Butler high school sophomore wrestler Santino Sloboda not only won a WPIAL title in the 114-pound weight class, he defeated the #1-ranked wrestler in that weight class in the country !
Sloboda entered the tournament at 32-0 and moved to 36-0 by the end of the tournament, capturing his first AAA WPIAL title! In the finals Sloboda faced the number one ranked wrestler in the country at 114 pounds. Sloboda fell behind giving up a takedown with :22 left in the final period before scoring a reversal that resembled a magic trick with just :03 left to claim his gold.
He was also awarded the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler Award for his effort. Sloboda joins former Butler WPIAL Champions Cole Baxter and Christian Sequete in holding this title.
Sloboda moves on to the PIAA tournament along with Butler junior Kase Chopp at 133 pounds, Butler’s WPIAL girls champion Malovich and Anastasia Manchester.