Sizing up the PIAA 3A wrestling semifinals

FROM THE MORNING CALL

HERSHEY –

Eight area wrestlers advanced to the semifinals of the PIAA Class 3A wrestling championships, which begin at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Giant Center.

Who has the best shot to advance? Here's a breakdown of each bout.

103: Fr. Ethan Lizak (Parkland, 32-9) vs. Jr. Jim Long (West Chester Henderson, 33-5)

Lizak, one of just four freshmen in the 3A semis, has advanced with 10-2 and 8-6 victories. Long, who finished third in the Southeast Region, upset Northwest champ Shane Peters of Clearfield 6-5 in the quarters. Both wrestlers are first-time semifinalists.

112: Sr. Anthony Cabrera (Liberty, 36-3) vs. Sr. Jordan Conaway (Clearfield, 36-3)

Conaway defeated Cabrera 5-4 in a 103-pound consolation bout last year. Conaway went on to place third, Cabrera fifth. Conaway is a two-time state medalist, Cabrera a two-time qualifier with one medal. They've steered a course to this rematch well. Both wrestlers won their quarterfinal bouts comfortably Friday.

125: Jr. Devon Lotito (Liberty, 37-5) vs. Sr. Nico Megaludis (Franklin Regional)

Both wrestlers have been dominant. Lotito has a technical fall and pin, while Megaludis has scored 42 points in two easy victories. Megaludis, a Penn State recruit, is going for his third consecutive state title and has a career record of 168-1. Lotito said no one is "invincible," noting that Megaludis gave up a takedown in a 25-12 win over Shawn Spearman of McDowell on Thursday.

130: Sr. Zach Horan (Nazareth, 47-0) vs. Fr. Solomon Chishko (Canon-McMillan, 44-4)

Nazareth appears to have scheduled its season with Horan in mind. Horan already has beaten Chishko three times this season, the last in overtime. The talented freshman wrestles a defensive style against Horan, who won the bouts 3-2, 4-0 and 4-1. "I'm confident I can handle him tomorrow," Horan said. "He hasn't been able to generate too much offense. Mostly, he has tried to keep it close. As long as I do what I need to do, I'll come out on top."

135: Sr. Joey Rizzolino (Easton, 42-5) vs. Soph. Garett Hammond (Chambersburg, 36-3)

Rizzolino wrestled a manic third period Friday against Northern's Zach Ross, who scored four takedowns to nearly rally from a big deficit. Rizzolino ultimately held on for an 11-10 win. Rizzolino, who placed sixth two years ago, is making his first appearance in the semifinals. Hammond, the Southcentral region runnerup, was a surprise opponent for Rizzolino. Hammond edged Council Rock South's Matt Rappo 9-6 on Friday.

140: Jr. Mitch Minotti (Easton, 42-2) vs. Sr. Matt Cimato (Lasalle, 50-3)

Minotti said he felt weak and sluggish Thursday but looked stronger Friday, when he pinned Hopewell's Cody Mutkus in 2:48. Minotti is making his second semifinals appearance. He has two state medals, including a fifth-place finish in 2010. Cimato was ranked No. 1 in the state much of the season before finishing second in the Southeast region.

160: Sr. Ryan Krecker (Nazareth, 34-2) vs. Jr. Jason Luster (Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 36-1)

Krecker led his quarterfinal bout 12-3 before opponent Nick Russell of Neshaminy was forced to take a third-period injury default. Krecker called it a better performance than Thursday's opening bout, in which he allowed his first takedown of the season. Luster, the Southwest region champ, has impressive tournament wins this season at the Walsh Ironman and Beast of the East. Luster and Krecker are ranked 1-2 in the state.

160: Sr. Mike Ottinger (Parkland, 30-3) vs. Sr. Brad Grieb (Bellefonte, 37-7)

Ottinger continues to wrestle close, low-scoring bouts, occasionally frustrating his coaches. On Friday, he held a 3-2 lead against Mechanicsburg's Zach Thomson before hitting a late takedown to clinch a 5-2 victory. "We have to wrestle smarter," Parkland coach Ryan Nunamaker told Ottinger. Grieb, the Northwest region champ, has been wrestling at 160 since January, when he dropped from 171. Both wrestlers are making their first appearances in the state semis.

http://www.mcall.com/sports/mc-piaa-wrestle-3a-0311-semis-20110311,0,3957291.story