Pisarcik

Dave Pisarcik was one victory away from a state wrestling title and a perfect season.

But unlike his previous 48 bouts this year, a win in his final high school match proved elusive.

The Mars senior fell to Sharon's Kellen Harris, 8-6, in the PIAA Class AA 189-pound title bout, Saturday at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Trailing 4-2 entering the final period, Pisarcik scored an escape to pull within 4-3.

But Harris (38-2) managed two takedowns within 20 second late in the match to seal the first state title in Sharon's history.

Pisarcik was the first Mars wrestler to reach the state finals.

Pisarcik had grown accustomed to taking control of matches during the course of the season, but was never able to get the upper-hand on Harris, a wrestler he had never faced before.

"I was chasing him around for most of the match, trying to force the issue," said Pisarcik. "But he kept stalling."

In fact, Harris was warned several times and Pisarcik was awarded two points because of the former's stalling tactic – one late in the second period and another late in the third period.

"It was frustrating because I wasn't able to get to him," Pisarcik said.

Pisarcik had been taken down just once entering the bout – at the Southwest Regionals – but was taken down three times by Harris.

"He is pretty good," Pisarcik said of his opponent. "He's really fast.

"After something like that, you always look back and wish you would have done something differently," Pisarcik said. "But it's over and done with and there's nothing I can do about it now."

The loss drops Pisarcik's career record at Mars to 78-11, including 48-1 this season.

It was an incredible run that simply fell short of an incredible finish.

"I am disappointed," said Pisarcik. "But I will look back on this season as a great achievement, just getting that far."

- Mars' Pete King finished in eighth place in the 215-pound field after falling to Montoursville's Brian Johnson, 6-1, in the seventh-place consolation bout.

Mars coach Don Cooley could not be reached for comment.