With his late father on his mind, Derry’s Cymmerman advances to Southwest Regional semifinals

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, February 23, 2018 | 10:27 PM

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Derry wrestling coach Mike Weinell said he needs to yell at freshman Ty Cymmerman during a match to get him to wrestle well.

It would be the same if his father, the late Duane Cymmerman, was in the corner. Duane Cymmerman died suddenly almost a year ago (March 25, 2017) and the loss left a void.

“My dad would yell at me to calm down and score points,” said Ty Cymmerman, who customized his headgear to honor his dad. “I get nervous when I wrestle and I don't know why. Hopefully, I won't be nervous in the semifinals.”

Cymmerman (40-3) defeated Johnstown junior Sabastian Kekick, 10-2, in the opening round of the PIAA Class AA Southwest Regional at IUP's Kovalchick Conference and Athletic Complex and then held on for a 5-3 win against Chestnut Ridge sophomore Gryphon Callihan in the quarterfinals Friday.

He'll face District 6 champion Byron Daubert, a junior from Forest Hills, at noon Saturday in the semifinals.

“We don't talk much about his dad,” Weinell said. “He is the third wrestler at Derry to lose a father over the years.”

The previous two, Travis Shaffer and Micky Phillippi, eventually were state champions.

“My dad always coached me,” Ty Cymmerman said. “Sometimes during the match I try to think what he would be saying.

“I'm happy because my goal as a freshman was to make it to states. Now I have to set new goals.”

The top six place finishers qualify for the state tournament, which begins March 8 at the Giant Center in Hershey. Those who reached the regional semifinals are guaranteed a spot in Hershey.

Cymmerman's teammates, senior Shawn Broadway (126) and junior Dom DeLuca (220), also advanced to the semifinals.

Broadway (41-5) picked up two pins during Day 1. He decked Chestnut Ridge senior Seth Harbaugh in the first round and pinned District 6 champion Malachi DuVall in the second period in the quarterfinals. The dominating performance surprised some, but not Broadway.

“I just try to keep the pressure on and take what I can get,” Broadway said. “I'm wrestling at a high tempo. I didn't know much about DuVall, I just went after him and wrestled my match.”

DeLuca (44-3) looked strong in beating Central Cambria junior Jon Croft, 7-0, and then pinned Mount Union sophomore Jake Ryan.

Now DeLuca gets his rematch with Huntingdon senior Landon Fisher, who flexed over DeLuca after pinning him at the PIAA Class AA team tournament.

“Dom has to stay away from his legs,” Weinell said. “If he does, he can win.”

Weinell couldn't be happier with his wrestler's performance, advancing eight of nine wrestlers to Day 2.

Ligonier Valley senior Robby Patrick (170) and Jefferson-Morgan senior Gavin Teasdale (126) kept their hopes alive of winning a fourth regional title. Both posted easy Day 1 victories.

Southmoreland seniors Tyler Griffiths (145) and Jaden Datz (170) also advanced. Griffiths needed overtime to defeat Berlin-Brothersvalley senior Austin Lee, 6-4. Lee shoved and bumped Griffiths after the match and they had to be separated.

Mt. Pleasant senior Alex Miscovich (132) stayed alive in the winner's bracket with two victories.

Burrell freshman Ian Oswalt (113) and senior Corey Christie (152) advanced to the semifinals.

In all, the WPIAL advanced 25 wrestlers to the semifinals, including Frazier sophomore Thayne Lawrence (152) and Valley junior heavyweight Davis Schuffert.

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant