Luca Frinzi Trusts His Endurance as He Comes From Behind to Top Blumer in State Quarters

HERSHEY, PA – For two periods it appeared Luca Frinzi would fall short of his goal.

Heading into the quarterfinals at 160 pounds – senior Luca Frinzi, ranked #5 in the State by PA Power Wrestling, knew it was now or never. The Lehigh commit fell the last two weeks to Nazareth’s Connor Herceg in both the District XI and Northeast Regional finals.

“The last two weeks were kind of a warm up for the State Tournament. I know nothing counts until the State Tournament anyway.”

Against #3 Jack Blumer (Kiski Area) he needed to dig deep after falling behind 4-0 at the end of two periods. Frinzi gave up a takedown in the first period followed by a stall warning and reversal in the second period. Still he felt a win was within reach.

“I could tell he was slowing down a little. Even though he reversed me with short time left in the second I could tell he was getting tired.”

In the third period Frinzi took neutral and 51 seconds into the final period he connected on a go behind after a shot attempt by Blumer. The two were near the edge of the mat as Frinzi locked up a bar tilt for a quick two point near-fall brining the match tied at four.

“My coaches and I had a plan in place if I couldn’t turn him in about 20 seconds I would cut him and try to get a takedown.”

That’s what happened as Frinzi let him go at the 35 second mark and quickly went to work. He pushed the pace from his feet with short time left in the match. Blumer was hit with stalling as Frinzi shot in on a single leg – which tied the match at 5-5 with ten seconds left.  Frinzi quickly switched off to a double leg and finished on the edge of the mat as time expired.

“I knew I had to to trust my endurance and my stamina. It paid off in the end.”

Frinzi wasn’t even aware that Blumer got hit with stalling and the match was tied.

“I didn’t know (he was hit with stalling) but that’s what I was hoping for to get the stall call. I didn’t want to send it into overtime so I went for the shot and I got it.”

It was slight redemption for Frinzi who lost to Blumer last season at the State Dual Team Tournament by fall. 

Now he will face #2 Trey Kibe (Mifflin County) in the semifinals. He has already guaranteed a higher finish than a season ago when he took 7th. For Frinzi, he is looking to end his high school career on top.

“I have two more matches left in my high school career. I gotta make them count.”