A Look at Class 3A First Round Upsets From Thursday

#14 Diego Santiago (Easton) DEF. #4 Matt Wilde (Boyertown) 3-1 SV

At 113 lbs. Easton senior #14 Diego Santiago had to fight his way to the State Tournament in a loaded Northeast Regional where he took fourth. After an opening round win over stout fresh #17 Killian Delaney (West Chester Henderson) 8-2 to advance into the first round against #4 Matt Wilde (Boyertown). In a battle of two seniors the pair were knotted up (1-1) after three periods. In sudden victory Santiago scored on a takedown to earn the upset over returning PIAA State Qualifier Wilde.

 

#10 Zach Ortman (Parkland) DEF. #2 Luke Kemerer (Hempfield Area) 8-3

Parkland junior Zach Ortman shocked the GIANT Center when he took out #2 Luke Kemerer at 138 lbs. with a 8-3 decision. Ortman missed a spot in Hershey two years ago as a freshman when he finished sixth in the Northeast Region. Last season Ortman didn’t even make it out of District 11 placing sixth. The junior has turned it this season finishing fifth at the POWERade and earning his first trip to the PIAA State Tournament with a third place finish at the Northeast Regional. In his match against Kemerer, who last season was third in the State, Ortman used a first period takedown and nearfall to go up (5-0) early in the bout. A reversal to start the second period put him up (7-0) and grinded out the match 8-3. 

 

#7 Brock Godzin (Belle Vernon) DEF. #2 Chase Stephens (Coatesville) 6-4 SV

The ranking may not indicate a major upset but this win was significant for junior Brock Godzin of Belle Vernon. The junior is in his first trip to the PIAA State Tournament where he got started in a big way. After an opening round win over #20 Chris Berry (Boyertown) the Southwest Regional third place finisher faced off with #2 Chase Stephens (Coatesville Area). Stephens, who is making his third trip to the PIAA State Tournament, is (37-1) on the year and was a PIAA State Seventh Place Medalist in 2016. Godzin scored the opening takedown but gave up a reversal to end the first period (2-2). The pair then exchanged reversals in the second period ending it (4-4) going into the third period. After a scoreless third period they entered into overtime where Godzin closed out the match with a takedown to win it (6-4 SV).

 

#7 Ryan Resnick (Owen J. Roberts) DEF. #2 Eric Hong (North Allegheny) 7-3

Read the Article on Ryan Resnik’s win here!

 

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