Photo for the Mirror by Paul Schofield Altoona’s Braiden Weaver (top) battles Cael Yanek of Moon High School during last weekend’s regional tournament.

It’s been 52 years since Altoona wrestling has had a state champion in wrestling. Steve Maurey won the 1974 112-pound Class A state championship. It was the first year that PIAA separated wrestling to two classifications. Current Mountain Lion coach Joel Gilbert was only 6 months old.

“It’s been a long time, but we don’t really talk about that very much,” Gilbert said. “We talk about getting better, looking for openings and scoring points. That’s how you win state titles. You don’t dream of it. You kind of make it happen.”

Altoona will have four wrestlers competing in this weekend’s PIAA Class 3A Championships — 107-pounder Dominic Picciotti, 127-pounder Deklan Barr, 133-pounder Braiden Weaver and 160-pounder and West Region champion Gavin Ciampoli.

“I don’t know if there’s ever been many times where we’ve been able to bring four guys to the state tournament,” Gilbert said. “I believe getting out of the West region is a lot tougher today than it’s ever been. We’re happy to take four guys, and they earned it. I know our guys are looking forward to bringing home some medals.”

Ciampoli is a three-time District 6 champion as a junior, but just picked up his first regional title

last weekend. His first two district titles came at 127 and 139 pounds, respectively. If he gets three wins this weekend, it would get him to the 100-win milestone as a junior.

He will wrestle the winner of a preliminary match between Governor Mifflin’s Anthony Montegari and Quakertown’s Logan Pfistner in the first round.

“Gavin looked really good out there (at regionals),” Gilbert said. “He’s really sharp right now. He was very aggressive. He created a lot of openings where he was able to score. He’s going to be a tough out for anybody. I know Gavin has his head on straight. He’s really focused this year. We’re expecting some real good things out of him this weekend. We’re excited to see what he does. I think if he catches fire, he has as good of a shot as anybody to win that weight class.”

Weaver finished in third place at states last year at 121 pounds. He’s won four district titles and two regional titles, although he slipped in the 133-pound regional final on Saturday in a 5-2 loss to Moon’s Cael Yanek.

Weaver will take on Mason Whitney of Abington Heights in the first round on Thursday.

“If Braiden gets his offense going and moves well, I think he can beat anybody in that weight class,” Gilbert said. “Hopefully Braiden has his head wrapped around what he has to get done this weekend. His chances are just as good as anyone on our team. He has a great shot to do well.”

Picciotti and Barr both finished fourth at the West regional last weekend. Both will wrestle in preliminary matches to start states. Picciotti drew Central Bucks East’s Johnny Hunter, while Barr will get Boiling Springs’ Alex Mentzer.

Wrestling for the 3A Championships will get under way at 4:30 p.m. from the Giant Center in Hershey on Thursday.

“We try to focus on the little things and hopefully the big things take care of themselves,” Gilbert said. “It would be great to get (a state champion), but as long as our guys go out and compete hard and do their best, that’s all we ever ask for in the program.”