McGuffey loses to Harbor Creek in PIAA team tourney
HARBORCREEK – McGuffey’s road to Hershey ended in Harborcreek.
The Highlanders were knocked out of the PIAA Class AA Wrestling Team Tournament after a 54-16 loss to Harbor Creek, the District 10 runner-up, one win shy of a spot at the Giant Center.
McGuffey earned a spot in the state tournament after finishing third in the WPIAL championships at Chartiers-Houston High School Saturday.
The Highlanders were making their first appearance in the state team tournament in three seasons against a Harbor Creek team that has 11 seniors on the roster.
“They put the hammer to us. In the early (matches), a couple of their good kids beat our good kids,” said McGuffey head coach Mark Caffrey. “That set the tone. I think our kids lost confidence at (that point) and their confidence built.
“It was just very discouraging 150-mile trip.”
Harbor Creek (19-3) won seven of the first nine bouts and never looked back.
Jared Frampton starter the run with a 4-2 decision over Tyler Maxwell and Joe Gabler ended it with a pin of Nathan Yagle at 106.
The only wins by McGuffey in that run came from Ethan Barr, who won by 16-0 technical fall over Ethan Krysiak at 152; and Christian Clutter, who pinned Devon Williamson in 2:58 at 170.
The only other victory for McGuffey came from Rocco Ferraro, who pinned Joe Capin in 1:29.
Harbor Creek had three others pins: Mike Gabler at 120, Sam Sallot at 132 and Karter Krewszeski at 138.