2008 PIAA AA State Championship Tournament
March 6, 7, & 8, 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nick Venditti & Aaron Karns Both Win State Medals!!
Nick Venditti Takes State Runner-Up Medal!!
Aaron Karns Takes 6th Place State Medal!!
Both Dawgs Medal At States 2 Years In A Row!!
Posted March 8, 2008

2007 - 2008
VARSITY NEWS

BERWICK WRESTLING
Over 50 Years Of Pride & Tradition

    
2008 PIAA AA State Championship Tournament
March 6, 7, & 8, 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nick Venditti & Aaron Karns Both Win State Medals!!!
Nick Venditti Takes State Runner-Up Medal!!
Aaron Karns Takes 6th Place State Medal!!
Both Dawgs Medal At States 2 Years In A Row!!
Posted March 8, 2008

The tag team of seniors Nick Venditti and Aaron Karns started last year when both Dawgs, as juniors, each earned state medals at the 2007 PIAA AA State Wrestling Championship Tournament.

The tag team did it again this year.

Each Dawg not only earned prestigious state medal in the renowned wrestling state of Pennsylvania, but each ends their high school wrestling career by having earned the prominent honor of State Runner-Up.  With Karns winning State Runner-Up Honors last year in 2007 and Venditti winning State Runner-Up Honors in this year of 2008, each of these 2-time state medalists combined for 4 of the 5 state medals garnered by Berwick Wrestling in the last two years.

With absolutely superb wrestling at the 2008 PIAA AA State Wrestling Championship Tournament, senior Nick Venditti was utterly impressive in taking runner-up honors.  Senior Aaron Karns, battling a postseason injury, showed sheer guts and determination in grabbing excellent 6th place honors.

From a history standpoint, prior to last year in 2007, Berwick Wrestling went 22 years since having a state finalist.  Tim Holter and Scott Beaver took runner-up honors in 1985.  Then came the infamous Dawg duo of Nick Venditti and Aaron Karns. Both Dawgs tagged up to take back-to-back state runner-up honors with each grabbing the honor in consecutive years. Last year in 2007, Aaron Karns became just the 4th Dawg in the history of Berwick Wrestling to become a state finalist.  With this year's performance, Nick Venditti became just the 5th Dawg in this history of Berwick Wrestling to become a state finalist.

For seniors Nick Venditti and Aaron Karns, their career dream ended in the best place possible - standing on the podium at the State Championship Tournament.

It will be a proud memory that will forever live within their hearts for the rest of their lives.

Seniors Nick Venditti and Aaron Karns made Berwick Wrestling proud.  They both will be missed for their leadership, technical prowess, and for simply being great young men.

Nick and Aaron - Your fantastic wrestling careers will forever be etched into the history of Berwick Wrestling and in the hearts of all of the Dawg Faithful.  You both have the brightest of futures and we wish you only the best that life can offer!!

On behalf of the entire Dawg Faithful, we will always remember you both as:

Simply Amazing!

District  - Regional - State - Career Honor Wrap

Nick Venditti, Senior, 160lbs
District Champion, 2008 PIAA District 2 AA Championship
Regional Champion, 2008 PIAA NE AA Regional Championship
State Qualifier, 2008 PIAA AA State Championship
137 Career Wins, Most Wins In The History of Berwick Wrestling
State Runner-Up, 2008 PIAA AA State Championship

District Wrap
Senior Nick Venditti, a returning State Medalist with his eyes set dead-on another postseason mission for the top of the state podium, showed all the poise and technique expected and got this postseason off to a great start by earning his second consecutive district championship title and fourth district medal. Following a bye in the preliminary round, Nick got off to a quick start by nailing a fall in the quarterfinal in 2:27. In the semifinal, Venditti was not to be denied and notched another impressive pin in 5:35. The championship final slated Nick to do combat against a returning district champion from last year's 171lb bracket. In an exhilarating contest, Venditti had a 1-0 lead into the 3rd frame before his opponent scored a go-ahead takedown. With pure mental toughness, Nick reversed his opponent in the final 30 seconds to grab the thrilling 3-2 victory.
Regional Wrap
Nick dominated all of his opponents at the regional championship tournament in pure champion fashion.  Venditti opened up in the quarterfinal round with an impressive 10-3 major decision.  If that wasn't impressive enough, Nick opened up the flood gates of his renowned power and technique by pinning his opponent in the semifinal in 5:51.  In the championship final, Nick controlled the match from the opening whistle.  After securing a 6-0 lead in the third period, Nick stuck his opponent to his back.  With the referee swinging back and forth on the mat, the referee slammed his hand to the mat to end the match by fall for Nick's second consecutive Regional Championship Title!  Of special note is that Nick's pin was the only fall in all of the championship finals!!
Congratulations Nick!!
Good Luck At Hershey!!
State Championship Wrap
Nick came out on fire at states bulldozing his way through his bracket. In his preliminary bout, Nick ripped through his initial opponent on his way to recording an outstanding 12-3 win by major decision over Sam Guidi of Fort Cherry. In the quarterfinal round, Nick was in a tight slugfest with Caleb Kolb of Grove City, and with his renowned mental toughness, Nick prevailed with an impressive 3-1 decision. In the semifinal round, Venditti was not to be denied and simply out-wrestled Andrew Oxenrider of Tri Valley in winning a simply outstanding 4-3 decision to advance to the finals of the 160lb bracket. In the championship final, Nick squared up against Jonathan Brothers of Redbank Valley in an all-out war.  Nick wrestled his heart out in the championship final but ended up just on the short side of a tight 4-2 decision.  Fantastic state championship tournament Nick!!
Career Honors Wrap
Nick ends his glorious and illustrious wrestling career as a Team Captain, 2-time PIAA AA State Medalist, 2-time PIAA AA State Qualifier, 2-time PIAA NE AA Regional Champion, 2-time PIAA District 2 AA District Champion, 4-time District Medalist, and became the most winning wrestler in the history of Berwick Wrestling with a grand total of 137 Career Wins. Nick's honors include State Runner-Up at the 2008 PIAA AA State Championship Tournament; notching 137 Career Wins, Regional Champion at the 2008 PIAA NE AA Regional Championship Tournament; District Champion at the 2008 PIAA District 2 AA Championship Tournament; notched his 100th Career Win On December 15, 2007, 8th Place at the 2007 PIAA AA State Championship Tournament; Regional Champion at the 2007 PIAA NE AA Regional Championship Tournament; District Champion at the 2007 PIAA District 2 AA Championship Tournament; named Outstanding Wrestler at the 2007 PIAA District 2 AA Championship Tournament; 2007 First Team All-Star Selection of the Press-Enterprise, Citizens Voice, and Times-Leader newspapers; 5th Place at the 2006 PIAA District 2 AAA Championship Tournament, 5th Place at the 2005 PIAA District 2 AAA Championship Tournament, and won multiple All-Academic selections throughout his varsity career in both the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association and District 2 All-Academic Wrestling Team.
Congratulations Nick!! - You Made Us Proud!!
You Have The Brightest Of Futures - We Wish You The Best!!

Aaron Karns, Senior, 189lbs
District Champion, 2008 PIAA District 2 AA Championship
Regional Champion, 2008 PIAA NE AA Regional Championship
State Qualifier, 2008 PIAA AA State Championship
123 Career Wins, 4th Highest Wins In The History of Berwick Wrestling
State Place-Winner - 6th Place, 2008 PIAA AA State Championship

District Wrap
Senior Aaron Karns, a returning State Runner-Up focused solely on going one step higher at states this year, started the postseason this year in his typical dominating and physically bruising style in recording his second consecutive district title and third district medal.  Karns started in the preliminary round with an absolutely shocking fall in only a mere 7 seconds.  Aaron then cemented another first period fall in the quarterfinal in 58 seconds. The first period was yet another magical frame in the semifinal round that witnessed Karns drill his opponent to the basement for another pin in just 1:45.  The championship final lined up a pesky opponent for Aaron. But his opponent wasn't pesky enough.  Karns, who exacted complete and utter physical and technical control throughout the entire match, had his hand raised high by the referee after the buzzer sounded and the scoreboard lights showing an impressive 8-3 decision.
Regional Wrap
Aaron was so dominating at the regional championship tournament that he didn't even wrestle a full 6-minute match until the championship final.  Karns, known for his obliterating physical style, added precision technique to his performance throughout the weekend.  Aaron opened up in the quarterfinal with a first period fall in 1:25.  In the semifinal match, Karns was overwhelming his opponent before being awarded an injury default in 5:41.  In the championship final, Aaron was pumped up and took to the contest with a speed not often seen in the upper-weights.  Karns decimated his opponent from the opening whistle to the concluding whistle in recording an outstanding 10-1 major decision for this second consecutive Regional Championship Title!
Congratulations Aaron!!
Good Luck At Hershey!!
State Championship Wrap
Aaron opened up at states by plowing through his first two opponents. In his preliminary bout, Karns took exact command and notched a victory with an overwhelming and dominating 7-0 decision over Edward Whitaker of Jim Thorpe.  In the quarterfinal round, Aaron engaged into a slugfest against Don Miller of Cambria Heights and came out victorious once again by recording a brilliant and impressive 5-1 decision.  In the semifinal round, Karns fought hard against Roman San Doval of Shady Side Academy, the eventual state champion, but dropped a close 5-3 decision. With Aaron continuing to fight through his postseason injury, Karns gave it his all and battled like a true warrior but ended up on the short side in the consolation semifinal 5-3 against Dallas Brown of Delone Catholic and the 5/6 final by the score of 2-1 against Jerico Weitzel of Ridgway. Fantastic & gutsy state championship tournament Aaron!!
Career Honors Wrap
Aaron ends his glorious and illustrious wrestling career as a Team Captain, 2-time PIAA AA State Medalist, 2-time PIAA AA State Qualifier, 3-time Regional Place Winner, 2-time PIAA District 2 AA District Champion, 3-time District Medalist, and is the 4th most winning wrestler in the history of Berwick Wrestling with a grand total of 123 Career Wins.  Aaron's honors include 6th Place at the 2008 PIAA AA State Championship Tournament; notching 123 Career Wins, Regional Champion at the 2008 PIAA NE AA Regional Championship Tournament; District Champion at the 2008 PIAA District 2 AA Championship Tournament; notched his 100th Career Win On January 5, 2008, State Runner-Up at the 2007 PIAA AA State Championship Tournament; Regional Champion at the 2007 PIAA NE AA Regional Championship Tournament; District Champion at the 2007 PIAA District 2 AA Championship Tournament; 2007 First Team All-Star Selection of the Press-Enterprise, Citizens Voice, and Times-Leader newspapers; 4th Place at the 2006 PIAA NE AAA Regional Championship Tournament, Runner-Up at the 2006 PIAA District 2 AAA Championship Tournament, First Team selection to the 2006 Press-Enterprise All-Star wrestling team.
Congratulations Aaron!! - You Made Us Proud!!
You Have The Brightest Of Futures - We Wish You The Best!!
  

Congratulations Nick, & Aaron!!