Billotte to Wrestle for Third, Chamberlain for Seventh Saturday Night

HERSHEY — The Clearfield Bison will bring home two medals from the PIAA AAA Wrestling State Championships in Hershey during Saturday night’s finals matches.

285 pound senior heavyweight Oliver Billotte went 2-0 during Saturday morning’s session and will wrestle for third Saturday night.

First Billotte edged Waynesburg’s Noah Tustin (42-15) by a 3-2 count, a takedown in the second period proving to be the match winner.

That set up a consolation semifinal match against this year’s nemesis Charles Crews (39-8) of Williamsport. Crews handed Billotte his first three losses of the year this season. Starting with a pin during the District Duals that all but wrapped up the title for the Millionaire’s, Crews then won tight matches in the District 4/9 Championship final and in the Northwest Regional final just last weekend.

After a scoreless first period, Crews immediately escaped to a 1-0 lead to start the second. Thirty seconds later Billotte exorcised the demons of the past month, taking Crews down and right to his back. The mat was slapped another 30 seconds later and Billotte moved on the bronze medal match.

Billotte (34-4) will meet Quakertown senior Frederick Retter (40-5) in an attempt to climb the winner’s podium one more step. Billotte placed eighth two years ago, while Retter has earned his first career state medal in his final chance.

Sophomore 189 pounder Carter Chamberlain was pinned Saturday morning in the fourth round of consolations by Franklin Regional’s Juliano Marion (37-8) in 2:52. That sent Chamberlain (30-10) to the seventh place match where he will tangle with a familiar foe. Waiting for him will be Mifflin County senior Trey Shoemaker (38-6). Shoemaker defeated Chamberlain 11-2 last Saturday night in the finals of the Northwest Region. Shoemaker also beat Chamberlain in late January at the Ultimate Warrior Tournament 10-0.

Complete list of medal matches, courtesy PA-Wrestling.com, follows: