Breaking News
Local Sports

Williamsport has 7 wrestlers qualify for regionals, Shore has four at District 4-9 Class AAA tournament

By Jon Gerardi 10 min read

Williamsport’s Nariq Burks simply let out a lengthy sigh when asked if he is glad to at least be moving onto the Northeast Class AAA regional tournament in Altoona next week.

Yes, it’s great to be advancing, but Burks wish it would have been a little bit of a different outcome in the final of Saturday’s bout at 189 pounds.

“It’s mixed feelings,” Burks said as he stood with a silver medal around his neck inside Williamsport’s Magic Dome. “Like I’m happy I get another chance at beating him (Selinsgrove’s Tucker Teats), but at the same time I wanted to win, you know?”

Burks was one of four area wrestlers to secure gold or silver at the District 4-9 Class AAA tournament on Saturday, three of which were Millionaires.

Williamsport had seven wrestlers qualify for regionals. For the Bulldogs, four qualified and advanced to the regionals thanks to three wrestling in third-place bouts and Shore standout Brock Weiss wrestling for gold.

The top four wrestlers in each weight advanced to the Northeast Class AA regional in Altoona next week. Jersey Shore’s Mason Winter (127), Camden Baker (133) and Aiden Murphy (160) in addition to Williamsport’s Tadd Ungard (139), Nathan Lundy (145), Jackson Raker (172) and Hasin Cobb (285) all wrestled for third and qualified for regionals.

Burks battled throughout his bout at 189 against Selinsgrove’s Tucker Teats. He trailed 2-1 after the first period and gave everything he had in the third period to keep the bout alive. That included a few points late to tie it at 6-6.

Teats almost got a decisive point that would have won at the end of the third period, but the horn went off to send it into extras.

Burks battled Teats in that extra period, trying to get some key points. Burks started to work his offense, and tried to turn Teats, but Teats was able to counter it into two enormous points to secure an 8-6 decision, handing Burks silver for a second consecutive year at regionals.

“I’ve been working on my snap and trying to be more aggressive to stop my opponents,” Burks said. “I just gotta keep pushing.”

Burks pushed to close out that third period and kept pushing in overtime to try and get a point. The emotions were visible when Burks laid on the mat, staring up at the rafters in disbelief when he saw the referee signal for two points for Teats, securing the win for the Seal.

But that aggressiveness is what is one of Burks’ strengths when he competes on the mat, regardless of who the opponent he’s facing is.

“My biggest strength would be my aggressiveness and willingness to keep going and not break,” Burks.

That was on display on Saturday.

Williamsport saw two wrestlers secure gold in Waldman and Nasdeo, as both secured wins in back-to-back bouts to open the championship finals.

Waldman and Shikellamy’s Jake Hendricks were scoreless after the first period before Waldman started to show offense against the Brave. Waldman turned Hendricks and tried to get his shoulders down while leading 2-0 and was able to secure the fall with 51 seconds left. Waldman also pinned Selinsgrove’s Martin Wilson in the semifinals in 1:51.

For Nasdeo, he battled DuBois’ Antonio Giambanco in a tight contest. Nasdeo used his speed to go up 2-0 in the first period and kept working at GIambanco, not letting secure any points. Nasdeo would end the second period with a 3-0 lead.

Giambanco did score a point in the third, but the match was never in question as Nasdeo controlled the final two minutes to end with a 4-1 win and district gold yet again.

“It means a lot (to win gold). I think I improved but that was a good match all around, I’m happy with how I performed today,” Nasdeo said.

The Millionaire had a 6-0 decision win in his semifinal matchup as well against Shikellamy’s Max Hallman.

“I think I’m peaking at the right time. I didn’t really wrestle at the beginning of the year, I got hurt, but I think a lot of practices has me where I want to be right now,” Nasdeo said.

Jersey Shore’s Weiss continued his outstanding season by remaining perfect and culminated with a gold medal at the 139 final. The Bulldog, now 27-0, cruised throughout his bracket with ease.

In the quarterfinals, he needed just eight seconds to pin Bradford’s Nicholas Martin. In the semifinals, it was just 34 seconds for Weiss to pin Selinsgrove’s Ryan Harpster.

“I’m just out there having fun and it’s adding up to pin the guy quick and just scoring points,” Weiss said.

In the final against DuBois’ Davey Aughenbaugh, Weiss went ahead 4-1 in the first period early before ending the period with a 6-1 lead. In the second period, Weiss continued using his offense and securing points, going ahead 12-1 before eventually leading 15-1.

And then in the third period, the inevitable became reality with how fast Weiss was scoring points and a tech fall victory 17-1 in 3:59.

The win is the first of Weiss’ career since 2022 after he didn’t get the chance to wrestle in last year’s postseason after not making weights at regionals. But for Weiss, he isn’t dwelling on that. This is a new season and new challenges.

“I’m just going out there and having fun and forgetting about what happened and moving on,” Weiss said.

—

THIRD-PLACE MATCHUPS

While they likely wished they were wrestling for gold or silver, Williamsport’s four wrestlers who competed in third-place matches and Jersey Shore’s trio of wrestlers competing for bronze all were guaranteed a berth at regionals, regardless how their third-place bouts finished.

The Millionaires’ Ungard earned hard-fought 6-2 decision win at 139 over Shikellamy’s Derek Brubaker to take home a bronze medal. Raker also brought Williamsport a bronze medal when he defeated Selinsgrove’s Luke Smith by decision, 11-4.

At 127, Winter came up shy to DuBois’ Samson Deeb in a tight contest in which Deeb won by decision, 5-2, as Winter took fourth.

At 133, the Bulldogs’ Baker lost by major decision to Selinsgrove’s Nathan Martin.

Williamsport’s Nathan Lundy had a solid performance at 145 by defeating Maximus Irving of Shikellamy by decision, 5-2, in a close contest as Lundy prevented Irving from rallying and earning points late.

Jersey Shore’s Murphy fell to CMVT’s Noah Moyer at 160 by fall in 23 seconds. Williamsport’s Cobb was pinned against DuBois’ Ja’reese Stowe in 2:11.

DISTRICT 4-9 CLASS AAA RESULTS

KEY: Br-Bradford; CMVT-Columbia Montour Vo-Tech; Du-DuBois; JS-Jersey Shore; Px-Punxsutawney; Sel-Selinsgrove; Sh-Shikellamy; WAHS-Williamsport

TEAM RESULTS: 1. Shikellamy, 228; 2. Selinsgrove 188; 3. DuBois 138; 4. Williamsport 120; 5. Punxsutawney 114.5

FIRST-PLACE FINALS

107: Lauger Waldman (WAHS) pins Jake Hendricks (Sh), 3:08. 114: Collin Nasdeo (WAHS) dec. Antonio Giambanco (du), 4-1. 121: Alex Reed (Sh) pinned Dysen Gould (Px), 0:48. 127: Alex Kadryna (Sel) dec. Eben Kisner (Sh), 3-0. 133: Jordan Rutan (Px) dec. Isacc McGregor (Sh), 7-5. 139: Brock Weiss (JS) tech fall Davey Aughenbaugh (Du), 17-1, 3:59. 145: Trent Turner (Sel) pinned Carter Vos (Du), 1:39. 152: Jordan Thompson (Br) pinned Logan Moore (Px), 1:20. 160: Cole Wetzel (Sh) dec. Ethan Miller (Sel), 5-4. 172: Connor Wetzel (Sh) maj. dec. Carter Wilson (Du), 11-1. 189: Tucker Teats (Sel) dec. Nariq Burks (WAHS), 8-6 SV1. 215: Brody Rebuck (Sh) pinned Jarrod Bullington (Sel), 1:26. 285: Preston Spontarelli (Sh) pinned Jack Peters (Sel), 5:58.

THIRD-PLACE FINALS

107: Landen Hess (CMVT) pinned Martin Wilson (Sel), 2:30. 114: Anthony Snook (Sel) dec. Max Hallman (Sh), 7-2. 121: Payton Geer (Du) dec. Zander Billings (CMVT), 8-3. 127: Samson Deeb (Du) dec. Mason Winter (JS), 5-2. 133: Nathan Martin (Sel) maj. dec. Camden Baker (JS), 10-2. 139: Tadd Ungard (WAHS) dec. Derek Brubaker (Sh), 6-2. 145: Nathan Lundy (WAHS) dec. Maximus Irving (Sh), 5-2. 152: AJ Benedict (Sh) dec. Alex George (Du), 6-5 TB2. 160: Noah Moyer (CMVT) pinned Aiden Murphy (JS) 0:23. 172: Jackson Raker (WAHS) dec. Luke Smith (Sel), 11-4. 189: Landon Martz (Px) pinned Christian Boetsch (Sh), 4:22. 215: Austin Fischer (Px) pinned Brayden Benjamin (CMVT), 0:30. 285: Ja’reese Stowe (Du) pinned Hasin Cobb (WAHS), 2:11.

FIFTH-PLACE FINALS

107: No match. 114: No match. 121: Steven Bott (WAHS) dec. Mike Zettlemoyer (Sel), 8-4. 127: Hunter Dobson (Px) dec. Mitchell Brinsky (Br), 4-0. 133: Jeff Morris (Du) dec. Jahki Burget (WAHS), 6-2. 139: Ryan Harpster (Sel) pinned Nicholas Martin (Br), 0:46. 145: Tobias Morgret (JS) pinned Payotn McCool (Br), 2:54. 152: Landyn Lukens (Sel) pinned Jonathan Dincher (JS), 2:32. 160: Thomas Langdon (Br) def. John Elick (Px) via forfeit. 172: No match. 189: Kaleb Henrie (CMVT) pinned Jason Gardner (Du), 3:57. 215: No match. 285: Logan Baun (Px) pinned Dalton Roth (CMVT), 1:40.

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS

107: Jake Hendricks (Sh) pinned Landen Hess (CMVT), 5:00; Lauger Waldman (WAHS) pinned Martin Wilson (Sel), 1:51. … 114: Antonio Giambanco (Du) pinned Anthony Snook (Sel), 2:49; Collin Nasdeo (WAHS) dec. Max Hallman (Sh), 7-0. … 121: Alex Reed (Sh) pinned Steven Bott (WAHS), 0:48; Dysen Gould (Px) tech fall Zander Billings (CMVT), 16-1, 3:26 … 127: Eben Kisner (Sh) dec. Samson Deeb (Du) 7-6 TB2; Alex Kadryna (Se) pinned Mason Winter (JS), 2:21. … 133: Jordan Rutan (Px) maj. dec. Nathan Martin (Sel) 9-0; Isaac McGregor (Sh) pinned Camden Baker (JS), 3:49. … 139: Brock Weiss (JS) pinned Ryan Harpster (Sel) 0:34; Davey Aughenbaugh (Du) pinned Derek Brubaker (Sh), 2:43. … 145: Carter Vos (Du) dec. Tobias Morgret (JS) 7-4; Trent Turner (Se) pinned Maximus Irving (Sh), 0:45.

152: Logan Moore (Px) maj. dec. Alex George (Du) 9-1; Jordan Thompson (Br) tech fall AJ Benedict (Sh) 16-1, 2:57. … 160: Ethan Miller (Se) pinned Noah Moyer (CMVT), 3:10; Cole Wetzel (Sh) def. John Elick (Px) via medical forfeit … 172: Carter Wilson (Du) pinned Jackson Raker (WAHS), 1:43; Connor Wetzel (Sh) pinned Luke Smith (Sel), 1:33. … 189: Tucker Teats (Sel) pinned Christian Boetsch (Sh), 1:28; Nariq Burks (WAHS) pinned Landon Martz (Px), 0:45. … 215: Brody Rebuck (Sh) pinned Austin Fischer (Px) 0:36; Jarrod Bullington (Se) pinned Brayden Benjamin (CMVT), 1:34… 285: Preston Spontarelli (Sh) pinned Hasin Cobb (WAHS), 1:34; Jack Peters (Sel) pinned Ja’reese Stowe (Du) 4:29.

CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTERFINALS

121: Steven Bott (WAHS) pinned Mike Zettlemoyer (Sel), 2:57; Zander Billings (CMVT) maj. dec. Peyton Geer (Du) 10-0 … 127: Alex Kadryna (Sel) pinned Jack Heller, 1:26; Eben Kisner (Sh) dec. Mitchell Brinsky (Br), 5-0; Samson Deeb (Du) pinned BRyce LAcey (CMVT), 1:16; Mason Winter (JS) pinned Hunter Dobson (Px) 1:00. … 133: Nathan Martin (Sel) pinned Tyson Ray (Br) 0:37; Jordan Rutan (Px) tech fall Jahki Burget (WAHS), 16-0, 3:02; Camden Baker (JS) pinned Jeff Morris (Du), 1:34. … 139: Derek Brubaker (Sh) pinned Tadd Ungard (WAHS), 3:17; Ryan Harpster (Sel) tech fall Anthony Albertson (CMVT), 16-0, 2:14; Brock Weiss (JS) pinned Nicholas Martin (Br), 0:08. … 145: Maximus Irving (Sh) dec. Nathan Lundy (WAHS), 7-2; Tobias Morgret (JS) def. Fenway Huntington (CMVT), 2-0, 1:54; Carter Vos (Du) pinned Payton McCool (Br), 1:28.

152: Alex George (Du) pinned Austin Dunlap (WAHS), 1:37; AJ Benedict (Sh) pinned Jonathan Dincher (JS), 4:32; Logan Moore (Px) pinned Landyn Lukens (Sel), 5:53. … 160: John Elick (Px) pinned Thomas Langdon (Br), 1:37; Noah Moyer (CMVT) pinned Aiden Murphy (JS), 1:11; Cole Wetzel (Sh) pinned Evan Dixxon (Du), 1:28; Ethan Miller (Sel) pinned Malon Lee (WAHS), 1:09. … 189: Landon Matz (Px) pinned Jason Gardner (Du), 1:05; Christian Boetsch (Sh) pinned Kaleb Henrie (CMVT), 2:44.

215: Austin Fischer (Px) pinned Shane Kerner (Du), 3:13. … 285: Ja’reese Stowe (Du) pinned Dalton Roth (CMVT), 0:26; Hasin Cobb (WAHS) pinned Logan Baun (Px), 4:26.

CONSOLATION SEMIFINALS

121: Zander Billings (CMVT) pinned Mike Zettlemoyer (Sel), 1:48; Peyton Geer (Du) dec. Steven Bott (WAHS), 6-0. … 127: Mason Winter (JS) dec. Mitchell Brinsky (Br), 10-3; Samson Deeb (Du) pinned Hunter Dobos (Px), 0:47. … 133: Camden Baker (JS) dec. Jahki Burget (WAHS), 2-0; Nathan Martin (Sel) pinned Jeff Morris (Du), 1:44. … 139: Derek Brubaker (Sh) pinned Nicholas Martin (Br), 0:55; Tadd Ungard (WAHS) def. Ryan Harpster (Sel) via forfeit. … 145: Nathan Lundy (WAHS) dec. Tobias MOrgret (JS), 4-2; Maximus Irving (Sh) pinned Payton McCool (Br), 2:0.

152: Alex George (DU) dec. Jonathan Dincher (JS), 4-1 TB2; AJ Benedict (Sh) dec. Landyn Lukens (Sel), 7-2. … 160: Noah Moyer (CMVT) pinned Thomas Langdon (Br), 2:00; Aiden Murphy (JS) def. John Elick (Px) via medical forfeit. … 189: Christian Boetsch (Sh) pinned Jason Gardner (Du), 4:21; Landon Marz (Px) pinned Kaleb Henrie (CMVT), 1:00. … 215: Brayden Benjamin (CMVT) dec. Shane Kerner (Du), 7-0. … 285: Hasin Cobb (WAHS) pinned Dalton Roth (CMVT), 0:40; Ja’reese Stowe (Du) pinned Logan Baun (Px), 0:53.

FIRST-ROUND CONSOLATIONS

127: Hunter Dobson (Px) tech fall Jack Heller (WAHS) 15-0, 3:13; Mitchell Brinsky (Br) pinned Bryce Lacey (CMVT), 3:26. … 133: Jahki Burget (WAHS) pinned Tyson Ray (Br), 2:31. … 139: Nicholas Martin (Br) dec. Anthony Albertson (CMVT), 4-2. … 145: Payton McCool (Br) de. Fenway Huntington (CMVT), FMC. … 152: Landyn Lukens (Sel) maj. dec. Austin Dunlap (WAHS), 11-1. … 160: Thomas Langdon (Br) pinned Evan Dixon (Du), 4:24; Alden Murphy (JS) pinned Mason Lee (WAHS), 1:32.

Starting at /week.