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Historic PIAA gold medals for Jordan Conaway and Chance Marsteller


Note: This article was originally published March 13, 2011.

HERSHEY -- Being first is great. Being thefirst is historic.

New Oxford's Jordan Conaway and Kennard-Dale's Chance Marsteller brought home their respective schools' first PIAA wrestling championships Saturday night with victories in the Class AAA finals at Giant Center.

Conaway took gold in the 112-pound weight class with a dominating 10-4 major decision against defending state champion Connor Schram of Canon-McMillan. Marsteller's 9-4 decision vs. former state finalist Mark Havers of Bradford earned gold at 152.

Spring Grove's Neal Grudi earned a silver at 171, dropping a 15-2 major decision to explosive J.M. Staudenmayer from Plymouth-Whitemarsh.

Marsteller was the talk of the tournament coming in and he didn't disappoint, winning four straight matches to become the heaviest freshman ever to win a Class AAA title -- at least temporarily.

Solanco freshman Thomas Haines won the 215-pound crown later in the evening.

In the first minute of the match, Havers went for a gramby roll and Marsteller countered it, putting the Owl senior on his back.

Havers (38-3) fought off his back but the takedown and three back points set the tone of the match, putting a little jolt in Rams head coach Mike Balestrini.

"It was a good rush (for me). It was a good icebreaker for him," Balestrini said.

Even Marsteller was thrown off a bit by the big move.

"I wanted to get a lead ... I got a little anxious when I had him on his back," he said.

Marsteller (42-0) added a second-period takedown to open up a 7-1 lead. However, Havers didn't fold and actually scored the only offensive points of the tournament against the Ram grappler with a takedown 17 seconds into the final period.

An escape at the 1:36 mark of the third capped the scoring and gave the Kennard-Dale program its first PIAA title.

"I wanted to get a major but Markie's a really good wrestler," he said. "I knew (the pressure to win) was there ... It's a great feeling. I hope I get three more of these."

Conaway's win was even more satisfying, considering he lost to Schram (47-3) in last year's state quarterfinal round, 7-6, after falling behind in the first period.

"I couldn't get down like I did last year. I was more mentally ready (for this one)," said Conaway, who finished his senior season 38-3.

The Liberty University recruit started fast, hitting the first takedown 35 seconds into the match off a counter to a Schram shot.

After exchanging escapes, the three-time medalist struck again for a takedown with 30 seconds remaining in the second period, stretching his his lead to 5-1.

And it was that score -- according to dad and coach Dave Conaway -- that stopped any Schram thoughts of repeating.

"When we got that second one, he shut down. It just got more fun after that," the elder Conaway said. "We didn't just beat him. We just pounded him."

Conaway tacked on a third takedown and a two-point nearfall for good measure in the final 36 seconds of the match to put the crown on ice.

The younger Conaway, who posted a career mark of 146-20, knew expectations were big for him after a third-place finish last year. He also had expectations of his own to live up to.

"The whole bracket is tough. People expect you to place better each year," said Conaway, who was chosen to wrestle in the prestigious Dapper Dan event later this month. "When I started (in the high school), no one had won (a state title) so I set the goal. That's what I was shooting for."

Against the unbeaten Staudenmayer, Grudi needed a good start and appeared to be headed in the right direction when he got off an excellent shot in the first 20 seconds of the match. Unfortunately, Staudenmayer was able to fight it off and draw a stalemate.

The District 1 champion took over from there, getting a takedown at the 1:09 mark and then adding two sets of back points in the last 30 seconds of the first period to take a 9-0 lead into the second.

Grudi (34-5) felt not finishing that initial shot definitely hurt his chances.

"I got in deep but he was able to trap my head between his legs," said the Rocket senior. "I know it was early but I think that broke my momentum."

From there, it was cruise control for the Colonial senior, who had piled up 16 points in his semifinal victory Saturday morning.

Despite losing the final, Grudi was pleased with his effort for his only time in the state tournament.

"I wrestled some high quality kids here. I just didn't get the last match," said the senior, who made school history with teammate Trey Duncan as the first pair of Rocket wrestlers to medal at the same state tournament.

PIAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
   Saturday's results from the 2011 PIAA Wrestling Championships at Giant Center in Hershey:

CLASS AAA
Championship Bracket
Finals
103 -- Billy Rappo, Council Rock South dec. Ethan Lizak, Parkland, 3-2 TB.
112 -- Jordan Conaway, New Oxford dec. Connor Schram, Canon-McMillan, 10-4.
119 -- Corey Keener, Blue Mountain dec. Mackenzie McGuire, Upper St. Clair, 3-2.
125 -- Nico Megaludis, Franklin Regional major dec. Jeremy Minich, Boyertown, 16-4.
130 -- Zach Horan, Nazareth dec. Tanner Hough, Westmont Hilltop, 5-1.
135 -- Dan Neff, Solanco major dec. Garett Hammond, Chambersburg, 11-3.
140 -- Mitchell Minotti, Easton dec. Kevin Gooding, Central Dauphin, 12-6.
145 -- Brian Brill, Central Mountain dec. Nick Catalano, Canon-McMillan, 6-2.
152 -- Chance Marsteller, Kennard-Dale dec. Mark Havers, Bradford, 9-4.
160 -- Michael Ottinger, Parkland dec. Jason Luster, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 3-2 OT.
171 -- J.M. Staudenmayer, Plymouth Whitemarsh major dec. Neal Grudi, Spring Grove, 15-2.
189 -- Kenny Courts, Central Dauphin pinned Josh Popple, Coughlin, 0:38.
215 -- Thomas Haines, Solanco pinned Brandan Clark, Methacton, 4:23.
285 -- Averee Robinson, Susquehana Township dec. Dawson Peck, Chambersburg, 10-7.
Semifinals
103 -- Ethan Lizak, Parkland by default over Jim Long, West Chester Henderson, 5:10; Billy Rappo, Council Rock South dec. Colt Shorts, Canon-McMillan, 5-0.
112 -- Jordan Conaway, New Oxford dec. Anthony Cabrera, Bethlehem Liberty, 9-6; Connor Schram, Canon-McMillan dec. Austin Miller, Hempfield (Dist. 3), 9-5.
119 -- Corey Keener, Blue Mountain dec. Matt Harkins, Hatboro Horsham, 4-1; Mackenzie McGuire, Upper St. Clair dec. Tyson Dippery, Central Dauphin, 2-1.
125 -- Nico Megaludis, Franklin Regional dec. Devon Lotito, Bethlehem Liberty, 4-1; Jeremy Minich, Boyertown dec. Zach McGinnis, Waynesburg, 7-4.
130 -- Zach Horan, Nazareth dec. Solomon Chishko, Canon-McMillan, 3-2; Tanner Hough, Westmont Hilltop major dec. Joe Mazzi, LaSalle College, 10-2.
135 -- Garett Hammond, Chambersburg dec. Joseph Rizzolino, Easton, 12-7; Dan Neff, Solanco dec. Dylan Mogan, Bethel Park, 13-8.
140 -- Kevin Gooding, Central Dauphin dec. Shane Miller, Middletown, 7-5; Mitchell Minotti, Easton dec. Matt Cimato, LaSalle College, 5-3.
145 -- Brian Brill, Central Mountain dec. Jayshon Wilson, Carlisle, 5-2; Nick Catalano, Canon-McMillan dec. Trey Duncan, Spring Grove, 4-1.
152 -- Mark Havers, Bradford dec. Geno Morelli, DuBois, 5-2; Chance Marsteller, Kennard-Dale dec. Lorenzo Thomas, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 9-2.
160 -- Michael Ottinger, Parkland dec. Brady Grieb, Bellefonte, 9-4; Jason Luster, Pittsburgh Central Catholic dec. Ryan Krecker, Nazareth, 4-2 TB.
171 -- J.M. Staudenmayer, Plymouth Whitemarsh major dec. Connor Moran, Solanco, 16-5; Neal Grudi, Spring Grove dec. Austin Coniker, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 4-3.
189 -- Kenny Courts, Central Dauphin dec. John Bolich, Upper Moreland, 8-5; Josh Popple, Coughlin dec. Matt McCutcheon, Kiski Area, 7-2.
215 -- Brandan Clark, Methacton dec. Zachary Nye, East Pennsboro, 3-2; Thomas Haines, Solanco major dec. Scott Mohring, Latrobe, 13-1.
285 -- Averee Robinson, Susquehana Township dec. Jeremy Reith, Father Judge, 4-2; Dawson Peck, Chambersburg dec. Cody Klempay, Canon-McMillan, 8-3.
Consolation Bracket
Third-round matches
103 -- Zach Fuentes, Norristown dec. Brett Marino, Bethlehem Liberty, 8-3; Tanner Shoap, Chambersburg pinned Jake Gromacki, Erie Cathedral Prep, 4:25.
112 -- Rob D'Annunzio, Methacton dec. Godwin Nyama, Brashear, 3-2; Kenny Arentz, Governor Mifflin dec. Paul Bewak, Hempfield (Dist. 7), 6-4.
119 -- Dereck Enders, Big Spring dec. Jon Brigham, Cumberland Valley, 5-1; Thomas Traxler, Bellefonte dec. Derrick Nelson, Waynesburg, 6-0.
125 -- Bobby Rehm, Penn Manor dec. Mike Fake, Parkland, 12-5; Kaleb Loht, Indian Valley dec. Daniel King, Susquehana Township, 4-2.
130 -- Brandon Choate, Blue Mountain dec. John Pezze, Norwin, 3-2 TB; Shyheim Brown, Central Dauphin dec. Celby Allen, Middletown, 2-0.
135 -- Mason Popham, Unionville dec. Eric Howey, Stroudsburg, 3-2; Matt Rappo, Council Rock South dec. Dario Dobbin, Canon-McMillan, 3-0.
140 -- Scott Bosak, State College dec. Cody Zechman, Selinsgrove, 6-1; Tyler Manion, Pittsburgh Central Catholic dec. Matt Tadich, Norwin, 5-3.
145 -- Garrett Peppelman, Central Dauphin dec. Tyler Parsons, Erie Cathedral Prep, 3-1; Eric Nutter, Pittsburgh Central Catholic dec. Justin Heller, Parkland, 8-2.
152 -- Brett Harner, Norristown dec. Tyler Buckwalter, Central Mountain, 5-3 OT; Thomas Demetrio, Pottsgrove dec. John Lambert, Northampton, 8-4.
160 -- Shane Springer, LaSalle College dec. Nick Russell, Neshaminy, 8-6; Zach Thomson, Mechanicsburg dec. Zack Towers, Meadville, 8-1.
171 -- Cole Baxter, Butler pinned Chad Hoffman, Hazleton, 2:11; Nick Bonaccorsi, Bethel Park major dec. Shane Gilmore, Council Rock South, 9-0.
189 -- Ryan Burnheimer, Westmont Hilltop dec. Dominick Wolfe, Shikellamy, 3-2; Perry Hills, Pittsburgh Central Catholic dec. Phil Sprenkle, Dallastown, 9-2.
215 -- Matt Idelson, Garnet Valley dec. Tarek Haddad, Parkland, 3-0; Joe Stolfi, Souderton dec. Tyson Searer, Lewistown, 4-0.
285 -- Alec Gluvna, Corry dec. Ryan Geiger, LaSalle College, 4-2 TB; Josh Duplin, Westmont Hilltop pinned Gavin Queenan, Norristown, 4:38.
Fourth-round matches
103 -- Zach Fuentes, Norristown by medical forfeit over Jim Long, West Chester Henderson; Colt Shorts, Canon-McMillan dec. Tanner Shoap, Chambersburg, 8-1.
112 -- Anthony Cabrera, Bethlehem Liberty pinne Rob D'Annunzio, Methacton, 4:17; Austin Miller, Hempfield dec. Kenny Arentz, Governor Mifflin, 7-4.
119 -- Matt Harkins, Hatboro Horsham dec. Dereck Enders, Big Spring, 7-3; Tyson Dippery, Central Dauphin dec. Thomas Traxler, Bellefonte, 6-1.
125 -- Devon Lotito, Bethlehem Liberty dec. Bobby Rehm, Penn Manor, 7-3; Zach McGinnis, Waynesburg dec. Kaleb Loht, Indian Valley, 8-2.
130 -- Solomon Chishko, Canon-McMillan dec. Brandon Choate, Blue Mountain, 3-2; Joe Mazzi, LaSalle College dec. Shyheim Brown, Central Dauphin, 4-3.
135 -- Mason Popham, Unionville dec. Joseph Rizzolino, Easton, 7-4; Matt Rappo, Council Rock South dec. Dylan Mogan, Bethel Park, 5-2.
140 -- Shane Miller, Middletown dec. Scott Bosak, State College, 4-2; Matt Cimato, LaSalle College dec. Tyler Manion, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 4-2.
145 -- Jayshon Wilson, Carlisle major dec. Garrett Peppelman, Central Dauphin, 16-5; Eric Nutter, Pittsburgh Central Catholic dec. Trey Duncan, Spring Grove, 7-0.
152 -- Brett Harner, Norristown dec. Geno Morelli, DuBois, 7-4; Lorenzo Thomas, Pittsburgh Central Catholic pinned Thomas Demetrio, Pottsgrove, 2:30.
160 -- Brady Grieb, Bellefonte def. Shane Springer, LaSalle College, 3-2; Zach Thomson, Mechanicsburg by injury default over Ryan Krecker, Nazareth, 4:07.
171 -- Cole Baxter, Butler dec. Connor Moran, Solanco, 6-3; Nick Bonaccorsi, Bethel Park dec. Austin Coniker, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 5-1.
189 -- John Bolich, Upper Moreland major dec. Ryan Burnheimer, Westmont Hilltop, 10-0; Perry Hills, Pittsburgh Central Catholic dec. Matt McCutcheon, Kiski Area, 3-1.
215 -- Zachary Nye, East Pennsboro dec. Matt Idelson, Garnet Valley, 10-8 TB; Joe Stolfi, Souderton by medical forfeit over Scott Mohring, Latrobe.
285 -- Jeremy Reith, Father Judge dec. Alec Gluvna, Corry, 3-2; Cody Klempay, Canon-McMillan dec. Josh Duplin, Westmont Hilltop, 5-2.
Third-Place matches
103 -- Colt Shorts, Canon-McMillan major dec. Zach Fuentes, Norristown, 8-0.
112 -- Austin Miller, Hempfield dec. Anthony Cabrera, Bethlehem Liberty, 3-2.
119 -- Tyson Dippery, Central Dauphin dec. Matt Harkins, Hatboro Horsham, 11-7.
125 -- Devon Lotito, Bethlehem Liberty major dec. Zach McGinnis, Waynesburg, 12-0.
130 -- Solomon Chishko, Canon-McMillan dec. Joe Mazzi, LaSalle College, 4-2.
135 -- Mason Popham, Unionville dec. Matt Rappo, Council Rock South, 8-5.
140 -- Matt Cimato, LaSalle College dec. Shane Miller, Middletown, 6-2.
145 -- Jayshon Wilson, Carlisle dec. Eric Nutter, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 3-2.
152 -- Lorenzo Thomas, Pittsburgh Central Catholic dec. Brett Harner, Norristown, 9-3.
160 -- Zach Thomson, Mechanicsburg dec. Brady Grieb, Bellefonte, 6-3.
171 -- Nick Bonaccorsi, Bethel Park dec. Cole Baxter, Butler, 3-0.
189 -- John Bolich, Upper Moreland pinned Perry Hills, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 2:47.
215 -- Joe Stolfi, Souderton dec. Zachary Nye, East Pennsboro, 4-2 OT.
285 -- Cody Klempay, Canon-McMillan dec. Jeremy Reith, Father Judge, 3-2 UTB.
Fifth-Place matches
103 -- Tanner Shoap, Chambersburg by medical forfeit over Jim Long, West Chester Henderson.
112 -- Rob D'Annunzio, Methacton dec. Kenny Arentz, Governor Mifflin, 11-10.
119 -- Dereck Enders, Big Spring dec. Thomas Traxler, Bellefonte, 9-2.
125 -- Bobby Rehm, Penn Manor dec. Kaleb Loht, Indian Valley, 5-1.
130 -- Shyheim Brown, Central Dauphin dec. Brandon Choate, Blue Mountain, 8-2.
135 -- Joseph Rizzolino, Easton dec. Dylan Mogan, Bethel Park, 7-6.
140 -- Scott Bosak, State College major dec. Tyler Manion, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 8-0.
145 -- Garrett Peppelman, Central Dauphin dec. Trey Duncan, Spring Grove, 6-1.
152 -- Geno Morelli, DuBois dec. Thomas Demetrio, Pottsgrove, 8-4.
160 -- Shane Springer, LaSalle College by medical forfeit over Ryan Krecker, Nazareth.
171 -- Connor Moran, Solanco dec. Austin Coniker, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 5-3.
189 -- Matt McCutcheon, Kiski Area dec. Ryan Burnheimer, Westmont Hilltop, 5-1.
215 -- Matt Idelson, Garnet Valley by medical forfeit over Scott Mohring, Latrobe.
285 -- Josh Duplin, Westmont Hilltop dec. Alec Gluvna, Corry, 3-1 OT.
Seventh-Place matches
103 -- Brett Marino, Bethlehem Liberty dec. Jake Gromacki, Erie Cathedral Prep, 6-2.
112 -- Godwin Nyama, Brashear dec. Paul Bewak, Hempfield (Dist. 7), 4-3.119
119 -- Derrick Nelson, Waynesburg dec. Jon Brigham, Cumberland Valley, 5-1.
125 -- Mike Fake, Parkland dec. Daniel King, Susquehana Township, 2-1.
130 -- Celby Allen, Middletown dec. John Pezze, Norwin, 4-3.
135 -- Dario Dobbin, Canon-McMillan major dec. Eric Howey, Stroudsburg, 11-2.
140 -- Cody Zechman, Selinsgrove dec. Matt Tadich, Norwin, 6-4.
145 -- Tyler Parsons, Erie Cathedral Prep dec. Justin Heller, Parkland, 11-4.
152 -- Tyler Buckwalter, Central Mountain major dec. John Lambert, Northampton, 9-1.
160 -- Zack Towers, Meadville dec. Nick Russell, Neshaminy, 3-2 UTB.
171 -- Shane Gilmore, Council Rock South dec. Chad Hoffman, Hazleton, 3-2.
189 -- Phil Sprenkle, Dallastown pinned Dominick Wolfe, Shikellamy, 3:43.
215 -- Tyson Searer, Lewistown dec. Tarek Haddad, Parkland, 5-2.
285 -- Gavin Queenan, Norristown pinned Ryan Geiger, LaSalle College, 0:23.