YOUTH WRESTLING: FOUR VALLEY GRAPPLERS QUALIFY FOR KEYSTONE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS; ATHENS' BENNETT PULLS DOUBLE-DUTY, ALSO QUALIFIES FOR PJW STATES (2022-03-16)

Valley Sports Report
WILLIAMSPORT — A trio of Athens wrestlers, led by Silas Bennett who pulled double-duty, qualified for this weekend’s Keystone State Championship in the 8U Division with top-three finishes here at Saturday’s Northeast Qualifier.

Bennett won the 65-pound weight class with a 3-0 record, including two pin falls and a 10-0 major decision in the finals.

Nate Wagner finished second in the 110-pound weight class with  2-1 record. He won an exciting 2-0 decision in the semifinals over a previously-unbeaten wrestler from Northern Tioga.

Kruze Payne finished third in a “very deep” 75-pound weight class. Payne was 4-1 with four falls.
Sayre’s Ethan Glielmi finished fifth in the 75-pound bracket with a 5-2 record on the day.

"We came down here with five kids attempting to qualify for the state tournament,” said coach Travis Bennett. “To leave with three punching their ticket feels pretty rewarding.

“The kids we had this year all had a rough two years trying to compete and get mat time throughout COVID, but this year our turnout was tremendous and the kids have worked so hard,” he noted. “This is a tough sport and the season is long, when you are doing things the right way you have your kids peaking at the right time of year.

“These three wrestled outstanding Sunday and they all earned their spot in Erie this weekend,” added Bennett. “And for Silas, to be able to watch him win two state qualifying tournaments in the same day was pretty special."

Earlier in the day Sunday, Bennett won the 8U 65-pound weight class at the PJW Area 12 State Qualifier in Tunkhannock to advance to the PJW Youth State Wrestling Tournament at Pittsburgh University March 26-27.

Bennett was 3-0, winning all three matches by fall.

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IN PHOTO: From left, Nate Wagner, Silas Bennett, and Kruze Payne. … PHOTO SUBMITTED.