Southmoreland senior pair advances to PIAA Class AA quarterfinals
By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, March 8, 2018 | 4:48 PM
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Southmoreland's Tyler performs a takedown on Reynolds' Hunter Michaels, during the first round in the class 2A 145 pound weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 during the first day of PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Southmoreland's Jaden Datz watches the clock count down while maintaining control over Mercer's Will Chess during a first round bout of the 170 pound weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 during PIAA individual class 2A wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. Datz won the first round bout against Chess and moved onto quarterfinals.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Southmoreland's Jaden Datz grips onto Mercer's Will Chess during a first round bout of the 170 pound weight Thursday, March 8, 2018 during PIAA individual class 2A wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. Datz won the first round bout against Chess and moved onto quarterfinals.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Derry's Dom DeLuca battles in the first round of the 220 pound weight class bout against Wilson's Kolby Flank on Thursday, March 8, 2018 on the first day of the PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. DeLuca won the first round and moves on to the quarterfinals.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Southmoreland's Jaden Datz grips onto Mercer's Will Chess during a first round bout of the 170 pound weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 during PIAA individual class 2A wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. Datz won the first round bout against Chess and moved onto quarterfinals.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Derry's Dom DeLuca is declared the winner at the end of the first round 220 pound weight class bout against Wilson's Kolby Flank on Thursday, March 8, 2018 on the first day of the PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Derry's Tyler Cymmerman tries to keep his body up while his opponent Luke Gorg of Hughesville puts a hold on him Thursday, March 8, 2018 in the 120 pound weight class first round match during PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Valley's David Schuffert takes a moment to breath between periods in his bout against Brookville's Colby Whitehill during the first round in the 285 pound weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 on the first day of the PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Burrell's Shaun Gates interlocks with his opponent Boiling Springs' Zach Martin in the 160 pound weight class preliminary match Thursday, March 8, 2018 during the class 2A PIAA wrestling tournament matches at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
McGuffey's Jett Pattison tries to disable Pen Argyl's Nick Reto in a preliminary bout in the 126 pound weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 during the class 2A PIAA wrestling tournament at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Elizabeth Forward's Ryan Michaels struggles underneath Trinity's Patrick Demark in the first round bout of the 106 weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 during class 2A individual wrestling in the PIAA championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. Michaels lost to Demark in the first round.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Burrell's Corey Christie pushes up against Bermudian Springs' Darren Beall during a preliminary match in the 152 pound class before Christie moved on to face Kane's Alec English in the first round class 2A wrestling Thursday, March 8, 2018 in the PIAA individual wrestling championship at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Mt. Pleasant's Alex Miscovich is brought down by Northwestern Lehigh's Matt Peters in the first round of the 132 pound weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 during the first day of PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Valley's David Schuffert tries to get a leg hold on his opponent, Brookville's Colby Whitehill during the first round bout in the 285 pound weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 on the first day of the PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Southmoreland's Tyler Griffiths maintains a hold on the arm of his opponent, Reynolds' Hunter Michaels, during the first round in the class AA 145 pound weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 during the first day of PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Derry's Dom DeLuca grapples in the first round of the 220 pound weight class bout against Wilson's Kolby Flank on Thursday, March 8, 2018 on the first day of the PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. DeLuca won the first round and moves on to the quarterfinals.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Valley's David Schuffert and Brookville's Colby Whitehill battle in neutral during the first round bout in the 285 pound weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 on the first day of the PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Southmoreland's Tyler performs a takedown on Reynolds' Hunter Michaels, during the first round in the class 2A 145 pound weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 during the first day of PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Southmoreland's Jaden Datz watches the clock count down while maintaining control over Mercer's Will Chess during a first round bout of the 170 pound weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 during PIAA individual class 2A wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. Datz won the first round bout against Chess and moved onto quarterfinals.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Southmoreland's Jaden Datz grips onto Mercer's Will Chess during a first round bout of the 170 pound weight Thursday, March 8, 2018 during PIAA individual class 2A wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. Datz won the first round bout against Chess and moved onto quarterfinals.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Derry's Dom DeLuca battles in the first round of the 220 pound weight class bout against Wilson's Kolby Flank on Thursday, March 8, 2018 on the first day of the PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. DeLuca won the first round and moves on to the quarterfinals.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Southmoreland's Jaden Datz grips onto Mercer's Will Chess during a first round bout of the 170 pound weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 during PIAA individual class 2A wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. Datz won the first round bout against Chess and moved onto quarterfinals.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Derry's Dom DeLuca is declared the winner at the end of the first round 220 pound weight class bout against Wilson's Kolby Flank on Thursday, March 8, 2018 on the first day of the PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Derry's Tyler Cymmerman tries to keep his body up while his opponent Luke Gorg of Hughesville puts a hold on him Thursday, March 8, 2018 in the 120 pound weight class first round match during PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Valley's David Schuffert takes a moment to breath between periods in his bout against Brookville's Colby Whitehill during the first round in the 285 pound weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 on the first day of the PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Burrell's Shaun Gates interlocks with his opponent Boiling Springs' Zach Martin in the 160 pound weight class preliminary match Thursday, March 8, 2018 during the class 2A PIAA wrestling tournament matches at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
McGuffey's Jett Pattison tries to disable Pen Argyl's Nick Reto in a preliminary bout in the 126 pound weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 during the class 2A PIAA wrestling tournament at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Elizabeth Forward's Ryan Michaels struggles underneath Trinity's Patrick Demark in the first round bout of the 106 weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 during class 2A individual wrestling in the PIAA championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. Michaels lost to Demark in the first round.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Burrell's Corey Christie pushes up against Bermudian Springs' Darren Beall during a preliminary match in the 152 pound class before Christie moved on to face Kane's Alec English in the first round class 2A wrestling Thursday, March 8, 2018 in the PIAA individual wrestling championship at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Mt. Pleasant's Alex Miscovich is brought down by Northwestern Lehigh's Matt Peters in the first round of the 132 pound weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 during the first day of PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Valley's David Schuffert tries to get a leg hold on his opponent, Brookville's Colby Whitehill during the first round bout in the 285 pound weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 on the first day of the PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Southmoreland's Tyler Griffiths maintains a hold on the arm of his opponent, Reynolds' Hunter Michaels, during the first round in the class AA 145 pound weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 during the first day of PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Derry's Dom DeLuca grapples in the first round of the 220 pound weight class bout against Wilson's Kolby Flank on Thursday, March 8, 2018 on the first day of the PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. DeLuca won the first round and moves on to the quarterfinals.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Valley's David Schuffert and Brookville's Colby Whitehill battle in neutral during the first round bout in the 285 pound weight class Thursday, March 8, 2018 on the first day of the PIAA individual wrestling championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
HERSHEY — This is the last hurrah for Southmoreland seniors Tyler Griffiths and Jaden Datz.
They are closing in on the conclusion of their high school wrestling careers and hope to end them with a bang at the PIAA Class AA championships at the Giant Center.
It was a good start for the Southmoreland duo Thursday.
Griffiths looked sharp in his 10-3 first-round victory against Reynolds senior Hunter Michaels at 145 pounds. Griffiths (23-6) took charge from the start and looked comfortable with the lead.
“I had a pretty tough draw for my first match, but that's what happens here,” Griffiths said. “I knew what I wanted to do, I got to my attacks. I was good on top and good on the bottom.
“When you get the first two points here, you get up right away and you put doubt in your opponent's head. It tells them you're on your attack.”
Griffiths will face Pequea Valley junior Gabe Miller in the quarterfinals Friday. Griffiths defeated Miller, 12-9, in the 2017 semifinals.
“I'm only looking forward to my first match,” Griffiths said. “I don't care about anything else. I wrestle Miller, and I'm familiar with what he likes to do.”
Datz dominated Mercer senior Will Chess, 10-4, in the first round at 170 pounds. Datz (30-5) had four takedowns in the match. He'll face top-seeded Edmond Ruth of Susquehanna Township in the quarterfinals.
“My past four seasons, my goal was to make it here,” Datz said. “I felt I had all the ability, but I fell short. It was a mental thing, but I knew I could make a name for myself.
“I wasn't that nervous, but I was anxious to wrestle at the same time. I have the returning state champion and I'm excited to get after him.”
Derry also sent two wrestlers to the Class AA quarterfinals — freshman Ty Cymmerman (120 pounds) and junior Dom DeLuca (220).
Cymmerman (42-4) defeated Hughesville sophomore Luke Gorg, 6-2, and DeLuca rolled over Wilson sophomore Kolby Flack, 12-1.
Cymmerman used two takedowns and a reversal to control his match. He'll face the second-seeded Chase Shields (38-4) from District 3's Bishop McDevitt.
“I tried to stay calm, and I said to myself I can wrestle with these guys,” Cymmerman said. “I tried not to think about it.
“Scoring first is the key. It calms you down. I'm looking forward to my next match.”
DeLuca had four takedowns in his dominating performance.
“It's all about staying calm and keeping your composure,” said DeLuca, who will face Muncy senior Hunter Poust (41-1). “You're going to give up points and you're going to be in a tough match every time.
“You have to keep going and keep grinding. You have to continue to fight. Even if you give up points, you can't hit the panic button.”
Ligonier Valley senior Robby Patrick (32-0) had no problem advancing to the quarterfinals at 170. He made quick work of Kutztown junior Tyler Fisher, winning by technical fall, 16-0, in 1:39.
Patrick's road to the finals won't be easy though. He faces Mahanoy junior Colin Fegley (34-1) in the quarterfinals. If the two-time runner-up wins, he'll face the winner of McGuffey junior Christian Clutter (44-4) and Susquenita senior Dalton Group (37-2).
Burrell freshman Ian Oswalt (44-8) got by Warrior Run sophomore Noah Hunt, 6-2. He'll face the top seed at 113 — Reynolds junior Beau Bayless (45-4).
Oswalt's teammate, senior Corey Christie (37-10), pulled off an upset when he defeated the fourth seed at 152, Kane junior Alec English, 7-3. He beat Bermudian Springs senior Darren Beall, 9-0, in the preliminary round.
Christie will face Northwest Lehigh senior Jackson Bernhard (32-7) in the quarterfinals.
Frazier sophomore Thayne Lawrence (27-2) rebounded from his loss two weeks ago in the Southwest Regional final with a third-period pin of Fort LeBoeuf senior Trenton Pace. He'll face Southern Columbia sophomore Cade Linn (40-9).
Suffering first-round losses were Derry senior Shawn Broadway (126); Mt. Pleasant senior Alex Miscovich (132) and senior heavyweight Cody Vokes; Southmoreland junior Ryan Mauro (220); and Burrell freshman A.J. Corrado (132), senior Shawn Gates (160) and junior Austin Mele (170).
Broadway, Mauro and Mele also lost in the consolation rounds to end their tournament.
The PIAA Class AA tournament resumes at 9 a.m. Friday with quarterfinals and second-round consolations, with third-round consolations at 11:45 a.m. and the semifinals at 7:30 p.m.
