Three out of the seven local grapplers, who advanced to the PIAA State Wrestling Championships, placed in the top eight and made their way to the podium. Montgomery’s Isaiah Bobotas took fourth at 182 while teammate, Kyle Drick, was eighth at 113. Muncy’s Dakota Nixon finished sixth at 145 giving the Indians a state placewinner for the seventh consecutive season.

In the quarterfinals Isaiah Bobotas won by decision over Cody Miller, of Hamburg, 4-2, and moving in the medal rounds. Bobotas dropped his semi-final bout to future state champion, Jose Ortiz, Bethlehem Catholic, by a decision of, 3-0. Bobotas finished the state tournament with fourth place after a tie-breaking match against Dylan Reynolds, Saegertown, 2-1.

Drick wrestled his way back for a medal after dropping in the quarters to Taylor Ortz, Brookville. In the second round of consi’s Drick defeated Lenny Ogozalek, Panther Valley, 6-3, earning him a spot in the seventh place consolation round with Austin McDermitt of Burgettstown. Drick brought home an eighth place medal after be defeated, 7-3.

Nixon earned himself a sixth-place medal. Nixon won his quarterfinal match Friday defeating Tyler Shafer, Hanover, 3-2. Following that win he was sent to the consolation bracket by Kittanning’s Jason Nolf, a Penn State recruit and two-time state champion, with a second-period fall in the semi-finals. Nixon wrestle Corey Falleroni, Burrell, in the fifth place consolations and was defeated by a decision 10-1.