March 2, 2013 7:00 a.m. SHARON — For the second week in a row, the Saegertown wrestling team brought their  A game to Sharon High School. This time the Panthers shined by sending five wrestlers into  today’s semifinals at the Class AA PIAA Northwest Regional, and one win away from punching their ticket to Hershey next week.

“We have five in the semis,” Saegertown head coach Jim Mulligan said. “It couldn’t of gone any better.”

The three District 10 champions — Devin Brown, Tyler Vath and Dylan Reynolds — all advanced to the semifinals. Joining them were Nick Monico and Matt Humes.

Brown was the first to receive a spot in the semifinals at 106 pounds. After receiving a bye into the quaterfinals, Brown took care of business by pinning Ryan Carslon of Brockway at 5:46. The victory was the 42nd on the season for Brown, surpassing the single-season school record set last year by Vath.

Vath kept up with his teammate, advancing to the semis at 120 via pin. Vath made quick work of Dave Huselton of Slippery Rock, pinning him at 1:35.

Monico was the next Panther to advance with a 5-2 decision at 126 over Mitch Blose of Redbank Valley.

“That’s what they do,” Mulligan said of finishing their matches quickly. “When they are on their game they can do that every time. Devin just tied the single-season school record with 42 wins. That record was held last year by Tyler. They all like each other and it makes for a friendly competition.”

Humes advanced with a 7-3 decision against Kane’s Darren Brown.

Reynolds was the final Panther to advance to the semis, doing so in impressive fashion. Reynolds defeated Forest Tuttle of Coudersport by an 11-3 major decision.

Bingbong Elizon lived to see another day for Saegertown, after posting 2-1 record  on Friday. Elizon won his opening round match over Cochranton’s Nate Kline, a 10-2 major decision. Elizon would lose his quarterfinal round match but stayed alive after defeating Nick Baughman of Keystone 6-3 in the first round consolation.

Andrew Boylan was the lone Panther to b eliminated in the regional.

“We have a lot of some big money matches in the morning,” Mulligan said. “We have some pretty good opponents tomorrow. But they are one match away from punching their ticket to Hershey.”

Saegertown enters today in third place with 39 points.



Cardinals advance three

The Cochranton Cardinals had another fine opening day at a wrestling tournament, advancing three grapplers to the Northwest Regional seminfinal on Friday.

“We are  in good position,” Cochranton head coach John Svirbly said. “Some of them have been hit and miss but as long as they are still calling their name we are in good shape.”

Robert Boozer, Austin Andrews and Cam Cyphert — all District runner-ups — advanced with flying colors.

At 145, Boozer was the first to advance with a pin at 3:49 over Zac McKnight of Ridgeway.

Andrews advanced via a 14-2 major decision over Redbank Valley’s Brandon Bailey at 170.

Cyphert ended his match without breaking a sweat, pinning Trent Neal of Port Allegany in 1:20.

The Cardinals also have three grapplers still alive in the consolation round. Jared Morrison and Caleb Peterson survived their first elimination matches and advanced to the consolation quarterfinal. Ryan Northcott will wrestle in the consolation quarterfinal today. Northcott lost his quarterfinal round match 2-0 to Brodie Zacherl of Brookville.

Nate Kline was the lone Cardinal to be eliminated on Saturday.

Cochranton currently sits in sixth place with 29 points.



Bears, Eagles, Sailors advance to semis

It was the same story as last week for Union City with Tim Vargo and Jeff Burger dominating their weight class. Vargo advanced to the semifinals with an impressive 17-6 major decision  over Zach Miller of Greenville at 170.

Burger advanced at the heavyweight division with a pin at 4:52 over jack Karsten of Cameron County.

At 126, Dustin Tomcho was eliminated in the consolation first round. Josh Reinke was a late scratch at 160 due to an ankle injury.

Conneaut had a slim chance at advancing heading into Friday’s matches. The Eagles entered the regional with two wrestlers and that’s what they will enter Saturday’s elimination bouts with. Kyle Lukowich had a strong outing at 126 pounds, advancing to the semifinals. Lukowich defeated Tomcho in the first round before recording his second pin of the regional against Curwensville’s Jake Lancaster.

“It feels pretty good,” Lukowich said. “This is what I worked for all year. I knew I already beat Lancaster before so I knew I could do it again.”

Talor Ellis is also alive for the Eagles after successfully staving off elimination  in the first round consolation. Ellis defeated Trey McKenzie of Curwensville by a pin at 4:08 to advance to the consolation quarterfinals.

Lakeview sophomore Sam Breese quickly advanced to the semifinals, pinning Dylan Dinch of Smethport in 1:03. Breese will face last week’s district 10 champion, Forrest Christmann of Slippery Rock, in the semifinals today.

The Sailors entered the regional with three wrestlers, but the other two, Evan Clayton and Marquis Spence, were eliminated from the competition.



Muskies, Tigers struggle

The day started out with bad news for the Jamestown Muskies when they found out that their senior leader, Nick Floch, had to withdraw from competition due to a neck injury. Floch injured his neck during last week’s District 10 championship final at 132 pounds.

“I have nothing to say about that,” Floch said. “It just feels horrible.”

Two of the other three Muskies lived to see another day of competition. Faris Messai barely advanced with a 7-6 decision over Carlson in the consolation first round.

At 138, Thurbor advanced to the consolation quarterfinals with a pin of Matt Leise of Reynolds at 3:50.

Jason Shappee was eliminated from competition at 195 pounds.

Maplewood continued to struggle in their postseason run, losing two of their three grapplers in the regional.

Daniel Simmerman (120) and Isaiah Stearns (182) were both eliminated. Zak Dennis is the last Tiger standing, advancing to the consolation quarterfinal round.



Today’s lineup

The regional tournament will return to action today with the semifinals and consolation quarterfinals at 9 a.m. The consolation finals will take place at 3 p.m. followed by the parade of champions at 4:45 and championship finals at 5.