Schuylkill Valley’s Jack Bennett was northeast Berks’ top finisher over the weekend at the daunting South East AA Wrestling Regional at Wilson, one of just three from the area to qualify for this week’s PIAA Class AA Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Bennett placed third at 138 pounds, scoring a 6-4 sudden victory over Notre Dame-Green Pond’s Mario Gordon in the medal round.
Bennett stepped forward after placing sixth at districts a week before and is 22-12 on the season.
He’ll be joined at states by Kutztown’s Tyler Fisher and Brandywine’s Michael Hubble.
Fisher placed fifth at 170 pounds, downing Tri Valley’s Dawson Schwalm in the medal round, 6-5. Fisher won his first two bouts to reach the semifinals before running in to eventual champion Dalton Group of Susquenita. The sophomore was 3-2 in the tournament.
Hubble, who dramatically won the 285-pound title at the District 3 championships the previous weekend, placed fifth with a 3-2 win over the same opponent – Wyomissing’s Deion Adams.
Wyomissing was Berks’ best finisher with three medalists, Tanner Vogel (3rd at 160), Jakob Naylor (4th at 152) and Adams.
Others from the area saw their seasons end just short of the state tournament.
Kutztown: sophomore Logan Bachman went 2-2 at 182, senior Jarryd Kase went 1-2 at 195.
Schuylkill Valley: senior Jethro Solomon was 0-2 at 126, senior Hunter Williams was 0-2 at 132, junior Carlos Altamirano was 0- 2at 145, senior Joel Orlando was 2-2 at 152.
Brandywine Heights: senior Trevor Gimbor was 2-2 at 138.
Hamburg: Tyler Reimert was 1-2 at 106, senior Zachary Scheffler was 0-2 at 160, junior Reese Mason was 0-2 at 182, senior Brandon Kessler was 1-2 at 285.
Tulpehocken: freshman Zach Ruffner was 1-2 at 195.
