Cowburn in state finals today
Wrestler is District, Regional champion already

Dirk Cowburn

Sophomore Dirk Cowburn carries an undefeated record to this weekend's PIAA State Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Cowburn, competing at 152 pounds, won the Northwest Regional championship on Saturday at Sharon High School, a week after he took the PIAA District 9 crown.

He carries a 34-0 record into Hershey, the same venue where he finished fourth last season as a freshman.

At Sharon, Cowburn dropped Saegertown's Chad Hunter with a fall in 68 seconds.

However, in Saturday's semifinals he had his hands full with Sharon High's Jacques Moss, who was 32-5. Cowburn pulled out a 7-6 decision to earn a berth in the regional championship match against Tyler Smith of Commodore Perry.

It wasn't even close. Smith lasted just 45 seconds before Dirk got the pin.

Cowburn, the son of Dan and Darla Shepard Cowburn, had been sidelined after surgery to repair an injured meniscus. He was able to rehabilitate his knee in time to resume competition at the Feb. 22-23 District 9 tournament.

Dirk's career record at the varsity level is now 70-3.