Penn State PIAA wrestling Day 1 results; Lions signee Marcus Blaze starts quest for fourth Ohio title Friday
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Three future members of the Penn State wrestling program kicked off their time at the PIAA championships on Thursday in Hershey. All three spent minimal time on the mat en route to booking a spot in Friday’s quarterfinals. Meanwhile, in Ohio, another Nittany Lion signee is set to start his quest for a fourth and final title.
Future Penn State wrestlers go three for three on Day 1
The Lions’ three-man contingent at the PIAA Wrestling Championships put together a strong first day at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Class of 2026 commit Sam Herring of Bishop McCort led things off in Class 2A action on Thursday morning at 139 pounds. He was leading Braden Durst of Berlin Brothersvalley 10-1 when he pinned him at the 1:24 mark of the first period. Herring will face Matthew Almedina of Mid Valley in this morning’s quarterfinal round. Almedina also secured a first period pin in round one.
UPDATE: Sam Herring won his quarterfinal by technical fall, 15-0, in 2:50. He’ll face Bishop McDevitt’s Camden Baum, who pinned his quarters opponent in just 37 seconds, in tonight’s semifinals. Herring is No. 7 in MatScout’s rankings, and Baum No. 16.
In Class 3A action, Class of 2025 signee Dalton Perry of Central Mountain, who competes at 145 pounds, beat Jared Gonzalez of Notre Dame Green Pond by fall in 1:01. He led 9-2 at the time of the first period stoppage. He will face Ian Longenberger of Boiling Springs in Friday afternoon’s quarterfinal round. Longenberger also beat his first opponent by fall in 2:27.
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Perry’s fellow senior signee, Asher Cunningham of State College, who wrestles in the 172-pound weight class, beat Matty Shumaker of Methacton by technical fall, 17-2, in 1:40 to start his tournament. He will face Shane McFillin of Bethlehem Catholic in the quarterfinals. McFillin also beat his first opponent by technical fall (15-0; 2:13).
Class 2A quarterfinal action starts at 8 a.m and Class 3A starts at 2:15 p.m.
Blaze set for final prep run in Ohio
Elsewhere, Class of 2025 signee and three-time Ohio state champ Marcus Blaze starts his quest for fourth state title Friday. He bumped up two weight classes from 138 to 150 pounds to fill a spot in his team’s lineup and cruised through the start of the postseason.
“I think going up two weight classes just forces me to get better at wrestling,” Blaze told the Sentinel-Tribune. “Obviously the guys are stronger, so technique is more valuable than strength. Using my technique that I’m actually getting better at, to implement that on the guys and make them more tired and stuff like that. I think going into a stacked room, so I’m going to have to be technically sound.”
The OHSAA state wrestling tournament runs Friday through Sunday.
