By Dom Reed

HERSHEY – State College entered day two with a whole lot of hope with two star studded wrestlers still in it at weight class 172. Asher Cunningham remains still unbeaten in this state tournament as he also finished first in Districts and Regionals. In his first match in the quarterfinals he faced up against Bethlehem Catholic’s 33-9 Shane McFillin.

Cunningham would get the early take down to grab an early 3-0 lead and an escape point would be awarded to McFillin. Cunningham would rack up the back points on top of that he would get the reversal to jump out to a convincing 11-1 lead.

Mcfillin would not score another point he would fall 19-1 in a tech fall count the Little Lion Star. He would advance and he would not be stopped.  Cunningham went onto face Connor Wentzel, the Lock Haven commit. Cunningham again would earn the early take down to jump out to a 3-0 lead. He would lead 7-0 after one period. Cunningham would get the reversal to hold his lead 9-0. The only points Wetzel would get would be an escape point. Cunningham would do even better to help his cause to make his final push to a state final. the Penn State Commit would earn his second tech fall to earn the 16-1 win over Sheikellmy.

Teammate James Whitbred would hang around as well as he would face Cade Campell from Nazareth, who sported a record of 35-5. Campell would jump out to an early 1-0 lead after he would be granted the escape points. Whitbred would earn the take down to grab the lead where both guys were tied up Whitbred would add the finishing touches to earn a 6-1 decison.State College and Whitbred would wrestle for a chance to clinch a spot for the Finals he would star down a more experienced 44-8 Evan Petrovich he would earn teh early escape Petrovich would then go for the takedown to extend the lead 4-0 Whitbread would be granted with the escape but it wouldnt be enough Petrovich would earn the win by decison 4-2.

Whitbread will wrestle for third on Saturday while Cunnigham will wrestle for the State Championship Saturday.