Black Out
Eisenhower freshman stuns D-10 champ Harvey in quarterfinals; Knights Jaquay, Bauer, Sheffield’s Finch also advance to semis
SHARON, Pa. – It was quite a day for Warren County wrestlers at the Class 2A Northwest Regional.
Eisenhower’s Logan Jaquay, Cael Black and Joey Bauer all advanced to the semifinals, as did Sheffield’s Ethan Finch.
Jaquay, Bauer and Finch all received byes and were each impressive in quarterfinal victories.
Black’s quarterfinal win, however, had Sharon High School buzzing.
After a hard-fought 6-3 win over Clarion’s Tyler VanTassel, he had a date with Titusville’s Parker Harvey, who celebrated a D-10 title just a week earlier, beating Black 3-1 in the semifinals in the process.
The tables completely turned on Friday, however, as Black was able to put Harvey on his back and stunningly pin him in just 33 seconds.
“It was the shock of the tournament,” said Eisenhower assistant Denny Johnson. “Parker shot a double leg, had him up in the air. When they came to the mat, Cael had an over-under and put him on his back. It was Bo Nickal-ish. He just kind of got up, shook hands and walked off. He lost to him three times, but they were all close.
With the win, Black (32-8) has yet another big-time bout with fellow freshman standout Hayden Linkerhof (31-7) of Corry. The two have gone back-and-forth this season, with Black winning the most recent match, a 3-1 quarterfinal matchup in the D-10 quarterfinals.
“At least one freshmen will be going to states for sure,” Johnson added.
The other semifinal at 195 features Elijah Ayers (30-3) of Coudersport against Austin Kelly (26-15) of Conneaut.
Back to the other three semifinalists, Finch (28-8) continued to build off a dominant showing at the D-9 championships, grinding out a 3-0 win over Jamestown’s Jed Goodlin in the quarterfinals.
In the semifinals, Finch will meet Corry’s Matt Petrilla (31-11), who earned an impressive 4-2 win over Elijah Hilliard of Slippery Rock in the quarterfinals. The other semifinal pits Greenville’s Brady Gentile (39-3) against Reynolds’ Cole Toy (25-9).
Jaquay (32-3), the only active wrestler in Warren County who has advanced to states, had a workmanlike 7-2 decision over Chase McLaughlin of Jamestown. He will meet Harbor Creek’s Connor Pierce (30-5) in the semifinals. Pierce earned a 5-1 decision in the quarterfinals over Port Allegany’s Reese Vollmer.
“Jaquay had a good match against a quality kid,” Johnson said. “That kid from Jamestown is really tough. He got down early on a takedown
Bauer (29-6) dominated Jamestown’s Zach Nesevich in the quarterfinals, needing just 1:04 to put him on his back and earn a pin.
He will square off with Kane senior Ty Stahli (26-6) in the semifinals. The D-9 champ disposed of Reynolds’ Wyatt Owen via pin in 4:19.
“Bauer wasn’t challenged a whole lot tonight,” Johnson said. “He has wrestled that kid three times this season, and he is tough.”
The other semifinal will feature Greenville’s unbeaten senior, Jacob McMaster (42-0) against Maplewood’s Joey King (35-5).
In first-round matchup featuring two Warren County foes, it was Sheffield’s Nick Knowles who pinned Youngsville’s Jake DeSimone in the third period (5:01) in their first round matchup at 285.
Knowles was pinned in the quarterfinals by Union City standout Matt Long (2:26).
Knowles, DeSimone and Eisenhower’s Josh Bortz, Gannon Jaquay and Alex Barnett all remain alive in the consolations, which begin at 9:15 a.m. today, followed by the semifinals.
“The guys wrestling back, they have there work cut out for them,” Johnson said.
The third and fifth place matches will begin at 3:30 p.m., followed by the Parade of Champions and finals matches at 5:15.