Bethlehem Catholic, Notre Dame Take Medals, Championships

On top is Bethlehem Catholic senior Ryan Anderson (41-1). He became a PIAA state Class AAA champion for the second straight time by controlling Council Rock North junior Cam Robinson (36-5) for a 3-2 decision. The title match at 145 was held Saturday, March 9 in the Giant Center in Hershey.

The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state mat championships were held March 7-9 at the Giant Center, Hershey.

PIAA wrestling

In Hershey’s Giant Center stands are parents, fans and members of the Bethlehem Catholic High School (Becahi) wrestling team. They are supporting their participants while photographing, cheering, texting, calling, watching and filming Becahi wrestlers during the Class AAA state mat championships during the PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) championships March 7-9 at the Giant Center, Hershey. (Photos by Ellis Weitzman).

Click on any other picture on this page to make it bigger and to read the caption.

Pennsylvania state wrestling Class AAA medalists for Becahi are, from left: Matt Mayer, fourth at 113; Kenny Herrmann, second at 132; Ryan Anderson, first at 145; Cole Handlovic, fourth at 152, and Luca Frinzi, fourth at 160.

Cole Handlovic, a Becahi junior, right, tangles with senior Dan Mancini of Owen J. Roberts in the PIAA Class AAA semifinals at 152. Mancini became the state champion after edging Handlovic 2-1 on an ultimate tiebreaker, 2-1. Mancini ended the season with a 37-3 record. Handlovic, who fought back and finished fourth in the state, ended the year at 43-7.

Ryan Crookham (40-2) of Notre Dame has his arms raised after winning the 120-pound state title in Class AA with a 3-0 victory. The Crusader frosh defeated last years’ state champion, senior Beau Bayless (39-8) of Reynolds. It was the second time Crookham beat his finals opponent as he whipped him 8-1 a few weeks earlier in the state team tournament.

Junior Andrew Cerniglia, left, of Notre Dame dominates Gabe Miller of Pequea Valley 14-0 for a major decision and the Class AA wrestling championship at 145. The Notre Dame champ finished the year at 36-6, while Miller, a senior, pinned Cerniglia in the region finals, lost for the first time this season in 44 bouts.

Standing with their PIAA Class AA medals in the Giant Center in Hershey from Notre Dame are, from left: Ryan Crookham, first at 120, Brandan Chletsos sixth at 126, Andrew Cerniglia, first at 145 and Isaiah DeJesus seventh at 170.

Becahi junior Kenny Herrmann, right, looks to take Northampton senior Julian Chlebove to the mat during their PIAA finals showdown in Hershey at 132. Chlebove (44-3) won this brawl 6-2 to win his third Class AAA wrestling championship. Herrmann (30-7) wound up second and became a three-time state place winner after being fourth last year and seventh in 2017.

Luca Frinzi (38-10) of Bethlehem Catholic, left, finished fourth at 160 in the Class AAA state wrestling tourney. He is joined after his final high school match by his father, Scott, a Becahi assistant coach, near the wrestling prep area at the Giant Center.