Luke Nichter placed 2nd at the Beast of the East Tournament.

NEWARK, Del. — Chambersburg junior Luke Nichter became the first Trojan wrestler to reach the finals of the Beast of the East Tournament on Sunday, but he was tripped up in the championship match.

In the 170-pound final, Nichter was upended by Julian Ramirez of Blair (N.J.) Academy, 7-3. Ramirez, who had pinned five consecutive opponents on his way to the final, scored a takedown in each of the three periods to overcome three escapes by Nichter.

“I’ve never wrestled anybody with his strength,” Nichter said. “I couldn’t get past his defense on any of my attacks. Even (coach Matt) Mentzer said that, that I couldn’t figure out how to hit my moves.

“I’ll just have to figure out other ways to score, and other ways to get into my offense.”

In the Flo Wrestling national rankings, Ramirez is No. 3 at 170, and Nichter is No. 11.

Earlier Sunday, Nichter defeated Connor Herzog of Nazareth, 11-2, in the quarterfinals, with a takedown and two nearfalls in the first period giving him a 7-0 lead.

In the semifinals, Nichter took on Jake Stefanowicz of Wyoming Seminary and prevailed 8-1. A takedown and nearfall with 14 seconds left in the first period gave Nichter a 5-0 lead, and a second-period takedown added to the advantage.

Nichter said, “It seemed like very other match, I was able to get ahead big in the first period, and that made it easier. I wanted to win this tournament, but overall, I think I wrestled well, so I’m fine.”

Chambersburg junior Wyatt Hull was pinned in his first consolation match by Amherst County’s Wade Wheeler at 220 on Sunday and finished with a 3-2 record.

The Trojans ended up in 30th place with 53 points among a field of 121 teams. Blair Academy, as expected, rolled to the team title, scoring 115 points more (352) than runner-up Wyoming Seminary.

Two Mercersburg Academy wrestlers also competed Sunday, but Aurelius Dunbar fell 12-3 to Matt Archiuolo of Saucon Valley at 160, and Sam Barnes was pinned by James Cruz of St. Peter Prep at 170.

At 195, Jack Wimmer of Chambersburg, who wrestles for McDonogh School in Baltimore, placed sixth with a 5-3 record.