Feb 9, 2013 By Eleanor Bailey 2 min read

In dramatic fashion, Canon-McMillan claimed its second straight PIAA team wrestling championship.

With the match deadlocked going into the final bout at the Giant Center in Hershey, Brendan Price recorded a 4-2 decision over Zach Elvin at 106 and clinched the Big Macs’ victory, 34-31, over Central Dauphin.

Price’s triumph came on the heels of a fall at heavyweight. Angelo Broglia pinned Mike Ferstern to tie the match at 31.

Also, Alex Campbell recorded a fall over Deitrik Ferster at 220 and Cody Wiercioch posted a technical fall, 19-4, over Steven McNeal at 182 to help the Big Macs erase a 31-19 deficit.

CM constructed a 14-4 lead thanks to a pin by Dalton Macri, a tech fall from Connor Schram and a decision at 132 by Alex Hutchin before Central Dauphin chipped away at the margin.

CD took the lead, 17-14, after Austin Rose scored a major decision against William Pihou at 152. However, Pihou, Nick Oberhaus and Sam Minor prevented Central Dauphin from scoring bonus points, a key in the victory for the Big Macs, who won seven bouts.

The Big Macs, as they have been throughout the season, wrestled without starters Solomon Chisko, a state medalist last year, and Malachi Krenzelak. Both are injured.

With the win, the Big Macs completed the dual meet season with an undefeated record. They are 13-6 in team championship matches.

The loss was Central Dauphin’s first this season. Winners of four PIAA titles from 2008-11, the team is 23-5 in team tournament action.

The Big Macs, who have won four straight WPIAL titles, opened defense of their state title with a 42-22 win against Spring Grove. In the quarterfinals, they defeated last year’s runner-up Erie McDowell, 38-17. Canon-Mac edged Easton, 37-35, in the semifinals.