Penn Cambria’s Nathan Link reached another milestone on Friday afternoon, but it wasn’t his primary goal heading into the weekend.
Link became the school’s career leader in victories with his 4-2 decision of James Curtician in the quarterfinal round of the Southwest Class AA Regional Wrestling Tournament.
But the 130-pounder has bigger goals.
“I’d rather take the regional title than get the school record, but I’ll take them both in the same weekend,” he said with a grin. “I’ve got to take one match at a time, though.”
Link, who will have Chestnut Ridge’s Gary Pfahler in the semifinals, now has 133 career victories, moving him ahead of former Panther and current Northern Cambria coach Adam Farabaugh.
“It feels awesome,” Link said. “I’ve been working toward it for all four years. It feels great to finally get it.”
Penn Cambria coach Todd Niebauer was thrilled to see Link reach the record.
“It’s obviously well-deserved,” Niebauer said. “It’s nice to see a kid as polite and nice as Nathan Link to get something like this.”
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Marco’s milestone: Another milestone moment occurred in the semifinal round, as Richland junior Marco Pecora earned his 100th career victory.
It didn’t come easily for Pecora, as a bloody nose forced a number of stoppages in his match with Shady Side Academy’s Kurt Brendel.
Pecora, the District 6 champion at 171 pounds, will face District 7 runner-up Charlie Wonsettler of Bentworth in the semifinal round.
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Five alive, but barely: The first day was not kind to District 5 champions.
Of the 13 district champions that lost on Friday, 11 were from District 5. Northern Bedford advanced two of its winners to the semifinals in Tyler Chesney (119 pounds) and Ben Sollenberger (152) while Chestnut Ridge had Gary Pfahler (130) and North Star had Chris Lascari (145).
District 6 and District 7 each had one champion fall in the quarterfinal round.
High School Sports
Link makes his mark
- High School Sports
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[VIDEO] Cory Berchick sets Township school mark, but Somerset wins the match
Jarod Feathers didn’t necessarily see this moment coming four years ago.
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High school basketball in brief
A closer look at Tuesday's boys and girls high school basketball games:
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High school basketball in brief
A closer look at Monday's boys and girls high school basketball games:
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Mifflin County bests Westmont Hilltop in District 6 Class AAA semis
Mifflin County finished Saturday’s District 6 Class AAA semifinal with a flourish – both in the dual meet and individual matches – on the way to a 36-26 victory over Westmont Hilltop.
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Bedford captures District 5 crown
Michael Brett is known for his ability to lock up a cross-face cradle.
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[VIDEO] Bishop McCort avenges earlier loss to Richland
Bishop McCort’s girls were looking for a little payback for an earlier loss that they had suffered at Laurel Highlands Section 2 rival Richland.
It was mission accomplished for the Crimson Crushers on Friday night as McCort held off the Rams for a physical 47-43 victory. -
Westy set to face Mifflin County at District 6 meet
Westmont Hilltop coach Matt Beaujon takes pride in having his wrestling team well-prepared heading into a dual meet.
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Quality, depth make this a banner year in D-5
Bill Creps heard the comments about District 5 wrestling: Sub-par. Spotty. Unable to compete with the big boys.
So did Jan Clark.
And while both former coaches are officially retired, they can still be found regularly at high school gymnasiums around the state. But they’re no longer hearing whispers or snickers about the quality of District 5 wrestlers, and it’s not because of any hearing loss. -
High school basketball in brief
A closer look at Friday night's boys and girls high school basketball games:
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District 5 wrestling roundup: Somerset, Meyersdale, Chestnut Ridge advance
Jake Hayman knocked off the top-ranked heavyweight in the state as second-seeded Somerset beat No. 7 Northern Bedford 53-24 in the quarterfinals of the District 5 Class AA tournament on Thursday night.
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