Belle Vernon Takes Down Returning State Champ Franklin Regional

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Freshman Zach Hartman (Pictured) fell to Spencer Lee but Belle Vernon outlasted State Champion Franklin Regional

2014 PIAA State Dual Team Champion Franklin Regional fell in their home gym to Belle Vernon Area in the finals of the Franklin Regional Duals. It was the first time Franklin Regional has suffered a defeat since December 7, 2013 when they were blown out by Wyoming Seminary (60-13).

This defeat came at the hands of WPIAL foe Belle Vernon who came into the season loaded with young talent. Still, Franklin Regional has a total of four (4) wrestlers ranked #1 in the State this season.

One of those #1 wrestlers, senior Michael Kemerer, did not compete this weekend and his absence was clearly missed. On a positive note for the Franklin Regional Panthers, senior Dom Giannangeli made his season debut after missing the first two weeks and got off to a great start by taking down State ranked #9 Mitch Hartman (5-3) at 138 lbs.

After a major decision by Jake Dunlap at 106 lbs. Franklin Regional got 15 points in the next three bouts as #1 Devin Brown received a forfeit and #1 Spencer Lee handled freshman #16 Zach Hartman by fall. Sophomore #14 Gus Solomon followed it up with a decision at 126 lbs. just missing a major decision (7-1).

Freshman Neiko Kuntz came up big for the Leopards as he was able to hold off Franklin Regional’s Ryan Krause (3-2) to cut the lead to (15-7). Brothers #3 Jared and #12 Derek Verkleeren gave Belle Vernon a boost picking up a fall and major decision respectively. Derek nearly missed a tech-fall downing Caleb Camacho (16-3). Senior #3 Josh Maruca bumped up to 160 lbs. and major decisioned Josh Godzin (15-2) just one point shy of a technical-fall. #1 Josh Shields also bumped up, and received a forfeit at 170 lbs. as Belle Vernon junior #7 Austin Bell made the jump up to 182 lbs. Bell added bonus points picking up a fall which was followed up with a fall by junior Milton Kobaly at 195 lbs.

With the lead now (29-28) in favor of Belle Vernon, a pair of decisions for the Leopards put away Franklin Regional with sophomore #22 Mike Fine earning a (4-2) win and Patrick Mayernik downing Jake Pickup (5-1) to seal the victory.

Belle Vernon Area 35, Franklin Regional 28
106: #11 Jake Dunlop (BV) md. Mark Prucnal (FR), 9-1  (4-0)
113: #1 Devin Brown (FR) by forfeit  (4-6)
120: #1 Spencer Lee (FR) p. #16 Zach Hartman (BV), 2:59  (4-12)
126: #14 Gus Solomon (FR) d. Brock Godzin (BV), 7-1  (4-15)
132: Neiko Kuntz (BV) d. Ryan Krause (FR), 3-2  (7-15)
138: Dom Giannangeli (FR) d. #9 Mitch Hartman (BV), 5-3  (7-18)
145: #3 Jarod Verklereen (BV) p. Dan Contraquero (FR), 1:24  (13-18)
152: #12 Derek Verklereen (BV) md. Caleb Camacho (FR), 16-3  (17-18)
160: #3 Josh Maruca (FR) md. Josh Godzin (BV), 15-2  (17-22)
170: #1 Josh Shields (FR) wins by forfeit  (17-28)
182: #7 Austin Bell (BV) p. Ted Wohlin (FR), 1:44  (23-28)
195: #9 Milton Kobaly (BV) p. Max Kubas (FR), 2:39  (29-28)
220: #22 Mike Fine (BV) d. Jeremy Nestor (FR), 4-2  (32-28)
285: Pat Mayernik (BV) d. Jake Pickup (FR), 5-1  (35-28)

*State Rankings next to name as of Week 2 Rankings.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]