The lights were brighter than ever for the youth wrestlers competing at MAWA Eastern Nationals, but when considering the way Franklin County’s grapplers performed at Wicomico Civic Center in Salisbury, Md. last weekend, you get the sense these youngsters are destined for even bigger and better things.
Whether you’re a fan of the Waynesboro Indians, Greencastle-Antrim Blue Devils, or Chambersburg Trojans, there is good news for all: Area wrestlers snagged seven All-American spots, earned by finishing in the Top 8 at nationals.
Waynesboro’s Ace Beltz, a 56-pounder competing in the Bantam Division, placed third to lead locals. Jayden Rooney, also from Waynesboro, wrestled to a fifth-place finish at 140 in the Elite Division.
Greencastle sent three grapplers to the medal stand, with Liam Dietrich leading the way taking fourth at 105 pounds in the Midget Division. Zane Crouse (110, Advanced) took fifth, and Jackson Polifka (100, Intermediate) took sixth.
Finally, Chambersburg had a couple of All-Americans in Frank Barrientos (6th at 285, Advanced) and Iley Dinsmore (8th at 130, School Girls).
Below is a school-by-school, wrestler-by-wrestler look at how locals performed at MAWA Eastern Nationals:
WAYNESBORO
Bantam Division
56: Ace Beltz (4-1, 3rd place)
Round of 16: W, by fall in 2:57 over Jackson Gates (Easton)
Quarterfinals: W, by fall in 1:51 over Giovanni Lapi-Craver (Sprakers, N.Y.)
Semifinals: L, 8-1 to Chase Boyer (McKeesport)
Cons. Semifinals: W, 2-0 over Nathyn Chapman (Berhnars Bay, N.Y.)
3rd Place: W, 4-0 over Ryan Hardman IV (Oakton, Va.)
Advanced Division
152: Wyatt Lowans (0-2)
Round of 16: L, by fall in 3:45 to Matthew Di Eduardo (Bridgewater, N.J.)
Cons. 1st Round: L, 7-0 to William Brooks (Ashburn, Va.)
160: Camm Knox (0-2)
Round of 16: L, by fall in 1:12 to William Capizzi (Little Falls, N.J.)
Cons. 1st Round: L, 16-1 (3:19) to Michael Byrne (Culpepper, Va.)
Junior Division
58: Eli Hind (0-2)
Round of 16: L, 4-3 to Wyatt Reiner (Pitman)
Cons. 2nd Round: L, 6-0 to Marco Yodice (West Milford, N.J.)
Elite Division
140: Jayden Rooney (3-2, 5th place)
Round of 16: W, 7-2 over Hunter Troutman (Valley View)
Quarterfinals: W, 7-3 over Michael Marsigliano (Bridgewater, N.J.)
Semifinals: L, 6-0 to Trevor Cortright (Binghamton, N.Y.)
Cons. Semifinals: L, 3-1 to Lucas Tirpak (Shavertown)
5th Place: W, by forfeit over Dominic Terracciano (Keansburg, N.J.)
160: Garrett Lowans (0-2)
Round of 16: L, 7-5 to Chase Stephen (Klingerstown)
Cons. 1st Round: L, 4-3 to Kyle Jacobs (Staten Island, N.Y.)
189: Caden Shockey (0-2)
Round of 16: L, 12-1 to Frankie Martino (Little Falls, N.J.)
Cons. 2nd Round: L, 3-0 to Evan Letky (Pittsburgh)
GREENCASTLE
Midget Division
105: Liam Dietrich (3-2, 4th place)
Round of 16: W, by fall in 1:36 over Wyatt Smith (Meshoppen)
Quarterfinals: W, 4-2 over Rafael Dela Cruz (East Orange, N.J.)
Semifinals: L, 4-3 to Amelia Wright (Chemung, N.Y.)
Cons. Semifinals: W, 6-1 over Amir Lynah (Endicott, N.Y.)
3rd Place: L, by fall in 2:39 to Tanner Ingle (Thompsontown)
Intermediate Division
100: Jackson Polifka (2-3, 6th place)
Round of 16: W, 8-0 over Eric LaGrotta (Mount Laurel, N.J.)
Quarterfinals: W, 5-3 over Marek Polcha (Liverpool)
Semifinals: L, 6-3 to Tristan Rosemeyer (Turnersville, N.J.)
Cons. Semifinals: L, by fall in 0:53 to Marie Sharp (Ridgewood, N.J.)
5th Place: L, 4-2 to Marek Polcha (Liverpool)
Advanced Division
110: Zane Crouse (3-2, 5th place)
Round of 16: L, 7-4 to Andrew Bonita (Mahwah, N.J.)
Cons. 2nd Round: W, 8-2 over Trevor Middendorf (Owego, N.Y.)
Cons. Quarterfinals: W, 4-2 (SV) over Carter Hoffman (Dover)
Cons. Semifinals: L, 2-1 (SV) to Greyson Pettit (Pittsgrove, N.J.)
5th Place: W, 7-3 over Seth Crawford (Brunswick, Md.)
CHAMBERSBURG
Midget Division
80: Carter Shetler (0-2)
Round of 16: L, 7-2 to Douglas Hazel (Greenwood, Del.)
Cons. 2nd Round: L, 6-0 to Caleb Hodo (Laurel, Md.)
Advanced Division
285: Frank Barrientos (2-3, 6th place)
Round of 16: W, by fall in 1:11 over Connor Hudak (Schwenksville)
Quarterfinals: W, by fall in 1:25 over Tye Jashan (Vestal, N.Y.)
Semifinals: L, by fall in 3:17 to Landon Andrade (Sherburne, N.Y.)
Cons. Semifinals: L, by forfeit to Connor Hudak (Schwenksville)
5th Place: L, by forfeit to Nathanael Obrzut (West Pittston)
Elite Division
140: Ashton Romberger (1-2)
Round of 16: L, 4-3 to Liam Farley (Waymart)
Cons. 1st Round: W, 12-1 over James Fisher (Salisbury, Md.)
Cons. 2nd Round: L, 4-0 to Victor Petkov (Ridgefield, Conn.)
School Girls Division
130: Iley Dinsmore (2-3, 8th place)
Round of 16: W, by fall in 2:49 over Avery Earnest (Hughesville)
Quarterfinals: L, by fall in 2:42 to Savannah Elling (Frederick, Md.)
Cons. 2nd Round: W, 6-4 over Mackenzie Redmond (Atlantic Highlands, N.J.)
Cons. Quarterfinals: L, by fall in 2:16 to Peyton Dockey (Pine Grove)
7th Place: L, by fall in 0:36 to Giannas Jones (Birchrunville)
170: Shya Dinsmore (0-2)
Quarterfinals: L, by fall in 2:35 to Kirsten Grubbs (Northumberland)
Cons. 2nd Round: L, by fall in 0:37 to Amelia Reed (Millport, N.Y.)
