Canon-McMillan finds no consolation in PIAA tournament
While Canon-McMillan narrowed the gap with Kiski Area, the Big Macs could not score a victory that would have put them in position to place in the top three of the PIAA team tournament for wrestling.
The Big Macs succumbed to the Cavaliers, 29-25, in the third round of consolations in the team tournament event held at the Giant Center in Hershey. The Big Macs were runners-up to Kiski in the WPIAL championships, falling in the finals, 41-21. During the regular season, C-M also lost a dual meet with the Cavaliers, 31-25.
Of the Big Macs’ recent showing, mat boss Jason Cardillo noted the closeness of the outcome.
“It was definitely a big improvement from the last time we wrestled them,” Cardillo said. “That makes it hard because we were right there.”
Kiski won eight of the 14 bouts. Ken Hayman (113) had the lone pin for the Big Macs. Logan Macri (120), Matt Oblock (132), Blaze Kansco (170) and Brendan Furman (285) scored decisions while Gerrit Nijenhuis won by forfeit at 152.
Kiski went on to finish third in the PIAA tournament. Nazareth edged Bethlehem Catholic, 30-29, for the Class AAA state title.
Canon-Mac opened tournament action with a 30-29 loss to Council Rock South. In the loss, Furman had the lone pin for the Big Macs. Macri scored a technical fall while Tim Hritsko (138), Nijenhuis and Kansco recorded major decisions. Hayman and Bryan Milligan (182) won by decisions.
In follow-up action, the Big Macs whipped Exeter, 42-21, and Dubois, 46-14, to advance to the third-round consolation match against Kiski. Macri, Nijenhuis and Furman posted pins in both wins.
Hritsko and Alex Hendal managed falls against Dubois while Jacob Gardner (106), Stefen Richer (152), Kansco and Milligan won decisions.
Against Exeter, Gardner and Oblock pinned their opponents. Hayman, Anthony Mastrangelo, Hritsko and Milligan earned decisions.
Many of the Big Macs will find their way back to Hershey as they begin their quest for individual championships next weekend. Section tournaments are set and the WPIAL championships will occur March 2-4 at Penn Hills. Top finishers qualify for the PIAA finals to be held March 9-11.
The PIAA team tournament Cardillo said, “will be beneficial for the kids coming up in March.”