HERSHEY — Curwensville Area High School junior Shae Bloom will be wrestling for fifth place during the 138-pound finals of the 2015 PIAA Class AA Tournament in the Giant Center Saturday afternoon after splitting two matches in both of Friday‘s sessions.
The Golden Tide’s first medal winner since 2012 was denied the opportunity for a more satisfying finish by two standouts who brought a combined 81-1 record to Chocolatetown, No. 3-ranked Mike Carr of South Fayette and No. 1-ranked Kyle Shoop of Boiling Springs.
Bloom’s dream of grabbing the ultimate prize, a gold medal, was dashed by Carr in the quarterfinals, 4-1.
The Southwest Region champ, who placed fifth at 132 last year, worked a single-leg to a double for an early takedown and, after Bloom escaped in the second period, secured another takedown at the edge of the mat. Carr opted for a neutral start to the third period, and they spent the entire two minutes on their feet.
Bloom, ranked No. 4 by Off The Mat, bounced back to join the medal hunt with a 5-1 victory over Chestnut Ridge senior Derrick Claar (32-11) in the third round of wrestlebacks. He took down the Southwest Region’s fifth placer in the first and third periods.
In the consy quarterfinals, Bloom moved into the top six by defeating Northeast Region fourth placer Nate Jones (37-7) of South Williamsport 5-2.
An escape and takedown in the second period gave the District 9 champ and Northwest Region runner-up all the points he needed. He ran a bar for a two-point near fall in the final period before giving up a penalty point for interlocking and a late escape.
Bloom’s chances to advance to the bronze medal match became more daunting when Shoop was edged 3-1 by Saegertown‘s No. 2-ranked Tyler Vath, who defeated the Golden Tide matman for the Northwest Region crown.
Shoop shook off his first loss in 43 bouts to gain the upper hand by emerging from a scramble to be awarded the initial takedown that was questioned by Curwensville coach Dean Swatsworth.
“We didn’t think either one had control,” Curwensville coach Dean Swatsworth said.
In the second period, the Southeast Region king tilted Bloom for what Swatsworth said were the two pivotal points in his 5-3 win.
“We knew he was a good tilter, but we took down because we knew Shae could get out,” Swatsworth said.
Bloom made it close by breaking free and scoring his own takedown, but he couldn’t earn any points from his favorite position when Shoop elected to take the bottom.
“Shae was trying everything to turn him,” Swatsworth said. “He was close a couple times. When they went out of bounds with 32 seconds left, we decided to cut him to go for a takedown to tie, he didn‘t get it.
“Shae was right there with him.
“He’s wrestling real well right now. He definitely showed he’s one of the best in the state.”
Bloom (33-5) will have the opportunity to avenge one of his two regular season losses in the medal match with Keith Batkowski (38-5) of Montoursville.
Batkowski prevailed 3-2 when they met at the Clearfield Duals on Jan. 17, the difference being the initial takedown.
Shoop will be seeking another top-three finish when he takes on Northeast Region champ Collin Edsell (43-6) of Wyalusing. He was third at 126 in 2013 and lost in the finals at 132 last year.
Carr (43-0) and Vath (43-6) will go for the gold. Vath beat Carr 6-4 in the quarterfinals en route to his third PIAA medal last March.
The Parade of Champions at 1:45 p.m. will precede the championship and consolation finals, which will be contested on four mats.
District 9 will have six placewinners, all in the consolations, after records of 3-6 in the championship quarterfinals, 5-6 in the second round of consolations, 3-8 in the third round of consolations, 0-3 in the championship semifinals, 1-2 in the consy quarterfinals and 2-3 in the consy semifinals.
Carrying the Northwest Region banner once again is District 10 with five finalists and eight other medal winners.
Complete results can be found here, courtesy www.PA-wrestling.com.