Patrick Bulger’s comeback win highlights strong Derry showing at PIAA wrestling championships

By: Paul Schofield
Thursday, March 5, 2026 | 6:44 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

HERSHEY — Things did not look good for Derry freshman Patrick Bulger in his debut match at the PIAA Class 2A wrestling championships Thursday.

He trailed after one period, but he never lost confidence. He chipped away at the lead against Trinity (District 3) sophomore Cameron Smith.

Once Bulger got in the top position, he was able to dominate and score multiple back points to rally for a 13-6 victory at Giant Center. He trailed 6-0.

“I got off balance, and he was able to take me down and tilt me,” Bulger said. “But once I reversed him and got on top, I knew I could turn him.

“When I got the reversal and nearfall points, I knew the match was not over, and I could come back. I am good on top.”

Smith, who placed sixth at states last season and has 72 career wins, never scored again.

Bulger (45-9) said nerves had nothing to do with his slow start.

“I was ready,” Bulger said. “I was not nervous. He capitalized on my mistake. Once I hit the tilt in the second period, I knew I could tilt him again and I knew I had it.”

Bulger, who next faces face Montgomery freshman Gabe Oberheim (51-7), was one of five Derry wrestlers to advance to the quarterfinals at 8 a.m. Friday.

Joining him were freshman Mason Keesecker (107), senior Ewan Olson (160), junior Mason Horwat (172) and junior Brady Brown (189).

Keesecker and Brown had dominating technical fall wins, and Olson and Horwat won close ones.

Keesecker (45-8) defeated St. Marys freshman Max Jovenetti, 17-2. He will face Honesdale sophomore Nathan Schuman (48-1), the No. 1 seed, in the quarterfinals.

Brown (29-5) crushed Line Mountain freshman Cade Feger, 20-3. Brown will face Greenville junior Hunter Cox (38-4).

Olson used a last-second takedown to edge Faith Christian Academy senior Shane Wagner, 5-2. Olson used a reversal early in the period to take a 2-1 lead.

Olson (40-11) will face Bradford senior Jordan Thompson (36-3).

Horwat (51-4) scored an escape in the second period to defeat Line Mountain sophomore Nolan Savage, 1-0.

His path gets no easier in the quarterfinals as he is set to face Faith Christian junior Nick Singer (30-4). Singer defeated Horwat in overtime at the PIAA team tournament in February.

“This is a very tough tournament, so you have to be happy with all the wins you can get,” Derry coach Troy Dolan Jr. said. “Staying alive in this tournament is a big part of it. I felt the guys who had winnable matches got after it. Overall, it was a pretty good day.”

Dolan was especially pleased with how Bulger stayed in his match and rallied.

“He likes to give us some anxious moments,” Dolan said. “I was impressed how he kept his composure. Hopefully, we can start off with the lead and hold it.

“Mason (Keesecker) and Brady looked strong, and Ewan and Mason (Horwat) won tough matches. Savage is a very good wrestler.”

Derry brought eight to the tournament, and seven are still alive. Cam Olson (133) and Michael McNeal (139) went 1-1, and freshman William McNeal went 0-2.

Burrell brought five wrestlers to the tournament, and three are still alive for medals.

Senior Cam Baker is the only Buccaneer still going for gold. He made quick work of Montgomery senior Carden Wagner, recording a 23-second pin.

Baker (42-4) will face Reynolds junior Logan Stewart (48-2) in the quarterfinals. Baker said the only time he faced Stewart was in an 8-under tournament.

Baker is back after missing the postseason his junior season.

“This first one is not always the hardest one,” Baker said. “But it gets the nerves out and gets you ready for the rest of the weekend.

“I wrestled pretty good. I pinned the kid quickly, and I never got into my attack. I was a little antsy. I am fired up.”

Baker is looking forward to Day 2 and is attempting to earn his third PIAA medal. He placed fourth in 2023 and sixth in 2024.

Still alive in the consolations are senior Julian Bertucci (145) and junior Ben Catullo (172).

Bertucci (45-7) won a preliminary-round match 14-1 against Annville-Cleona senior Oliver Funk, then dropped a 7-1 decision to Southeast champion Greyson Music of Bishop McDevitt.

Catullo (36-15) began his day with an 8-0 win against Sayre junior Jordan Brown but fell 18-3 to Bishop McCort junior Emory Gunby.

Losing both of their matches and being eliminated from the tournament were freshman Carter Thomas (107) and sophomore Liam Jones (152)

If Highlands senior Javeon Chambers (114) wants to earn a PIAA medal, he will have to do it in the consolation rounds.

Chambers was pinned by Halifax junior Isaya Schickley in the first round. He came back to defeat Forest Hills sophomore Santino DiPaola, 9-0, in the first round of consolations.

The other WPIAL wrestlers to advance to the quarterfinals were Central Valley junior Angelo Boni (107), Avonworth senior Auston Kosanovic (127), McGuffey senior Lucas Barr (133), Bentworth junior Drake McClure (139), Frazier senior Jonah Erdely (152), Elizabeth Forward junior Lucas Boyer (152), Beth-Center senior Noah Layhue (215), Laurel senior Casey Wilson (285) and West Greene senior Colin Whyte (285).

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: Burrell, Derry Area