PATRICK MATSINKO

pmatsinko@tnonline.com

ORWIGSBURG – Lehighton’s Chris Whiteman and Tamaqua’s Bronson Strouse were crowned champions Saturday at the Schuylkill League Wrestling Tournament.

Whiteman defeated Pottsville’s Shane Quick via injury default at 1:48 in the first period to capture the 145-pound title.

Strouse pinned Pottsville’s Tim Nevadomsky in 1:31 to win the 220-pound title. All three of Strouse’s victories in the tournament were by fall.

Whiteman pinned North Schuylkill’s Dylan Edwards in the quarterfinals and picked up a major decision against Williams Valley’s Chett Pesta in the semis to reach the finals.

Strouse pinned Schuylkill Haven’s Nathan Reedy in the quarters and Lehighton’s Brett Gasker in the semifinals to reach the championship match.

While Whiteman and Strouse were the only Times News area wrestlers to win titles, they weren’t the only ones to leave Blue Mountain High School with hardware.

A total of 23 area wrestlers medaled at the annual all-league event, up from 17 a year ago.

Jim Thorpe’s John Newhall, Lehighton’s Tyler Schock and Panther Valley’s Hunter Kennedy also reached the championship finals.

Newhall lost a 4-2 decision to Pottsville’s Nick Onea in the 113-pound final.

Pottsville’s Braden Goodman pinned Schock in 2:50 in the 152-pound championship match.

Mahanoy Area’s Colin Fegley edged Kennedy for the 170-pound title, winning a 3-2 decision against the Panthers’ senior.

Check out Monday’s Times News for more coverage of Saturday’s action.