CLARION — The Warren High boys wrestling team had a successful weekend at Clarion University as it participated in the District 9 and 10 Regional competition.

Three Dragon wrestlers — Carter Campbell, Ryan Letko and Tanner Stuart — qualified for the Western 3A Regional Tournament this weekend, hosted by Canon-McMillan High School. In order to punch a ticket to the 3A Western Regional, one must finish in the top three in his respective weight class. Campbell was the top finisher for the Dragons, as he earned a runner-up finish. Coming in as the second seed in his 152-pound weight class, Campbell won his quarterfinal match via technical fall, and pinned his semifinal opponent at the 5:36 mark. Facing top-seeded Samson Deeb out of Dubois, Campbell lost a tough 15-11 decision.

Letko may have been the biggest surprise of the 145-pound weight class. Coming in as the No. 7 seed, Letko dropped his first match via technical fall to Jacoby Thompson of Meadville, but he didn’t want to see his senior season come to an end just yet.

He rattled off two pins in a row in the consolation bracket to earn a spot in the third-place match against Harbor Creek’s Ethan Volker. It was win or go home for Letko. This was not the first time Letko and Vokler have faced each other. Back in December, Volker narrowly defeated Letko by a 9-8 decision, but revenge was sweet for Letko as he pinned Volker at the 2:31 mark to advance to the 3A Western Regional in a very exciting match.

Stuart, meanwhile, continued his strong season. After dropping his first match to Mateo Gallegos out of Dubois, he found himself in the same position as teammate Letko — win or go home. Facing Mikeem Thompson out of Erie High, Stuart took care of business and earned a quick pin at the 57-second mark to be the final qualifier in the 121-weight class.

“The kids did great,” Warren head wrestling coach Koltyn Eason said. “We need to get them to stay in ‘match-mode’ and to do that, we will wrestle and practice this week with other schools. I expect my team (the ones that didn’t qualify) will continue to show up to practices to work with and support the kids that are still in the tournament. The WPIAL is what I believe the toughest region in the state. If one of our kids moves on from here, there is a good chance they might place in the state tournament.”

Also competing for the Dragons were Nick Freehling (sixth place), Dru Abbey (fourth), Ayden Dean (sixth), Hayden Holden (sixth), Travis Childress (sixth), Sebastian Oyola (fifth) and Tyson Harkins (fifth).

The 3A Western Regional is slated to take place Friday and Saturday at Canon-McMillan High School in Canonsburg, PA. In order to qualify for the state tournament, you must finish in the top-5 in the region.