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P-O has positive experience in first 2A appearance

Commentary

Philipsburg-Osceola was one of the standards of the District 6 Class 3A Tournament since the inception of the class division in 1974.

As schools around the district dropped to Class 2A over the years, P-O remained in 3A — even when every other sport in the school district went to 2A.

But the Mounties, as well as Bald Eagle Area, opted to drop to 2A. Some questioned the move because of history and having an easier path to the regional tournament in Class 3A. At some weights in the Class 3A tournament, wrestlers have had byes into the semifinals.

Then there’s the Southwest Regional, which is year after year the toughest Class 2A tournament in the state.

P-O did fairly well in its first appearance in the 27-team tournament, qualifying five to this week’s Southwest Regional at IUP and finishing in sixth place.

“It’s exciting,” P-O coach Brad Pataky said. “Coming into this tournament, we really didn’t have any idea how many we would get through the tournament. This is a completely brand new realm.

“We really didn’t have any expectations. The only expectations we had were that the kids would give their best effort and attitude. We knew they were going to fight for every single takedown, every single point. We were just more concerned with the kids going out there and doing their best.”

The District 6 Class 3A Tournament still has eight schools, with Juniata and Johnstown moving up. Pataky said he noticed a difference in the excitement level between the tournaments.

“Being in this division, it’s a lot more exciting than triple-A,” Pataky said. “The environment is a lot more exciting. It’s almost like you’re at a regional tournament.”

Pataky, the former Clearfield state champ and Penn State wrestler, said he’s looking forward to the Southwest Regional.

“I know going into the regional tournament, it’s going to be even more exciting because being in an actual arena and having a lot of teams and a lot of fans, it’s mimicking a mini state tournament. I think that’s an advantage for anyone that makes out of that region because it’s almost like you’ve been to the show before.”

Dubler a proud dad

Glendale coach Billy Dubler was having a proud dad moment when his son, Suds, a freshman, became the program’s first District 6 champion since Thad Francisco in 2001 on Saturday night.

The father and son shared a hug after the son beat Forest Hills’ Easton Toth, 6-0, in the 106-pound finals.

“I was just getting choked up about it in the corner, and I was saying my prayers,” Billy Dubler said. “I’m just so happy for him because I know how hard he works.”

Brock McMillen (126) and Cory Johnston (220) won titles later to finish off a heck of a tournament for the Vikings. All are underclassmen in a program that’s on the rise within the district.

Ridge dominates

While it wasn’t as dominant as last season, Chestnut Ridge’s performance at the District 5 Tournament was impressive.

The Lions qualified 12 wrestlers to the Southwest Regional. The two wrestlers who didn’t qualify were filling in for injured starters.

Ridge won the team title by 132 points, 250-118, over Everett.

You can expect the Lions to be one of the favorites to win a regional team title this weekend.

Todd Irwin can be reached at tirwin@altoonamirror.com. He can be followed on Twitter at @ToddIrwin1.

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