Northeast Regional Wrestling Tourney

Top 4 advance; local wrestlers head to Hershey

The top two ranked wrestlers in the state competed Saturday night in the championship bout when returning state champion, Muncy’s Scott Johnson, wrestled two-time state champion, Jaden Pepe, of Wyoming Area, for a regional title in the finale of the Class AA Northeast Regional tournament. Johnson fell to Pepe, 8-4, in the 133-pound, but he’s still moving onto the state tournament. Johnson held an early 1-0 lead in the second period, but Pepe went up 2-1 before Johnson was able to score a late point to tie it, 2-2. Pepe took the lead agains and Johnson got it to within 6-4, but wasn’t able to get key points late.

Five local wrestlers went home with gold in Muncy’s Gage Swank (107) and Austin Johnson (215); and Montgomery’s Brandt Harer (121), Conner Harer (152) and Caden Finck (172). Conner Harer became a three-time regional champion on Saturday by defeating Cameron Milheim, Warrior Run. Harer secured the win with a point for the 2-1 TB2. Both wrestlers are ranked top two in the state. Freshman Brandt Harer won his first regional title and also his 43rd win this year defeating state-ranked Branden Wentzel. Harer won his match by a major decision, 11-1 and is the second-ranked wrestler in the state at 121. Wentzel is ranked third.

Fourth place finishers who also secured their trip to Hershey include Montgomery’s Manny Stoltzfus (107), and Hughesville’s Chase Shaner (114).

CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS (Both advance to state tournament)

139: Anthony Evanitsky, Wyo, dec. Reagan Milheim, WR, 5-1. 145: Kaden Milheim, WR, dec. Chase Burke, Ben, 3-1. 152: Conner Harer, Mtg, dec. Cameron Milheim, WR, 2-1 TB2. 160: Deegan Ross, LT, dec. Alex Hoffman, Milt, 1-0. 172: Caden Finck, Mtg, maj. dec. Cole Shupp, WR, 15-6. 189: Paul Renner, Ho, dec. Jacob Bobersky, Ben, 4-3. 215: Austin Johnson, Mun, pinned Seth Ross, LT, 1:39. 285: Emmanuel Ulrich, Mif, pinned Mason Nelson, Can, 2:31. 107: Gage Swank, Mu, dec. Seth Kolb, Be, 5-3. 114: Colton Wade, Sul, maj. dec. Cole Patrick, Wya, 9-1. 121: Brandt Harer, Mo, maj. dec. Brendan Wentzel, Mtv, 11-1. 127: Matthew Smith, MW, dec. David Kennedy, Mo, 4-2. 133: Jaden Pepe, Wyo, dec. Scott Johnson, Mu, 8-4.

THIRD-PLACE FINALS-(Both advance to state tournament)

107: Teli Bobotas, Mtv, dec. Manny Stoltzfus, Mtg, 5-2. 114: Jace Gessner, Lew, dec. Chase Shaner, HHS, 6-4. 121: Max Wirnsberger, MC, dec. Matthew ALmedina, MV, 1-0. 127; Tyler Ulrich, WR, dec. Nolan Baumert, LM, 7-4. 133: Conner Heckmman, MW, dec. Dylan Granahan, Ben, 5-1. 139: Mason Barvitskie, SCA, dec. Ethan Kolb, Ben, 6-1. 145: Cade Wirnsberger, MC, dec. Gage Wentzel, Mtv, 4-2 TB2. 152; Max Bluhm, LT, dec. Ayden Hunsinger, Wya, 4-0. 160: Chase Wenrich, Lew, by forfeit. 172: Mason Higley, To, by forfeit. 189: Kaden Rodarmel, Loy, pinned Cale Bastian, 3:00. 215: Cole Yonkin, Mtv, dec. Ryan Weidner, MCA, 5-4. 285: Andrew Wolfe, Ben, pinned Bruce Hartman, Ber, 1:41.