HERSHEY - The Bedford wrestling team advanced to today's quarterfinals of the PIAA Team AA Championships with a 42-27 win over Western Wayne Thursday afternoon at the Giant Center.
The Bisons, the District 5 champions who improved to 16-0, will wrestle District 11 champ Pen Argyl (20-4), a 42-27 winner over Burrell, at noon today.
The winner wrestles either Central Columbia, a 34-21 winner over Mount Union, or Boiling Springs, a 31-30 winner over Reynolds, in the semifinals at 8 p.m. The loser will be in the second round of consolations at 4 p.m.
"Overall, we wrestled pretty well," Bedford coach Brian Creps said. "The kids were aggressive and scored points. It seemed like we were in the right state of mind. If going you're going to be successful, you have to do that.
"We're familiar with Pen Argyl. We've wrestled them in the past down here. They've won a couple and we've won a couple. We've seen them in the King of the Mountain. It's going to come down to tossup matches. You
can't ask for more in quarterfinals if it comes down to tossups."
Creps says even though his team is wrestling in the PIAA Duals for the fifth straight year, the experience factor is canceled out by Pen Argyl being there too.
"Their kids know what's going on, so it will be a nice little dual meet," Creps said. "I think our kids are looking forward to it, and they're in the right frame of mind."
The Bisons got pins from Michael Brett (195), Jake Warren (106), Ryan Easter (113), Garrett Thomas (120) and Toby Brett (126). They also got a technical fall from Josiah Koontz (160), who might have broken his nose, and a major decision from Tanner Williams (152).
"Michael Brett's pin really sparked us," Creps said. "That kid was a lot bigger than Michael. Their top three kids lost six times between the three of them all year. Warren got us going good. Easter, Thomas and Toby Brett have been wrestling well all year.
"Koontz's nose is all swollen. He might have to wear a mask. He's never worn one before, so it might be a problem."
Zach Dudek earned a 12-6 decision over Manuel Mirailh at 138 to give the Bisons a 33-12 lead.
"Dudek was losing, and then he rallied to get a win," Creps said. "After that match, we started to feel good about getting a win.
For all other scores, see the scoreboard on B5.
195-M. Brett, B, pinned C. Rosensweet, 2:53; 220-M. Rosensweet, WW, dec. Krupa, 4-2; 285-Inglaglio, WW, pinned J. Easter, 1:34; 106-Warren, B, pinned Mrsich, 3:55; 113-R. Easter, B, pinned Brown, :39; 120-Thomas, B, pinned Franc, :53. 126-T. Brett, B, pinned Fischetti, 1:35.
132-M. Fuller, WW, dec. Grimes, 7-2; 138-Dudek, B, dec. Mirailh, 12-6; 145-B. Fuller, WW, dec. Martin, 7-1; 152-Williams, B, maj. dec. Karnick, 13-3; 160-Koontz, B, tech. fall Hadden, 17-2; 170-Enslin, WW, pinned Yingling, 2:27; 182-Swoyer, WW, pinned Evans, 1:59.
Records: Western Wayne (15-7); Bedford (16-0).
