Nichter opened with two pins, the second against Sam Barnes of Mercersburg Academy, in 2:54. In his final match, Nichter scored a major decision, 8-0, over Loudon Hurt of St. Christopher’s, getting a takedown and nearfall in the first period for a 4-0 lead.
He will face Jake Stefanowicz of Wyoming Seminary in Sunday morning’s quarterfinals.
Only one other Trojan won their first match — Spencer Runshaw notched a pin at 138. He fell 3-1 in his next match, then lost 1-0 in the consolations.
Wyatt Hull is still alive at 220 pounds. He lost his first bout, and in the consolation round he received a bye, then won three straight matches — a 20-7 major, a 7-3 decision, and a pin in 0:37 over Ryan Howard of Waynesburg. He took Howard down straight to his back for the fall.
In his next match Sunday, Hull will face Wade Wheeler of Amherst County, and he will need two more wins to earn a medal.
At 160, Carson Mello lost his first match, then won four straight consolation bouts (3-1, 4-1, 4-2 and 6-2) before falling 2-0 to Channing Connor of Kellam, with a second-period nearfall making the difference.
At 152, Seth Runshaw lost, then won three consy matches — an 8-0 major, 7-4, and a 13-5 major — but was beaten 10-0 by Garrett Fisk of Archbishop Spalding.
Cole Grove opened with a 3-1 defeat, won 11-3 and 3-0 in the consolation rounds, then was eliminated 5-3 by Eddie Hummel of Roselle Park. Hummel scored a takedown with 7 seconds left in the first period and another with 3 seconds left in the second.
Chambersburg, who did not have an entry at four weights, is tied for 34th place in the event, which has 121 teams.
Mercersburg Academy’s Aurelius Dunbar, of Greencastle, reached the third round with a major and technical fall, but was defeated 5-3 in sudden victory by Connor O’Neil of DePaul Catholic. Dunbar was hit with stalling twice in the third period, the last with 17 seconds left to tie the bout.
Dunbar did win his first consy match, so he’s still alive for a medal. After losing to Nichter, the Blue Storm’s Barnes ripped off three consy victories and he’s also still alive for a medal.
Jack Wimmer of Chambersburg, who wrestles for McDonogh School of Baltimore, won three matches to reach the quarterfinals at 195.
Beast of the East Tournament
Chambersburg Results
120 — Anthony Colangelo 0-2
126 — Cole Grove 2-2 (1 major)
132 — Kelby Mixell 0-2
138 — Spencer Runshaw 1-2 (1 pin)
152 — Seth Runshaw 3-2 (2 majors)
160 — Carson Mello 4-2
170 — Luke Nichter 3-0 (2 pins, 1 major)
195 — Guy Lozius 1-2
220 — Wyatt Hull 3-1 (1 pin, 1 major)
285 — Joey Fuller 0-2