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Isaac Cory wins state gold, Branden Wentzel takes silver for Montoursville at PIAA Class AA wrestling championships

Montoursville's Isaac Cory prepares to wrestle at 189 in the PIAA Class AA championship at the Giant Center Saturday. EVAN WHEATON/Sun-Gazette

HERSHEY — When Isaac Cory met with media members following his District 4 title win, the Montoursville junior jokingly said he’d talk after states.

Well, Cory called game.

With a 5-1 decision over Greenville’s Cole Karpinski in the PIAA Class AA 189-pound championship, Cory took home state gold.

“I really don’t even have the words for it,” Cory said, still catching his breath after taking family photos. “I don’t have words, I’m just ecstatic.”

Cory rode a three-point lead entering the third period after registering a takedown and escape apiece. Karpinski made an escape to bring the title bout within two points, but Cory pulled away once more with a late takedown.

Having started at 172 to start the season, Cory made his rounds, competing against the top talent he could find, including a run at the Powerade — Pennsylvania’s biggest tournament.

Montoursville's Branden Wentzel wrestles Athens' Gavin Bradley at 113 in the PIAA Class AA championship at the Giant Center Saturday. EVAN WHEATON/Sun-Gazette

What Cory learned was he needed to bump up and settle into a new weight class. With district and regional titles leading up to state gold, it’s safe to say he found the right fit.

“The reason I bumped up was because the competition is where it was before,” Cory said. “Coming up, I only weighed 179 today. That’s almost 13 pounds under.”

Montoursville's Branden Wentzel wrestles Athens' Gavin Bradley at 113 in the PIAA Class AA championship at the Giant Center Saturday. EVAN WHEATON/Sun-Gazette

Montoursville has now gone back-to-back years with a 189-pound champion. Cael Crebs won it all for the Warriors last year before Cory repeated for the program.

The two have remained close, and Crebs encouraged Cory to make the change.

“I’m following in Crebs’ footsteps. He told me at the beginning of the year to bump up and I finally did it,” Cory said. “It just feels great, he’s been my partner for the past three years. To follow back-to-back, it’s a great feeling.”

In the 113-pound championship, Branden Wentzel represented Montoursville in his second title match, and third appearance at the Giant Center.

Against top-ranked Gavin Bradley from Athens, Wentzel — ranked No. 2 in the state — fought to repeat his freshman year’s first-place finish.

Bradley came out on top for his first-ever title with a 4-3 decision. Wentzel made three escapes for all his points. Bradley made a reversal and a takedown in the third period to take the crown.

“This is going to shape me as a person,” Wentzel said. “I’ve been pretty lucky when it comes to winning big matches. This year is the first year I’ve lost in any type of finals in my high school career, so I think this will give me more of a sense of urgency in matches.”

Wentzel has a prestigious resume. Individual tournament titles, a Powerade semifinal finish, plus state gold, bronze, and now, silver.

Having that taste of success his freshman year set the bar high for Wentzel, and he’s taking every moment for what it is.

“I mean, you’re never going to be satisfied until you get that gold. It happens. Second place is still better than what I did last year,” Wentzel said. “I happened to make the finals after that rough sophomore year, but this is only going to motivate me. Your biggest disappointments come from your greatest success.”

Montoursville has shown strength, having placed champions four straight years now. Wentzel will have one more year to try and reach the pinnacle once more. But a stay in Hershey with Cory was well spent.

“Isaac and I have been pretty close all throughout. We both came to Montoursville the same year,” Wentzel said. “He’s my best friend, so it feels good to have the same mindset and the same goals. It really motivates you to do better with someone you enjoy hanging out with.”

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