Local wrestlers compete at 2023 PJW Youth State Championships

The 2023 PJW Youth State Championships were held over the weekend at Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, and several local wrestlers were in action in the competition.

Highlighting the weekend for the locals was a third place finish by Brayden Steinbach in the 95-pound weight class in the 9-10-year old division.

Additionally, Jayden Lang finished in sixth place in the 105-pound weight class in the 9-10year old division, and in the 11-12-year-old division, Maximus Jovenitti and Greyson Meyer finished in seventh place in the 75-pound and 105-pound weight classes, respectively.

8 and under 60 pounds

Kyle Dellaquila of St. Marys was in action in the 60-pound weight class in the 8 and under division.

In the round of 64, Dellaquila lost a 12-4 major decision to Franklin Regional’s Alexander BramerKuntz.

Dropping into the consolation bracket in consi 1 of 32 #2, Dellaquila trailed Lower Dauphin’s Easton Worhacz 7-2 when Worhacz came up with the pin to win by fall in 1:58.

9-10 65 pounds

Rocco Ruffner of St. Marys was in action in the 65-pound weight class in the 9-10-yearold division.

In the round of 64, Ruffner lost a 10-4 decision to Seneca Valley’s Grant Kemrer.

Dropping into the consolation bracket, Ruffner faced off against West Branch’s Andrew Edwards in consi 1 of 32 #2. Edwards won by technical fall, 17-0, in 1:45.

85 pounds

Eli Meyer of St. Marys was in action in the 85-pound weight class in the 9-10-year old division.

Meyer had a bye in the round of 64 and then faced Mars’ Grayson Joseph in the round of 32. Joseph won by an 11-8 decision.

Dropping into the consolation bracket in consi 1 of 32 #2, Meyer built a 10-1 lead over Abington Heights’ Callen Wimmer before winning by fall in 2:13.

Advancing to consi 2 of 16 #2, Meyer lost a tough 8-6 decision in sudden victory to Williamson’s Beau Wells.

90 pounds

Vincent Penn of St. Marys was in action in the 90-pound weight class of the 9-10-year old division.

Penn had a bye in the round of 64 and then was pinned by West Perry’s Carter Kindig in 1:12 in the round of 32.

Dropping into the consolation bracket, Penn had a bye in consi 1 of 32 #2. In consi 2 of 16 #1, Penn lost a 10-5 decision to Derry’s Charlie Bush.

95 pounds

Brayden Steinbach of St. Marys was in action in the 95-pound weight class in the 9-10-year old division.

Steinbach had a bye in the round of 64 and then won by technical fall, 16-0, in 2:26, over Wyalusing’s Zachery Walters in the round of 32. Advancing to the round of 16, Steinbach won a 12-0 major decision over Nazareth’s Teagan Hinkel.

In the quarterfinals, Steinbach edged Chestnut Ridge’s Kayne Burkett by a 3-2 decision to advance to the semifinals.

With a spot in the championship match on the line, Steinbach faced off against Chartiers Valey’s Brody Brown, but Brown won by a 6-2 decision, dropping Steinbach into the consolation bracket. Brown would go on to place first in the weight class.

In consi-semis consi 7, Steinbach made quick work of Council Rock South’s Alan Radjabov, coming up with the pin in eight seconds to advance to the third place bout.

In the third place bout, Steinbach took on Chestnut Ridge’s Dexter Ward, winning by a 10-2 major decision to finish third overall.

105 pounds

Jayden Lang of St. Marys was in action in the 105-pound weight class in the 9-10-year old division.

Lang had a bye in the round of 64 and then won an 8-1 decision over Jefferson Morgan’s Lucas Gibbs in the round of 32. In the round of 16, Lang lost a 5-2 decision to McGuffey’s Easton Krasa.

Dropping into the consolation bracket in consi 3 of 16 #2, Lang built a 4-0 lead over Williamsport’s Dawson Becker before winning by fall in 1:32.

The win put Lang into consi 4 of 8 #1 against Fort LeBoeuf’s Landon Dalbora. Lang went up 8-0 in the match before winning by fall in 1:32. In consi 5 of 8 #2, Lang won a 4-2 decision against Cumberland Valley’s Clayton Lasko, and then in consi 6 of 4, Lang also won a 4-2 decision, this time against Peters Township’s Cole Pettit.

In consi-semis consi 7 Lang was edged by Altoona’s Cody Mallery by an 8-7 decision. That put Lang into the fifth place match, where he once again had to face Krasa. Lang lost a 2-0 decision to finish in sixth place.

11-12 65 pounds

Caden Cunningham of St. Marys was in action in the 65-pound weight class in the 1112-year old division.

Cunningham had a bye in the round of 64 and then lost a 7-2 decision to Cumberland Valley’s JT Archfield in the round of 32.

Dropping into the consolation bracket, Cunningham had a bye in consi 1 of 32 #2. In consi 2 of 16 #1, Cunningham built a 4-0 lead over Derry’s Caleb Johnston before winning by fall in 1:18. In consi 3 of 16 #2, Cunningham lost a 4-1 decision to North Allegheny’s James Sowa.

75 pounds

Maximus Jovenitti of St. Marys was in action in the 75-pound weight class in the 11-12-year old division.

Jovenitti had a bye in the round of 64 and then won a 10-0 major decision over Chambersburg’s Hunter Johnson in the round of 32. In the round of 16, Jovenitti won by another major decision, this time defeating Wayne Highlands’ Zavier Olver 11-0.

In the quarterfinals, Jovenitti lost a 10-0 major decision to Diocese of Erie’s Lawson Sparks.

Dropping into the consolation bracket in consi 5 of 8 #2, Jovenitti took on Frazier’s Brayden Broadwater, winning by a 2-0 decision. In consi 6 of 4, Jovenitti was edged by Owen J. Robets’ Evan Cles in a 3-2 decision.

The loss put Jovenitti into the seventh place bout against Jersey Shore’s Joseph Miller III. Jovenitti won the bout by a 9-2 decision to finish in seventh place.

80 pounds

Peyton Wendel of St. Marys was in action in the 80-pound weight class in the 11-12-yearold division.

Wendel saw his first action of the competition in the round of 64, where he lost an 8-0 major decision to Corry’s Taegan Willis.

Dropping into the consolation bracket, Easton’s Tanner Milburn built a 5-0 lead over Wendel in consi 1 of 32 #2 before winning by fall in 2:36.

105 pounds

Greyson Meyer of St. Marys was in action in the 105-pound weight class of the 11-12-year old division.

Meyer had a bye in the round of 64 and then won a 6-1 decision over Trinity’s Landon Ault in the round of 32. In the round of 16, Meyer lost a 6-4 decision to Lake Lehman’s Joseph Guastella.

Dropping into the consolation bracket in consi 3 of 16 #2, Meyer won a 13-0 major decision over Shikellamy’s Tyler Malone. That put Meyer into a consi 4 of 8 #1 matchup against Avonworth’s Logan Krul. Meyer built a 7-0 lead in the match before winning by fall in 2:27. In consi 5 of 8 #2, Meyer won a 6-3 decision against Ligonier Valley’s Carter Bizup. Advancing to consi 6 of 4, Meyer lost a tough 3-1 decision to DuBois’ Lance Davidson in sudden victory.

In the seventh place bout, Meyer won a 6-2 decision over Pleasant Valley’s Aiden Vanicky to finish in seventh place.

135 pounds

Dominic Catalone of St. Marys was in action in the 135-pound weight class in the 1112-year old division.

Catalone had a bye in the round of 64 and then lost a 12-0 major decision to Canon McMillan-s Bryce Collins in the round of 32.

Dropping into the consolation bracket, Catalone had a bye in consi 1 of 32 #2 and then pinned Latrobe’s Owen Sarsfield in 45 seconds in consi 2 of 16 #1. In consi 3 of 16 #2, Catalone won a 7-0 decision over West Shore’s Tyson Kirchner. Catalone then took on Central Bucks South’s Cole Walker in consi 4 of 8 #1. Walker won by fall in 1:58.