With the score deadlocked at 2-2, Bald Eagle junior Dawson Lomison used an abrupt drop down towards the mat to slip the grip of Bishop McCort’s Jackson Butler and was able to use that leverage to get to his ankle and quickly work his way to his back. But no call came, and everyone prepared for sudden victory accordingly.

However, after a brief discussion, Lomison’s established advantage proved too clear to ignore. The refs granted the junior the coveted three points, as he defeated Butler by 5-2 decision to take home his first District 6 Class AA title in nail-biting fashion.

“Doing it for Bald Eagle was just amazing,” said Lomison when discussing the emotions that followed. “I’ve been wrestling in the program for ten years now; I’ve been with all these coaches since I started wrestling. It’s just so awesome. It’s awesome to finally see the hard work pay off.”

“Honestly, I’m kind of surprised, but thankful, nonetheless. We were both pretty tired, but if I had to wrestle in overtime, I was prepared,” he added on being granted the takedown.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Penns Valley's Erik Carlile gets his hand raised after a win at 133 during Day One of the District 6 Class AA wrestling championships on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at Altoona.

His title headlined a storied showing for the area through the weekend’s District 6 championships.

Penns Valley’s Conner Myers also earned his first district title – as a senior no less, as the Rams finished second in the team standings, the Eagles took third and 16 combined local athletes took home hardware. 15 of those athletes extended their seasons to regionals, and six made it all the way to championship finals.

“It’s pretty crazy for me, for my team, for my family and friends, for the good Lord,” said Myers when discussing his title and the team’s success. “It’s been kind of a journey. It’s been tough, but we got it done.”

For Lomison, the weekend was momentous for a lot of reasons. The title was the culmination of everything going right in his first crack at wrestling at 152 pounds.

He cracked 100 career wins in the match before it, finished 4-0 with three bonus-point victories and was ultimately recognized tourney-wide, earning Most Valuable Wrestler honors. And notably, that closing victory wasn’t one many would’ve expected glancing at the rankings, with Butler ranking No. 5 in the state – nine slots ahead of Lomison.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Dawson Lomison wrestles at 152 during Day One of the District 6 Class AA wrestling championships on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at Altoona.

“It’s awesome just starting to see my name getting out there,” said Lomison when discussing the ranking discrepancy. “He’s a Maryland commit, and beating a kid like that, it’s pretty impressive. So, I’m happy for myself.”

In Myers’ case, his run was one of complete control. The senior fell one point short of a two-pin, two-tech fall outing, as he wrapped up his first stint at 127 with 16-1 tech fall in his respective championship bout.

When discussing his run, Myers kept it in perspective, reflecting on the hardships that came with the journey to gold.

As a freshman, the Ram closed his debut districts stint without a win before building on it every step of the way. He endured a January injury, accommodated his teammate with his move up to 127 and still managed to get the job done.

“It’s been tough, but it’s pretty crazy going from 0-2 my freshman year to getting a title,” said Myers. “(Overcoming the title hurdle) definitely has me in the right headspace to keep moving and keep on going throughout my journey.”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Penns Valley's Brayden Lisowski holds up a banner celebrating surpassing 100 career wins during Day One of the District 6 Class AA wrestling championships on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at Altoona.

While Myers was the only Ram to secure a title, his teammates still did an excellent job backing him up.

Back from injury, senior Brayden Lisowski still prospered while operating at around 75 percent, earning silver in a bracket that featured five wrestlers – including himself – that ranked Top 15 in the state. Teammate Max Dinges joined him, enduring a tough closing loss but still taking silver at 121.

Evan Lisowski (114), Erik Carlile (133) and Tripp Watson (139) all bounced back from tough semifinal losses, finishing 2-0 and defeating state-ranked wrestlers in their respective third-place bouts. Sawyer Fetterolf (152) and Robert Martin (215) took fifth, the latter which earned his first district medal and regional bid. And Shane Rimmey rounded out the team’s placements at seventh, capping his run with an emphatic pin.

“I’m just really grateful to be here,” expressed Brayden Lisowski. “Obviously, I’m not in the best shape I’ve been in – my ribs are kind of messed up at the moment. But every single match I go out, it’s just a blessing. I treat it like that because I’m just having a good time doing what I love.”

“When surrounding yourself with really great people, great results tend to follow. We have a great coaching staff at Penns Valley, and they truly want the best for every wrestler,” he added on the team’s success.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Penns Valley's Max Dinges works for a takedown against

With that collective success, the Rams finished with 195 team points, eclipsing last year’s total by just under 20 points. That output came despite missing a key wrestler in Cael Smith, a testament to the team’s growth from one season to the next.

For Bald Eagle, their hardware was similarly widespread.

Despite tough conclusions to their championship final runs, junior Tanner Guenot (133) and Caden Judice (145) overcame grueling hurdles in championship semis to get there, with Guenot pinning No. 7 Brady Kostick (Richland) and Judice edging out No. 5 Josef Garshnick (United) by 6-5 decision. Each took away positives and lessons from their runs and will look to build on them heading into regionals.

“I’m just thankful for the competition, honestly. I’m looking to get it back in two weeks, so that’s the plan – to wrestle him again and win next time,” said Guenot, referring to Bishop McCort’s Austin Carfley, who defeated him by 4-3 decision. “I’m kind of disappointed in myself, but it’s just fuel to the fire for me.”

“I’m just grateful that I get to wrestle those type of guys,” said Judice, referring to Bishop McCort’s Bo Bassett, who defeated him by tech fall. “I get to learn a lot from that. Nothing but respect for him.”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Penns Valley's Erik Carlile wrestles at 133 during Day One of the District 6 Class AA wrestling championships on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at Altoona.

Senior Gage Gardner (285) followed them up, taking fourth in his first crack at districts since 2024 to exceed his seeding by one. Liam Purcell (127) and sophomore Tyler Corey (114) will join them at regionals, placing fifth and sixth respectively. And Liam Corey (121) rounded out the team’s placements with a seventh place showing, closing out his high school career with a last-second takedown to win by 3-0 decision.

Those efforts combined to give the Eagles 148.5 team points, as they edged out Huntingdon by one to finish top three. Considering their No. 10 seeding in district duals, it’s a case of showing out in a big way at the most ideal time.

“I’m really proud of my guys,” said Guenot on the team’s success. “We went out there, got a lot of bonus points. We finished pretty high as a team. Wasn’t quite expecting that, but I’m glad we support each other like we do.”

With the teams’ respective success, comes the potential for more down the road.

For Penns Valley, Evan Lisowski (114), Max Dinges (121), Conner Myers (127), Erik Carlile (133), Tripp Watson (139), Sawyer Fetterolf (152), Brayden Lisowski (172) and Robert Martin are all set for another go at regionals. The same can be said for Bald Eagle’s Tyler Corey (114), Liam Purcell (127), Tanner Guenot (133), Caden Judice (145), Dawson Lomison (152) and Gage Gardner (285).

With that in mind, there’s plenty more excitement to come. Stay tuned for what lies ahead.

DISTRICT 6 CLASS AA WRESTLING TOURNAMENT RESULTS (DAY TWO)

TEAM KEY: BEA-Bald Eagle Area; BA-Bellwood-Antis; BM-Bishop McCort; CH-Cambria Heights; CEN-Central; CC-Central Cambria; CK-Claysburg-Kimmel; FH-Forest Hills; GLEN-Glendale; HUN-Huntingdon; JUN-Juniata; MC-Marion Center; MV-Moshannon Valley; MU-Mount Union; PC-Penn Cambria; PV-Penns Valley; PO-Philipsburg-Osceola; RICH-Richland; RV-River Valley; SH-Southern Huntingdon; TYR-Tyrone; TYC-Tyrone Christian; UN-United; WB-West Branch; WS-West Shamokin; WH-Westmont Hilltop.

Team scores: 1. Bishop McCort 321.0, 2. Penns Valley 195.0, 3. Bald Eagle Area 148.5, 4. Huntingdon 147.5, 5. Central 129.0, 6. Philipsburg-Osceola 128.0, 7. Westmont Hilltop 101.5, 8. West Branch 97.0, 9. Glendale 84.5, 10. Tyrone 82.0, 11. River Valley 78.0, 12. Moshannon Valley 77.0, 13. Mount Union 76.5, 14. Juniata 75.5, 15. Central Cambria 71.5, 16. Forest Hills 69.0, 17. Marion Center 67.5, 18. Penn Cambria 64.0, 19. United 62.0, 20. Southern Huntingdon 53.0, 21. Richland 46.5, 22. Cambria Heights 33.5, 23. West Shamokin 30.5, 24. Bellwood-Antis 27.0, 24. Claysburg-Kimmel 27.0, 26. Juniata Valley 25.5, 27. Tyrone Christian Academy 11.5

FIRST-PLACE BOUTS

107: Ty Matthews (CEN) pinned Ethan Cotchen (BM), 5:48. 114: William Edwards (WB) dec. Santino Dipola (FH), 7-1. 121: Keegan Bassett (BM) maj. dec. Max Dinges (PV), 14-3. 127: Conner Myers (PV) tech. fall Owen Dluhos (WH), 16-1 (6:00). 133: Austin Carfley (BM) dec. Tanner Guenot (BEA), 4-3 139: Owen McMullen (BM) maj. dec. Burke Niebauer (CC), 18-5. 145: Bo Bassett (BM) tech. fall Caden Judice (BEA), 19-4 (2:00). 152: Dawson Lomison (BEA) dec. Jackson Butler (BM), 5-2. 160: Melvin Miller (BM) tech. fall Doug McKim (Huntingdon), 21-6 (1:59) 172: Emory Gunby (BM) pinned Brayden Lisowski (PV), 3:39. 189: Kyle Scott (TYR) won by inj. default over C.J. Pensiero (BM) 215: Landon Erdman (HUN) dec. Marquez Gordon (BM), 8-7. 285: Caleb Rodriguez (BM) dec. Daniel Williams (GLEN), 4-0.

THIRD-PLACE BOUTS

107: Levi Anthony (RV) dec. Hayden Koptchak (PO), 4-2. 114: Evan Lisowski (PV) dec. Gaige Sholly (HUN), 2-0. 121: Caleb Hummel (PO) maj. dec. Carsen Mowery (CEN), 16-6. 127: Logan Moss (FH) pinned Joel Morris (CEN), 2:31. 133: Erik Carlile (PV) dec. Brady Kostick (RICH), 4-0. 139: Tripp Watson (PV) dec. Tyler Phillips (MC), 7-1. 145: Josef Garshnick (UN) maj. dec. Averi Gable (PO), 15-4. 152: Ryder Smith (JUN) dec. Luke Mykut (HUN), 5-3. 160: Nathaniel Mack (PC) tech. fall over Jaykob Sample (WB), 16-0 (4:38). 172: Rowan McClain-Hartman (MU) dec. Tanner Flickinger (RV), 7-2. 189: Grayson Mahla (RICH) dec. Dom Peruso (HUN), 4-1 TB2. 215: Andrew Ryan (MU) pinned Max McConville (Un), 1:50. 285: Blair Miller (CEN) dec. Gage Gardner (BEA), 1-0.

FIFTH-PLACE BOUTS

107: Tanner Walk (TYR) pinned Parker Anslinger (CC), 1:36. 114: Jacob Dugan (PO) pinned Tyler Corey (BEA), 2:44. 121: Kamden Beatty (MU) maj. dec. Layton Munyon (PC), 10-0. 127: Liam Purcell (BEA) dec. Daelon Britt (BM), 9-6 SV. 133: Griffin Tinsman (MC) dec. Hadyn Strittmatter (CC), 8-2. 139: Brady Mihalko (MV) pinned Ayden Soler (CK), 2:20. 145: Ethan Gilbey (GLEN) dec. Kaden Horn (CEN), 5-4. 152: Sawyer Fetterolf (PV) dec. Jacik Hess (MU), 3-2. 160: Mason VanAllman (TYR) maj. dec. Connor Riffer (UN), 17-3. 172: Rocco Reifer (MV) dec. Grady Clark (HUN), 2-1 TB2. 189: Jeremy Hajzus (CC) dec. Colton Chapman (PO), 4-1 SV. 215: Robert Martin (PV) dec. Connor Ward (WH), 4-2. 285: Kelton Bonnell (JUN) pinned Michael Wano (RV), 2:48.

SEVENTH-PLACE BOUTS

107: Keegan Plusquellec (MV) dec. Julian Panebianco (WB), 7-1. 114: Cooper Keith (MV) dec. Bryson Guyer (BA), 7-0. 121: Liam Corey (BEA) dec. Aaron Cook (MV), 3-0. 127: Rylan Quarello (CK) dec. Devin Long (PO), 10-3. 133: Ace Foster (PO) maj. dec. Jacob Evans (TYC), 13-5. 139: Connor Guenot (PO) dec. Christian Taylor (HUN), 8-6. 145: Ty Fahnestock (JUN) dec. Johnathan Johnson (FH), 4-3. 152: Aaden Cromwell (SH) pinned Domanic Kaufman (GLEN), 1:37. 160: Noah Filipovich (MC) pinned Chase Focht (BA), 4:23. 172: Amari Myers (WH) pinned Logan Troyer (JUN), 0:55. 189: Shane Rimmey (PV) pinned Evan Krause (MV), 2:29. 215: Jesse Horning (PC) maj. dec. Kyler Suhoney (TYR), 9-1. 285: Carter Knox (MC) dec. Wyatt McCoy (WH), 2-1 TB2.

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS

107: Ty Matthews (CEN) pinned Kayden Koptchak (Philipsburg-Osceola), 4:56; Ethan Cotchen (BM) tech fall Levi Anthony (RV), 20-4 (4:23). 114: Santino Dipaola (FH) dec. Gaige Sholly (HUN), 6-5; Will Edwards (WH) dec. Evan Lisowski (PV), 10-3. 121: Max Dinges (PV) tech fall Carsen Mowery (CEN), 19-2 (1:17); Keegan Bassett (BM) tech fall Caleb Hummel (PO), 15-0 (2:47). 127: Conner Myers (PV) pinned Logan Moss (FH), 4:34; Owen Dluhos (WH) dec. Joel Morris (CEN), 15-9. 133: Tanner Guenot (BEA) pinned Brady Kostick (RICH), 3:39; Austin Carfley (BM) dec. Erik Carlile (PV), 4-3. 139: Burke Niebauer (CC) dec. Tyler Phillips (MC), 8-4; Owen McMullen (BM) tech fall Tripp Watson (PV), 15-0 (3:50). 145: Bo Bassett (BM) tech fall Averi Gable (PO), 19-4 (1:17); Caden Judice (BEA) dec. Josef Garshnick (UN), 6-5. 152: Dawson Lomison (BEA) maj dec. Luke Mykut (HUN), 11-3; Jackson Butler (BM) tech fall Ryder Smith (JUN), 22-4 (4:40). 160: Melvin Miller (BM) tech fall Nate Mack (PC); 23-8 (1:42); Doug McKim (HUN) pinned Mason Vanallman (TYR), 2:31. 172: Brayden Lisowski (PV) dec. Rocco Reifer (MV), 4-1 SV; Emory Gunby (BM) maj dec. Grady Clark (HUN), 14-3. 189: Kyle Scott (TYR) tech fall Dom Peruso (HUN), 15-0 (1:09); CJ Pensiero (BM) dec. Grayson Mahla (RICH), 7-3. 215: Landon Erdman (HUN) pinned Andrew Ryan (MU), 5:31; Marquez Gordon (BM) pinned Max McConville (UN), 4:30. 285: Caleb Rodriguez (BM) pinned Gage Gardner (BEA), 3:16; Daniel Williams (GLEN) pinned Blair Miller (CEN), 5:00.

CONSOLATION SEMIFINALS

107: Levi Anthony (RV) dec. Tanner Walk (TYR), 6-2; Hayden Koptchak (PO) pinned Parker Anslinger (CC), 2:07. 114: Evan Lisowski (PV) dec. Jacob Dugan (PO), 1-0; Gaige Sholly (HUN) maj dec. Tyler Corey (BEA), 16-4. 121: Caleb Hummel (PO) tech fall Layton Munyon (PC), 17-2 (3:44); Carsen Mowery (CEN) dec. Kamden Beatty (MU), 7-3. 127: Joel Morris (CEN) pinned Daelon Britt (BM), 2:20; Logan Moss (FH) dec. Liam Purcell (BEA), 7-1. 133: Erik Carlile (PV) pinned Griffin Tinsman (MC), 4:39; Brady Kostick (RICH) dec. Hadyn Strittmatter (CC), 4-3. 139: Tripp Watson (PV) pinned Ayden Soler (CK), 2:30; Tyler Phillips (MC) dec. Brady Mihalko (MV), 6-1. 145: Josef Garshnick (UN) tech fall Ethan Gilbey (GLEN), 20-4 (2:45); Averi Gable (PO) pinned Kaden Horn (CEN), 1:27. 152: Ryder Smith (JUN) pinned Sawyer Fetterolf (PV), 1:16; Luke Mykut (HUN) pinned Jacik Hess (MU), 1:50. 160: Jaykob Sample (WB) maj dec. Mason Vanallman (TYR), 14-6; Nate Mack (PC) maj dec. Connor Riffer (UN), 10-2. 172: Rowan McClain-Hartman (MU) dec. Grady Clark (HUN), 7-1; Tanner Flickinger (RV) dec. Rocco Reifer (MV), 4-2. 189: Grayson Mahla (RICH) dec. Colton Chapman (PO), 4-2; Dom Peruso (HUN) dec. Colton Chapman (PO), 4-2. 215: Max McConville (UN) dec. Connor Ward (WH), 4-3; Andrew Ryan (MU) pinned Robert Martin (PV), 4:22. 285: Blair Miller (CEN) dec. Kelton Bonnell (JUN), 4-0; Gage Gardner (BEA) dec. Michael Wano (RV), 8-1.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Tanner Guenot gets his hand raised following a quarterfinal win over Philipsburg-Osceola's Ace Foster at 133 during Day One of the District 6 Class AA wrestling championships on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at Altoona.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Caden Judice wrestles at 145 during Day One of the District 6 Class AA wrestling championships on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at Altoona.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Gage Gardner wrestles at 285 during Day One of the District 6 Class AA wrestling championships on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at Altoona.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Tyler Corey wrestles Chris Ruffner (Marion Center) at 114 during Day One of the District 6 Class AA wrestling championships on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at Altoona.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Penns Valley's Evan Lisowski works for a pin against Claysburg-Kimmel's Nathan Cox at 114 during Day One of the District 6 Class AA wrestling championships on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at Altoona.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Tanner Guenot lands a shot on Philipsburg-Osceola's Ace Foster at 133 during Day One of the District 6 Class AA wrestling championships on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at Altoona.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Penns Valley's Tripp Watson gets his hand raised after a win at 139 during Day One of the District 6 Class AA wrestling championships on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at Altoona.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Penns Valley's Brayden Lisowski wrestles at 172 during Day One of the District 6 Class AA wrestling championships on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at Altoona.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Penns Valley's Robert Martin wrestles at 215 during Day One of the District 6 Class AA wrestling championships on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at Altoona.