Norwin, Franklin Regional wrestling teams advance to PIAA semis

By: Paul Schofield
Friday, February 6, 2026 | 10:45 PM

Previous Next

JOHNSTOWN — Winning toss-up matches is key to deciding tight wrestling matches this time of the season.

That is why Norwin and Franklin Regional wrestling teams are headed to the PIAA Class 3A semifinals.

Both teams got clutch wins Friday in the quarterfinals at 1st Summit Arena.

Norwin got wins from Riley Shaffer (189 pounds) and freshman heavyweight Jonah Fierle to defeat Connellsville, 29-26.

Franklin Regional got key victories from sophomore Beau Fennick (114) and junior Ethan Cartwright (172) in its 37-23 defeat of State College.

The wins put Norwin against Council Rock South, which upset No. 1-ranked Nazareth (33-32 by criteria) and Franklin Regional (20-0) against Bethlehem Catholic, which defeated Boyertown, 32-28. The semifinals begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

Fierle used a second-period takedown to defeat Roghan Hollis, 4-1.

The Knights also got key wins from Coleton Klipa (127), Brooks Blasko (139), Noah Curren (152) and Riley Shaffer (189).

“They won the close matches, and we did not,” Connellsville coach Bill Swink said. “That was the difference.”

Norwin coach Kyle Martin was pleased his wrestlers won the close ones.

“This is not how I drew it up,” Martin said. “It never works out that way. That is what makes this stuff exciting. You must look for the hero this time of the year, and we had a few.”

Klipa edged Tommy Gretz, 1-0, Blasko edged Landon Lynn, 7-0, Curren nipped Luke Lilley (152), 5-3, and Riley Shaffer beat Cooper Lembo, 5-1.

Norwin got a pin from Landon Sidun (121) and technical fall from Jack White (172).

Connellsville got pins from Zach Franks (114), Nolan Rice (127) and Jake Lilley (160), and a tech fall from Kai Vielma (145).

Franklin Regional got pins from Salvatore Colangelo (107), Michael Ruane (152) and John Montgomery (215).

Chase Smith (149) and Max Firestine (145) had technical falls.

“We got key wins at 114 and 172,” Franklin Regional coach Matt Lebe said. “We knew if we got those wins, we would be OK. We won the close matches, and we had other guys do a good job getting bonus points.”

In the PIAA Class 2A quarterfinals, Derry coach Troy Dolan Jr. was not disappointed with his team’s effort against No. 1 Faith Christian.

He said it was a learning experience.

Faith Christian, from District 1, defeated Derry, the WPIAL champion, 52-9.

The Trojans (14-1) faced a team that featured six No. 1-ranked wrestlers.

“That is a very tough team,” Dolan said. “We battled them. The score does not indicate that.

“I was impressed with Mason (Horwat). We make one or two adjustments, and maybe the outcome is different.”

Horwat took No. 1 Nick Singer into overtime before falling 7-4 at 172 pounds.

“I felt Ewan (Olson) wrestled tough,” Dolan said. “Mason (Keesecker) looked good, and Patrick (Bulger) bumped up and size was the difference in that match.”

Keesecker defeated Riley Crandall, 4-2, at 107 pounds, and Brycen Johnston was awarded a forfeit at 114.

“I want the guys to learn that they cannot be complacent,” Dolan said. “You must continue to work hard because there are other guys working just as hard.

“I want to see us come back Saturday and finish strong. Making this tournament will help us in future seasons.”

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: Connellsville, Derry Area, Franklin Regional, Norwin