Round of 16 hits Class 2A wrestlers hard

Jonathan Guth/Observer-Reporter

HERSHEY – Wrestling is a humbling sport, and Thursday morning’s round of 16 at the Giant Center in the PIAA Class 2A tournament provided proof as Burgettstown’s Joey Baronick, Chartiers-Houston’s Jorden Williams and Bentworth’s Chris Vargo were the only local wrestlers to advance to the quarterfinals.

Vargo and Williams received byes into the round of 16, as both won regional titles last weekend in Altoona. Baronick had to win two matches to qualify for the quarterfinals, and the senior did just that with a preliminary round victory and a double-overtime triumph in the round of 16 at heavyweight.

“It is a good feeling to be in the quarterfinals after losing in the round of 16 last year,” Baronick said. “I had to win three overtime matches last year to place sixth after losing to Carson Neely (Port Allegany).”

In his first bout, Baronick (42-10, 129-48) and Tulpehocken’s Jack Heckman traded escapes in regulation before Barnonick scored the match-winning takedown with eight seconds remaining for a 3-1 victory.

Then, against Montoursville’s Landon Morehart, the bout was tied at 1-1 heading into the 30-second rideouts. Baronick rode out Morehart in the first before escaping in the second with 23 seconds left and hanging on for a 2-1 win.

Baronick defeated Morehart 4-0 in the Class 2A dual meet state tournament on Feb. 9.

“I think he (Morehart) slowed down but he was more prepared for me this time, and that’s why it was such a close match,” Baronick said. “I tried pushing the pace a lot more. I have been feeling a lot better, and I am in a lot better condition than I was at team states. I got the stall call, and was hoping for another one, but I had to ride him out, which is fine.”

Baronick wrestles Fort LeBoeuf’s John Duran in this morning’s quarterfinals, which are scheduled to begin at 8.

Baronick’s teammates, Parker Sentipal (133), Gaven Suica (139) and Rudy Brown (152), are in the consolations, and all three are still in contention for a spot on the podium.

“I have been wrestling with these guys since I was five, and we are 17-18 now, so it is bittersweet with how they lost in the first round, but I know they will get back to the blood round, win that blood round and get back on the podium. They aren’t going to give up after one loss.”

Williams (28-7, 97-38) rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the second period to edge Big Spring’s Keegan Barrick 5-4 at 114. Williams scored a takedown with 1:05 left in the match and was able to ride Barrick the rest of the third period.

Williams faces Will Detar of Trinity (District 3) in the quarterfinals. Williams, a senior, is wrestling in the state tournament for the third straight season and still looking for a spot on the podium, which he can obtain with one more victory.

Vargo (39-2, 131-11) is already a three-time placewinner at states, but he is still searching for a gold medal in his senior season. The Bearcat wrestler who attends Charleroi earned a 15-0 technical fall in 2:43 to advance to the quarterfinals.

Vargo next wrestles Mifflinburg’s Ben Straub.

Bentworth’s Owen Ivcic (145) and Vitali Daniels (189) are in the consolation rounds.

Belle Vernon’s Kole Doppelheuer (145) and Elijah Brown (172); Beth-Center’s Mason Wright (121); Fort Cherry’s Braedon Welsh (172); Jefferson-Morgan’s Chase Frameli (160); and West Greene’s Colin Whyte (215) are still alive for a medal as they compete in the consolation rounds.