The PIAA Northwest Regional Wrestling Championships got underway at Sharon High School yesterday, with participants from Districts 9 and 10 competing for a shot at the state title. The top four wrestlers from each weight class in the regional bracket earned the chance to go to Hershey.

Bradford High’s two participants showed very well on Friday. D-9 champion Dillon Keane (145 pounds) won his quarterfinal match by pin to earn a spot in the region’s final four.

“Dillon came out like a ball of fire,” Bradford coach Jamey Miller said. “He was a man on a mission. He was thinking, ‘I’ve got the District title, now I want the Regional title.’ He just gave 110 percent and let the chips fall where they may.”

Tyler Thompson (132) split his two matches – both by decision – to earn a spot in the consolation bracket.

“Tyler’s been wrestling really well,” Miller said. “He just came up short in that last match. He’s taking shot after shot out there. He was having some trouble capitalizing, I think, because of the other kids’ defense.”

Keane will go up against Chaise Hauck of Reynolds for a spot in the Regional final.

Coudersport and Ridgway were the most well-represented area schools at Regionals, sending out seven and six wrestlers, respectively.

The Elkers had four matmen advance to the final four of their respective classes, with Kyle Bush (113), Bryce Barclay (D-9 champion at 126), Lukas McClain (D-9 champion at 132) and Logen McClain (D-9 champion at 138) all earning victories.

Gage Arnold (160) was the only Falcon wrestler to earn a spot in the state tourney.

D-9 champion Jacob Kallenborn (160) of Port Allegany and Alec English (145) of Kane were the other local matmen to emerge triumphant.