Pioneers’ Whyte advances to Class 2A semis
HERSHEY — Colin Whyte assured himself a spot on the podium when he earned an 8-0 major decision on Friday morning in the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class 2A Individual Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center.
Whyte, a senior who will continue his academic and wrestling careers at Kent State University, defeated Upper Dauphin’s Eoghan Savage to advance to the semifinals in the 285-pound weight class. A spot in the final four guaranteed Whyte of no less than sixth place on the podium as one of the top eight in the state. Whyte was fourth last year at 285.
“Growing up, I always dreamed about being a state place winner,” Whyte said. “It feels good to know that my dreams have become a reality. I am very happy about this, but I want to keep it going.”
Whyte and Savage didn’t attempt much offensively in the first minute of their consolation quarterfinal bout, but after the referee encouraged both wrestlers to pick up the pace, Whyte scored his first of two takedowns with 48 seconds remaining and rode out Savage the rest of the period for a 3-0 lead.
Whyte escaped in the second for a 4-0 advantage before earning his second takedown with a blast double-leg six seconds into the final frame for a 7-0 lead. The decision turned to a major when Savage was penalized one point for stalling.
“I just wanted to start out slow, get a feel for the match and stay in good position,” Whyte said. “I was working for my turns, but he was really tall and had good defense. It felt good to get the major decision. I got out every match to dominate, get to my offense and score.”
Whyte (46-3, 162-33) wrestled Fairfield’s Caleb Tyler (34-3, 102-15) in the semifinals on Friday evening. The results of the evening session were not available at press time. A recap of the action can be found late Friday evening at www.heraldstandard.com
Frazier senior Jonah Erdely (34-2, 126-24) dropped a heartbreaker in the quarterfinals at 152, but he assured himself a spot on the podium when his opponent in the third round of consolations, Dawson Lomison of Bald Eagle Area, had to default out of the tournament after being injured in his previous match and removed from the arena on a stretcher.
Erdely, a Seton Hill University commit, met Bishop McCort’s Jackson Butler (42-11, 99-33) in the fourth round of consolations. Erdely defeated Butler, 2-1, in the ultimate tiebreaker on Feb. 28 in the semifinals of the PIAA Class 2A Southwest Regional Individual Championships at Altoona High School.
Erdely is a three-time state qualifier, and will finish his high school career on the podium for the first time.
In his round of eight match, Erdely was taken down by General McClane’s Clay Kimmy (45-6, 155-57) with five seconds left in the bout to drop a 4-1 decision.
In girls action, Southmoreland’s Zoey Murphy (24-2, 74-20) qualified for the semifinals with a fall in 4:45 at 235. Murphy, a senior, was the state runner-up last season. She qualified as a sophomore and was seventh as a freshman. The state tournament was not sanctioned by the PIAA until Murphy’s 10th-grade year.
Albert Gallatin sophomore Jenna Chapman (19-7, 35-16) will place in her first state tournament. She won by fall in 41 seconds to clinch a spot on the podium at 235.