PIAA Class 3A state wrestling picks

March 5, 2020

106 POUNDS: Finalists: Jacob VanDee, Cathedral Prep vs. Tyler Kasak, Bethlehem Catholic. Champion: Kasak. Comment: Mifflin County’s Nic Allison could get shot at Kasak in the quarterfinals. 113 POUNDS: Finalists: Carter Dibert, Franklin Regional vs. Ben Monn, Cumberland Valley. Champion: Dibert. Comment: Dibert is a returning state champion. 120 POUNDS: Finalists: Dylan Chappell, Seneca Valley vs. Will Betancourt, Manheim Central. Champion: Chappell. Comment: Bellefonte’s Lane Aikey could face Chappell in the semifinals. 126 POUNDS: Finalists: Kurtis Phipps, Norwin vs. Rocco ...

McMillen ready to defend title

March 4, 2020

If three area wrestlers perform up to their seeds at the PIAA Championships, they will be bringing home gold medals from Hershey. Glendale returning state champion Brock McMillen (32-3) is the top seed at 132 pounds, while Chestnut Ridge freshman Calan Bollman (37-3) and Bedford senior Kaden Cassidy (34-0) are the first seeds at 106 and 138, respectively, in the Class 2A tournament. McMillen is a two-time Southwest Regional champ who earned Glendale’s first state title last season after being a state runner-up as a freshman. He’ll look to cap off a year that he endured heart ...

PIAA Class 2A state wrestling picks

March 4, 2020

106 POUNDS: Finalists: Calan Bollman, Chestnut Ridge vs. Coen Bainey, Bald Eagle Area. Champion: Bollman. Comment: This would make for an interesting championship finals bout. 113 POUNDS: Finalists: Gary Steen, Reynolds vs. Joey Fischer, South Park. Champion: Steen. Comment: Tyrone’s Hunter Walk could get a shot at Steen in the Friday quarterfinals. 120 POUNDS: Finalists: Sheldon Seymour, Troy vs. Ryan Michaels, Elizabeth Forward. Champion: Seymour. Comment: You can’t count out Chestnut Ridge’s Nathan Holderbaum or Huntingdon’s Roland Mills on Seymour’s side. 126 POUNDS: ...

Unstoppable: Altoona’s Sarbo captures third straight regional crown

March 1, 2020

Some of the 2010 movie “Unstoppable” — a story about a runaway freight train starring Denzel Washington — was filmed in Tyrone. Another unstoppable story has been playing out at the AAHS Field over the last weeks. The lead character has been Altoona’s Matt Sarbo. The junior ...

Inspired Finnegan rolls into semis

February 29, 2020

Altoona 126-pounder junior Damion Finnegan, like many in the school district, had a tough week after learning his friend and 15-year-old teammate Devon Pfirsching was killed in a shooting just before midnight on Tuesday. Finnegan was feeling a little bit better on Friday night at the AAHS Fieldhouse after the first night of the Northwest Regional Class 3A Tournament. Finnegan, who placed fourth at the District 6 Tournament, won both of his bouts to reach today’s semifinals. “I feel good,” Finnegan said. “I’ve never been here before, and this feels amazing. I just lost a ...

Northwest Regional 3A picks

February 28, 2020

106 POUNDS: Finalists: Nic Allison, Mifflin County vs. Jacob VanDee, Cathedral Prep. Champion: Allison. Comment: Allison handled VanDee, 9-0, in last year’s finals. 113 POUNDS: Finalists: Derek Keen, Central Mountain vs. Vincent Rinella, Meadville. Champion: Rinella. Comment: Bellefonte’s Aidan O’Shea could get a rematch with Keen in the finals. 120 POUNDS: Finalists: Lane Aikey, Bellefonte vs. Carter Weaver, Williamsport. Champion: Aikey. Comment: State College’s Eric Weaver will face Carter Weaver in the quarterfinals. 126 POUNDS: Finalists: Jude Swisher, Bellefonte vs. ...