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WILLIAMSPORT – Charles Johnson did more than earn a second trip to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Wrestling Championships during his latest performance at the Class AA Northeast Regionals in Williamsport Feb. 27-28.
The Wyoming Area junior added to his growing list of credentials.
Already a two-time District 2 champion, Johnson won his first regional title when he pulled out a 3-2 decision over Lewis Williams of Central Columbia in the 126-pound championship match.
The match was the second overtime bout and second one-point decision for Johnson, who took an unbeaten record with him to the PIAA Championships in Hershey. The other overtime bout and other one-pointer came in separate bouts in December.
The only other close bout came six weeks earlier in a 3-1 decision over Class AAA state qualifier James Hoffman of Hazleton Area in the championship match to earn Johnson Outstanding Wrestling honors at the Wyoming Valley Conference Tournament.
The challenge at regionals, which came after two more dominant efforts, was anticipated.
“I knew that was coming,” Johnson said. “Williams is a real tough wrestler.”
Johnson broke a 2-2 tie with an escape 15 seconds into the third period.
“From there on out, I was trying to score another takedown to really seal the deal,” Johnson said.
That approach changed after a stoppage with 22 seconds left, when Johnson decided it was time to become defensive.
“He got a little close with about 10 seconds left, he got in on a shot,” Johnson said. “He got in on a single, I whizzered and just defended for the rest of the time.”
Johnson was one of three state qualifiers from the Greater Pittston area.
The others came at 220 pounds.
Pittston Area’s Jake Vaxmonsky qualified through the Class AAA Regional in Bethlehem by finishing fourth. Thor Balavage, a Scranton Prep junior from Avoca, made it by placing third in Williamsport.
Johnson made the finals with wins by technical fall and a major decision. He defeated Dalton Revels, of Troy, 17-1, in the opening night quarterfinals in 4:20. Johnson’s 14-2 win over Benton’s Mike Stuart put him in the regional final and clinched the state berth.
Vaxmonsky received a bye in the first round because of his District 2 title. He was pinned by Northampton’s Jason Kocher in 1:55 of the quarterfinals, forcing Vaxmonsky to win three straight consolation bouts to make it to Hershey.
The path through the consolation bracket started with a 13-5 major decision over Delaware Valley’s A.J. Sieber. Vaxmonsky then won a pair of 3-1 decisions, beating LaSalle’s Santino Pelusi in overtime then topping Bethlehem Freedom’s Josh Newhart.
Balavage improved to 39-2 by winning two out of three close decisions to clinch the state berth, then pinning Western Wayne’s Cole Fuller in 3:34 in the consolation final for third place.
Balavage started with a 3-1 overtime win over Mount Carmel’s Wesley Shurock. He suffered a 2-1 loss to Montoursville’s Ben Cerney in the semifinals, but came back with two wins.
With a top-four finish and the state spot at stake, Balavage edged Roger Horton from Athens, 3-2.
Wyoming Area finished 19th out of 37 teams in Williamsport with 20.5 points, all produced by Johnson.
Patrick Heck (132), Jude Polit-Moran (170) and Justin Joseph (182) each lost their only two bouts and did not place.
Balavage was the only Scranton Prep wrestler at regionals.
Pittston Area finished 29th out of 48 teams at Bethlehem with 14 points.
Brandon Goodlavage picked up a win at 285 pounds.
Stephane Eugene from George Washington pinned Goodlavage in 1:15 of the opening round.
Goodlavage came back with a 3-1 overtime win Olney Charter’s Miles Mims.
Jeremy Candelario from Pocono Mountain East ended Goodlavage’s season with a 2-1 victory.