Cowburn 4th at 'states'

Dirk Cowburn got his rematch with Ridgway's Nikko Leitzel Saturday during the state high school wrestling championships at Hershey.

This time, it was a battle for bragging rights as the third-best 140-pounder in Pennsylvania. And, once again, Leitzel struck a defensive posture against the Coudersport freshman, as he carved out a 5-0 win.

Cowburn finished his first varsity season with a 33-4 and plenty of hope for even greater success in the coming years.

His match with Leitzel came following a furious battle through the consolation bracket after Cowburn lost Thursday's opener to Scott Davis of Lake Lehman, 4-2.

With survival at stake, he took care of senior Clifton Hardinson of Milton Hershey, 4-0, in the first round of the consolations.

The road got even tougher as the tournament wore on, but the gritty Cowburn mixed strength with strategy to beat Russ Sichak of Richland, 2-1, and West Greene's Cory Bisset, 7- 5.

All that stood between Cowburn and another shot at Leitzel was Towanda's Mike Maurer, and Cowburn battled to a 5-3 win late Friday.

Port Allegany's Nick Nichols also placed fourth in the state at 125 lbs., as he came back to win four straight after an opening loss. He closed out his junior year with a 45-4 mark. Senior Zeke Drake of Oswayo Valley was 38-0 entering Friday's action. He finished fifth and closed out the year at 41-2.