BUTLER TWP — Scott Dietrich needed a roommate for two-day tournaments before the season.

Ryan Hannon, a senior on the Butler wrestling team, offered to help the freshman out.

Their pairing led to Dietrich developing an appreciation for Hannon’s work ethic and attitude.

That helped Dietrich appreciate moments like Hannon’s 5-3 win over Hopewell’s Dimante Bronaugh Tuesday night at the Butler Intermediate High School.

Hannon picked up his 80th career win and 21st of the season to a nice ovation in his last home match. The Golden Tornado beat the Vikings 38-27 in a non-section match.

“That was pretty special. Rooming with him, going to hotels and learning the intensity of how he picks up his matches,” Dietrich said. “ I think he can make states because of his intensity and skill level. I’ve learned a lot from him.”

Hannon, who is ranked fourth in the WPIAL at 170 pounds, built a 4-1 lead and held on to win after getting taken down with a minute remaining.

After losing to Franklin Regional’s Nate Painter 3-1 last Wednesday, Hannon was itching to rebound.

“A loss always gets you down, but you have to bounce back and try your hardest to win the next one,” Hannon said. “You have to build your confidence back up.”

Dietrich has been no slouch this season. After pinning the Vikings’ Alex Lynch in 2:39, Dietrich upper his record to 22-9. He is tied with Jeremiah Bortmas for most wins.

Like Hannon, Dietrich wanted to bounce back from a loss to the Panthers. Kyle Berk beat Dietrich 12-2.

“I learned that I have to learn a lot of stuff more often. Be more aggressive because that kid put it to me,” Dietrich said. “He didn’t stop me the motion the whole match and I was dead after. It taught me to pick up conditioning.”

Hannon thinks Dietrich could be on the rise.

“I think he’s done tremendous this year. I see him moving through the program at a fast pace,” Hannon said. “He’s gotten some big wins for the team and I could see him being one of the leaders in the next few years.”

Butler (11-5) won eight bouts against Hopewell (10-4). Mason Kauffman (132 pounds), Cody Houston (138), Zach Hunka (145) and Bortmas (152) opened with wins to give the Golden Tornado a 17-0 lead.

Butler coach Scott Stoner wasn’t pleased with Justin Johnson’s loss via disqualification at 182 pounds. Johnson was aggressive in trying to control Hopewell’s Brandon Fritzius head and accidentally poked him in the eye twice.

Fritzius didn’t return after his injury time ran out in the second period and was awarded the win.

“I don’t know how I feel about that. It’s disappointing. They were banging around in the heads, but this is a rough sport, I know the kid got caught in the eye,” Stoner said. “Were they slapping and banging around? Absolutely. Do you want to see a kid get gouged in the eye? No, but it happens.”

Alex White (195 pounds) and JD Bojanac (285) also picked up pins for the Golden Tornado.

Right now, the focus for Stoner and his wrestlers is getting ready for the Section tournament, which runs Feb. 22 at Fox Chapel High School.

“Some of those matches, you want to see a reversal of what happened a month and a half ago or so,” Stoner said. “We’re looking at individual things. We’re looking at individuals and improving their specific skill sets.”

Butler 38, Hopewell 27

(Match started at 132 pounds)

106-Anthony Rasati (H) dec. Hugh O’Neill, 4-2 OT; 113-Jack Georgetson (H) dec. Max Stalnaker, 5-0; 120-Scott Dietrich (B) pin Alex Lynn,2:39; 126-Travis Sonson (H) by forfeit; 132-Mason Kauffman (B) maj. dec. Kyle Davis, 12-2; 138-Cody Houston (B) pin Dustin Winkle, 2:18; 145-Zach Hunka (B) dec. Clark Cicona, 6-2; 152-Jeremiah Bortmas (B) maj. dec. Steve Flannary 12-1; 160-Nick Guzma (H) dec. Cyle Covert, 7-3; 170-Ryan Hannon (B) dec. Dimante Bronaugh, 5-3; 182-Brandon Fritzius (H) win by disqualification Justin Johnson; 195-Alex White (B) pin James Kimbrough, 3:00; 220-Stephon Peak (H) pin Will Bortmas, 3:45; Hwt.-JD Bojanac (B) pin Zeke Berner, 2:50