Bryce Fochtman

Berlin's Bryce Fochtman and Somerset's Landon Lohr wrestle in the 160-pound District 5 Class AA final. (Photo by Tami Ogline Knopsnyder / February 28, 2013)

By JEFF MAURER Daily American Sports Writer Daily American

10:50 p.m. EST, February 28, 2013

The road to Hershey will go through Johnstown for wrestlers competing at the PIAA Class AA Southwest Regional tournament today and Saturday at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena.

 

The top five finishers in each weight class advance to the PIAA championships, which will be held next week at the Giant Center in Hershey.

 

The regional tournament features four returning champions: Kittanning's Jason Nolf (132 pounds), Forest Hills' Cody Law (160), Jefferson-Morgan's Dustin Conti (170) and Burrell's Dakota DesLauriers (182).

 

Seven wrestlers enter the tournament with undefeated records, including Ligonier Valley 120-pounder Joshua Patrick (24-0), Nolf (38-0), Charleroi 138-pounder Nick Gavazzi (32-0), Law (27-0), Conti (34-0), DesLauriers (29-0) and Blairsville 182-pounder Scott Thompson (12-0).

 

Eighteen Somerset County wrestlers will be in action, including five District 5 champions.

 

County wrestlers who placed in the top three last weekend at the District 5 tournament and qualified for the regional are:

 

Berlin: Joe Swank (2nd at 120), Chris Miller (1st at 132), Braden Fochtman (3rd at 138), Bryce Fochtman (1st at 160) and Mitchell Walker (3rd at 220).

 

Conemaugh Township: Tanner Cahill (1st at 145) and Taylor Cahill (2nd at 152).

 

Meyersdale: Bill Charlton (1st at 113), Collin Day (3rd at 126), Tanner Hetrick (3rd at 132), Seth Deist (3rd at 145), Bill Dunbar (3rd at 170) and Gavin Berkley (1st at 182).

 

North Star: Corey Fritch (3rd at 152).