Five Bobcats Qualify For 2023 Keystone State Wrestling Championships

Photo by Ashby Diaz: Clarion Area Bobcats participants in the 2023 Northwest Regional Qualifier for Keystone State Championships (Left to Right) Hayden Weber, 16U-130 Pounds; Seth Weckerly, 16U-130 Pounds; Brendon Wright, 16U-136 Pounds; Matt Alston, 16U-175 Pounds; Wyatt Aaron, 14U-115 Pounds; Ethan Rex, 14U-160 Pounds; Grayson Aaron, 16U-124 Pounds and Ben Aaron who did not compete in the tournament, but was there giving support. (Missing from photo is Gavin Hannold; 16U-195). 

The Clarion Area Bobcats had eight wrestlers compete in Northwest Regional Qualifier for the Keystone State Championships, at the Bayfront Conference Center in Erie, on Tuesday, February 28th, with five of them qualifying for the State Championship Tournament.

The wrestlers moving on to States include, Gavin Hannold who finished second, Grayson Aaron who took third in the 16U-124 Pound Division, Brendon Wright who captured fourth in the 16U-136 Pound Division, Seth Weckerly who was fifth in the 16U-130 Pound Division and Matt Alston who was fifth in the 16U-175 Pound Division.

Others who competed for the Bobcats in the Northwest Regional Qualifier included Hayden Weber, in the 16U-130 Pound Division; Wyatt Aaron, in the 14U-115 Pound Division and Ethan Rex, in the 14U-160 Pound Division.

The State Championship will feature wrestlers from the five Regions throughout the Commonwealth. Other Regions in addition to the Northwest Region include the Southwest Region, Central Region, Northeast Region and Southeast Region.

The State Championship will be held at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex located in the Central Region, on the campus of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, on Friday-Sunday, March 17th to 19th.  

The divisions for the Keystone State Championship Tournament include Youth 14U, 16U as well as, Girls 8U, 9&10, 11&12 and Junior High.

The Top Eight wrestlers in each Age Group-Weight Division will place. The state tournament will be double elimination, with no true second place match.

Clarion Area Assistant Coach Ashby Diaz who coaches the wrestlers in the Keystone State events said, “Overall, we performed well as a team. We had 5 qualify for the Keystone State Championships. The ones who didn’t qualify will move on to wrestling freestyle in the spring to get better for next season!”  

(Great Work, Bobcats!! Have A Great Keystone State Championship Tournament Gavin, Grayson, Brendon, Seth and Matt!!!! Thanks to Coach Diaz for the photo!!)