Champion Dylan D’Urso of Reynolds led a group of 14 Mercer Countians who earned places at the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling All-Area (State) Championships recently in Erie.

D’Urso defeated Mack McGuire of Upper St. Clair, 5-0, in the 97-pound, 13-14 finals to claim the crown.

The Raider was the lone finalist from Mercer County.

Three countians earned 3rd places: Austin Matthews, Reynolds, 13-14, 102; J.T. Mannozzi, Mercer, 13-14, 132; and Wesley Phipps, Grove City, 13-14, 147.

Other local place winners were: 5th — Stephen Ceremuga, Commodore Perry, 13-14, 157; 6th — Cole Matthews, Reynolds, 10-under, 55; Austin Slagle, Mercer, 11-12, 100; Tyler Roberts, Jamestown, 13-14, 87; Nick Weaver, Greenville, 13-14, 187; Kris Mason, West Middlesex, 13-14, 212; 7th — Trey Maher, Grove City, 11-12, 105; 8th — Ben Bucher, Sharpsville, 11-12, 115; Jamar Henry, Reynolds, 11-12, 200; Kyle Mariacher, Mercer, 13-14, 140.

The only other state champ from Area VI, which includes 4 counties in Northwest Pa., was Adam Armstrong of Saegertown, 13-14, 132.

AREA VI TOURNEY

The champions and runners-up at the Area VI Tournament, held March 15 at Meadville High School, earned berths in the PJW championships.

Mercer County qualiers were as follows:

10-under: 45 — 1 Beau Bayless (Sharpsville), 2 Noah McClaughlin (Mercer); 50 — 1 Gage Bayless (Sharpsville); 55 — 2 Cole Matthews (Reynolds); 60 — 2 Mitchell Murray (West Middlesex); 65 — 1 Michael Bartolo (Reynolds), 2 Gavin Wilkerson (Jamestown); 70 — 2 Gavin Kroesen (West Middlesex); 75 — 1 Rodney Brant (Mercer), 2 Christopher Enos (Sharpsville); 80 — 1 Blake Reynolds (Greenville), 2 Nick Nottingham (Reynolds); 90 — 1 Colton Shilling (Greenville); 95 — 1 Marquis Spence (Lakeview); 105 — 1 Colton Smith (Mercer), 2 Gage Gladysz (Greenville); 120 — 2 Ryan Zeronas (Reynolds).

11-12 : 65 — 2 Joey Safner (Greenville); 70 — 2 Derek Watt (Greenville); 75 — 1 Jessie Brothers (Mercer); 85 — 1 Joe Moroco (Reynolds); 90 — 1 Nick Floch (Jamestown), 2 Mason McCollum (Reynolds); 100 — 1 Austin Slagle (Mercer), 2 Justin Reynolds (Greenville); 105 — 1 Trey Maher (Grove City); 115 — 1 Ben Bucher (Sharpsville), 2 Ryan Brunson (Mercer); 135 — 1 Jonathan Hennegan (Mercer), 2 Brian Phillips (Merccer); 145 — 2 Cody Hughes (Sharpsville); 160 — 1 Braden Gladysz (Greenville), 2 Austin Moffett (Reynolds); 200 — Jamar Henry (Reynolds).

13-14: 77 — 2 Dalton Baldwin (Sharon); 82 — 1 Landon Clayton (Lakeview), 2 Cody Buchanan (Sharon); 87 — 1 Tyler Roberts (Jamestown); 92 — 1 Blake Horne (Greenville), 2 Curtis Arnold (Reynolds); 97 — 1 Dylan D’Urso (Reynolds), 2 Aaron Roberts (Jamestown); 102 — 1 Austin Matthews (Reynolds); 107 — 2 Tyler Zoccoli (Sharon); 112 — 1 Cole Cameron (Grove City), 2 Xavier Ross (Sharon); 117 — 1 Randy Perkins (Greenville); 124 — 1 Kurtis Armour (Lakeview), 2 Aaron Mills (Hickory); 132 — 2 J.T. Mannozzi (Mercer); 140 — 1 Kyle Mariacher (Mercer), 2 Cody Lewis (Lakeview); 147 — 1 Wesley Phipps (Grove City); 157 — 1 Stephen Ceremuga (Commodore Perry), 2 Tyler Gentile (Greenville); 167 — 2 R.J. Swartz (Mercer); 187 — 2 Nick Weaver (Greenville); 212 — 1 Kris Mason (West Middlesex); 252 — 2 Timmy Stainbrook (Mercer).