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Central’s Smith, Claysburg’s Burkett claim PJW crowns

Junior wrestling

Central’s Colvin Smith and Claysburg-Kimmel’s Jonah Burkett captured state wrestling titles in the PJW Youth State Championships on Friday at the Harrisburg Farm Complex.

Smith went 5-0 with two pins, a technical fall and two decisions, including a 1-0 victory over Abington Heights’ Jack Sanders, 1-0, in the 10-U boys 55-pound championship finals.

Burkett captured the 45-pound title in the 8U boys division. He pinned Belle Vernon’s Kaden Slebodnik in 2:50 in the finals of the tournament, where he went 5-0 with two falls, two technical falls and a decision.

Regionally, Chestnut Ridge’s Kohyn Deputy won the 60-pound title in the 10-U boys group — also by a 1-0 decision over Nazareth’s Eddie Cuff.

Cambria Heights’ Maci Drass reached the 84-pound finals in the 12-U girls group, but she finished second. She was pinned by Council Rock North’s Abby Guzzo.

Altoona’s Nate Picciotti placed third at 85 in the 12-U boys group, while Altoona’s Cody Mallery finished fourth at 135 in the same group. Portage’s Joey Myers placed sixth at 75 in the age group.

Regionally in the 12-U boys, Chestnut Ridge’s Dexter Ward was the runner-up at 115 after losing to Kiski Area’s Marco Hutcherson, 9-3. Ridge’s Kayne Burkett was third at 100, while Huntingdon’s Gavin Morder was eighth at 145.

Tyrone’s Josiah Verilla placed third at 75 in the 10-U boys, while Jace Strittmatter of Holy Name in Ebensburg was third at 55. Portage’s Brody Myers took fourth at 70. Tyrone’s Vincent Ciampoli finished seventh at 65. Bellwood-Antis’ Landon Hartman was eighth at 150.

Regionally in the 10-U boys, Huntingdon’s Jayden Householder finished fourth at 65. Philipsburg-Osceola had a couple eighth-placers in Lee Clark (65 pounds) and Cameron Kephart (95).

Northern Bedford’s Harper Boyd placed fifth at 94 pounds in the 10-U girls division.

Regionally in the same age group, Peyton Strittmatter of Bishop McCort placed fourth at 56. P-O’s Myla McCully finished sixth at 125.

Juniata Valley’s Brady Boyd finished fifth at 75 in the 8U boys group. Regionally, Tussey Mountain’s Ashton Little placed eighth at 45 pounds, and Chestnut Ridge’s Bradyn Feather finished eighth at 65.

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