Seth Runshaw

It’s back to the old Barn for District 3 wrestlers this weekend.

After holding the district wrestling championships at Giant Center for the past couple of years, District 3 was shut out of that facility this year, so the tournament will head back to Hersheypark Arena, its longtime home.

Unfortunately, the parking area closest to the arena entrance will not be available because of construction, nor will a great many of the seats on the lower level (repair due to mold).

But the wrestling will still go on, and 16 wrestlers from Franklin County have qualified for the event.

The 15 in Class 3A include eight from Chambersburg, four from Waynesboro, two from Shippensburg and one from Greencastle-Antrim, while James Buchanan has one entry in Class 2A.

The first two championship rounds of wrestling begin at 10 a.m. Friday for 2A and at 2 p.m. for 3A. On Saturday, both classes will wrestle from the semifinals on, starting at 10 a.m., with finals set for 3:45 p.m.

Chambersburg’s Luke Nichter (33-2) is a defending champion at 170, but he’ll likely have to find a way to defeat Susquehanna Twp.’s Edmond Ruth (26-0), who handled him 7-3 in the Section III final last week.

“I’ve seen him in a low-scoring match (3-1), a high-scoring match (12-11) and this one,” Nichter said after the loss. “So I’ve seen him in all kinds of matches and that should help prepare me for the next one.”

Trojan coach Matt Mentzer said, “What Luke does best is what gives him his best chance to win. He needs to put some pressure on his opponent, and he’s capable of that, and get on the scoreboard early.”

Nichter’s brother Tate (27-4) was a district finalist last year at 145, and despite falling in the sectional final last week to Hunter Gregoris of Big Spring, may still be the favorite to win this week at that weight.

He may have a test in the first round, vs. Elijah Ortega of Reading (29-4).

Carson Mello

Chambersburg placed five wrestlers in the semifinals last year, four of whom return — the Nichters, plus Seth Runshaw (152) and Cole Grove (126), who each placed sixth. Guy Lozius (195) and Wyatt Hull (220) qualified last year, but went 0-2.

The Trojan newcomers to districts are freshman Karl Shindledecker at 113 and junior Carson Mello at 160.

Mentzer said, “I’ll be looking at the young kids to see how they do. The experienced guys, because of our schedule, I’m confident they won’t flinch.

“Everybody we’re taking — if they wrestle to their ability — should be in the top six, with some higher than that. We just have to go there, put it all on the line and get after it.”

Chambersburg traveled to Northern York for practices Monday and Tuesday.

“Those were hard workouts,” Mentzer said. “I don’t think the kids will mind a day off (for Wednesday’s snow) after that. The kids are ready to go.”

The other area returning placewinner is Ship’s Jeffrey Russell at 120, who was fifth last year.

Russell (28-7) draws a returning state qualifier in his first match, Tim Uhler of New Oxford (31-5). The other really tough draw is Waynesboro’s Bodi Rouzer (29-9), a sectional champ at 113, who drew Northern York’s Liam Strouse (10-5) in his opener.

The top four placewinners in 3A qualify for the state tournament. In Class 2A, the top six move on to the Southeast Regional.

District 3 Class 3A Wrestling
Local Pairings
Friday’s Preliminary Round
113 — Karl Shindledecker, Chambersburg (14-9) vs. Zach Emory, York Suburban (25-5)
113 — Bodie Rouzer, Waynesboro (29-9) vs. Liam Strouse, Northern York, 10-5|
120 — Jeffrey Russell, Shippensburg (28-7) vs. Tim Uhler, New Oxford (31-5)
126 — Cole Grove, Chambersburg (21-10) vs. Canton Dolla, Daniel Boone (15-10)
126 — Dylan Ramsey, Shippensburg (27-7) vs. Josh Groff, Garden Spot (28-10)
132 — Laken Rouzer, Waynesboro (26-13) vs. Cade Zeamer, Manheim Central (34-5)
138 — Jared Miller, Greencastle-Antrim (8-6) vs. Tye Weathersby, Central Dauphin (28-11)
138 — Matt McCann, Waynesboro (27-9) vs. Austin Rider, Conestoga Valley (27-13)
145 — Tate Nichter, Chambersburg (27-4) vs. Elijah Ortega, Reading (29-4)
152 — Seth Runshaw, Chambersburg (23-9) vs. Garrett Young, Gettysburg (20-11)
160 — Carson Mello, Chambersburg (28-8) vs. Bubba Vogelbacher, McCaskey (25-7)
160 — Carson McGregor, Waynesboro (10-12) vs. Johnny Arentz, Gov. Mifflin (30-6)
170 — Luke Nichter, Chambersburg (33-2) vs. Will Small, Donegal (28-9)
195 — Guy Lozius, Chambersburg (20-14) vs. Ben Sola, Cocalico (29-8)
220 — Wyatt Hull, Chambersburg (25-10) vs. Jacob Sharp, York Vo-Tech (21-2)
District 3 Class 2A Wrestling
Local Pairings
Friday’s Preliminary Round
195 — Hunter Smith, James Buchanan (10-11) vs. Matthew Mitchell, Middletown (9-11)