Crestwood wrestling Magnus Bibla wins district gold; four Comets headed to regionals

Crestwood wrestler Magnus Bibla is heading back to regionals with another gold medal around his neck. The 215pound senior recorded a second-period pin of top seed Hank Baranowski of Wallenpaupack Saturday to capture his second consecutive District 2 Class 3A championship, punching his ticket to the Northeast PA Regional this weekend in Bethlehem.

Bibla will be joined at regionals by younger brother Lincoln Bibla (189 pounds), Devin Shaw (152) and Santino Casarella (133), all of whom posted top-4 finishes at the two-day district championships.

“We wanted to just improve as the season progressed and we were focused on reaching our potential in the conference and preparing for the district tournament,” Crestwood head coach Jim Costello said.

With one champion, four regional qualifiers, eight total place-winners, and the top showing (fifth place) among all Wyoming Valley Conference teams, the Comets have accomplished their goals. In addition, the Comets team had the “Sportsmanship Award” bestowed on them after the two-day Class 3A championships, which were held at Wilkes-Barre Area High School.

“The kids worked so hard, and we got stronger and stronger,” Costello said. “I am so happy for them finishing at the top of the WVC teams.”

As for the sportsmanship award, Costello said he was thrilled. “Wrestling is such a dynamic and difficult sport because it is just you and your opponent. We always teach our kids respect and win or lose, we shake hands and keep our heads up. To be recognized by our peers is just outstanding.”

After earning a first-round bye, Magnus Bibla set up defense of his 215-pound title with an impressive second-period fall (2:23) over third-seeded Sean Cordero of Scranton to reach the championship bout against the top-seeded Baranowski.

After an early takedown, Bibla was reversed with 17 seconds left in the first period and had to fight his way off his back. The Comet senior regrouped to pin Baranowski in 3:36 of the second period to repeat as champion.

“It feels pretty good, almost like deserving, from all the practice and work I have put into it,” Bibla said. “But I expect tougher opponents at regionals, so I will be doing extra conditioning this week during practice.”

Shaw finished third at 152 pounds, registering a 17-4 major decision over WilkesBarre’s Gene Ardo (WBA) in their third-place match.

Shaw battled back from a Friday night loss to pin both Nick Bellomo of Delaware Valley (1:51) and Hazleton Area’s Mason Marolo (2:24) and reach the consi final.

Lincoln Bibla also placed third in his weight bracket, pinned Jake Griffin of Wyoming Valley West in 37 seconds in the 189-pound consolation final. Eventual champion Caleb Marzolino of Abington Heights pinned Bibla in 43 seconds of their semifinal, but stormed back with a second-pin of Delaware Valley’s Noah

Pollhill and then got the mat slap against Griffin to secure the bronze medal.

Wrestling at 133, Casarella captured the Comets’ fourth and final regional qualifying spot with his fourth-place finish. Casarella bounced back from a Friday night loss to record a 10-0 major decision over West Scranton’s Angel Olavarria, and a 7-0 decision over Scranton’s Jacob Leonori to reach the third-place match, where he fell to Dallas’ Lucas Tirpak 19-3.

Other Comets to garner top-six places at the district championships were: Anson Jumper (fifth at 107), Sammy Jeckell (5th at 127),

Thomas Stavitski (sixth at 139), Isaac Mertz (fifth at 160) and Chris Smolenak (fifth at 285).

Abington Heights outdistanced Delaware Valley 204.5 to 171.5 for the team championship, with Wallenpaupack (149.5) third. West Scranton (136.5) edged Crestwood (135.5) for fourth place in the 12-team field.

The Northeast Regional Class 3A tournament will be held Friday and Saturday at Liberty High School. The top three finishers in each weight class move on to the PIAA Championships in Hershey the following weekend.

The Journal-Herald costs $45 per year outside of Carbon and Luzerne Counties; $40 in Carbon & Luzerne Counties—less than buying at the store. Send the form below with your check, or call 570-215-0204 xt304 to order and pay with a credit card. Make check payable to: CANWIN

Mail to: 211 Main St., White Haven PA 18661

Send The Journal-Herald to:

If a gift, sign the card