Franklin Regional stays alive at PIAA Class 3A team wrestling tournament
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Friday, February 9, 2024 | 3:57 PM
Franklin Regional’s Ethan Cartwright gets a pin with a cradle against Boiling Springs’ Preston Warner on Friday at the PIAA Class 3A tournament in Hershey.
Franklin Regional senior Tyler Kapusta tries to escape the legs of Boiling Springs’ Luke Magnani during their 133-pound match Friday at the PIAA Class 3A tournament in Hershey.
Franklin Regional senior Troy McClelland is told by the official that he’s receiving three back points against Boiling Springs’ Gage Hughes at the PIAA Class 3A team championships Friday.
Franklin Regional senior Troy McClelland celebrates his pin Friday against Boiling Springs’ Gage Hughes.
HERSHEY — There must be something about the Giant Center for the Franklin Regional wrestling team.
This is the fourth time the Panthers have wrestled in Hershey, and they keep finding ways to win and are having fun doing so.
The 2013 team placed third in the state, and the 2014 and 2015 squads won consecutive titles. The Panthers are 14-2 in Hershey.
The 2024 team is making a name for itself no matter what happens Saturday.
Franklin Regional (22-2) won two consolation-round matches Friday, defeating Boiling Springs, 35-23, in Round 1 and Wilson West Lawn, 29-22, in Round 2.
Now the Panthers find themselves in Round 3 at 9 a.m. Saturday against Central Dauphin. WPIAL champion Connellsville battles runner-up Trinity in the other consolation match.
“It’s been a total team effort,” Franklin Regional coach Matt Lebe said. “I’m proud of the guys. Hey, we’re in Day 3 of the state tournament and to make it to final eight teams, we have to believe in ourselves.
“Our camaraderie and tightness of this group is unbelievable. They believe in each other and the way they support each other. I’m proud of them. We’re excited to get to Saturday and keep battling. It’s going to be fun.”
A move upward in the upper weights paid off for Franklin Regional against Boiling Springs.
The Panthers (21-2) won the final four bouts, getting pins by Troy McClelland at 215 and Juliano Marion at 285 and major decisions from Henry Patts at 189 and Titus Colangelo at 107, to rally for the win.
Ethan Cartwright also delivered a key pin at 160. Chase Smith at 125, Tyler Kapusta at 133 and Luke Ankney at 152 collected decisions.
Cartwright rallied from an early deficit at 152 to pin Preston Warner with a cradle and begin the comeback. The Panthers trailed 17-9 before Cartwright got the pin.
“I thought we wrestled well, and bumping up the lineup paid off,” Lebe said. “I’m proud how we bounced back after the tough loss on Thursday.”
Against Wilson, the Panthers got big wins from Kapusta at 133, Ankney at 146, Cartwright at 160, McClelland at 189 and Marion at heavyweight.
“Bear (Marion) gave up a lot of weight and got a major decision,” Lebe said. “He didn’t bat an eye against their bigger heavyweight. It’s hard to name all of them because they all have contributed.
“Great senior leadership, and these young guys like to work and love to wrestle. It’s a great combination.”
Lebe said it’s great to have all three WPIAL teams still alive on the tournament’s final day.
FRANKLIN REGIONAL 29 , WILSON WEST LAWN 22
127: Chase Smith (FR) major Charlie Griffin, 15-5.
133: Tyler Kapusta (FR) d. McKaden Speece, 2-1.
139: James Garcia (W) d. Dom Colaizzi, 8-4.
145: Luke Ankney (FR) d. Dominic Delgado, 5-4.
152: Matteo Garcia (W) p. Cohen Buccicone, :45.
160: Ethan Cartwright (FR) d. Kameron Koch, 4-0.
172: Blaise Eidle (W) d. Henry Patts, 7-2.
189: Troy McClelland (FR) d. Ethan Brownbeck, 6-1.
215: Ryan McMillan (W) p. Elisua Daugherty, 1:14.
285: Juliano Marion (FR) major Logan Kurzweg, 13-3.
107: Titus Colangelo (FR) t.f. Trevor Hertzog, 15-0 (3:20).
114: Mike Ruane (FR) major Isaac Eidle, 8-0.
121: Reese Eidle (W) major Sal Nassif, 10-2.
Records: FR 22-2; W 21-4.
FRANKLIN REGIONAL 35, BOILING SPRINGS 23
114: Alex Mentzer (BS) d. Mike Ruane, 5-0.
121: Drew Scherer (BS) p. Sal Nassif, 2:25.
127: Chase Smith (FR) d. Jackson Mentzer, 5-2.
133: Ty Kapusta (FR) d. Luke Magnani, 6-1.
139: Ian Lonenberger (BS) major Nico Sarnic, 8-0.
145: Ean Wilson (BS) major Cohen Buccicone, 12-3.
152: Luke Ankney (FR) d. Sawyer Young, 4-1.
160: Ethan Cartwright (FR) p. Preston Warner, 2:04.
172: Collin Neal (BS) p. Ben Hartman, 1:26.
189: Henry Patts (FR) major Demetri White, 11-1.
215: Troy McClelland (FR) p. Gage Hughes, 4:00.
285: Juliano Marion (FR) p. Lance Schwang, :30.
107: Titus Colangelo (FR) major Chase Evans, 10-2.
Records: FR 21-2, BS 17-5.
Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.
Tags: Franklin Regional
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