BVA grad Hartman falls in semifinals of NCAA championships

By Jonathan Guth

MVI Sports

Zach Hartman had to go for broke, but it cost the Bucknell junior and Belle Vernon graduate in his semifinal bout against Stanford’s Shane Griffith Saturday in the NCAA Division I Championships at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis.

The 165-pound semifinal bout was tied at two on the scoreboard with 35 seconds left in the match, but Hartman was technically trailing by a point as Griffith had built up 1:16 of riding time and would be awarded an additional point when time expired, so Hartman took a chance.

The Bison went for a takedown but was caught and thrown on his back with 30 seconds remaining for four near-fall points and an 8-2 lead. Hartman fought off his back, but Griffith was able to finish on top and earned a 9-2 decision and a spot in the finals.

After a scoreless first where each wrestler took one significant shot, Griffith scored a reversal with 1:25 left in the second for a 2-0 lead. Hartman escaped as time expired in the period. He was able to escape in the third with 1:40 remaining.

Griffith came into the bout as the No. 8 seed and Hartman was the fifth. Griffith will wrestle Pitt’s Jake Wentzel, who is a South Park graduate, in tonight’s final. Those in Southwestern Pennsylvania were hoping for an All-WPIAL championship but Griffith had other ideas.

Hartman entered the bout at 13-0 this season and with a career mark of 68-17 but will have to wrestle in the consolation semifinals this morning. He can finish no lower than sixth and will be on the podium tomorrow evening when the medals are awarded for the All-Americans.

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