February 16, 2013 7:00 a.m. ERIE —
Meadville’s junior 170-pounder Louis Crawford thought he was in trouble. He had just let up Strong Vincent’s Chris Starocci, and thought the escape point had put him in the hole.
“I thought it was tied,” said Crawford. “And actually I was a little mad because I realized (Starocci) got out. I thought ‘Oh no, I’m losing.’”
What Crawford forgot was the reversal he scored a minute before, which had given him a 4-2 lead. Even after the escape he was still up by a point.
“I looked at the scoreboard with 13 seconds left and was like, ‘Oh! That’ll work.’”
Crawford only needed to stay on his feet for the remainder of the match, which he did. And his 4-3 victory over Starocci was one of the highlights of a solid overall day for the Meadville wrestling team at the District 10 Class AAA championship tournament, Friday at Central Tech High School.
“I lost in overtime to (Starocci) last week,” said Crawford. “He gave me a real hard match. ... He’s a good wrestler. It was a good match.”
Crawford is one of six Bulldog grapplers to make into today’s championship semifinal round, which gets underway today at 9 a.m.
Those six guys have Meadville in fourth place in the team standings with 24 points. The ’Dogs trail No. 1 McDowell (45.5 points), No. 2 Cathedral Prep (41) and No. 3 General McLane (36).
“I think this is the most kids I’ve ever had down here with winning records,” said Meadville head coach Barry Anderson. “And they all did, I think, very well. Each of them individually got after their opponents and scored points where they could. I thought overall they did a good job. I think we only have one (wrestler) out.”
The top four wrestlers in each bracket will advance to the Northwest Regional tournament, which will take place March 1 and 2 at Altoona High School.
Also advancing to the semifinals for Meadville was 106-pounder Aaron Ehrgott, who pinned Central Tech’s Austin Isacks in 2:41.
At 120, Kyle Luben earned a 9-2 decision over Titusville’s Chase Ackerman.
Zach Luben made it to the semis with a 9-3 decision over 138-pound opponent Jonah Hordusky of Warren.
At 220, Luke Carr pinned McDowell’s Dakota McLean in 5:01 to advance.
And the Bulldogs’ 182-pounder, Ben Bish, drew a bye for the quarterfinal round.
“Six in the semis, that’s tremendous for our program,” said Anderson. “Anything can happen once you get to that round. And hopefully we win out all six. We definitely have the ability to do so.”
McLane has a dozen in semis
The General McLane wrestling team suffered just two losses in the quarterfinal round yesterday. The Lancers will have 12 wrestlers in today’s semifinals.
Joe Wheeling (106), Alex Thayer (195) and Jake Baker (220) each advanced thanks to a bye.
Keller Watkins (126), Mike Sutton (152), Chris Laird (182) and Ian Mallory (285) each won their quarterfinal bouts via pin.
Deane Twitchell grabbed a 10-1 major over East’s James Carr at 132. And Ken Stoll, at 138, scored a 13-5 major over Titusville’s Easton Hogue.
Winning by decision was 113-pounder Hunter Hendricks (2-0 over Central’s Kyle Nash), 160-pounder Ossie Bowers (6-1 over Central’s Daquan Pope), and 170-pounder Tyler Hendricks (10-3 over East’s Austin Thompson).
Trio leads Rockets
Titusville will have three wrestlers still striving for gold when the Class AAA tournament resumes today.
Kaleb Chase was a 6-2 winner over Meadville’s Derek Ridgeway at 113.
At 160, Ehrin Lee notched a pin in 2:47 over Meadville’s Patrick Adams.
And at 170, Xavier DeRose was a winner by fall in 48 seconds over East’s Deyshawn Carr.
Local Sports
H.S. WRESTLING: ’Dogs have solid opening day at D-10 tourney
- Local Sports
-
-
H.S. BASEBALL: Panthers start road to third straight district title
Many expect the Saegertown baseball team to win this year’s District 10 Class AA title. And coming off of two consecutive championships, and with many of the players from those two teams still in uniform; it’s easy to see why.
-
H.S. VOLLEYBALL: Bulldogs face setback before D-10 tourney
On the eve of the District 10 Class AA boys volleyball tournament, Meadville head coach Ron Newman expected to spend a little bit of time just fine tuning the skills that led his team to the Region 1 title and an unbeaten regular season.
-
H.S. SOFTBALL: Tigers draw undefeated Fairview in first round
“Sometimes it’s better to be the underdog,” said Maple-wood’s head softball coach Hannah Parker, reflecting the outlook her Tigers pretty much have to take as they head into today’s District 10 Class AA meeting against Fairview.
-
CRAWFORD CUP: Country Club men, Venango Valley women lead after first round
It was hard to complain about the weather on Sunday. But there weren’t very many nice things said about the numbers on the scorecards during the opening round of the 21st annual Crawford Cup golf tournament held at Whispering Pines Golf Course.
-
No Triple Crown: Oxbow upsets Orb at Preakness
Right from the start, a horse trained by one not so over-the-hill Hall of Famer and ridden by another took control of the Preakness. The result: a huge upset and the end of any hopes for a Triple Crown attempt at the Belmont Stakes.
-
H.S. BASEBALL: Rockets too much for Bulldogs in season finale
TITUSVILLE — Year one of the Bruce Stewart era as the Meadville baseball head coach is officially in the books. Unfortunately it came with a defeat to the hands of Titusville. The Bulldogs committed three errors and allowed five unearned runs to cross the plate in a 7-3 loss at the Ed Myer Recreation Complex on Friday.
-
H.S. BOYS VOLLEYBALL: Cards clinch No. 2 spot for D-10 tourney
It took them until the final day of the regular season, but the Cochranton boys volleyball team now knows where they stand for next week’s Class AA District 10 playoffs.
-
H.S. TRACK & FIELD: Sternby runs away with gold at D-10 meet
HARBORCREEK — It was sweet redemption for Meadville’s Heather Sternby during Wednesday’s Class AAA District 10 Track and Field meet at Harbor Creek High School’s Paul J. Weitz Stadium.
After falling in the 100-meter dash to Grove City’s Courtney Corbin in last year’s meet by .09 seconds, Sternby got her revenge by defeating Corbin by .10 seconds in this year’s event. -
H.S. SOFTBALL: Two-run sixth lifts Saegertown in Region 3 battle
With the playoffs looming, Saegertown head softball coach Mark McKissock hoped to get his girls an early taste of that intense postseason atmosphere.
-
TRACK AND FIELD: ’Dogs prepare for districts
It’s amazing how much difference a year can make. Last year at this time, the Meadville girls track and field team was the Region 3 champion and a serious contender to dethrone Grove City as the District 10 Class AAA champion.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
H.S. BASEBALL: Panthers start road to third straight district title
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
