For the first two periods of his state quarterfinal bout Northampton sophomore Dagen Condomitti dominated his opponent racking up three takedown and surrendering only a pair of escapes. Considering that across from him was Wyatt Henson, a senior from Waynesburg, the 2020 138-pound state champion, an Iowa commit, and the third-ranked 145-pounder in the country, this was no mean feat.

Henson turned the tables in the third period, scoring three takedowns to force overtime and eventually prevailing 11-9 in sudden victory. He went on to claim the 145-pound title later in the evening.

The loss was devastating.

“Beating the number three kid in the country, leading 7-1 and losing, it just tore me apart,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about that match ever since it ended. It makes me so sad. I don’t know why, but I decided to stop wrestling once I started winning and that’s what made me lose. Coach Lisa always says, ‘Wrestle to win, not wrestle to not lose.’ and I wrestled to not lose.”

In the first round of consolations Condomitti, still stinging from the loss to Henson, dropped a 4-3 decision to eventual third-place finisher Ty Linsenbigler of Hempfield.

He did bounce back with a 2-0 win in the 7th place match over William Morrow of North Penn on a third period reversal.

After qualifying for states, but not medaling as a freshman, claiming a medal was a step forward for Dagen. With two high school years ahead of him and the knowledge that he can wrestle with anyone in the country, his sights will be set on the top of the podium.