Big Macs’ Binni, Hartman share spotlight

Jonathan Guth/Observer-Reporter

HERSHEY – Andrew Binni is used to being asked to provide a quote or two. Collier Hartman is not.

Binni, a Canon-McMillan senior who will continue his academic and wrestling careers at the Naval Academy, advanced to the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class 3A Wrestling Championships for the second straight season with a 16-6 major decision over Quakertown’s Isaac Williams at 127 pounds.

Hartman, a Canon-McMillan sophomore who was wrestling in his first state tournament Thursday evening, rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the third period to score a takedown and earn three near-fall points for a 6-3 decision over Gettysburg’s Myles Grossman in the round of 16 at 121.

While Binni has had his fair share of interactions with the media, Hartman had his second interview ever after pulling off two victories at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Trinity’s Blake Reihner (139) and Bodie Morgan (172) also advanced to the quarterfinals, as did Ringgold’s Jake Conroy (215).

Binni (33-6, 131-32) was the runner-up last year to Latrobe’s Vinny Kilkeary, who won his third state title, but is hoping for the gold in his last go around at the state tournament. He was pleased with the win, but is always looking for ways to improve and will be ready to go this afternoon when the quarterfinals begin at 2:15. Binni will face Wilson’s McKaden Speece in the round of eight.

“I need to get my feet moving more,” Binni said. “In that first period, I wasn’t moving my feet and I was slower than I thought I would be when I first went out there, but at the end of the day, I knew I was better than him. I mean, he is a good wrestler and all, but I knew I was better, and even though the first period didn’t go the way I wanted it to, in the second period I took him down to his back and held on from there.”

The addition of the girls division has forced changes in the schedule, which puts the semifinals at 7 p.m. for girls, Class 2A and Class 3A on Friday. In the past, Class 3A wrestled the semifinals Saturday morning, but none of that will mean anything to Binni.

“I don’t care if it’s midnight. If you tell me when the match is, I’ll make weight and go out there ready to bang,” Binni said.

Hartman (29-8, 53-23) won his preliminary round bout over Council Rock North’s Pierce Kane, 3-0. He wrestles West Scanton’s Tyson Cook in the quarterfinals.

“In my round of 16 match, I think the biggest thing was believing in my shot,” Hartman said. “I was in the match, he defended a couple of my shots and we went out of bounds.

“I just had to talk to myself, believe in it, lock it in and then I got the fireman’s carry and almost put him to his back to tie the match and was able to get the win.”

Binni and Hartman’s closeness in size have put the two in the wrestling room together plenty of times, which Hartman attributes to him having a successful season.

“I don’t know if I would be here without him (Binni),” Hartman said. “I can definitely say a huge part of my success is because of him. He never lets me rest in the room, but I appreciate it.”

Reihner (47-4, 146-33) scored a takedown with eight seconds remaining to edge Seamus Mack of Hempfield (District 3) by 2-1 decision in the first round. Reihner earned a 3-1 decision in the preliminary round against Liberty’s Kamal Abboud.

Reihner will battle Central Mountain’s Dalton Perry in the quarterfinals. Reihner, a senior and Davidson commit, advanced to the semifinals at last year’s state tournament and placed fifth.

Morgan (28-4, 92-33) is also a senior and Davidson recruit. He rode out Wilson’s Blaise Eidle in the first round for a 2-1 decision in the ultimate tiebreaker. Morgan faces Abington Heights’ Brian Heard in the quarterfinals.

Conroy (43-2, 117-14) was one victory shy of placing in the state tournament last year. The Ringgold junior pinned Meadville’s Ty Tidball in 52 seconds. Conroy, who has committed to wrestle for Cornell, will face Cumberland Valley’s Dayne Miller in the quarterfinals.

Canon-McMillan’s Ryder Joseph (139) and Geno Calgaro (215) return to action today in the consolations. The Hillers’ TJ Allison (145) will also wrestle in the consolations, but Robbie Allison (189) had to forfeit out because of an injury.

Waynesburg’s Ky Szewczyk (127), Brock Evans (160) and Roan Tustin (285) remain alive in the consolations along with Peters Township’s Nicholas McGarrity (107).