Jaguars claim back-to-back titles

By DAN PALM
MVI Sports
Thomas Jefferson defended their 3A Section-2 championship with a 38-34 win in a rematch of last year’s title match.
Kale Buckiso sealed the victory with a technical fall at 138 pounds but he was far from the only impressive performer for the Jaguars in the final. Nathan Krutules, Denver Haynes, Logan Danielson and Brendan Finnerty all recorded pins.
Ben Eckenrod, Brian Finnerty and Trystan Alava won by decision, with Finnerty and Alava’s coming in overtime.
“It was a great night for our program, such a huge win,” said TJ coach Mike Ladick. “We have so much respect for Connellsville’s staff and program. They have been the benchmark of this section for a long time. It was an absolute barnburner and it was much easier winning last year than defending this year.”
The Jaguars beat Mount Lebanon in the semifinal match 43-22.
Warriors finish 2nd
The Elizabeth Forward wrestling team had to settle for a runner-up 2A Section-3 finish after a 61-15 loss to perennial power Burrell, but not until after their own dominating win in the semifinals.
The Warriors knocked off Highlands, 57-20, on their home mat to reach the section final.
The semifinal matchup started at 160 pounds and after going down 6-0, Dakota Buchina and Ethan Cain gave EF a lead they would never relinquish with first period falls. Buchina pinned Tyler Thompson at 170 pounds with Cain getting the fall over Nate Riddell at 182.
Davontay Brownfield and Nick Murphy sandwiched two more first period pins around a Warrior loss to take a 24-12 lead. Brownfield beat the Highlanders Kyron Long at 195 with Murphy knocking off Jeremiah Nelson at 285.
After flipping the lineup, Austin Wilson pushed the EF lead to 30-12 with a forfeit. The Warriors got pins in the next four bouts to build a huge 54-12 lead. Donovan Woytsek, Dylan Bruce, Ryan Michaels and Caiden Brock got wins at 113, 120, 126 and 132 pounds.
Noah Hunnell picked up EF’s final win of the match with a 2-0 decision over Blake Clark at 145 pounds.

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