Freedom wrestling falls to Chestnut Ridge at PIAA tournament

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, February 7, 2019 | 6:03 PM

HERSHEY — Freedom coach Jim Covert knew his team faced a tough challenge in the first round of the PIAA Class AA team wrestling tournament Thursday at Giant Center.

He just wished his wrestlers would have put forth a better effort.

District 5 champion Chestnut Ridge (13-0), ranked No. 3 in the Trib HSSN state rankings, won nine matches to roll to a 51-21 victory. Chestnut Ridge will face Hamburg in the quarterfinals Friday, while Freedom will battle Greenville in the loser’s bracket. Hamburg defeated Greenville, 36-34.

“We rely too much on my five studs,” Covert said. “We have to have somebody else step up.

“My studs won, but we didn’t get the bonus points I hoped. Chestnut Ridge did a good job getting bonus points.”

Trent Schultheis (152 pounds) and Bryson Miller (182) each got pins for Freedom (9-5), but ZJ Ward (126), Kenny Duschek (138) and Jake Pail (145) only got decision wins.

“I’d like to see us battle to the end,” Covert said. “I liked how my 113 pounder (Tim Cafrelli) battled to the end. I hope we get more of that from others.”

Freedom wrestles at 8 a.m. Friday.

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Freedom