Facing No. 1
Butler wrestlers knock out Trinity, meet state champ Franklin Regional
tonight
BUTLER TWP —
The Golden Tornado earned that spot with a 45-25 win over Trinity
in a preliminary round match Tuesday night at the
Butler's reward is a matchup with the defending state champion
and second-seeded Panthers at 6 p.m. today at Franklin Regional.
“It's a team that has a lot of experience,” Finan said. “They are
one of the best teams around the nation. It's a blessing to work with them and
learn what we can from them.”
The Panthers beat the Golden Tornado 64-6 in the WPIAL
quarterfinals last season.
Franklin Regional is just as loaded.
The Panthers have two wrestlers — Spencer Lee (120 pounds) and
Michael Kemerer (145) — ranked No. 1 in their weight classes nationally by
InterMat.
Butler coach Scott Stoner wants to see his young team wrestle
tough.
“I would hope the kids would rise up,” said Stoner, who picked up
his 299th career win Tuesday. “It is very much a David and Goliath times 14
weight classes. (Franklin Regional) is very seasoned and they are coming off a
dominating state performance last year.”
Finan, who pinned Trinity's Dawson Leavines in 2 minutes, 34
seconds, will have a tough challenge.
Should Finan wrestle at 152 against Franklin Regional, he could
be pitted against Josh Maruca, who is ranked No. 7 nationally and committed to
wrestle at Arizona State University.
Maruca pinned Finan in 52 seconds last year.
“Hank's really been wrestling well,” Stoner said. “There are a
few things to tweak and things I'd like him to do differently, but I'm high on
him.”
Trinity (3-4) wrestled without three starters and forfeited two
weight classes.
“The three back-ups wrestling I had full confidence in the world
in,” Hillers coach Mark Powell said. “They wrestled hard. (Michael Hertig) gave
up a tough decision.”
Trinity led 12-3 after three matches thanks to pins from Michael
Kolosky (113) and Tony Steadman (126).
Butler responded by winning the next nine bouts to go ahead
45-12.
Caleb Baxter tied the match with a pin at 138 and Donovan
Malovich picked up a third-period pin to put the Golden Tornado ahead.
Malovich, who was focused on earning bonus points, was tied at
two with Gino Cecchine entering the third period.
While not what he was aiming for, Malovich caught Cecchine in a
headlock and put him on his back.
“I was looking to pin him because coach said it was going to be a
tough match because they beat McGuffey,” Malovich said. “The kid was awkward. I
didn't expect to get him in a headlock and throw him over. He just ended up in
that position.”
Jeremiah Bortmas (160) also picked up a pin for Butler.
Finan said he plans to do his best against the Panthers. He isn't
going to let Franklin Regional's reputation hold him back.
“The main way is that it really doesn't come to that,” said
Finan, who is 14-6. “You have to wrestle as hard as you possibly can and that's
what I intend to do.”
Butler 45, Trinity 25
(Match started at 113 pounds)
106-Evan Parkinson (T) decision Isaiah Christy, 6-3; 113-Michael
Kolosky (T) pin Shane Culp, :45; 120-Connor Foust (B) dec. AJ Marino, 8-3;
126-Tony Steadman (T) pin Sam Dietrich, 2:59; 132-Scott Dietrich (B) dec.
Michael Hertig, 3-1; 138-Caleb Baxter (B) pin Devin Kelley,1:35; 145-Donovan Malovich
(B) pin Gino Cecchine, 4:16; 152-Hank Finan (B) pin Dawson Leavines, 2:34;
160-Jeremiah Bortmas (B) pin Zack Magdich, 1:20; 170-Thomas Greaves (B) won by
forfeit; 182-Justin Johnson (B) by forfeit; 195-Nick Roth (B) dec. Ben Johnson,
8-2; 220-Robert West (T) pin Seth McCrea, :57; Hwt.-Austin Fife (T) maj. dec.
JD Bojanac, 12-4