PIAA wrestling championships 2026: Butler’s Santino Sloboda rebounds to stay in running for bronze
Butler’s Santino Sloboda gives the thumbs up to coach Scott Stoner as the third-period clocks runs out to win 6-1 over Perkiomen Valley’s Max Tancini in a 127-pound fourth consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
HERSHEY — There will be no coronation for Santino Sloboda.
Instead, the Butler senior will try to secure a second consecutive bronze at the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships after an roller coaster Day 2 Friday at Hershey’s Giant Center.
The program’s all-time winningest wrestler with 174 career victories suffered a stunning upset in the 127-pound Class 3A state quarterfinals against Manheim Township freshman Frank Leanza, then avoided elimination with a win in the consolation third round over Altoona’s Deklan Barr.
Sloboda concluded the day with a 6-1 decision win against Perkiomen Valley senior Max Tancini to keep himself in the hunt for another bronze. Sloboda took home third last year, following up fourth- and sixth-place finishes his first two years.
“Feels good,” Sloboda said succinctly, minutes after he gave a confident grin to his coaches as the clock expired.
Sloboda got two takedowns in the first two periods to build a 6-0 lead, then managed the third from bottom, where Tancini could not get any leverage.
“He’s good on top, but he can’t turn me,” Sloboda said. “So I’m like, ‘Alright, I’m just gonna take that kid down.’ I let him right me out, I don’t care, my shoulders will be fine. Yeah, that’s just a funny match.”
Sloboda, No. 2 in the state according to Inside Pa. Wrestling, will face Central Bucks East sophomore Chase Williams in Saturday’s consolation semifinal at 9:30 a.m. Williams lost to Cedar Cliff’s Kavin Muyleart 8-4 in the championship semis.
The winner of Sloboda-Williams competes for third, and the loser drops into a fifth-place medal match.
“Get the win, same thing as today,” Sloboda said when asked about the game plan for that match. “If I get a first-period takedown, that’ll probably ice it.”
The grin Sloboda flashed right around 10 p.m. Friday was a stark turnaround from how the day began, when his expression was closer to shell-shocked.
Sloboda was uncharacteristically listless in a stunning 9-2 loss in the quarters to Manheim Township freshman Frank Leanza.
The rookie played good defense in the first period, nailed a shot in the second he turned into a takedown and then tilted Sloboda. The Tornado standout simply appeared to have no recovery in him after that.
“He had a really unique feel and he was stronger than I thought,” Sloboda said. “The kid’s probably like 15 years old, feels like he’s 25.”
He rebounded later in the afternoon, beating Barr 8-3 to extend his weekend into Saturday. For a moment it looked tight, but Sloboda was the aggressor, moreso than during his loss to Leanza.
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Perkiomen Valley’s Max Tancini by a 6-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Perkiomen Valley’s Max Tancini by a 6-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Perkiomen Valley’s Max Tancini by a 6-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Perkiomen Valley’s Max Tancini by a 6-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Perkiomen Valley’s Max Tancini by a 6-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Perkiomen Valley’s Max Tancini by a 6-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Santino Sloboda gives the thumbs up to coach Scott Stoner as the third-period clocks runs out to win 6-1 over Perkiomen Valley’s Max Tancini in a 127-pound fourth consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda fell to Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza by a 9-2 decision in a 127-pound quarterfinal bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Altoona’s Deklan Barr by an 8-3 decision in a 127-pound third consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Perkiomen Valley’s Max Tancini by a 6-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Perkiomen Valley’s Max Tancini by a 6-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Perkiomen Valley’s Max Tancini by a 6-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Perkiomen Valley’s Max Tancini by a 6-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Perkiomen Valley’s Max Tancini by a 6-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda defeated Perkiomen Valley’s Max Tancini by a 6-1 decision in a 127-pound fourth consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Santino Sloboda gives the thumbs up to coach Scott Stoner as the third-period clocks runs out to win 6-1 over Perkiomen Valley’s Max Tancini in a 127-pound fourth consolation bout during Day 2 of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Giant Center in Hershey. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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