Tanner Stuart stands fifth on the podium.

STATE COLLEGE — Tanner Stuart, a freshman at Warren Area High School, competed in the recent Keystone State Wrestling Championships and ended up fifth in his weight class.

In the round of 32, Stuart faced Steele Zalik of Palmerton and built an early 9-1 lead before pinning him at the end of the first period. Stuart then faced Tyler Waterfall of Hatboro Horsham in the round of 16. Twenty seconds into the first period, Stuart secured a single-leg takedown and ended the period up 3-0. Stuart went on to score two more takedowns along with 10 total nearfall points to win by technical fall 19-1.

Facing Brooks Burmeister of Penn Trafford in the quarterfinals with the score 0-0 after the first period, Stuart chose neutral to start the second. With 10 seconds remaining, Stuart scored a takedown on a duck under, giving him the lead going into the third period. His opponent chose neutral as well, but was unable to get a takedown on Stuart, who claimed the 3-0 victory.

The semifinal match was against Alyis Brown of Wissahickon. Trailing 3-1 after the first period, Stuart chose down to start the second and scored another escape point and ended that period down 3-2. Brown elected to go down to start the third period, but Stuart let him up after 30 seconds of riding to push the score to 4-2 in favor of Brown. An ankle pick takedown by Brown and an escape by Stuart pushed the score to 7-3 with 10 seconds remaining in the match. Stuart attempted a throw in the last few seconds, but ultimately fell to the eventual state champion.

The consolation-6 match had Stuart up against Gabe Fisher of Jersey Shore. One take-down by Fisher in the first period and two escape points by Stuart would decide the match in favor of Fisher 3-2. Stuart then faced Kayne Burkett of Chestnut Ridge in the fifth- and sixth-place match. A firemans carry and six total nearfall points from a tilt and cross face cradle ended the first period with Stuart up 10-0. Stuart elected to go down to start the second and, after a failed duck-under attempt, Stuart found himself on his back, but fought off the pin and only allowed three nearfall points and eventually reversed his opponent, ending the second up 12-3. His opponent chose neutral to start the third period and another firemans carry takedown by Stuart secured the match at 15-3, which earned him fifth place on the podium.