HERSHEY — Unfortunately for Clearfield Bison freshman Luke McGonigal (26-12), his stay in the championship bracket only lasted 2:42 at his first PIAA State Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Belle Vernon’s Jarod Verkleeren (43-5) built up a 14-3 lead after one period, then reversed and pinned McGonigal 42 seconds in to the second period to advance to Friday’s 1:30 quarterfinal round. There, he will face 3-time PIAA state medalist Patrick Duggan (44-1) of Cumberland Valley.
McGonigal received a bye in the first round of consolations Thursday night, and will face Bethlehem Catholic’s Cole Karam (35-10) in Friday’s second round of consolations, which also begin at 1:30. A junior making his first state appearance, Karam was knocked in to the wrestlebacks after being major decisioned by Duggan 10-2. Karam won a preliminary bout over North Penn’s Colin Shannon (29-16) 14-4, and won his first round consolation match 1-0 over Adam Evans (33-7) of Bethlehem Freedom.
A win by McGonigal would place him in the third round of consolations, which begin at approximately 3:45, where he would wrestle the loser of the quarterfinal bout between Northern York’s Jonathan Ross (32-4) and Easton’s James Saylor (36-1).
The Northwest Region advanced 14 of 42 wrestlers in to the quarterfinals. 20 are still alive in consolations and eight have been eliminated. District 9 will only be represented in the quarters by Punxsutawney’s 152-pounder Kaleb Young (17-0), who placed fifth at last year’s championships. He will face Downington East senior James Meyer (38-5) in the quarterfinals. Along with McGonigal, 106 pounder Kolby Ho is the only other D9er still alive for the second round of consolations.
After the first day of wrestling, Bethlehem Catholic leads the team standings with 38 points, followed by defending champion Franklin Regional with 30 points. Both have six wrestlers in Friday’s quarterfinals. The top team from the Northwest Region is Mifflin County, which is tied for tenth place with Cumberland Valley and Exeter, with 14 points.
Complete results can be found by clicking here, courtesy www.PA-Wrestling.com website.