JOHNSTOWN — To win a team championship, it takes a group of heroes.
And for the third consecutive week, Franklin Regional had a few more than Norwin.
The Panthers (22-0) won their third PIAA Class 3A wrestling title by defeating section rival Norwin, 29-24, on Saturday at 1st Summit Arena.
Franklin Regional won the previous two meetings, 30-28 on Jan. 21 for the Section 9-3A title and 31-27 in the WPIAL finals on Jan. 31.
They both advanced to the PIAA final with impressive victories in the semifinals.
The Panthers defeated District 11 runner-up Bethlehem Catholic, 37-31.
The Knights (15-4) earned a 37-29 victory over District 1 runner-up Council Rock South.
And like the previous two matches, Franklin Regional-Norwin was another well-wrestled match.
Each team had heroes, whether they won their match or prevented bonus points.
“We had a lot of heroes,” Franklin Regional coach Matt Lebe said. “Chase (Smith) won a match that he lost the previous two times. Max (Firestine) came back and got a win in overtime. It was up and down.
“Prior to the match, Spencer Lee called and talked to the team about guys coming through for the team. Nico Megaludis was here helping out. That was special.”
Smith held on to defeat Brooks Blasko, 3-2, at 139 pounds.
“I worked with Nico prior to the tournament, and he showed me some things,” Smith said. “He helped me a lot.”
Norwin took a 6-0 lead on wins by Coleton Klipa (127) and Dom Butera (133).
Smith then got Franklin Regional a win, and Firestine (145) rallied for a 3-1 victory in overtime to tie the score at 6-6.
Technical fall wins by Noah Curran (152) and Jack White (160) pushed the Norwin lead to 16-6.
A technical fall by Michael Ruane at 172 and a major decision win by Ethan Cartwright at 189 tied the score at 15-all. Norwin’s coaching staff was penalized a team point during the 160-pound match.
Tanner Shaffer used a late takedown for Norwin to defeat Kaydon Ferrell, 6-4, and push the Knights’ lead to 18-15.
“You talk about finding a hero, and Tanner came through for us,” Norwin coach Kyle Martin said. “We just did not win a couple close matches.
“These hurt, but hopefully this will help us down the road. Hopefully we will be back next year.”
Franklin Regional then clinched the win by winning the next three matches.
Heavyweight John Montgomery worked hard and recorded a technical fall to make it 20-18.
Sal Colangelo then blanked Luca Butera at 107, and Beau Fennick clinched the win at 114 with a pin.
“Everyone up and down the lineup came through,” Lebe said. “I am so proud of them.
“We always knew this team could be good. This is special.”
Fennick started things in the semifinals for the Panthers with a pin at 114, Smith defeated Reef Brown, 4-0, at 139, and Firestine recorded a pin at 152. But the biggest win was a pin by Jordan Perks (172) and Montgomery (285).
The Knights got a key win 121 pounds, and it was not from Landon Sidun. Cash Mitchell won by technical fall, and the move allowed Sidun to move up to 127, where he got a pin.
Coleton Klipa moved up and won by technical fall. The Knights got key wins from Brooks Blasko (145), Nathan Klingensmith (152), pins by Noah Curren (160) and Jack White (172) and a major decision by Riley Shaffer (189).
With the Knights leading 37-11, Norwin coach Kyle Martin decided to forfeit the final three matches.
Derry achieves goal
Derry coach Troy Dolan Jr. said the team took a step Saturday in the PIAA Class 2A tournament.
With their fourth-place finish, Dolan wants the team to higher goals in 2026-27.
“We want to be No. 1,” Dolan said. “I am proud how we competed. Now we must take in to another level.”
Derry, which won its first WPIAL title Jan. 31, finished as the highest public school in the Class 2A tournament following wins against Reynolds, 34-29, and Chestnut Ridge, 44-23.
The lost to Bishop McDevitt, 42-9, in the third-place match.
Freshman Patrick Bulger’ 6-5 win against Garrett Weyandt at 114 highlighted the victory against Chestnut Ridge.
The Trojans also got pins from William McNeal (152) Mason Horwat (172), Brady Brown (215) and heavyweight Justin Papuga.
Bulger and Horwat had pins against Reynolds.