Franklin Regional’s Dibert celebrates WPIAL title

By: Paul Schofield
Friday, March 6, 2020 | 5:15 PM

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Franklin Regional senior Carter Dibert won his first WPIAL Class AAA title on Feb. 29 and quickly turned his focus to winning his second PIAA gold medal.

Dibert defeated West Allegheny freshman Nico Taddy, 5-2, in the WPIAL finals at 113 pounds. He placed second at 106 in 2019, losing to Seneca Valley sophomore Dylan Chappell.

He defeated Chappell in the PIAA finals last year.

“It feels really good,” Dibert said. “Now I have to do the same thing (at states). The WPIAL is like a stepping stone.”

But Dibert lost to Bethlehem Catholic sophomore Dante Frinzi, 4-1, in a controversial match on the first day of the PIAA tournament Thursday.

Frinzi was awarded two penalty points during the match and received a questionable takedown according to Franklin Regional coach Matt Lebe.

Senior Mason Spears earned a trip to Hershey by placing second at 145 to Hempfield junior Ty Linsenbigler, 2-0.

Spears (35-9) also advanced to the quarterfinals at the PIAA Class AAA tournament, which were contested after deadline for this edition.

Sophomore Finn Solomon didn’t get a chance to earn a trip to Hershey.

After he lost to Norwin senior Kurtis Phipps in the WPIAL semifinals, he was pinned in a high-scoring match by Hampton senior Zach Wright.

Solomon was the 113-pound PIAA runner-up to Seneca Valley’s Alejandro Herrera-Rondon last year.

Lebe said he didn’t really know if the loss to Phipps had an effect on his performance in the consolation round.

“I’m proud of Carter and Mason,” Lebe said. “Both are having outstanding seasons. … Finn will be OK. He’ll bounce back from this.”

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional