HERSHEY — Despite a fantastic sophomore season, Bison Luke McGonigal fell a couple of wins short of his goal of a PIAA state wrestling medal this year.
The 170 pounder was eliminated in the second round of consolations by three-time state medalist Jake Shaffer (38-5) of Greater Latrobe by a 7-1 score. McGonigal’s lone point was an escape in the first period, while Shaffer managed three takedowns and an escape to set the final.
McGonigal’s 38-5 record, on top of his 26-13 freshman record, gives him a mark of 64-18, and a shot at 100 wins in three years, heading in to his junior year.
The lone District 9 wrestler remaining in the tourney is Punxsutawney’s Kaleb Young (35-0). Young, who has two first period falls so far, will face Abington Heights’ Nick Carr (37-2) in Saturday morning’s semifinals.
The only other Northwest Regional wrestlers still in the hunt for PIAA gold are Altoona’s Cole Manley (27-1) at 126, and Mifflin County brothers Hayden Hidlay (38-1) at 152 and Trent HIdlay (38-3) at 160, in the opposite semifinal from Young.
Bethlehem Catholic is starting to separate themselves in the team race with 68.5 points and have five semifinalists. Mifflin County holds a slight edge over Belle Vernon for second place, 42.5 to 41.
Complete bracket results from PA-Wrestling.com:
