By ERIC KNOPSNYDER
HERSHEY — The quarterfinals of the PIAA Class AA Wrestling Championships will include a Baker and a baker’s dozen when it comes to local wrestlers.
North Star’s Richard Baker, who rallied for a late victory in the first round on Friday at the Giant Center, and 13 other wrestlers from The Tribune-Democrat’s coverage area will continue their quest for a state title when the tournament resumes at 8 this morning.
Baker’s victory over Northwest Regional champion Cody Copeland of Greenville was one of two upsets involving local wrestlers in the 140-pound bracket. Central Cambria’s Phil Steinberg, a PIAA runner-up at 135 last year, was beaten by Juniata’s Seth Beitz in the other one.
Baker fell behind early, but one big move erased a 3-0 deficit.
“I think he was a little nervous, a little tentative, maybe a deer in the headlights down here,” North Star coach Pat Berzonski said. “But the kid stepped into a big stage and performed real well.”
Copeland shot in Baker in the final minute and the North Star wrestler used his hips to take Copeland directly to his back.
“I just pushed it, and I knew I could beat him,” Baker said shortly after the match. “I got it. I got a four-point move and I just rode him out. I’m real happy right now.
“That was a big win for me.”
North Star wrestlers went 3-0 on the day, as Nick Roberts (103 pounds) and Joe Lascari (125) each posted first-round victories.
“It’s a testament to these guys,” Berzonski said. “They put in a good, hard week of work. Obviously, they weren’t content with just being here.”
Westmont Hilltop went 4-for-5 in the first round, as Josh Polacek (112), Tanner Hough (119), Trevor Kushner (135) and Josh Duplin (285) all advanced to the quarterfinals.
Ryan Burnheimer, the Hilltoppers’ 171-pounder, was thrown by Pius X’s Luke DeLuise with 24 seconds left or Westmont could have gone 5-0 on the day.
“Four guys in the state quarterfinals is impressive,” Beaujon said. “You always want more as a coach. We brought five guys down here, and I wanted the fifth guy. It didn’t happen.”
Duplin was one of three local heavyweights to win on Thursday.
Forest Hills’ Bob Oshaben pinned Southeast Region champion Ben Ancheff in overtime to set up a meeting with a familiar foe in Duplin.
“I’ve wrestled him seven or eight times over the past two years,” Oshaben said. “I beat him once out of those times.”
Richland’s John Rizzo beat Greenville’s Dillon Sarcinella 5-1 and will face Cris Ramirez of Milton Hershey – who pinned Northeast Region champ Wes Tillett - in today’s quarterfinal round. A victory would pit Rizzo against either Duplin or Oshaben for a spot in the finals.
“We have good heavyweights (in the Johnstown area), and it’s showing down here,” Rizzo said.
Other local wrestlers who advanced to the quarterfinals are: Penn Cambria’s Evan Link (112), Bedford’s Cory Thomas (119), Somerset’s Luke Lohr (140), Portage’s Shawn Perich (145) and Forest Hills’ Zack Glessner.
