Scoring a win in the final bout, Franklin Regional outlasted Norwin 31-27 to repeat as WPIAL Class 3A team champions on Saturday at Peters Township High School. In the process, the Panthers won their fourth crown in program history, and denied Norwin a title in the Knights' first championship appearance.

The top-seeded Panthers (18-0) led by one point heading to the last match at 107 pounds between FR’s Salvatore Colangelo and Luca Butera of Norwin. Butera scored the first three points of the match in the opening period, but Colangelo rallied to score the final five, giving the Panthers back-to-back titles.

“Fortunately for us, he came through,” Franklin Regional head coach Matt Lebe said of his junior grappler.

That victory sealed the come-from-behind triumph, as the Panthers fell into a 27-15 deficit to the No. 2 Knights (12-3). Including the decisive match, Franklin Regional won five of the last six bouts, highlighted by falls from Michael Ruane (160 pounds) and John Montgomery (285), as well as a major decision 11-0 by Kaydon Ferrell (215) and a 4-0 decision in favor of Ethan Cartwright (189).

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Earlier in the showdown, Beau Fennick scored a fall and Max Firestine earned a decision win for the Panthers.

During the Norwin surge, Landon Sidun scored a fall at 121 pounds, Coleton Klipa won a decision via tiebreaker at 127, Dominic Butera prevailed via major decision at 133, Brooks Blasko scored a decision at 139, and Noah Curren notched a fall at 152. Jack White also collected a tech fall for Norwin at 172 pounds.

Earlier on Saturday in the semifinals, the Panthers bested Connellsville Area 29-25, while the Knights edged Canon-McMillan 32-31 via criteria.

In the state tournament on Tuesday, the Panthers await the winner of a preliminary-round clash between Pittsburgh City League representative Obama Academy and Palmyra, the fourth-place team from District 3. Meanwhile, the Knights will compete at District 9 Champion DuBois on Tuesday at 7 p.m.