Wilkes-Barre — The 2011 Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling State Championships took place Friday March 25 and Saturday March 26 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre.
Bringing home a state title in the 82 pound, 13-14 year old age group was Curwensville wrestler Shae Bloom. Bloom defeated Nathaniel Newberry of Upper Adams 3-1 to win the gold. Bloom went 4-0 during the tournament to claim Curwensville’s first PJW title since Nick Sipes won in 2003.
Bloom’s other victories were over 7-1 over Brian Friery of Lewisburg, 7-0 over Gage Nicolella of McGuffey, and 4-2 over Luke Karam of Northampton.
Bloom’s schoolmate Ricky Magnuson went 3-3 at 212 pounds, 13-14 age group to earn an eighth place medal.
Ben Junod did not place for Curwensville in the 135 pound, 11-12 age group.
Two wrestlers from Clearfield were also able to bring home medals.
147 pound, 13-14 year old Zach Tibbens reached the semifinals where he was beaten 6-0 by eventual state champion John Grossi of Abington.
Tibbens then split his consolation matches to finish in fourth.
In the 90 pound, 9-10 year old division Luke McGonigal won his pigtail match, then lost in the preliminary round. McGonigal then made a run through the consolation bracket and ended his tourney on a high note by winning the seventh place bout. McGonigal finished at 5-2 for the two day tournament.
Other Clearfield wrestlers who competed, but did not place were: Hunter Wright at 80 pounds, 9-10 age group; Logan Gilbert at 85 pounds, 11-12 age group; Josiah McClarren at 100 pounds, 11-12 age group; and Travis Ogden at 160 pounds, 11-12 age group.