Chestnut Ridge trying for AA crown

Local Sports

Discussion

February 6, 2013

Chestnut Ridge trying for AA crown

Eric Knopsnyder eknopsnyder@tribdem.com The Tribune-Democrat Wed Feb 06, 2013, 11:38 PM EST

JOHNSTOWN — Greg Lazor had to cancel a dental appointment to take his Chestnut Ridge team to the PIAA Dual-Meet Class AA Championships, which begin in Hershey today.

He’s hoping that the trip to the Giant Center will be a lot less painful.

Chestnut Ridge, which is

20-1 and No. 2 in Off the Mat rankings, will face No. 16 Benton at 4 this afternoon.

The District 4 runner-up Tigers (15-5) are led by Zain Retherford, who is ranked No. 1 at 138 pounds; Matt Welliver (120) and Colt Cotten (145), both of whom are ranked second in their respective weight classes; and Jeric Kasunic, who is fifth at 152 pounds.

The Lions counter with a very deep lineup that includes

20-match winners Austin Buttry (27-1), Tyler Dibert (26-3), Trent Crouse (26-4), Derrick Claar (26-6), Dan Albright

(25-2), Brad Winegardner

(25-3), Bradie Bollman (23-4) and Aaron Burkett (21-5).

“They’ve got some of the best studs in the state,” Lazor said of Benton, which is coached by former Penn State All-American Russ Hughes.

“There’s no doubt about that. But we have some spots where we match up well and we need to get bonus points because they’re going to get some bonus points.”

Chestnut Ridge, which won its first District 5 dual-meet title on Saturday, now faces the pressure of wrestling on the state’s biggest stage.

“Hopefully it’s exciting,” Lazor said. “We will try to control the nerves. We can battle with everyone they’ll see there. They just can’t try to do too much.

“They need to keep doing what they have been doing all year. “The worry is that they feel that they need to do something spectacular.”

Chestnut Ridge’s lineup will have a bit of a different look as Bradie Bollman is planning to drop to 160 pounds after spending most of the season at 170, but Bollman’s weight plan won’t allow him to reach the weight class until Friday.

The Lions are guaranteed to still be in the competition on Friday, but Lazor is hoping that his squad can avoid the 6:30 a.m. weigh-in for the consolation round.

“That should be motivation enough,” he said.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Local Sports

Defense attorney: Woman’s death an accident
A defense attorney for a Blair County man charged with homicide in the 1999 death of his daughter-in-law said the woman’s death was accidental.

May 18, 2013
College players dominate Point nominations
Pitt-Johnstown junior Jake Warner was perfect and extremely productive at the plate while earning the first two monthly nominations for the 2013 Point Stadium Award in February and March.
Mount Aloysius sophomore Derrick Capiak nearly reached perfection to take the April nomination.

May 15, 2013
Pirates roll past Brewers
Wandy Rodriguez allowed one run over seven strong innings and Neil Walker hit a two-run single as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-1 on Wednesday night.
Rodriguez (4-2) gave up six hits, walking one and striking out five.

May 15, 2013 1 Photo
Dupuis coming through for Penguins
Dan Bylsma has been hearing it seemingly from the moment he took over at Pittsburgh Penguins head coach four years ago.
Every time the Penguins hit a rough patch, the murmurs about finding a polished winger to play alongside superstar Sidney Crosby pop up. Bylsma understands the sentiment. It’s just that it’s a little misplaced.

May 15, 2013 1 Photo
Penn State guard leaving for pro career
Penn State guard Jermaine Marshall, the team’s second-leading scorer, is foregoing his senior year of eligibility to pursue a professional career overseas.
The team announced the surprise move in a statement Wednesday. The 6-foot-4 Marshall, who is on schedule to graduate this summer, cited his family including a 1-year-old son, in making his decision.

May 15, 2013
Penn State coach blasts Sports Illustrated article
Penn State coach Bill O’Brien is fervently disputing suggestions raised in a report that player medical care has been compromised after the team doctor was replaced.
Speaking often in an angry tone that might be otherwise reserved for an argument with an official, O’Brien told reporters in a conference call that the health and safety of his players were his top priorities.

May 15, 2013 1 Photo
Penguins advance on overtime goal
Brooks Orpik’s goal would have been memorable even if wasn’t in overtime and didn’t put the Pittsburgh Penguins into the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
When you are a defensive-minded defenseman with only 12 goals in nine NHL seasons, they all tend to stand out.

May 12, 2013 1 Photo
Liriano key to Pirates' victory
Francisco Liriano finally got to pitch for Pittsburgh and, just like that, the Pirates looked like a much better team.
He struck out nine and the Pirates teed off on New York’s pitching for an 11-2 win over the Mets on Saturday.

May 12, 2013 1 Photo
Shade softball thriving on Karl’s watch
Frank Karl coached the majority of the girls who comprise Shade High School’s softball team from the time they played T-ball and coach pitch.
Karl was there when the group, as elementary-school students, once rallied from an 18-run deficit to win a game, and he hoped to be there when the group reached the varsity level.

May 12, 2013
MIKE MASTOVICH: Junior put his stamp on tourney
This year, Junior won’t be on the Point Stadium field for the pregame hoopla associated with opening night of the 69th annual AAABA Tournament.
He won’t watch as dozens of Corvettes and hundreds of baseball players enter through the left-field gate with their respective teams from cities such as Baltimore, New Orleans, New Brunswick and Altoona.

May 12, 2013 1 Photo
More Local Sports Headlines

Local Sports

Search Results

Discussion

Chestnut Ridge trying for AA crown

Should Pennsylvania privatize portions of the state prison system?

Contact Us