STATE COLLEGE — The State College wrestling team was the only Centre County program to jump into competition on the first weekend of the season.
The Little Lions went 0-2 at the MPC Quad on Dec. 2 at Mifflin County, losing to Gettysburg, 38-23, in the first round and to Chambersburg, 36-33, in the second round.
The Little Lions had a 19-15 lead over Gettysburg after the first seven bouts. State College’s Taylor Sunday (215) and returning Class 3A state runner-up and Indiana commit Nick Pavlechko (285) recorded pins.
Returning state fourth-placer and Penn State commit Asher Cunningham (160) had a major decision. State College’s Reagan Dillon eked out a 1-0 win over Mason Rebert at 189.
Gettysburg won every bout from 107 to 139 before Little Lion two-time state finalist Pierson Manville won 15-3 at 145.
The Little Lions trailed against Chambersburg, 33-18, but they did win three of the final four bouts, including pins by Manville (145) and Cunningham (160). James Whitbred earned a 3-1 win over Ashton Romberger at 139.
Pins by Pavlechko (285), Izaiah Vasquez (107) and Noah Young (114) gave the Little Lions an 18-15 lead. But Chambersburg reeled off three straight pins for a 33-18 lead.
State College was scheduled to wrestle on Dec. 6 at Shikellamy before wrestling in the rugged Ironman on Dec. 8-9 at Walsh Jesuit High School in Ohio.
Penns Valley begins on Dec. 7 at home against Clearfield before wrestling in the Babbit Duals on Dec. 9 at River Valley. Philipsburg-Osceola also starts on Dec. 7 at home against Huntingdon.
Bald Eagle Area will open at the Dry Tech Duals on Dec. 9 at Greenville. Bellefonte opens in the Gary Woodruff Memorial Duals on Dec. 9 at Wyalusing.
