Road to Hershey: Wrestler Dhoble Heading to States after Regional Silver

After a seven year absence, Upper Dublin High School will once again be represented at the PIAA State Wrestling Championships in Hershey Pa., after Devon Dhoble (Sr. 195lbs) clinched a berth to the competition, to be held March 8-10th.

Dhoble won a silver medal at the PIAA SE Regional Wrestling tournament Saturday night and was the only Upper Dublin wrestler to advance from the District 1 North tournament, where he also took home the silver. Dhoble won the Section III tournament and boasts a 35-3 season record, with 93 career wins.

“I always knew it was possible, but I needed to make the personal decision and commitment to make it actually happen," said Dhoble. "I decided this year was the time to do it; and I wouldn’t be able to get this opportunity back. I took the challenge and completed the goal. I wouldn’t feel like I lived up to my potential unless I went [to states].”

Dhoble's determination was evident in regional competition, as he used a trio of pins against some of the best the southeast has to offer to advance to the finals and clinch a state berth. Dhoble opened the tournament with a fall over Conestoga's Grant Garbutt in 1:53 before pinning Central High's Kobina Amissah in :48 in the quarterfinals and North Penn's George Shipp in 4:48 in the semifinals.

In the championship bout, Dhoble faced top-seed PJ Steinmetz (39-3), losing in a 6-0 decision. Dhoble will now square off against Aaron Varner (27-10) of Bald Eagle Area High School in the opening round of the state tournament. A pair of wins in the double elimination competition will guarantee Dhoble a coveted PIAA medal.