After winning the two most recent renditions of the District 6 Class AAA tournament heading into Saturday on top of coming off a PIAA Class AAA Dual quarterfinal berth, there were high expectations that Central Mountain would be able to do it again, pulling off the illustrious three-peat that so many strive for in sports.

And for the most part, it did just that.

The Wildcats would lead in team points from the opening bouts to just a few matches before the event’s conclusion, building up a lead thanks to its ten top four finishers and six finalists. But with title woes on one end and Altoona putting on a clinic at the other, that gap grew slimmer final after final, ultimately going the Mountain Lions’ way with one match to go when Michael Colyer earned their fifth and final title at 215.

Just when it seemed like Central Mountain was in line for another convincing championship win, the rug got swept out from under them. Nonetheless, a runner-up finish is nothing to be ashamed of, and there were still plenty of positives, with the Wildcats qualifying seven for regionals.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain sophomore Patrick Tarantella gets his hand raised after winning the title at 133 during the District 6 Class AAA wrestling championships at Altoona on Saturday.

While his wins were nothing too flashy, sophomore Patrick Tarantella did keep the Wildcat faithful on the edge of their seats, going into the final period of his semifinal bout up by one and his final trailing. Each time, his clutch factor kicked in at the right time.

With a 2-1 lead against State College’s Nicholas Berrena, Tarantella took top and proceeded to keep his opponent down on the mat for over a minute and a half, essentially clinching it when he got Berrena on his back for a four-point near fall with the clock trudging towards short time.

Then, he’d put together a perfect 4-0 third period against Mifflin County’s Jake Knable in the 133 final, pulling off a reversal out of bottom to take a lead and a two-point near fall to extend it on his way to a 6-3 decision. With the win, he’d take home the first District 6 Class AAA title of his short career, building off his previous bronze as a freshman.

“I’m just trying to get out there and get better every day, improving from last season,” said Tarantella when asked about the run. “Taking third is a good accomplishment for my freshman year and coming back my sophomore year and taking first is a big step towards regionals and making that state tournament.”

Senior Dalton Perry – ranked No. 1 in the state at 145 – would follow him up just two finals bouts later.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain senior Dalton Perry wrestles at 145 during the District 6 Class AAA wrestling championships at Altoona on Saturday.

After turning an immediate takedown into a 42-second pin in his semifinal match against Altoona’s Reese Hite, Perry would go 2-for-2 in securing pins and helping elevate his team’s overall score, racking up ten points in a minute before attributing his second and final fall of the evening late in the second period against Bellefonte’s Andrew Gall. In his fourth District 6 Class AAA title appearance, Perry would close out his career at the event with a trifecta of golds.

“It feels good but it’s really just the beginning,” said Perry on the accomplishment. “It’s just kind of getting us to the next tournament until we actually get to the state tournament. But right now, it’s just fun, going out with max effort and having fun.”

Outside of that, Central Mountain’s remaining finals stints were tough sledding.

Gavin Heverly – ranked No. 14 in the state at 114 – and Bryce Brungard fell in respectable fashion against opponents that outranked them, with Heverly leading against No. 7 Kael Davis (State College) for over five minutes of action before Davis scored a short-time takedown to steal it late.

Aiden Kunes fell to a fiery Deklan Barr (Altoona) coming off a state-ranked win over No. 20 Wyatt Long, giving up a late takedown reminiscent of the one Heverly surrendering. Freshman Hayes Henry endured a tough loss by tech fall to No. 6 Peyton Kearns (Mifflin County), putting in a great effort on his way there. And junior Collin Bauman punched his first ticket since he his freshman season with an exciting, match-sealing takedown in sudden victory.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain sophomore Kai Fravel reacts while wrestling at 215 during the District 6 Class AAA wrestling championships at Altoona on Saturday.

Dalton McDermott (160), Luke Ananea (152) and freshman Hayes Donley (139) fell one win short of adding to that number, falling in their respective third-place bouts. And rounding out Central Mountain’s placements were Kai Fravel (215) and Tanner McCall (172), who took fifth and sixth respectively.

All in all, it was a solid tournament for the Wildcats despite their title streak ending. They’ll have plenty of time to prepare for their next stop, the West Class AAA Regional, set to take place at Canon-McMillan High School starting on Friday, Feb. 28, at 5 p.m.

“We actually had a pretty good tournament. We’re qualifying quite a few,” said Perry on the team’s success.

Alongside Central Mountain, Bellefonte also had a strong district tournament, qualifying the same number of wrestlers as the Wildcats (7) on its way to a fifth place showing.

Though the team came away with zero individual titles, five Red Raiders made it to their respective finals in Noah Weaver (160), Jackson Long (172), Ezra Swisher (152), Jack McHail (215) and freshman Andrew Gall (145), with Cameron Garcia (139) and Wyatt Long (127) rounding out the team’s qualifications.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte junior Jack McHail wrestles at 215 Central Mountain during the District 6 Class AAA wrestling championships at Altoona on Saturday.

“It’s insane,” said McHail. “We’re a smaller team and I feel like having seven qualifiers out of ten guys is really good.”

Weaver and Garcia made it four straight regional bids, Swisher and Jackson Long secured their third as juniors, Wyatt Long obtained his second and McHail and Gall will each jump to the next step of the individual postseason for the first time. It should be an interesting tournament, as they also look to leave their mark at a tough West Class AAA Regional alongside the Wildcats.

“For the guys that advanced on, we’ve got to get back to work this week and try to close the gap,” said Bellefonte head coach Michael Maney on the focus moving forward. “Get ready for regionals.”

DISTRICT 6 CLASS AAA TOURNAMENT

TEAM RESULTS: 1. Altoona 181; 2. Central Mountain 178.5; 3. Mifflin County 162; 4. State College 156; 5. Bellefonte 144.5; 6. Hollidaysburg 109.5; 7. Greater Johnstown 12.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express A Bellefonte wrestler wrestles during the District 6 Class AAA wrestling championships at Altoona on Saturday.

TEAM KEY: ALT – Altoona; BEL – Bellefonte; CM – Central Mountain; GJ – Greater Johnstown; HOL – Hollidaysburg; MC – Mifflin County; SC – State College.

FIRST-PLACE FINALS

107: Andrew Alexander (MC) maj. Dec. Dominic Nardozza (ALT), 14-0. 114: Kael Davis (SC) dec. Gavin Heverly (CM), 6-4. 121: Braiden Weaver (ALT) tech fall Landon Krupka (HOL), 15-0 (1:12). 127: Deklan Barr (ALT) dec. Aiden Kunes (CM), 4-2. 133: Patrick Tarantella (CM) dec. Jake Knable (MC), 6-3. 139: Gavin Ciampoli (ALT) dec. Kamden Everly (MC), 7-2. 145: Dalton Perry (CM) pinned Andrew Gall (BEL), 13-2. 152: James Whitbred (SC) maj. dec. Ezra Swisher (BEL), 17-4. 160: Luke Sipes (ALT) tech fall Noah Weaver (BEL), 19-3 (4:14). 172: Asher Cunningham (SC) tech fall Jackson Long (BEL), 18-3 (2:49). 189: Avery Augard (MC) maj. dec. Bryce Brungard (CM), 9-0. 215: Michael Colyer (ALT) dec. Jack McHail (BEL), 12-11. 285: Peyton Kearns (MC) tech fall Hayes Henry (CM), 19-4 (3:45).

THIRD-PLACE FINALS

107: Connor Sidney (HOL) dec. Nico Diaz (SC), 1-0 UTB. 114: Brayden Sidney (HOL) tech fall Liam Chirdon (ALT), 19-0 (1:25). 121: Collin Bauman (CM) dec. Paxton Shawver (MC), 5-2. 127: Wyatt Long (BEL) maj. dec. Layten Bowersox (MC), 9-0. 133: Nicholas Berrena (SC) dec. Philip Sarbo (ALT), 9-6 SV. 139: Cameron Garcia (BEL) won by forfeit. 145: Reese Hite (ALT) dec. Brady Bucher (SC), 6-3. 152: Colby Seiler (MC) tech fall Luke Ananea (CM), 19-4 (2:41). 160: Xavier Zeroth (SC) dec. Dalton McDermott (CM), 7-5. 172: Mitcher Baronner (HOL) tech fall Reese Christine (MC), 17-2 (4:40). 189: Tykear Davis (ALT) maj. Dec. Alijah Al-Sulaimani (SC), 12-2. 215: Rocco Caccioti (HOL) dec. Paul Tisinger (GJ), 4-0. 285: Michael Troupe (SC) dec. Logan Rarrick (BEL), 1-0.

FIFTH-PLACE FINALS

121: Jon Whitbred (SC) pinned Nick Torano (GJ), :53. 127: Jonathan Coates (SC) maj. dec. Logan Krupka (HOL), 14-4. 133: Jacob Brua (HOL) dec. Jacob Horn (BEL), 8-1. 139: Sam Davidson (SC) pinned Caleb Detrick (HOL), 4:37. 145: James Bialo (HOL) won by injury default. 152: MasoN Schenk (HOL) maj. Dec. Brayden Wible (ALT), 12-2. 160: Aiden Schenk (HOL) dec. Brayan Aurand (MC), 6-1. 172: Caleb Darpino (ALT) dec. Tanner McCall (CM), 12-8. 189: Luke Hockenberry (BEL) tech fall Blake Kennedy (HOL), 20-1 (3:49). 215: Kai Travel (CM) tech fall Alonso Torres (MC), 18-0 (3:40). 285: Scott Payne (HOL) pinned Khamden Thompkins (ALT), 2:14.

SEMIFINALS

107: Andrew Alexander (MC) tech fall Nico Diaz (SC), 15-0 (2:30); Dominic Nardozza (ALT) dec. Connor Sidney (HOL), 5-2. 114: Kael Davis (SC) pinned Liam Chardon (ALT), :39; Gavin Heverly (CM) dec. Brayden Sidney (HOL), 7-0; 121: Braiden Weaver (ALT) pinned Collin Bauman (CM), 3:33. Landon Krupka (HOL) dec. Jon Whitbred (SC), 5-2. 127: Aiden Kunes (CM) tech fall Logan Krupka (HOL), 15-0 (2:00); Deklan Barr (ALT) maj. dec. Wyatt Long (BEL), 9-0. 133: Patrick Tarantella (CM) dec. Nicholas Berrena (SC), 6-2; Jake Knable (MC) dec. Philip Sarbo (ALT), 2-0. 139: Gavin Ciampoli (ALT) maj. dec. Hayes Donley (CM), 16-3; Kamden Everly (MC) dec. Cameron Garcia (BEL), 5-3. 145: Dalton Perry (CM) pinned Reese Hite (ALT), :42; Andrew Gall (BEL) maj. dec. Brady Bucher, 12-1. 152: Ezra Swisher (BEL) maj. dec. Luke Ananea (CM), 10-0; James Whitbred (SC) maj. dec. Colby Seiler (MC), 13-2. 160: Luke Sipes (ALT) pinned Xavier Zeroth (SC), 1:09; Noah Weaver (BEL) tech fall Dalton McDermott (CM), 15-0. 172: Asher Cunningham (SC) tech fall Reese Christine (MC), 19-2 (4:45; Jackson Long (BEL) dec. Mitchell Baronner (HOL), 12-8. 189: Avery Aurand (MC) tech fall Blake Kennedy (HOL), 17-2 (1:33); Bryce Brungard (CM) pinned Luke Hockenberry (BEL), 3:03. 215: Jack McHail (BEL) tech fall Alonso Torres (MC), 15-0 (1:40); Michael Colyer (ALT) pinned Kai Fravel (CM), 3:00. 285: Peyton Kearns (MC) tech fall Logan Rarrick (BEL), 4:20; Hayes Henry (CM) maj. dec. Scott Payne (HOL), 17-4.

QUARTERFINALS

121: Collin Bauman (CM) pinned Paxton Shawver (MC), 3:01; Jon Whitbred (SC) pinned Nick Torano (GJ), 1:01. 127: Logan Krupka (HOL) pinned Jonathan Coates (SC), 4:49; Deklan Barr (ALT) pinned Layten Bowersox (MC) 133: Nicholas Berrena (SC) tech fall Jacob Brua (HOL), 17-1 (2:25); Jake Knable (MC) pinned Jacob Horn (BEL), :24. 139: Hayes Donley (CM) dec. Sam Davidson (SC), 6-1; Cameron Garcia (BEL) tech fall Caleb Detrick (HOL), 17-1 (3:41). 145: Reese Hite (ALT) tech fall James Bialo (HOL), 15-0 (2:48); Andrew Gall (BEL) pinned Brian Albert (MC), 1:58. 152: Luke Ananea (CM) maj. dec. Mason Schenk (HOL), 10-1; Colby Seiler (MC) tech fall Brayden Wible (ALT), 19-4 (2:37). 160: Xavier Zeruth (SC) tech fall Aiden Schenk (HOL), 19-3 (3:38); Dalton McDermott (CM) dec. Brayan Aurand (MC), 7-0. 172: Reese Christine (MC) pinned Caleb Darpino (ALT), 1:55; Jackson Long (BEL) tech fall Tanner McCall (CM), 11-0 3:14. 189: Blake Kennedy (HOL) dec. Tykear Davis (ALT), 4-3; Luke Hockenberry (BEL) dec. Alijah Al-Sulaimani (SC), 10-4. 215: Alonso Torres (MC) dec. Rocco Cacciota (HOL), 11-6; Michael Colyer (ALT) pinned Paul Tisinger (GJ), :24. 285: Logan Rarrick (BEL) dec. Michael Troupe (SC), 7-1; Scott Payne (HOL) pinned Khamden Thompkins (ALT), 1:04.