HERSHEY — Clearfield Area High School freshman wrestler Luke McGonigal saw his first trip to the PIAA State Wrestling Championships end in the second round of consolations on Friday afternoon.
McGonigal (26-13) was defeated by Bethlehem Catholic junior Cole Karam (36-10) by a 3-2 margin. After a scoreless opening period, McGonigal chose down and escaped for a single point to take a 1-0 lead in to the final period. Karam then evened the score with an escape of his own. He then notched what turned out to be the winning takedown to take a 3-1 lead. McGonigal picked up another escape to set the final score.
The lone District 9 wrestler to make it to the quarterfinals, Punxsutawney’s Kaleb Young (18-0) won his match 9-3 over James Meyer (38-6) from Downingtown East. In Saturday morning’s semifinals Young will face returning state champion Vincenzo Joseph (29-1) from Pittsburgh Central Catholic.
The Northwest Region has six semifinalists – Cole Manley, Altoona and Geo Barzona, Central Mountain at 106, DJ Fehlman, Warren at 132, Young, Noah Stewart, Mifflin County at 160, and DJ Hollingshead, Altoona at 170.
Bethlehem Catholic continues to lead the team race with 54 points. Franklin Regional is in second with 48 points, but has six semifinalists to Bethlehem Catholic’s four. The top team from the Northwest Region is Mifflin County in ninth place with 20.5 points.
Complete up to date results can be found by clicking here, courtesy www.PA-Wrestling.com website.