#3 Nino Bonaccorsi Shocks #1 Austin Bell In Tiebreaker At WPIAL Sectionals

The last time #1 Austin Bell (Belle Vernon Area) and #3 Nino Bonaccorsi (Bethel Park) faced off it was in the POWERade Finals where Austin Bell came from behind and scored a narrow (5-4) decision over the junior. Bell used two takedowns in the third period to notch the win and secure his first POWERade Championship. Bell, who this season is an Ironman, POWERade, and Escape The Rock Champion, entered sectionals undefeated at (33-0).

After a scoreless first period between the two Bonaccorsi choose down in the second period and escape in eight seconds to go ahead (1-0). Bonaccorsi then scored a takedown attempt to go up (3-0) but Austin Bell answered with a reversal before riding the Black Hawk out for the remainder of the period. Entering the third period Bonaccorsi held a (3-2) advantage that was quickly erased when 0:23 seconds into the third period Bell escaped and tied it (3-3).

Regulation would not be enough and the two entered sudden victory knotted-up (3-3) but after 60 seconds on their feet the pair remained deadlocked. In the first of two 30 second tiebreaker rounds Bonaccorsi had choice first and took bottom. Four seconds into the first tiebreaker Bonaccorsi escaped and three seconds later secured a takedown to go up (6-3) on Bell. With (0:14) seconds left Bell was able to break free and earn an escape to cut the deficit to (6-4). In the second tiebreaker Austin Bell took the bottom position and escaped in five seconds but still trailed (6-5) with (0:25) left. When the clock hit (0:10) seconds Austin tried hard for a desperation takedown but was countered by Bonaccorsi who picked up a takedown of his own going up (8-5) and taking Bell to his back earning the fall with four seconds left (7:56 TB2).

Bonaccorsi, a PIAA State sixth place Medalist last season, has dominated his opponents this season and his only defeat on the year was to Bell. The junior had a total of 22 wins by pin or tech-fall this season prior to the post-season. Nino increased that number to 24 after picking up the fall over #1 Bell in tiebreaker.

The two will be on another collision course next week in the WPIAL/South West Regional Championships at Penn Hills High School.