Smith Controls Krivus and Macri Wins a Thriller at POWERade
The 2013 POWERade Tournament featured an impressive 10 #1 ranked wrestlers in Class AAA and 3 #1 ranked wrestlers in Class AA. That level of talent was on show on Saturday as Pennslyvania’s best wrestlers hit the mats in grand style at Canon-McMillan High School.
#1 ranked Devin Brown (Franklin Regional) capitalized on a semifinal win over #3 ranked Jacob Lizak (Parkland) to advance to his second straight POWERade finals. There the junior defeated #2 ranked Connor Sheehan (Solanco) to capture his first career POWERade Championship.
At 113 lbs. #1 ranked Spencer “The Kid” Lee (Franklin Regional) continued his dominance over his opponents as the freshman downed #9 Ethan McCoy (Greater Latrobe) in the finals by major decision. Lee totaled 4 pins for the tournament and won the “Most Fall in the Least Amount of Time” award. Lee was unchallenged through the Tournament and helped lead Franklin Regional to the Team Championship.
For the second time this season #1 Luke Pletcher (Greater Latrobe) defeated #2 Ethan Lizak (Parkland) in a tight bout. Pletcher was challenged throughout the entire Tournament winning (10-9) in the quarterfinals, (3-2) in the semifinals, and (3-2) in the Championship Finals. Pletcher earned his second POWERade titles in as many years and firmly secured a #1 State ranking by defeating 2x PIAA State Champion Ethan Lizak for the second time in 2013.
In the most exciting bout of the evening #1 ranked Dalton Macri (Canon-McMillan) thrilled fans in his home gym at 126 lbs. In the finals Macri faced Collins Hill, GA senior Ryan Millhof in a match of two Nationally ranked wrestlers and NCAA Division I recruits. Macri gave up a takedown early and was unable to generate any points of his own. Down in the third period Macri used an optional start on Millhof and pushed the action getting off several takedown attempts – but trailed (6-3) late in the match. With only seconds left in the third period Macri used a headlock and hip toss to plant Millhof on his back and rack up 5 points to win the bout (8-6). The Big Mac faithful and entire gym erupted in cheers as Macri had his hand raised. For his efforts Dalton Macri was awarded the Tournament’s “Most Outstanding Wrestler.”
At 132 lbs. two 2013 PIAA Class AAA State Champions met as WPIAL stars #1 ranked Sam Krivus (Hempfield Area) faced #2 ranked Tyler Smith (Franklin Regional) in the finals. Krivus was seeded #1 but the State Champion is up two weight classes from last season. State Chapion Tyler Smith is returning to 132 lbs. where he won a PIAA State title last season. Krivus looked slightly undersized at 132 lbs. as the junior was unable to generate any offense against Smith. The senior was quick on his feet and tough on top in a marquee match. Smith shut out Krivus (7-0) and had what was in my opinion the most impressive performance of the finals.
At 138 lbs. Franklin Regional junior Michael Kemerer took on familiar foe Vincenzo Joseph (Central Catholic) in the finals. Kemerer entered his third straight POWERade finals having already captured a Championship his freshman season at 113 lbs. Against the Central Catholic junior, Kemerer scored the match’s only takedown to earn his second POWERade Championship with a (3-2) decision.
Kittanning senior # ranked Jason Nolf did what he does best as he earned a second straight POWERade Championship in dominating fashion. At 145 lbs. Nolf took on Franklin Regional junior Josh Maruca ranked #3 earning a (13-7) victory with a series of takedowns. Nolf never stopped going after Marcua racking up takedowns almost at will. Although only a regular decision, Nolf was in complete control of the match en route to the Championship.
In the only finals match that went into overtime Josh Shields (Franklin Regional) ranked #1 took on #3 Class AA ranked Cole Walter (Mifflinburg Area). In the semifinals Shields dominated DJ Hollingshead (Altoona Area) ranked #3 in Class AAA by major decision (18-6). In the finals Walter and Shields battled toa (1-1) deadlock as each wrester earned an escape in regulation. In sudden victory Shields was able to earn a late takedown and earn his second sraight POWEERade Championship.