
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Keller (15-4), who missed more than half of the season because of a broken leg, then was beaten 3-1 by Sean Byham of Saegertown in the consolation semifinals. The D-10 third placer’s takedown in the second period was the difference.
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“Jake was in a front headlock situation several times and was close to spinning behind for the takedown when they would go out of bounds,” Wriglesworth. “One thing that pleased me was he didn’t let the first loss get him down. He expected to move on. It wasn’t for lack of effort.
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“Jake is a very hard worker and definitely has a bright future.
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“It just wasn’t our weekend, but I’d love to have a room full of kids like Derek and Jake.”
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Saturday wasn’t a good day for a lot of D-9 qualifiers.
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Only eight reached the finals, with Garet Pisani (135) of Ridgway and two-time state champion Dirk Cowburn (160) of Coudersport winning their second region gold medals.
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Ridgway’s smallest and biggest matmen, Corey Bush (103) and Joe Chittester (285), also added titles to their resumes.
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Pisani major decisioned Johnsonburg’s Quinton O’Rourke 10-2 in the lone bout between D-9 rivals.
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Redbank Valley’s Trevor McCauley (130), Ridgway’s Zack Zelcs (171) and Brookville’s Jacob Shields (189) also settled for silver medals. Zelcs took Sharon’s Lewendo Teague into overtime but lost 7-5. Â
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Two D-10 teams had three champions apiece.
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Mason Beckman (119), Dylan D’Urso (125) and Austin Matthews (130) went back-to-back-to-back for Reynolds. Beckman owns three titles and D’Urso has two.
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Brandon Collins (152), unbeaten Stephan Ceremuga (189) and Brian Hooks (215) gave Commodore Perry a strong showing.
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Jordan Moss (145), a 2008 state champ, breezed to with his third Northwest-AA title, giving Sharon a pair of gold medalists.
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Shane Rankin (112) of Union City and Cody Copeland (140) of Greenville also reigned.
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Chittester, Beckman, Ceremuga and Moss will carry unblemished records into the state tourney.
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The near wipeout by the strong D-10 contingent in the semifinals left D-9 hopefuls scrambling in the wrestlebacks for third place and a ticket to the PIAA Class AA championships that are booked for Thursday morning in the Hershey Giant Center.
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When the consy finals were history, Smethport 103-pounder Nate Schwab stood as the lone D-9 winner.
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Reynolds easily ruled as the top team with 99.5 points.
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Ridgway (76.5) and Commodore Perry (62.5) were second and third, respectively.
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TEAM SCORING AND KEY
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1. Reynolds (Rey), 99.5; 2. Ridgway (Ridg), 76.5; 3. Commodore Perry (CP), 62.5; 4. Union City (UC), 49; 5. Fort LeBoeuf (FL), 47.5; 6. Sharon (S), 47; 7. Greenville (Gr), 45; 8. Mercer (Mer), 40; 9. Northwestern (Nw), 28; 10. Jamestown (Jam); 27.5; 11. Saegertown (Sae), 45; 12. Johnsonburg (Jo), 24; 13. Cochranton (Coch), 21; 14. (tie) Coudersport (Cou) and Seneca (Sen), 20; 16. Redbank Valley (RV), 18; 17. (tie) Grove City (GC), Harborcreek (Ha) and Smethport (Sm), 17; 20. Brookville (Bv), 16; 21. Iroquois, 14.5; 22. Clarion (Cl), 14; 23. (tie) Brockway (Bw) and Hickory (Hi), 11; 25. North East (NE), 10; 26. (tie) Curwensville (Cur) and Sharpsville (S), 9; 28. (tie) Cranberry (Cran) and Youngsville (Y), 8; 30. Lakeview (L), 4; 31. (tie) Keystone (Key) and Port Allegany (PA), 3; 33. (tie) Cameron County (CC), Maplewood (Ma) and West Middlesex (WM), 1; 36. (tie) Cambridge Springs (CS) and Fairview (F),0; 38. Sheffield (Shef), -1.
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CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS
(District-Place, Wrestler, Record, School)
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103 – (9-1) Corey Bush (33-3), Ridg, pinned (10-1) Tyler Pier (36-8), Ha, 5:53.
112 – (10-2) Shane Rankin (43-2), UC, dec. (10-3) Matt Spragale (37-16), Mer, 6-4.
119 – (10-1) Mason Beckman (45-0), Rey, pinned (10-2) Aaron Roberts (34-9), J, 1:24.
125 – (10-1) Dylan D’Urso (38-6), Rey, pinned (10-2) Dylan Simmer (19-3), I, 1:21.
130 – (10-1) Austin Matthews (41-6), Rey, major dec. (9-1) Trevor McCauley (39-3), RV, 10-0.
135 – (9-1) Garet Pisani (34-2), Ridg, major dec. (9-2) Quinton O’Rourke (29-6), Jo, 10-2.
140 – (10-1) Cody Copeland (37-1), Gr, major. dec. (10-4) Ian Chiesa (27-6), Nw, 13-2.
145 – (10-1) Jordan Moss (42-0), Sha, tech fall (10-2) Luke Taylor (37-12), Rey, 21-6 (2:52).
152 – (10-2) Brandon Collins (33-4), CP, dec. (10-1) Jeremy King (37-1), FL, 4-3.
160 – (9-1) Dirk Cowburn (45-1), Cou, dec. (10-1) Wes Phipps (33-2), GC, 4-3.
171 – (10-1) Lewendo Teague (41-1), Sha, dec. (9-1) Zack Zelcs (34-6), Ridg, 7-5 (OT-SV).
189 – (10-1) Steve Ceremuga (38-0), CP, dec. (9-1) Jacob Shields (10-1), Bv, 11-6.
215 – (10-2) Brian Hooks (37-2), CP, dec. (10-1) Jared Burger (44-1), UC, 3-1 (OT-SV).
285 – (9-1) Joe Chittester (37-0), Ridg, dec. (10-1) Greg Reinke (27-1), UC, 2-1 (OT-TB).
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CONSOLATION FINALS
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103 –Â (9-2) Nate Schwab (27-5), Sm, pinned (10-3) Brandon Puckley (30-9), FL, 1:45.
112 – (10-4) Tyler Roberts (39-8), Jam, dec. (10-5) Jarray Norris (31-12), Sha, 10-6.
119 – (10-1) Sean Byham (37-6), Sae, dec. (9-2) Jesse Wolfe (29-4), Jo, 3-1.
125 – (10-4) Matt Bryer (38-6), Coch, dec. (9-1) Derek Brothers (32-5), Cur, 2-1.
130 – (10-3) Levi Morton (29-5), NE, dec. (9-1) Ian Grecco (34-5), Bw, 4-2 (OT-TB).
135 – (10-2) Tim Clark (35-6), Sae, pinned (9-3) Dylan Reinsel (34-8), Cl, 2:19.
140 – (10-5) Herbie Hennegan (36-13), Me, dec. (10-3) Garrett Smith (36-9), Sen, 10-7.
145 – (10-3) Mikel Boughner (39-10), Coch, dec. (10-5) Shawn Stancliff (25-12), FL, 10-2.
152 – (10-5) Kyle Mariacher (45-8), Me, pinned (10-4) Brad Lucas (23-11), Y, 4:32.
160 – (10-2) Tyler Gargano (46-3), Hi, dec. (9-2) Danny Walters (35-8), Cl, 7-5.
171 – (10-3) Greg Baptiste (34-13), Rey, pinned (10-2) Philip Bucher (34-12), S, 4:56.
189 – (10-3) R.J. Malson (33-7), Gr, dec. (10-2), Jared Merritt (33-8), Nw, 4-2 (OT-SV).
215 – (10-5) Matt Mongera (38-13), Sen, dec. (10-3) Brandon Bradney (34-8), FL, 1-0.
285 – (10-2) Dillon Sarcinella (36-5), Gr, dec. (9-3) Lee Russell (24-9), Cran, 6-1.
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CONSOLATION SEMIFINALS
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103 – Schwab, SM, major dec. (10-2) Jonas Reaugh (36-8), Jam, 16-5; Puckley, FL, pinned (10-4) Landon Clayton (29-10), 2:12.
112 – Norris, Sha, major dec. (9-1) Karl Lightner (27-5), Sm, 21-13; T. Roberts, Jam, dec. (10-1) Nate Dias (34-4), GC, 6-3.
119 – Byham, Sae, dec. (9-1) Jake Keller (15-4), Cur, 3-1; Wolfe, Jo, dec. (10-4) Ian Abplanalp (30-12), GC, 3-2.
125 – Brothers, Cur, dec. (10-3) Matt Graff (32-7), Ma, 7-0; Bryer, Coch, dec. (9-2) Tyler McCauley (34-8), RV, 4-3.Â
130 – Morton, NE, dec. (10-2) David Osterburg (32-10), Nw, 6-4 (OT-SV); Grecco, Bw, dec. (9-3) Max Zimmerman (33-4), Jo, 2-1.
135 – Clark, Sae, pinned (10-5) Kirby Buchanan (24-12), GC, 1:58; Reinsel, Cl, dec. (10-1) Riley Smith (26-12), FL, 6-4..
140 – Hennegan, Mer, won by injury default over (9-3) Brandon Bailey (22-16), RV; G. Smith, Sen, dec. (9-1) Tanner Hannold (34-8), Key, 1-0.
145 – Stancliff, FL, dec. (10-4) Randy Perkins (27-8), Gr, 6-5; Boughner, Coch, dec. (9-3) Alex Gunter (30-12) Cl, 5-4.
152 – Mariacher, Mer, dec. (9-1) Adam Greenman (33-8), Port Allegany, 9-4; Lucas, Y, pinned (9-2) Nathan Hartless (37-10), Bw, 4:19.
160 – Gargano, Hi, dec. (10-3) Nate Smith (40-6), Sen, 5-4; Walters, Cl, dec. (10-4) J.T. Mannozzi (36-14), Me, 4-1.
171 – Bucher, S, dec. (9-2) Hunter Bardo (25-9), CC, 6-4; Baptiste, Rey, major dec. (10-4) Matt Schiemer (22-8), CP, 11-2.
189 – Merritt, Nw, dec. (9-2) Justin Loll (26-8), Cran, 3-1; Malson, Gr, dec. (10-4) Tyler Lewis (25-11), L, 4-2.
215 – Mongera, Sen, dec. (9-1) Joel Yahner (38-7), Bw, 3-0; Bradney, FL, pinned (10-3) R.J. Swartz (35-18), Mer, 4:52.
285 – Sarcinella, Gr, dec. (10-3) Ryan Benson (39-11), WM, 5-4; Russell, Cran, major dec. (9-2) Zach Manning (22-19), PA, 11-3.
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CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS
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103 – Pier, Ha, pinned Puckley, FL, :34; Bush, Ridg, dec. Reaugh, Jam, 3-0.
112 – Spragale, Mer, dec. Dias, CP, 5-4; Rankin, UC, dec. Lightner, Sm, 10-6.
119 –Â Beckman, Rey, tech fall Wolfe, Jo, 25-7 (4:00); A. Roberts, Jam, dec. Keller, Cur, 9-7.
125 –Â D’Urso, Rey, tech fall Tyler McCauley, RV, 16-0 (6:00); Simmer, I, dec. Brothers, Cur, 2-1.
130 –Â Matthews, Rey, pinned Grecco, Bw, 3:03; Trevor McCauley, RV, dec. Osterberg, Nw, 6-0.
135 – O’Rourke, Jo, dec. R. Smith, FL, 8-2; Pisani, Ridg, pinned Clark, Sae, 1:20.
140 – Copeland, Gr, dec. G. Smith, Sen, 9-2; Chiesa, Nw, pinned Bailey, RV, 3:29.
145 –Â Moss, Sha, dec. Boughner, Coch, 10-3; Taylor, Rey, pinned Perkins Gr, 2:22.
152 –Â King, FL, tech fall Nathan Hartless, Bw, 17-2 (5:08); Collins, CP, dec. Greenman, PA, 2-0 (OT-SV).
160 –Â Phipps, GC, dec. Walters, Cl, 9-3; Cowburn, Cou, major dec. Gargano, Hi, 11-2.
171 –Â Teague, Sha, dec. Baptiste, Rey, 5-3; Zelcs, Ridg, tech fall Bucher, S, 16-0 (5:57).
189 –Â Ceremuga, CP, dec. Malson, Gr, 9-4; Shields, Bv, dec. Merritt, Nw, 2-1 (OT-TB).
215 – Burger, UC, dec. Bradney, FL, 4-3; Hooks, CP dec. Yahner, Bw, 2-1.
285 –Â Reinke, UC, major dec. Manning, PA, 16-2; Chittester, Ridg, dec. Sarcinella, Gr, 4-3.
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CONSOLATION QUARTERFINALS
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103 – Schwab, Sm, pinned (10-5) Nick Hart (33-7), CS, :41; Clayton, L, dec. (9-3) Trey Constable (4-6), Bv, 4-2 (OT-SV).
112 – Norris, Sha, dec. (9-2) Cody Bova (32-7), Cou, 9-5; T. Roberts, Jam, dec. (9-3) Nick Schrecengost (20-12), RV, 14-7.
119 – Byham, Saw, dec. (10-5) Taylor Fox (11-17), FL, 8-3; Abplanalp, GC, dec. (9-3) Brett Smith (24-10), Bv, 3-1.
125 – Graff, Ma, dec. (10-5) Mitch Kaltenbaugh (26-15), FL, 7-5; Bryer, Coch, dec. (9-3) Kyle Caggiano (24-15), Ridg, 9-2.
130 – Morton, NE, dec. (10-5) Luke Marshall (26-11), Gr, 7-4; Zimmerman, Jo, won by injury default over (10-4) Kody Pace (21-9), FL.
135 – Buchanan, GC, dec. (10-3) Cam Cianci (16-18), Rey, 9-3; Reinsel, Cl, dec. (10-4) Kevin Nowakowski (22-21), Ha, 8-5.
140 – Hennegan, Mer, dec. (9-2) Trevor Hartless (30-12), Bw, 5-1; Hannold, Key, won by injury default over (10-2) Dave Church (29-6), FL.
145 – Stancliff, FL, pinned (9-2) Zach Baughman (27-15), Key, :35; Gunter, Cl, dec. (9-1) Alex Gular (27-10), PA, 5-2.
152 – Mariacher, Mer, dec. (10-3) David Holiga (28-13), Gr, 7-5; Lucas, Y, dec. (9-3) D.J. Skraba (26-14), Ridg, 9-4.
160 – N. Smith, Sen, dec. (10-5) Alex Sevitz (21-13), NE, 10-5; Mannozzi, Mer, dec. (9-3) Sam Skraba (31-9), Ridg, 4-2.
171 – Bardo, CC, dec. (10-5) Jordan Elchynski (28-19), NE, 8-6; Schiemer, CP, pinned (9-3) Jacob Cieleski (19-12), Bv, 4:03.
189 – Loll, Cran, dec. (10-5) Josh Tomiczek (32-14), Sae, 5-1; Lewis, L, pinned (9-3) Zachery Brinkley (22-19), Bw, 1:17.
215 – Mongera, Sen, pinned (9-2) Jimmy Hahn (25-5), Shef, 3:18; Swartz, Mer, dec. (9-3) Braden Bowser (28-9), RV, 3-1Â (OT-SV).
285 – Benson, WM, dec. (10-5) Peter Jackson (15-9), F, 3-1; Russell, Cran, dec. (10-4) Justin East (29-13), CS, 6-5.