Dreshman gets Big Macs going with first-round victory
HERSHEY — Lee Dreshman has wrestled in plenty of high-pressure situations, as the Canon-McMillan freshman came into the season highly regarded after his success in junior high.
The Big Macs also schedule the toughest competition, which includes the Powerade tournament that is hosted in their own gymnasium.
Even with the success and experience, one would not fault Dreshman for having butterflies, but he definitely didn’t show any nerves in earning a 16-0 technical fall in 4:25 over Gavin Rush of Hempfield (District 3) during first-round action in the PIAA Class 3A Wrestling Championships on Thursday at the Giant Center.
Dreshman used a takedown and three near-fall points in the first period for a 6-0 lead before adding a second takedown and four near-fall points to increase his advantage to 13-0 after two periods. Dreshman closed the match out with a third takedown in the final period.
“For this match, I didn’t really have any butterflies, which was surprising,” Dreshman said. “I was pretty calm, cool and collected going into this match, and I just let things roll from there. I basically worked from every position except bottom.”
Dreshman (49-4) has won 33 straight matches after a 6-3 setback to Santino Edgar of Christian Brothers Academy, N.J., on Dec. 30 in the fifth-place bout at Powerade.
Dreshman wrestles Shaefer Hoffman (43-3, 8-11) of Downingtown West in the quarterfinals this afternoon at 2:15.
“You have to take it one step at a time,” Dreshman said. “I heard Bo Bassett saying you can only worry about one match at a time, and I guess I’m going to say that, too. Obviously, everyone is tough at this tournament, and you are not going to have any easy matches.”
Dreshman’s teammate, Collier Hartman, qualified for the round of eight after a 19-2 technical fall victory in 4:06 at 139 pounds. Hartman, a senior who will continue his academic and wrestling careers at the Naval Academy, improved his season record to 47-6 and his career mark to 148-39.
Hartman will wrestle Cedar Cliff’s Aiden Herndon (38-5, 116-17) for a spot in the semifinals. Hartman is a three-time state qualifier. He didn’t place as a sophomore but finished fourth last year.
Bryce Collins (189) gave Canon-McMillan three wrestlers in the quarterfinals with a 2-1 victory. Collins earned the winning point in sudden victory when York Suburban’s Gehret Gentzyel was penalized for stalling.
Collins (40-9, 67-27) meets Dominic Sumpolec (38-5, 117-31) of Notre Dame-Green Pond in the round of eight.
The Trinity duo of Parker Jennings and Dom Canali qualified for the quarterfinals.
Jennings, a sophomore, won a 4-0 decision over Palmyra’s Elijah Foltz in the round of 16 at 107. Jennings (39-12, 67-34) wrestles West Allegheny’s Michael Johnson (38-7, 80-18) for a spot in the semifinals.
Canali, a senior, also won a 4-0 decision, as he topped Abington Heights’ Brady Full at 127.
Canali (44-6, 159-32) faces Cedar Cliff’s Kavin Muyleart (35-4, 78-13) in the round of eight.
Belle Vernon’s Elijah Brown (43-1, 170-20) took care of business in the first round with a fall in 34 seconds at 215. The Penn State commit, who is eyeing his second state title, tied Zach Hartman (2018 graduate) for the most victories in program history.
Brown can break the record today with a win in the quarterfinals against Sawyer Ermigiotti (43-4, 68-18) of Pennridge.
The Big Macs’ Aidan Finnigan (145) and Brayden Collins (215) each won and lost a match. They will return today in the second round of consolations.
Trinity’s Jackson Hoy went 1-1 at 114 to fall into the second round of consolations. Ringgold’s Evan Tolliver was 1-1 at 133. He will also return.
Canon-McMillan’s Dakota Carmona (285) wrestled in the first round of consolations, but the result of the match wasn’t available at press time. Teammate Jon Emma (133) dropped two bouts to finish his season at 40-17.