Local trio set for PIAA 3A Wrestling Championships

The field is smaller at this year’s PIAA Wrestling Championships — just eight per bracket. The tournament length is shorter, too — cut down to one day from the typical three.

But North Penn’s William Morrow knows one thing that is not changing is the level of talent on the mats in Hershey.

“Only having these one-day tournaments, I mean I’m sure it helps some kids a lot but still the same competition going to states,” said the Knights junior at last Saturday’s Class 3A East Super Regional. “Maybe a slight difference but still got to beat the best to be the best.”

Morrow is one of three area Class 3A wrestlers to clinch state medals last weekend and now heads to the Giant Center to battle for the top spot on the podium Saturday.

Matches in weights 106-138 begin at 8:30 a.m. with the opening session for 145-285 set at 12:30 p.m. Finals and consolations for 106138 are at 5 p.m. while 145-285 goes at 8 p.m.

Morrow and Central Bucks West junior Carl DiGiorgio (215) are back at Hershey for the second straight season while La Salle senior Regan Loughney (172) is competing there for the first time.

At last year’s state tournament, Morrow (13-4) won his preliminary match at 138 then dropped his next two. The NP junior opens the 145 quarterfinals Saturday against Norwin senior John Altieri (30-3), the West Super Regional champ who took fourth at states last season in 138.

Morrow is coming off a fourth-place finish at East Super Regionals, splitting his four matches with a pair of tight losses — falling 5-3 in sudden victory to Bensalem’s Connor Eck in the semifinals then in the third-place match was edged 1-0 by Dagen Condomitti of Northampton.

“I got to start moving on my feet a lot

AUSTIN HERTZOG — MEDIANEWS GROUP North Penn’s William Morrow, facing, tries to take down Bensalem’s Connor Eck during the 145-pound final at the District 1-3A North tournament.