PIAA wrestling: Knoch’s Ireland ‘super stoked’ with medal guaranteed; Butler’s Sloboda in running for bronze
Knoch’s Braylee Ireland, front, defeated Honesdale’s Saige Olver by an 8-1 decision in a 118-pound quarterfinal match Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Braylee Ireland, right, defeated Honesdale’s Saige Olver by an 8-1 decision in a 118-pound quarterfinal match Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Braylee Ireland, left, defeated Honesdale’s Saige Olver by an 8-1 decision in a 118-pound quarterfinal match Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Braylee Ireland, top, defeated Honesdale’s Saige Olver by an 8-1 decision in a 118-pound quarterfinal match Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Braylee Ireland, right, defeated Honesdale’s Saige Olver by an 8-1 decision in a 118-pound quarterfinal match Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Braylee Ireland, right, defeated Honesdale’s Saige Olver by an 8-1 decision in a 118-pound quarterfinal match Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Braylee Ireland, left, defeated Honesdale’s Saige Olver by an 8-1 decision in a 118-pound quarterfinal match Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Braylee Ireland, left, hugs coach Logan Downes after defeating Honesdale’s Saige Olver by an 8-1 decision in a 118-pound quarterfinal match Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Braylee Ireland comes off the mat smiling even after falling to Palisades' Savannah Witt by pin in a 118-pound semifinal bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Braylee Ireland comes off the mat smiling even after falling to Palisades' Savannah Witt by pin in a 118-pound semifinal bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Braylee Ireland fell to Palisades' Savannah Witt by pin in a 118-pound semifinal bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Braylee Ireland fell to Palisades' Savannah Witt by pin in a 118-pound semifinal bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Braylee Ireland fell to Palisades' Savannah Witt by pin in a 118-pound semifinal bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda reacts to a no point back call by the referee before defeating Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda reacts to a no point back call by the referee before defeating Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Braylee Ireland took sixth place in the 118-pound class on Day 3 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda took third place in the 127-pound class on Day 3 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Braylee Ireland took sixth place in the 118-pound class on Day 3 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Braylee Ireland took sixth place in the 118-pound class on Day 3 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda took third place in the 127-pound class on Day 3 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda took third place in the 127-pound class on Day 3 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Braylee Ireland, front, defeated Honesdale’s Saige Olver by an 8-1 decision in a 118-pound quarterfinal match Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Braylee Ireland, right, defeated Honesdale’s Saige Olver by an 8-1 decision in a 118-pound quarterfinal match Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Braylee Ireland, left, defeated Honesdale’s Saige Olver by an 8-1 decision in a 118-pound quarterfinal match Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Braylee Ireland, top, defeated Honesdale’s Saige Olver by an 8-1 decision in a 118-pound quarterfinal match Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Braylee Ireland, right, defeated Honesdale’s Saige Olver by an 8-1 decision in a 118-pound quarterfinal match Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Braylee Ireland, right, defeated Honesdale’s Saige Olver by an 8-1 decision in a 118-pound quarterfinal match Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Braylee Ireland, left, defeated Honesdale’s Saige Olver by an 8-1 decision in a 118-pound quarterfinal match Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Braylee Ireland, left, hugs coach Logan Downes after defeating Honesdale’s Saige Olver by an 8-1 decision in a 118-pound quarterfinal match Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard by a 6-0 decision in a quarterfinal, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Kase Chopp fell to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision in a second consolation, 145-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated to Boiling Spring’s Luke Magnani by a 11-0 decision in a third consolation, 127-pound bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Braylee Ireland comes off the mat smiling even after falling to Palisades' Savannah Witt by pin in a 118-pound semifinal bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Braylee Ireland comes off the mat smiling even after falling to Palisades' Savannah Witt by pin in a 118-pound semifinal bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Braylee Ireland fell to Palisades' Savannah Witt by pin in a 118-pound semifinal bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Braylee Ireland fell to Palisades' Savannah Witt by pin in a 118-pound semifinal bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Braylee Ireland fell to Palisades' Savannah Witt by pin in a 118-pound semifinal bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda reacts to a no point back call by the referee before defeating Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda reacts to a no point back call by the referee before defeating Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Abington Heights Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Braylee Ireland took sixth place in the 118-pound class on Day 3 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda took third place in the 127-pound class on Day 3 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Braylee Ireland took sixth place in the 118-pound class on Day 3 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Braylee Ireland took sixth place in the 118-pound class on Day 3 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda took third place in the 127-pound class on Day 3 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda took third place in the 127-pound class on Day 3 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Braylee Ireland’s debut in the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships was nearly perfect.
The Knoch junior started the state tournament 2-0, but Palisades’ Savannah Witt, the top-ranked wrestler at 118 pounds according to pa-wrestling.com, pinned her in the semifinals Friday night at Hershey’s GIANT Center.
Still, Ireland couldn’t surpress a smile when coming off the mat after the one-minute pin.
“That girl I know is tough, she’s ranked nationally third or fifth in the nation,” Ireland said over the phone. “And I knew I was gonna be getting my first medal anyway, so I just wanted to let it fly.”
Knoch’s Braylee Ireland comes off the mat smiling even after falling to Palisades' Savannah Witt by pin in a 118-pound semifinal bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
She was so surprised when she got Witt’s legs in the opening seconds, she forgot to finish and Witt capitalized on the mistake, Ireland said.
Now Ireland (28-7) will rest before Saturday morning’s consolation fifth round with a chance to win bronze or at least medal. Witt faces Northeastern’s Sam Raming in the gold medal match.
“I’m just honestly enjoying it right now,” Ireland said. “I’m super, super stoked that I’m gonna be getting my medal.”
Ireland feels she proved to herself and others how good she is during a postseason run that includes WPIAL and PIAA regional gold after missing the postseason last year due to an injury. She beat Honesdale’s Saige Olver by an 8-1 decision in Friday afternoon’s quarterfinal, earning two takedowns in the first two periods to pull away.
Butler’s Santino Sloboda reacts to a no-point back call by the referee before defeating Abington Heights’ Mason Whitney by a 7-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth-round consolation bout on Day 2 of the PIAA Wrestling Individual Championships on Friday, March 7, 2025, at GIANT Center, Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Tough day for Butler
Meanwhile, Butler’s boys duo of Santino Sloboda and Kase Chopp had a rougher Day 2.
Sloboda, who was attempting to become the Golden Tornado’s first state champion, lost his 127-pound quarterfinal to Northampton’s Gabriel Ballard. And Kase Chopp’s high school career ended with a 145-pound second-round consolation loss to Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins by a 7-1 decision.
“Disappointing, his first loss of the year,” Butler coach Scott Stoner said. “It’s certainly tough when there’s a lot of expectations all year round.”
Sloboda’s loss is his first of the season after a 46-0 start. Ballard, ranked top three in the state by FloWrestling, earned an escape and takedown in the second period before picking up two nearfall points for a 6-0 win.
But Sloboda rebounded. The Pitt verbal commit dropped to wrestlebacks, where he beat Boiling Springs’ Luke Magnani in a consolation third-round match 11-0 and then topped Abington Height’s Mason Whitney 7-1.
Sloboda now faces Pennridge’s Quinn McBride Saturday morning for a chance at bronze.
“Same kind of stuff, go out and set the tempo early,” Stoner said. “At this point you just want to be positive and have him go out with the attitude he can win.”
It was Chopp’s third loss in four matches against Higgins this year, including a consolation loss last week in the state regionals. Stoner felt there were two questionable calls — one which Higgins was awarded takedown points after a long officiating discussion, and another when Chopp wasn’t granted a takedown — that impacted the outcome.
“I feel bad because the kid’s talented, he’s got a great deal of potential ahead of him,“ Stoner said.
Chopp finishes his career 138-42, according to pa-wrestling.com, putting him second all-time in program history behind Cole Baxter’s 160 wins.
