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By Todd Irwin
sports@altoonamirror.com
Altoona's Luke Hileman (106) and Luke Sipes (152) and Hollidaysburg's Aaron Sleeth (172) all lived up to their seeds last week in the District 6 Class 3A Tournament by winning titles.
This week, the trio will be looking to win respective gold medals at the Northwest Regional Class 3A Tournament.
The tournament includes the top four from District 6, the top four from the combined District 4-9, the top three from District 10 and the top two from District 8. Some wrestlers from District 6, including five Blair County wrestlers, have been added because District 8 couldn't fill its allotment at multiple weights.
The Northwest Regional begins at 5:30 p.m. today at the Altoona Fieldhouse, and the quarterfinals will follow.
The tournament resumes at 10 Saturday morning. The semifinals and consolation quarterfinals are at 12:30, and the consolation semifinals will follow. The finals and consolation finals are set for 6 p.m.
The top three at every weight class will qualify for the PIAA Championships, which begin next Thursday at Hershey's Giant Center.
The area contingent has grown from seven to 12 with the additions. Hollidaysburg also has District 6 third-placer Nicklas Eppihimer (215), fourth-placer Carson Krupka (106) and three additions in Noah Horne (fifth, 120), Mitchell Baronner (fifth, 138) and Rally Hoover (fifth, 285).
"Every year brings a new energy," Hollidaysburg coach Christian Harr said. "We've got six guys going, and we're pretty pumped about that. We've had a pretty good prep week. We're just excited to go out and compete."
Altoona fourth-placers Nick Irwin (113) and Will Young (145) qualified last week, and Eli Wisor (sixth, 120) and Elijah Houser (fifth, 172) have been added this week.
"I believe the kids are really looking forward to it," Altoona coach Joel Gilbert said. "They're excited and ready to wrestle. They want to get on the mat and see what they can do. It's a long season, but this is what the season is all about."
Hileman and Sleeth have experience wrestling in the tournament. Hileman went 2-2 as a freshman, while Sleeth went 1-2 as a freshman and 2-2 as a sophomore. Freshman Sipes is wrestling in his first regional.
Hileman (30-3), who has a bye in the first round, had two first-period pins last week to increase his pin total to 21. He could see St. Marys' freshman and District 4-9 champion Aiden Beimel (24-3) in the finals.
"He has a pretty good shot at winning this tournament," Gilbert said. "If he goes out and does what Luke knows how to do and stays aggressive, I think his changes will greatly increase.
"(Beimel) is tough. He won at the Panther Classic (when Hileman was at 113), and we had the opportunity to watch him up there. He's a pretty solid wrestler, but Luke is scary. He can put you on your back from anywhere."
Freshman sensation Sipes (30-1) has a bye in the first round also. District 6 runner-up Parker Kearns is in the opposite bracket. Sipes could get Selinsgrove's four-time regional qualifier Aiden Gaugler (36-5) in the semifinals. Sipes beat Gaugler, 5-2, at the Panther Holiday Classic.
"There are at least four real good, quality wrestlers there at his weight," Gilbert said. "I think he's in a good spot, though. I think a lot of the other wrestlers are found in the bottom bracket.
"Luke has wrestled (Gaugler) before. Luke seems to be able to pick up the pace. The second time he wrestles somebody, he figures them out and scores more points than the first time. We're pretty hopeful he can get to the finals. He's really ready to go."
Sleeth (23-11) will open with a District 8 third-placer before likely tangling with Clearfield's District 4-9 runner-up Mark McGonigal. McGonigal has beaten Sleeth, 13-3 and 11-1, this season.
"We have a pretty tough draw. We're going to be wrestling McGonigal in the quarters I'm assuming," Harr said. "Aaron has been keeping it closer the more they've wrestled, but certainly that's a tough foe. We've been working on some things to hopefully close the gap and get us an opportunity for a victory.
"If that doesn't happen, then we're certainly on the better half of the consys to get to the consy finals, and hopefully move on from there."
Eppihimer (26-12) could have a shot at making a run at qualifying for the state tournament as a senior. He would likely face Clearfield's District 4-9 champ Hayden Kovalick (30-2) in the semifinals. Kovalick pinned him at the Ultimate Warrior Tournament.
No matter what, the coaches say their wrestlers just have to focus on the task at hand.
"You have to take it one match a time," Gilbert said. "Do what you do best and hit what you're good at. There are always upsets in these tournaments. You're going to have to win some close matches."
"You don't want to look too far ahead," Harr said. "You don't want to put the pressure of what this match means on top of you. From there, the rest will take care of itself."