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Dragons finish 2nd to Prep at District 10 3A wrestling duals

The Warren Area High School wrestling team finished second at the District 10 Class 3A team duals on Thursday, beating Meadville and falling to Cathedral Prep.

ERIE, Pa. — Warren wrestlers earned a trip to the District 10 AAA Duals championship for the second straight year Thursday.

And for the second straight season, the Dragons ran into the juggernaut that is Erie Cathedral Prep wrestling. The Ramblers topped the Dragons, 62-9, to claim the district team duals title.

“The final score in no way reflects the effort put forth by this team,” Warren coach Paul Streich said. “I am proud of each and every one of our guys for their dedication to each other and our goals. We wish Prep the best of luck in Hershey. They were the better team tonight.”

Prep was dominant from start to finish. The Ramblers lost only one contested match and won nine via pinfall.

Warren picked up a win from Joey Arnold via forfeit at 182. The Dragons lone decision came from Ryan Madigan at 126. The senior earned a 3-1 win over Kaeman Smith.

The Ramblers got pinfall victories from John Campbell (285), Jacob Van Dee (106), Steffan Lynch (132), Paniro Johnson (145), Marques McClorin (152), Kelyn Blossey (160), Owen Shetler (170), Hunter Tirpak (195) and Dorian Crosby (220). Phillip Stark picked up a tech fall at 120.

Ben Tirpak, who recently committed to the Gannon wrestling program, was the only Prep winner who didn’t get bonus points. Alex Anderson battled, but came out on the short end of a 6-2 decision.

Warren has a tough road next week with a pair of non-region duals. The Dragons travel to Titusville Thursday, but before that, they’ll head north to clash with cross county rival Eisenhower Tuesday at the John M. Niese Gymnasium.

Warren then sets its sights on the individual postseason tournaments.

“We have three weeks to get ready for the individual district tournament,” Streich said. “That starts with two tough road duals next weet at Eisenhower and at Titusville.”

——

SEMIFINALS: WARREN 36, MEADVILLE 33

Warren got key wins from Josh Letko and Arnold to avenge an early season loss with a 36-33 win over Meadville in the semifinals.

Josh Letko picked up a pinfall win over Alex Kinder at 113-returning the favor after Kinder pinned him in the regular season dual-and Arnold bumped from his typical spot at 160 to 182 and came away with a 6-2 decision over Griffin Buzell to clinch the team win.

“Josh Letko got a huge pin for us,” Streich said. “He was down early and just kept fighting. Joey Arnold got a workmanlike win and sealed the win for us.”

The teams traded victories through the early part of the match.

Easton Hultberg got Warren on the board with a forfeit win at 220. Thomas Pollard got those points right back with a pinfall victory over Hunter Seelinger at 285.

William Terwilliger gave the Bulldogs a 9-6 lead with an 8-6 decision over Christian Papalia at 106, but Jost Letko came back with the pin at 113. Javan Gray picked up a forfeit win for the Bulldogs at 120 to give them a 15-12 advantage.

There was no 126-pound match and Madigan outlasted Westin Chest for a 3-2 decision at 132 to tie the match at 15-15. Alex Anderson followed with a pinfall victory over Alanc Jones at 138 and Joe Letko and Kyle Swick won via forfeit at 145 and 152, respectively, to put the Dragons on top 33-15.

Meadville picked up forfeit wins at 160 and 170 to cut the deficit to 33-27.

Arnold stepped in at 182 and worked his way to a decision to propel Warren into the finals for the second straight year.

“I’m very pleased with our performance against Meadville,” Streich said. “Both teams were dealing with illness and injury, but the guys in our lineup came to battle. It feels great to be back in the district finals.”

Rhaan Woodrow pinned Jason Stillson for the final 36-33 margin.

——

Results

FINALS: Erie Cathedral Prep 62, Warren 9

285: John Campbell (P) pin Hunter Seelinger, 0:52

106: Jacob Van Dee (P) pin Christian Papalia, 0:40

113: No contest

120: Phillip Stark (P) tech fall Josh Letko

126: Ryan Madigan (W) dec Kaeman Smith, 3-1

132: Steffan Lynch (P) pin Nick Pennucci, 1:52

138: Ben Tirpak (P) dec. Alex Anderson, 6-2

145: Paniro Johnson (P) pin Kyle Swick, 2:16

152: Marques McClorin (P) pin Joe Letko, 0:55

160: Kelyn Blossey (P) pin Landon Douvlos, 2:29

170: Owen Shetler (P) pin Zack Zinger, 2:41

182: Joey Arnold (W) via forfeit

195: Hunter Tirpak (P) pin Jason Stillson, 0:32

220: Dorian Crosby (P) pin Easton Hultberg, 0:10

——

SEMIS: Warren 36, Meadville 33

220: Easton Hultberg (W) via forfeit

285: Thomas Pollard (M) pin Hunter Seelinger, 0:53

106: William Terwilliger (M) dec. Christian Papalia, 8-6

113: Josh Letko (W) pin Alex Kinder, 4:59

120: Javan Gray (M) via forfeit

126: No contest

132: Ryan Madigan (W) dec. Westin Chest, 3-2

138: Alex Anderson (W) pin Alanc Jones, 1:00

145: Joe Letko (W) via forfeit

152: Kyle Swick (W) via forfeit

160: Winston Meagy (M) via forfeit

170: Trent Tidball (M) via forfeit

182: Joey Arnold (W) dec. Griffin Buzell, 6-2

195: Rhaan Woodrow (M) pin Jason Stillson, 1:00

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