Cowburn wins twin state titles

Coudersport teenager Dirk Cowburn is heading back to two national wrestling tournaments.

Last weekend, Cowburn battled his way to a pair state championships, in Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling. The styles differ from scholastic "folk style" wrestling, in which the high school juniorto be posted a perfect 38-0 record to claim a state title during the 2007-08 season.

Wrestling at 152 pounds, Cowburn swept through the Greco-Roman field with a spotless 5-0 record, including four pins and a 6-0, 6-0 decision.

In Freestyle, Cowburn lost a decision to Jim Vollrath of Council Rock, but bounced back to vanquish Vollrath, 1-0, 3-0, in the championship bout.

Early next month, Cowburn travels to Oklahoma City for the Junior National Duals. That will be followed in late July with another national tournament in Fargo, N. D.

Last season, Cowburn came home with the Greco-Roman championship and a secondplace finish in Freestyle. This year, he moves up to the Junior Division, consisting of boys who will be juniors or seniors in the 2008-09 school year.

Dirk is the son of Dan and Darla (Shepard) Cowburn.