HERSHEY — After finishing in the top-3 of the Northwest AAA Region at Altoona Area High School this past weekend, five Clearfield Bison wrestles will compete at the PIAA State Championships starting Thursday in the Giant Center in Hershey.
The PIAA recently released the official 20-man bracket for the event, which for AAA begins Thursday at 4:00 PM with preliminary and round of 16 action.
Bison 113 pound junior Evan Davis (29-10) has a preliminary bout with Penn Manor sophomore Travis Clawson (34-6). Both are making their first state championship appearance. The winner will face Southwest Region champ Tyler Chappell (33-4) of Seneca Valley in the round of 16. Chappell placed third at 106 pounds in last year’s state championship.
As a third place finisher at regionals, freshman 126 pounder Brady Collins (34-4) avoided a preliminary match with his draw and will do battle with a senior from Manheim Township, Joshua Hilliard (33-6) in the round of 16. Hilliard is two-time state qualifier, but has yet to earn a state medal.
Senior Mark McGonigal (29-9) at 172 pounds will be making his third trip to the state tourney in search of his first medal. He has a 1-4 record during his first two trips to Hershey, both as a 152 pounder during his freshman and sophomore seasons. In the round of 16 he will meet Abington Heights sophomore Caleb Marzolino (32-2).
Carter Chamberlain (28-8), a 189 pound sophomore making his first trip to Hershey, will also start in the round of 16. His opponent will be fellow sophomore Aiden Hight (31-6) of Chambersburg.
And making his third appearance in the state tourney will be 285 pound senior Oliver Billotte (29-3). Billotte placed eighth as a sophomore at 285 and will look to climb the podium in his final trip. In the round of 16 he’ll match up with a senior from Central Dauphin, Ben Stewart (31-8). Stewart is making his first appearance at the state tourney. A potential quarterfinal opponent for Billotte could be undefeated senior William McChesney (34-0) from Greensburg Salem. McChesney defeated Billotte twice in the 2020 state tourney, first by a 3-1 score in the opening round, and then 4-3 in the seventh place medal match. McChesney also placed fourth in last year’s state tourney.
Complete brackets, courtesy PA-Wrestling.com can be found by clicking HERE.