What we learned from the D-10 Class 2A wrestling team postseason's opening round
TITUSVILLE — One not need remind Titusville of the opportunity which awaits on Saturday.
The Rockets are well aware.
Before earning a place at the District 10 Class 2A team quarterfinals, however, the Titusville wrestling team had to hold off No. 10 Saegertown. One of four preliminary round dual meets, No. 7 Titusville used five falls and four victories by decision to beat the visiting Panthers 42-12 and earn a Saturday date with No. 2 Fort LeBoeuf.
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“I thought the kids wrestled really well and we’re in a good spot right now,” said Titusville head coach Joel Stearns, who reached 100 career dual wins Wednesday. “The kids’ conditioning is good and, hopefully, we can peak at the right time at the end of this season.”
Familiar foes
These teams met Jan. 20 at the Corry Duals, where Titusville triumphed, 39-30. That meet started at 145 pounds and saw Titusville build a 24-0 lead — almost exactly what unfolded again Wednesday.
The rematch started at 152, where Landen Wolfkiel pinned Greg Kiser. After victories from Gavin Donaldson, Kameron Mong, Kaleb Brunst and Burke Hancock, Titusville led 21-0 going into heavyweight.
“It makes a big difference in the team score when you don’t get pinned and you get pins,” Stearns said. “Every time we wrestle a big match, I tell the guys, you can’t get pinned.”
Logan Corner got Saegertown on the board at heavyweight but back-to-back victories by Titusville’s Sawyer Wolfkiel and Issac Roberts then put the meet out of reach.
“For us, it’s a really big deal and I’m really excited,” said Brunst, a senior 189-pounder. “For Titusville being as small as we are, something like this means a lot, as does everyone showing up and supporting us. Small-town throwdown, I guess.”
Greenville, Grove City, Sharpsville advance
Each of the higher seeds won on Wednesday, including No. 8 Sharpsville, whose 33-30 victory over No. 9 Commodore Perry came down to the final match. Tied going into a decisive 152-pound bout, Jacob Burdett’s 4-3 decision over Konrad Drew kept the Blue Devils’ season alive.
No. 5 Greenville had little trouble in its 52-24 victory over No. 12 North East and the same was true for No. 6 Grove City in its 52-24 triumph over Cambridge Springs. Josh Divens of Sharpsville and Cody Hamilton of Grove City each reached 100 career wins during their respective matches.
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The remainder of the D-10 tournament will be wrestled Saturday at Sharon. Two quarterfinals (No. 1 Reynolds vs. No. 8 Sharpsville; No. 4 General McLane vs. No. 5 Greenville) are scheduled for 9 a.m. and two (No. 2 Fort LeBoeuf vs. No. 7 Titusville; No. 3 Corry vs. No. 6 Grove City) for 11 a.m.
Semifinals will begin at 3 p.m. with the district final to follow. Two teams will earn a berth at the PIAA Class 2A team championships, scheduled Feb. 8-10 at Hershey’s Giant Center.
District 10 tracker: Find District 10 box scores, high school results, schedules and more here
Contact Jeff Uveino at juveino@timesnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @realjuveino.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Titusville pins Saegertown; three others reach D-10 wrestling team quarterfinals
