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On Thursday, March 7th, 5 wrestlers from our viewing area made the trip to Hershey Pennsylvania to compete in the PIAA State Wrestling Championships. The tournament includes three days of wrestling, with each weight class being represented by 20 wrestlers from across the state of Pennsylvania.

Competing for North Penn-Liberty freshman Bryce Pequignot gained some valuable experience, but was unable to earn a win losing in the opening round to 3rd place finisher, Thomas Boyce, from Conwell-Egan High School. Bryce was later eliminated, suffering his second loss to Andrew Kapec from Sullivan County High School.

Also from North Penn-Liberty, junior Brayden Pequignot, suffered an opening match loss to Mason Wright from Beth Center High School by a major decision of 13-1. In the first round of consolations Pequignot was able to rebound, wrestling to a victory over Bryson Galloway from North East High School by a decision of 12-6. Brayden finished the tournament with an 11-3 loss to Brayden Hartranft from Berks Catholic High School.

Representing the Canton Warriors, junior Lyle Vermilya was defeated in the first round by fall in 5:58 at the hands of Chase Homan from Hamburg High School. In the first round of consolations Vermilya was victorious, outscoring Derek Warman from Hanover Area High School by a score of 6-3 . The following match ended Lyle’s tournament as he was defeated 7-1 by Kevin Bangell from Conwell-Egan High School.

Another junior from Canton High School, Holden Ward, lost his first match to Rook Smith from Montour High School by fall in 5:52. Holden opened his consolation bout with an early lead but later fell to defeat by a score of 9-4 to Brody Beck from Cambridge Springs High School. That loss brought his tournament to a close.

The only place winner of the five from the viewing area was senior Hudson Ward from Canton Area High School. Ward opened the tournament with a hard fought 5-2 victory over Chase Frameli from Jefferson Morgan High School. In the quarterfinals Hudson lost to 5th place finisher, Story Buchanan from Girard High School, via fall in 5:52. In his third match of the tournament Ward secured a medal with a come from behind victory of 6-5 over Ryan Celashi from Frazier High school. Hudson then lost for the second time of the tournament against 6th place finisher Isaiah Pisano from Hopewell High School. In his final high school match Ward was defeated 9-2 by 7th place finisher Dominic Sumpolec from Notre Dame Green Pond High School. Hudson Ward finished his career with 121 victories for the Canton Warriors and an 8th place finish in the state tournament.
Congratulations to all five of these wrestlers on their accomplishments this season.