SPRING GROVE — It has not been an easy season for Chambersburg senior wrestler Karl Shindledecker.
But he certainly made it look easy Saturday, capturing his second straight District 3 Championship title with a 6-0 decision over Josh Hillard of Manheim Twp. in the final at 126 pounds. That victory also was the 100th of his brilliant career.
"Getting the 100th win was even more special; I didn't know if I'd get the chance this year because I was out with a long illness," Shindledecker said. "And to get it in the District 3 final makes it even better. I've been working through a little sickness this week, too."
Shindledecker was one of four county wrestlers to qualify for the PIAA Tournament, which is March 10-12 at Giant Center. Trojan teammate Aiden Hight was second at 189, Shippensburg's Dominic Frontino took second at 152 and fellow Greyhound Diesel Koser placed fourth at 189.
In the 126 final, Shindledecker (21-1) scored a takedown in each period and the rest of the time he controlled Hillard with a dominating ride.
Trojan coach Matt Mentzer said, "Karl got three takedowns and probably rode him for close to four minutes. I don't believe he's given up any points through sectionals and districts, and if that continues, he'll obviously be hard to beat."
Shindledecker got sick early in the season and missed some duals and tournaments. He's slowly been working into the kind of shape he needs to be in for a run at a state title (he was a runner-up last year).
"In the practice room I go as hard as I can," said Shindledecker, who won 5-0 in the semifinals over Zach Luckenbaugh of Dallastown, "and now I have two weeks to prepare. (Getting a second district championship) is pretty dope, but my mindset all year has been on winning states."
Hight (30-6), a sophomore, fought back from a 6-2 deficit in the second period against Teague Conover of Spring Grove to win his semifinal bout with a fall in 4:40. But in the final, he couldn't get through the defense of Exeter Twp.'s Johnny Miller and was defeated 9-1. Miller blocked Hight's shots and was able to turn them into takedowns for himself.
"He was better on our feet and he kept up a good pace," Hight said. "I'm somewhat happy with the weekend because I did OK against some good competition, but I'm not happy with the final — I wish I'd wrestled better. But I learned some things I need to work on."
Mentzer said, "That's a young kid finding his way, and he was up against a solid senior. I have to think his goal was to qualify (for states), and we need to keep him having the sensation of constantly improving. We tell them that you should always beat the kids you're supposed to beat and the better you get the more kids you should beat."
Frontino defeated Austin Brass of Ephrata 5-1 in the semifinals at 152, but he couldn't find a way to score in the final in a 1-0 loss to Caden Dobbins of Dallastown. The only point scored was a Dobbins escape midway through the second period. In the third, Frontino was on bottom. He had one decent chance to break free, but for nearly the final minute, Dobbins kept him tied up with a tight waist and leg lace.
Frontino, a junior, will head to states with a 19-1 record. His start of the season was delayed by a knee injury.
Koser, a junior with a record of 31-9, produced three straight consolation round wins, including 1-0 over Conover to reach the bout for third place. There, he was beaten 12-2 by Ephrata's James Ellis.
The consolation semifinal round — the "blood round" when wrestlers either qualify for states or fall just short — was tough on locals. Chambersburg's Zach Sherman (106), Rylan Carter (113) Luke Mentzer (120) and Avery Kuhns (285), plus Waynesboro's Bodie Rouzer (132) and Kaden Rouzer (145), all tasted defeat. Koser was the only winner in that round. All ended up in sixth place except Carter, who hit a takedown with 5 seconds left to win and take fifth place.
Chambersburg ended up fourth in the team standings. Manheim Township won with 146.5 points, Central Dauphin had 103.5 and Hempfield was third with 92.5. The Trojans scored 90.5 and Gettysburg was fifth with 87.5.
Matt Mentzer said, "I couldn't be more proud of our kids, all of them. What some of these individuals have had to go through this year with injuries and sickness, taking fourth in the district is pretty good. And five of the six kids who placed are back next year."
District 3 Wrestling Championships
Saturday's Results
SEMIFINALS
113 — Nico Tocci (Warwick) d Rylan Carter (Chambersburg), 12-6
126 — Karl Shindledecker (Chbg) d Zach Luckenbaugh (Dallastown), 5-0
152 — Dominic Frontino (Shippensburg) d Austin Brass (Ephrata), 5-1
189 — Aiden Hight (Chbg) p Teague Conover (Spring Grove), 4:40
285 — Trevor Gallagher (Gettysburg) p Avery Kuhns (Chbg), 0:57
FINALS
126 — Shindledecker (Chbg) d Josh Hillard (Manheim Twp.), 6-0
152 — Caden Dobbins (Dallastown) d Frontino (Ship), 1-0
189 — Johnny Miller (Exeter Twp.) md Hight (Chbg), 9-1
3RD ROUND CONSOLATIONS
106 — Zach Sherman (Chbg) d Chase Parisan (Oley Valley), 5-4
120 — Luke Mentzer (Chbg) md Jake Mitchell (Cumb. Valley), 10-1
132 — Bodie Rouzer (Waynesboro) md Tristen Mellinger (Ephrata), 11-0
145 — Kaden Rouzer (Way) d Timmy Johnson (Northern), 4-2
189 — Diesel Koser (Ship) p Mike Jones (Cedar Cliff), 4:21
CONSOLATION SEMIFINALS
106 — Marco Tocci (Warwick) d Sherman (Chbg), 3-0
113 — James Garcia (Wilson) d Carter (Chbg), 7-0
120 — Gabe Pecaitis (Gettysburg) d Mentzer (Chbg), 4-2
132 — Garrett Gehr (Garden Spot ) d B.Rouzer (Way), 5-1
145 — Aiden Swann (Cocalico) d K.Rouzer (Way), 3-1, SV
189 — Koser (Ship) d Teague Conover (Spring Grove), 1-0
285 — Layton Schmick (Car) p Kuhns (Chbg), 4:20
FOR 3RD PLACE
189 — James Ellis (Ephrata) md Diesel Koser (Ship), 12-2
FOR 5TH PLACE
106 — Louis Malave (Manheim Twp.) d Sherman (Chbg), 9-2
113 — Carter (Chbg) d Trent Ruble (Conestoga Valley), 4-3
120 –Gavin Richard (Daniel Boone) d Mentzer (Chbg), 5-2
132 — Aiden Bachman (Cedar Cliff) d B.Rouzer (Way), 5-4
145 — Noah Rice (York Suburban) d K.Rouzer (Way), 7-2
285 — Ethan Miller (Central York) d Kuhns (Chbg), 5-0