Mat Matters

Ron Garrison dies

2007-07-19T18:10:00.000-04:00

One of the great supporters of scholastic wrestling in this area has died. Ron Garrison, who established the Brotherhood of Wrestling and was a member of the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic committee, died July 9 at age 59. Ron also was a committee member of the Southwestern Pa. Wrestling Hall of Fame and helped in gathering statistical information in the sport.

Before his health problems, Ron was a constant figure at the postseason tournaments and came to know many of the wrestlers. He would present the Brotherhood of Wrestling certificates to those who showed not only great talent on the mat but also ability in the classroom.

He will be missed.

A good hire

2007-07-19T17:39:00.000-04:00

Jeff Breese Sr. was hired as varsity wrestling coach at McGuffey High School recently. The school finally got it right, hiring the man who was a major cog in the Highlanders' teams of the 1990s that made it to the semifinals of the WPIAL Team Tournament in each of the 10 years. Breese was the junior high head coach at the time and a lot of talent came through the system. He's well-known in the community and is perfect to put some spark back into the program.

Kolat, Ace in hall

2007-05-04T17:34:00.001-04:00

Former Jefferson-Morgan High School wrestling standout Cary Kolat and Charles “Ace” Heberling, a Washington & Jefferson College graduate and former teacher and coach at East Washington High School, will be among those honored in a June 22 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Moon Township.
“This will be a great way to conclude our 100th anniversary year,” WPIAL executive director Tim O’Malley said. “We started this celebration back in August, now we will conclude it with the inaugural class in the new WPIAL Hall of Fame.”
Kolat, a 1992 graduate of Jefferson-Morgan, is considered by many to be the greatest high school wrestler in WPIAL history. Kolat compiled a 137-0 record in four seasons with the Rockets, winning four PIAA Class AA championships and being voted the tournament’s outstanding wrestler each year.
Kolat wrestled collegiately at Penn State and Lock Haven universities, winning a pair of NCAA championships en route to a 111-7 career record. Kolat went on to a fine international career, where he was a three-time medalist at the World Championships. He also competed in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
Heberling, who was also a long-time NFL official, is being inducted as a contributor.
After serving as the officials’ representative on the WPIAL Board of Control, in 1976, Heberling became the WPIAL’s first full-time executive director.
Heberling, who retired as WPIAL executive director in 1997, also officiated three Super Bowls.

Christian Luciano killed

2007-04-18T17:19:00.000-04:00

This is unbelievable.

http://www.pennlive.com/patriotnews/stories/index.ssf?/base/news/117676860357580.xml&coll=1

Classic results

2007-03-26T12:24:00.000-04:00

Wrestling

Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic
at Pitt’s Fitgerald Field House
United States 22 Pennsylvania 21
(Bouts randomly selected)
145 Ryan Goodman, Latrobe, dec. Seth Vernon, Tulsa Union, Okla., 4-3 OT
112 Chris Sheets, Upper Perkiomen, dec. Eric Olanowski, Kellam, Va., 10-8
189 Clayton Foster, Kamiah, Idaho, dec. David Crowell, Nazreth, 5-3
171 Mike Benefiel, Montini Catholic, Ill., dec. Rob Waltko, North Allegheny, 5-2
130 Tyler Nauman, Middletown, dec. Kellen Russell, Blair Academy, N.J., 9-5
Hvy Dom Bradley, Blue Springs, Mo., won by default over Richie Smith, Pen Argyl, 3:44
125 John Starzyk, Providence, Ill., dec. Corey Houser, Governor Mifflin, 4-2
215 Cody Gardner, Christiansburg, Va., dec. Kellen Harris, Sharon, 13-5
135 Zach Kemmerer, Upper Perkiomen, dec. Max Shanahan, Blair Academy, N.J. 3-1
160 Matt Moore, Blairsville, dec. Ben Sarbacker, Verona,. Wisc., 3-1
140 Nick Nelson, Shaler, dec. Luke Silver, Bishop Lynch, Texas, 5-2
152 Albert White, St. Rita, Ill., dec. Tim Darling, Nazareth, 5-3
119 Troy Dolan, Derry, dec. Zach Sanders, Wabasha Kellogg, Minn., 4-1
Outstanding Wrestlers Gardner, Nauman

Ohio 33 WPIAL 9
112 Bo Touris, West Cheswter Lakota dec. Ken Trumbetta, Greensburg Salem, 8-2
119 Matt Scherich, McGuffey, dec. Dante Rini, Jackson, 5-0
125 Rudy Chelednik, Hempfield, dec. Brian Dean, St. Vincent-St. Mary, 6-3
130 Darrin Boing, St. Peter Chanel, dec. Grant Lowther, Trinity, 3-2
135 Jeff Pelton, Bellevue, dec. Kory Bissett, West Greene 5-3 OT
140 Jesse Byerly, Keystone Oaks, dec. Shawn Harris, St. Edward’s 2-0 OT
145 Kevin Hardy, Solon, dec. Brian Letters, Fox Chapel, 4-1
152 Thomas Straughn, Perry, dec. Phil Sorrentino, South Allegheny, 2-1
160 Colt Sponseller, Millersburg W. Holmes, dec. Matt Ryan, Canon-McMillan, 4-3
171 Derek Foore, Wadsworth, dec. A.J. Brentzel, Penn-Trafford, 4-1
189 Chris Honeycutt, St. Edward’s, pinned Jon Moore, Kiski, 4:29
215 Matt Clum, Galion, dec. Luke Miller, Chartiers-Houston, 2-1
Hvy Cameron Wade, St. Peter Chanel, dec. Myles Caragein, Keystone Oaks, 2-0
Outstanding Wrestlers Byerly, Honeycutt

Wrestling Classic

2007-03-14T17:54:00.000-04:00

The following are the wrestlers selected to the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic, which will be held Sunday, March 25 at Pitt’s Fitzgerald Field House. The name, high school. career record, state titles and college are listed

Pennsylvania Team
112–Chris Sheetz, Upper Perkiomen, 187-23, 1X, Bloomsburg University
119–Troy Dolan, Derry, 170-9, 3X, University of Missouri
125–Corey Houser, Governor Mifflin, 94-18, 1X, undecided
130–Tyler Nauman, Middletown, 156-11, 1X, Pittsburgh
135–Zack Kemmerer, Upper Perkiomen, 199-18, 2X, University of Pennsylvania
140–Nick Nelson, Shaler, 167-15, 1X, University of Virginia
145–Ryan Goodman, Latrobe, 142-20, 1X, West Virginia University
152–Tim Darling, Nazerath,169-14, 3X, Penn State University
160–Matt Moore, Blairsville,145-14, 1X, Pitt-Johnston
171–Rob Waltko, North Allegheny, 150-19, 1X, undecided
189–David Crowell, Nazerath, 94-42, University of Pittsburgh
215–Kellan Harris, Sharon, 147-22, 2X, Marshall University
Hvy–Richie Smith, Pen Argyl, 102-18, 1X, University of Buffalo

Combined Record – 1,924-243
State Championships – 18
Coaches – Vince DeAugustine, Hempfield High School; Chris Como, Burrell

United States Team

112–Eric Olanowski, Kellam, Virginia Beach, Va, 188-13, 1X
119–Zach Sanders, Wabasha (Minn.) Kellogg, 223-5, 4X
125–John Starzyk, Providence, Oak Forest, ILL, 187-8, 3X
130–Kellen Russell, Blair Academy, High Bridge, NJ,125-6, 3X
135–Corey Jantzen, Shoreham Wading River, Shoreham N.Y., 178-7, 2X
140–Luke Silver, Bishop Lynch Forney, Texas, 293-11, 4X
145–Seth Vernon, Tulsa Union, Broken Arrow, Okla.,160-17, 3X
152–Albert White, St. Rita, Beverly, Ill. 193-4, 4X
160–Mike Chaires, Christian Brothers Academy, Scotia, NY, 221-19, 2X
171–Mike Benefiel, Montini Catholic, Aurora, Ill, 200-4, 4X
189–Clayton Foster, Kamiah, Kooskia, Idaho, 150-11, 3X
215–Cody Gardner, Christiansburg, Va.,182-6, 4X
Hvy–Dom Bradley, Blue Springs, Mo., 181-28, 3X

Combined Record – 2,481-139
State Championships – 40
Honorary Coach – Kenny Monday, Olympic Gold Medalist

WPIAL Team
112–Ken Trumbetta, Greensburg Salem, 38-5, 80-16, 1st in WPIAL
119–Matt Scherich, McGuffey, 37-6, 131-26, 2nd, 1st, 4th
125–Rudy Chelednik, Hempfield, 40-11, 142-33, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd
130–Grant Lowther, Trinity, 18-4, 118-31, 1st, 1st, 3rd, 3rd
135–Kory Bissett, West Greene, 17-3, 134-32, 1st, 1st, 1st
140–Jesse Byerly, Keystone Oaks, 29-4, 99-13, 2nd, 1st
145–Brian Letters, Fox Chapel, 42-5, 157-18, 3rd,
152–Phil Sorrentino, South Allegheny, 43-1, 117-27, 1st
160–Matt Ryan, Canon McMillan, 38-3, 134-29, 1st, 3rd, 4th
171–A.J. Brentzel, Penn Traffor, 47-1, 116-30, 1st, 2nd
189–Jon Moore, Kiski, 34-10, 73-27, 1st
215–Luke Miller, Chartiers-Houston, 38-5, 122-37, 1st,
Hvy–Myles Caregin, Keystone Oaks, 40-1, 138-18, 1st, 1st, 4th

Combined Record – 1,561-337
WPIAL Titles – 15
Coaches – Vince DeAugustine, Hempfield High School; Chris Como, Burrell

Ohio Team

112–Bo Touris, West Chester Lakota, West Chester, 140-23, 1X
119–Dante Rini, Jackson, Massillon, 108-18
125–Brian Dean, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Norton, 144-40, 1X
130–Darrin Boing, St. Peter Chanel, Northfield, 158-24
135–Jeff Pelton, Bellvue (Record not available)
140–Shawn Harris, St. Edwards, Fairview Park, 138-30, 1X
145–Kevin Hardy, Solon,169-14, 3X
152–Thomas Straughn, Perry, Massillon, 164-22, 2X
160–Colt Sponseller, Millersburg W. Holmes, Glenmont, 158-13, 3X
171–Derek Foore, Wadsworth, Medina, 170-18
189–Chris Honeycutt, St. Edwards, North Ridgeville, 176-9, 2X
215–Matt Clum, Galion, 129-27, 1X
Hvy–Cameron Wade, St. Peter Chanel, Twinsburg, 150-26, 2X

Combined Record – 1,804-264
State Championships – 17
Coach – Bill Barger, Walsh Jesuit High School

Johnston, Ryan lose

2007-03-10T23:20:00.000-05:00

Colin Johnston failed to repeat as champion and Matt Ryan repeated his second-place finish Saturday night in the PIAA Class AAA Wrestling Championships.
Johnston dropped a 13-8 decision to Chris Houser of Governor Mifflin while Ryan lost a 6-3 decision to Quentin Wright of Bald Eagle Area.
Johnston fell behind early as Wright used one his two tilts for a 5-2 lead after one period. Johnston, who won at 112 last season, was down, 7-3, after two periods. Houser's lead ballooned to 12-3 with 1:27 remaining.
Wright took control of his match when he rolled out of a first-period takedown attempt and scooted around for a takedown and 2-0 lead. Ryan gave up an escape in the second period and a takedown in the third.
Other area Class AAA placewinners included Matt Scherich of McGuffey, who finished fourth at 125; Waynesburg's Ethan Headlee, who was seventh at 152; and Nick Garber, who was sixth at 130; and Trinity's Grant Lowther, who took fourth at 130.

AAA finals

2007-03-10T23:19:00.000-05:00

103 Shane Young, Penn-Trafford dce. Mark Rappo, Council Rock South, 5-2.
112 Kegan Handlovic, Easton dec. Taylor Brown, Emmaus, 7-4.
119 Jordan Oliver, Easton dec. Nic Bedelyon, Indian Valley, 4-1.
125 Corey Houser, Governor Mifflin dec. Colin Johnston, Canon-McMillan, 13-8.
130 Tyler Nauman, Middletown pinned Marshall Peppelman, Central Dauphin, 5:00.
135 Walter Peppelman, Central Dauphin dec. Mike Greck, Nazareth, 7-2.
140 Zach Kemmerer, Upper Perkiomen dec. Tony Dallago, Central Dauphin, 13-6.
145 Nick Nelson, Shaler dec. Steve Bozak, State College, 7-3.
152 Tim Darling, Nazareth dec. Ryan Goodman, Greater Latrobe, 2-1 2OT.
160 Quentin Wright, Bald Eagle Area dec. Matt Ryan, CanonMcMillan, 6-3.
171 Rob Waltko, North Allegheny dec. A.J. Brentzel, Penn-Trafford, 6-3.
189 Nate Eachus, Hazleton dec. David Crowell, Nazareth, 9-7.
215 Justin Wieller, Northampton dec. Jordan Enck, Manheim Central, 6-4.
Hvy Steve Santia, Hempfield (Dist. 7) pinned Marcus Zimmerman, Manheim Central, 1:54.

AA Finals

2007-03-10T18:08:00.000-05:00

103 Frank Martellotti, Shady Side Academy dec. A.J. Schopp, Tyrone, 4-3.
112 Dane Johnson, Shady Side Academy dec. Evan Yenolevich, Northwestern Lehigh, 9-7 OT.
119 Troy Dolan, Derry Area dec. Cody Myers, Southern Huntingdon, 6-1.
125 Andrew Arnold, Northern Lehigh dec. Tyler Hain, Warrior Run, 5-4.
130 Jordan Shields, Burrell dec. Nathan Link, Penn Cambria, 4-3.
135 Steve Waite, Fort LeBoeuf dec. Colby Pisani, Ridgway, 8-6 OT.
140 Scott Davis, Lake-Lehman dec. Joey Anceravage, Bloomsburg, 4-2.
145 Jesse Byerly, Keystone Oaks dec. Micah Bollinger, Mifflinburg, 5-4.
152 Phil Sorrentino, South Allegheny dec. Chad Sindoni, Athens, 4-2.
160 Matt Moore, Blairsville dec. Jon Fausey, Line Mountain, 3-0.
171 Cory Beaver, Littllestown dec. Shawn Fausey, Line Mountain, 6-5.
189 Zac Bennett, Westmont Hilltop dec. Aaron Karns, Berwick, 11-7.
215 Kellen Harris, Sharon pinned Ziad Haddad, Bethlehem Catholic, 0:28.
Hvy Richie Smith, Pen Argyl dec. Myles Caragein, Keystone Oaks, 3-1.

Technical problems

2007-03-10T09:28:00.001-05:00

Results from the final round of the Class AA session Friday night have been posted. Their delay was because of technical difficulties at the Giant Arena last night. Also, Class AAA semifinals results have been updated through 130 pounds.

The Johnston-Ryan story will be updated with the results of all Class AAA area wrestlers. Class AA placewinners from the area will appear on a separate entry Saturday afternoon.

Johnston, Ryan win

2007-03-10T09:06:00.000-05:00

Colin Johnston, a junior from Canon-McMillan, will have an opportunity to win a second state title after shutting out Zach Oberlander of Dallastown 3-0 at 125 pounds. Johnston scored all three points in the second period to move his record to 37-2. He will take on Corey Houser of Governer Mifflin in the finals. Houser edged Jonathan Crawford of Lower Dauphin in the semifinals.

Matt Ryan, a senior from Canon-McMillan, will get another shot at winning a state title. Ryan dominated Brad Clark of Methacton, 7-0, in the 160-pound semifinals. Ryan will take on Quentin Wright of Bald Eagle Area, who stopped Ed Ruth of Susquehanna Township, 7-4, in the other semifinal bout. Wright has ties to Waynesburg. His father was a graduate and uncle still lives in that area.

Grant Lowther, a senior from Trinity, had his run to gold stopped by the talented Tyler Nauman of Middletown in the 130-pound semifinals. Lowther opened a 2-0 lead in the first period on a double-leg takedown but Nauman dominated the rest of the way. Lowther beat Waynesburg's Nick Garber and will wrestle for third.

Garber fell back into the battle for fifth place. He has to beat Brandon Bucher of Northern. Ethan Headlee can finish seventh if he beats Rob Robinson of Pittston.

In one of the key semifinals matchups of Saturday morning, Jordan Oliver, a defending champion from Easton, decisioned Chris Sheetz of Upper Perkiomen, 5-3, at 119 pounds. Sheetz won a state title two seasons ago.

In Class AA, West Greene's Kory Bissett finished seventh at 140 pounds after pinning Derek Schmelyun of Bermudian Springs in 3:00. Washington's Alex Evans took sixth place at 160 after losing 1-0 to Zeke Drake of Oswayo Valley. Bentworth's Charlie Wonsettler ended up fifth at 171 after a 14-12 decision over Chris Daniels of Harbor Creek. Jefferson-Morgan's Ethan Virgili placed eighth at 189 after dropping a 6-4 overtime decision to Brand Palik of Saucon Valley. Chartiers-Houston's Luke Miller was fourth at 215 after falling to Jeremy Gross of Bloomsburg 3-2. Avella's Codie Noga took fifth after beating Darren Rockwell of Towanda 2-1 in four OTs.

PIAA results

2007-03-08T08:27:00.000-05:00

Class AA

Kory Bissett, West Greene, 140 pounds
First round decisioned Derek Schmelyun, Bernudian Springs, 5-0
Quarters decisioned by Nikko Leitzel, Ridgway, 3-1
(Leitzel is defending state champion)
Consols decisioned Eric Weaver, Greenville, 5-2
Consols decisioned by Dirk Cowburn, Coudersport, 7-5
Consols final pinned Derek Schmelyun, Bermudian Springs
(Finishes in 7th place)

Vinnie DeStefano, Charleroi, 145 pounds
First round pinned by Kyle John, Bethlehem Catholic, 1:56
Consols lost to Zac Cerrone, Wellsboro 9-2
(Eliminated)

Chris Stay, Beth-Center, 152 pounds
First round pinned by Jonathan Brothers, Redbank Valley, 5:48
Consols decisioned Jason Foor, Southern Huntingdon, 5-1
Consols pinned by Shaun Ferguson, Greenville, 3:48
(Eliminated)

Alex Evans, Washinngton, 160 pounds
First round decisioned Phil Slaugh, Hanover, 11-3
Quarters decisioned by Brett Snyder, Mifflinburg, 9-7
Consols decisioned Steve DePew, Wilson, 5-1
Consols decisioned Scott Sechler, Northern Lehigh, 7-5
Consols decisioned by Zak Klinvex, SS Academy, 2-1 OT RO
Consols finals decisioned by Zeke Drake, Oswayo Valley 1-0
(Finishes in 6th place)

Aaron Hrutkay, Beth-Center, 160 pounds
First round lost to Scott Sechler, Northern Lehigh, 8-5
Consols lost by default to Caleb Kolb, Grove City, 4:28
(Eliminated)

Charlie Wonsettler, Bentworth, 171 pounds
First round decisioned Kasey Lyon, Canton, 4-2
Quarters decisioned Josh Smith, Octorara, 5-1
Semis decisioned by Shawn Fausey, Line Mountain, 7-5 OT
Consols decisioned by Lawrence Beckman, Reynolds, 4-0
Consols finals decisioned Chris Daniels, Harbor Creek, 14-12
(Finishes in 5th place)

Ethan Virgili, Jefferson-Morgan, 189 pounds
First round decisioned Joe Jospeh, Sharpsville, 12-3
Quarters pinned by Aaron Karns, Berwick, :44
Consols decisioned Tyler Stambaugh, Bermudian Springs, 2-1
Consols decisioned by Garrett Sukanic, Northwestern Lehigh, 6-1
Next decisioned by Brand Palik, Saucon Valley 6-4 OT
(Finishes in 8th place)

Codie Noga, Avella, 215 pounds
First round decisioned Chris Labatch, Wilson, 6-0
Quarters decisioned Ed Klock, Line Mountain, 1-0
Semis decisioned by Ziad Haddad, Bethlehem Catholic, 9-7
Consols decisioned by Luke Miller, Chartiers-Houston, 3-1
Consols finals decisioned Darren Rockwell, Towanda, 2-1 OT TB
(Finishes in 5th place)

Luke Miller, Chartiers-Houston, 215 pounds
First round decisioned Casey Hedash, Northern Lehigh, 8-6
Quarters pinned by Kellen Harris, Sharon, 4:24
(Harris is defending state champion)
Consols decisioned Ron Oswald, Marion Center, 5-2
Consols decisioned Justin Peterson, Palmerton, 4-2
Consols decisioned Codie Noga, Avella, 3-1
Consols finals decisioned by Jeremy Gross, Bloomsburg, 3-2
(Finishes in 4th place)

Matt Kosarik, Fort Cherry, heavyweight
First round lost to Roman Husam, Lewisburg, 3-1 TB
Consols lost to Levi Stern, Lehighton, 1-0
(Eliminated)

Sam Miller, Washington, heavyweight
First round pinned by Richie Smith, Pen Argyl, 4:41
Consols decisioned Jed Ritter, Hughesville, 13-7
Consols decisioned by Gabe Murtoff, Boiling Springs, 10-6
(Eliminated)

Class AAA

Colin Johnston, Canon-McMillan, 125 pounds
First round decisioned Jake O’Hara, Crestwood, 7-2
Quarters decisioned Matt Bonson, Lewistown, 6-2
Semis decisioned Zach Oberlander, Dallastown, 3-0
Finals decisioned by Corey House, Governor Mifflin, 13-8
(Finished in 2nd place)

Matt Scherich, McGuffey, 125 pounds
First round decisioned Chad Frankhouser, Indian Valley, 6-5
Quarters decisioned by Jonathan Crawford, Lower Dauphin, 9-3
Consols decisioned D.J. Evans, Downingtown West, 3-0
Consols decisioned Jake O’Hara, Crestwood, 5-0
Consols decisioned Zach Oberlander, Dallastown, 6-5
Consols finals decisioned by Jonathan Crawford, Lower Dauphin, 6-1
(Finishes in 4th place)

Grant Lowther, Trinity, 130 pounds
First round decisioned Andrew Walmsley, Upper Darby, 10-3
Quarters decisioned Mike Robinson, Lewistown, 6-4 OT TB
Semis decisioned by Tyler Nauman, Middletown, 9-2
Consols decisioned Nick Garber, Waynesburg, 6-0
Consols finals pinned by Andrew Alton, Central Mountain, :17
(Finishes in 3rd place)

Nick Garber, Waynesburg, 130 pounds
First round lost by technical fall to Tyler Nauman, Waynesburg, 19-4
Consols pinned Matt Evangelisti, Crestwood, :55
Consols decisioned Bobby Ward, Nazareth, 2-1 OT TB
Consols decisioned Dexter Lederer, Neshaminy, 6-5 OT RO
Consols decisioned by Grant Lowther, Trinity, 6-0
Consols finals decisioned by Brandon Bucher, Northern, 5-3 OT
(Finishes in 6th place)

Ethan Headlee, Waynesburg, 152 pounds
First round pinned by Matt Gregg, Lewistown, 3:36
Consols decisioned Jim Norley, West Chester Henderson, 8-4
Consols pinned Mike Evans, Cumberland Valley, 2:44
Consols decisioned by Brian Letters, Fox Chapel, 3-1 OT
Consolos finals decisioned Robbie Robertson, Pittston, 4-2
(Finishes in 7th place)

Matt Ryan, Canon-McMillan, 160 pounds
First round decisioned Dillon Evans, Council Rock South, 3-2
Quarters decisioned Zach Lundgren, Dubois, 6-1
Semis decisioned Brad Clark, Methacton, 7-0
Finals decisioned by Quentin Wright, Bald Eagle Area, 6-3
(Finishes in 2nd place)

Get results fast

2007-03-07T09:48:00.000-05:00

Follow your favorite area wrestlers in the PIAA Championships by logging onto the Observer-Reporter’s web site throughout the tournament in Hershey.
Assistant sports editor Joe Tuscano will update the results following each session on his blog, Mat Matters.
To locate the results, go to www.observer-reporter.com, then click on the link for blogs, then click on the Mat Matters blog and, finally, click on PIAA results.
The first set of results will appear after Thursday morning’s session and the final one after the Class AAA championships Saturday night.

State picks

2007-03-07T09:45:00.000-05:00

103 1. Mark Rappo, Council Rock South; 2. Shane Young, Penn-Trafford; 3. Desmond Moore, Easton; 4. Chirs Mongeluzzo, Hempfield

112 1. Matt Snyder, Lewistown; 2. Chris Albright, Red Lion; 3. Kegan Handlovic, Easton; 4. Pat May, Downingtown West

119 1. Jordan Oliver, Easton; 2. Nico Cortese, Hempfield; 3. Chris Sheetz, Upper Perkiomen; 4. Joe Waltko, North Allegheny

125 1. Colin Johnston, Canon-McMillan; 2. Matt Bogusz, Parkland; 3. Matt Bonson, Lewistown; 4. Sam Sherlock, West Mifflin

130 1. Tyler Nauman, Middletown; 2. Marshall Peppelman, Central Dauphin; 3. Grant Lowther, Trinity; 4. Bobby Ward, Nazareth

135 1. Bryan Ortenzio, Cedar Cliff; 2. Walt Peppelman, Central Dauphin; 3. Mike Greck, Nazareth; 4. Ryan Kemmerer, Upper Perkiomen

140 1. Zach Kemmerer, Upper Perkiomen; 2. James Fleming, West Mifflin; 3. Jarred Kane, Lower Dauphin; 4. Andrew Ritchey, Nazareth

145 1. Nick Nelson, Shaler; 2. Mallie Shuster, Big Spring; 3. Justin Accordino, Coughlin; 4. Donnie Tasser, Belle Vernon

152 1. Tim Darling, Nazareth; 2. Ryan Goodman, Latrobe; 3. Ethan Headlee, Waynesburg; 4. Mike Evans, Cumberland Valley

160 1. Thad Frick, Nazareth; 2. Matt Ryan, Canon-McMillan; 3. Quentin Wright, Bald Eagle Area; 4. Zach Lundgren, Dubois

171 1. A.J. Brentzel, Penn-Trafford; 2. Rob Waltko, North Allegheny; 3. Lance Bryson, Albert Gallatin; 4. Mike Reilly, Crestwood

189 1. Austin Carter, Council Rock South; 2. Ryan Maggs, Central Mountain; 3. David Crowell, Nazareth; 4. Mike Salopek, Norwin

215 1. Justin Wieller, Northampton; 2. Jordan Enck, Manheim Central; 3. T.J. Valore, Hempfield; 4. Ray Bennett, Abington Heights

Hvy 1. Justin Haines, Connellsville; 2. Brad Ladd, Dallastown; 3. Marcus Zimmerman, Manheim Central; 4. Brant Clouser, Altoona

Tuscan’s AA picks

103 1. A.J. Schopp, Tyrone; 2. Joe Spisak, Boiling Springs; 3. Frank Martellotti, SS Academy; 4. Zane Yocco, Brandywine Heights

112 1. Dane Johnson, SS Academy; 2. Anthony Zanetta, Keystone Oaks; 3. Dave Fogel, Forest Hills; 4. John Prezzia, SS Beaver

119 1. Troy Dolan, Derry; 2. Derek Reber, Lewisburg; 3. Cody Myers, Southern Huntingdon; 4. Cameron Moran, Kane

125 1. Marty Borowski, Harriton; 2. Robbie Miller, Reynolds; 3. Nick Nichols, Port Allegany; 4. Tyler Erdman, Line Mountain

130 1. Brock Parker, Canton; 2. Brad Kummerer, Hamburg; 3. Adam Hluschak, Northern Lehigh; 4. Jordan Shields, Burrell

135 1. Scott Clymer, Northwestern Lehigh; 2. Steve Waite, Fort Leboeuf; 3. Shane Welsh, Burrell; 4. Ryan Jacoby, Moshannon Valley

140 1. Nikko Leitzel, Ridgway; 2. Scott Davis, Lake Lehman; 3. Kory Bissett, West Greene; 4. Joey Anceravage, Bloomsburg

145 1. Aaron Nestor, Reynolds; 2. Eli Norvell, Southern Huntingdon; 3. Jesse Byerly, Keystone Oaks; 4. Micah Bollinger, Mifflinburg

152 1. Chad Sindoni, Athens; 2. Phil Sorrentino, South Allegheny; 3. Aaron Sandel, Milton; 4. Jason Foor, Southern Huntingdon

160 1. Zeke Drake, Oswayo Valley; 2. Alex Evans, Washington; 3. Ryan Ochalek, Oil City; 4. Matt Moore, Blairsville

171 1. Nate Johnson, Central Columbia; 2. Shawn Fausey, Line Mountain; 3. Ben Clymer, Northwestern Lehigh; 4. Charlie Wonsettler, Bentworth

189 1. Zac Bennett, Westmont-Hilltop; 2. Aaron Karns, Berwick; 3. Nick Sipes, Curwensville; 4. Ethan Virgili, Jefferson-Morgan

215 1. Kellen Harris, Sharon; 2. Codie Noga, Avella; 3. Luke Miller, Chartiers-Houston; 4. Jeremy Gross, Bloomsburg

Hvy 1. Myles Caragein, Keystone Oaks; 2. Eli Morres, Brookville; 3. Richie Smith, Pen Argyl; 4. Josh Marks, Central Cambria

Regional notes

2007-03-05T00:13:00.000-05:00

No team had a worse time in the Southwest Region tournaments than Shady Side Academy. First, Matthew Cunningham, who came into the Class AA event in Johnstown with a 21-0 record, lost his second-round match, 9-8, when he was called for a clasp in the final seconds, and was later tossed out of the tournament when he slammed Cam Corle of Chestnut Ridge in a fit of frustration.

Then, in the 112-pound finals, Dane Johnson lost the 112-pound final when he was called for his third caution, a foot fault. Anthony Zanetta of Keystone Oaks came away with a 2-1 overtime win. It was the first time in my 26 years of covering wrestling that I've seen a match end that way.

Losing the fourth qualifier for Class AAA Southwest a few years ago meant a lot of good wrestlers from the area would not qualify for the state tournament. Meet the three from this year: McGuffey's Alex Dunaway (103) and Trinity's Nick Standish (135) and Kalvin Schultz (152).

Let's give some credit to the longshots. In Class AA, Beth-Center's Chris Stay lost his first match in Johnstown and won the next five to finish third. T.J. Valor of Hempfield did the same thing in Class AAA. Charleroi's Vinne DeStefano battled Corle for fifth place at 145 and won by rideout.

When Grant Lowther moved up to 130, there were whispers that the move was predicated on a weigh-in mistake in the team tournament. If that was so, then maybe Lowther should have more problems such as these. He cruised to the 130-pound title at Norwin with a 9-3 pasting of Rudy Chelednik of Hempfield.

This isn't wrestling

2007-03-04T23:53:00.000-05:00

Anyone who watched the 140-pound finals in the Class AA regional tournament Saturday in Johnstown had to be shaking their heads when it was over. Burrell's Devon Maloney had beaten West Greene's Kory Bissett, 1-0, in a what has to be described as a bout but was far from it.

There were no great shots, no technical maneuvers, no defensive miracles that saved points. It was nothing more than a tug-o-war in an arena full of people. The problem in this bout was that Maloney used a different tactic on Bissett, mainly trapping Bissett's leg throughout the entire second period.

On each restart, Maloney would trap Bissett's leg and the two would play out the same scenario time after time. Bissett would twist and turn and try to free himself. Maloney would cling to the leg and counter each attempt. The reason this worked was that Maloney was never warned for stalling. It's a judgment call. As long as the referee let it go, Maloney was more than happy to continue the leg-trap.

To be fair, Maloney was not doing anything illegal, immoral, obscene or against the spirit of the rules. As long as the referee allowed it, then why stop? And Bissett needed more offense, especially in the first period. But this was not good wrestling and the small splattering of applause from the approximately 2,500 fans let you know how unimpressed they were with the bout.

This six-minute bout took about seven minutes in real time. It's pretty simple to let the clock run when nothing is happening. The referee should have warned Maloney for stalling after the third or fourth leg trap but it didn't happen. Since Maloney lost the previously three bouts against Bissett, he had to feel that a win is a win is a win.

But this was as ugly as they come and set wrestling back a couple decades.

Technical difficulties

2007-03-04T23:51:00.000-05:00

I had hoped to blog from the Class AA Southwest Region Tournament but technical difficulties made that impossible. But I'm back and ready to try again.

Stuck in second

2007-03-02T01:03:00.000-05:00

I understand why they do it but I don't think it's a good idea. Because Norwin has two gymnasiums, the WPIAL used the auxilary gym to wrestle four weight classes in the Class AAA championships. One of them was 215, where the biggest upset of the night took place. . . in front of 200 people. The other 2,000 were in the main gym. Hempfield's T.J. Valore was pinned by Indiana's Dayne Ross, who had to fight through a pigtail bout just to meet Valore.

Yes, the second gymnasium, which was just used for the first night, speeded things up and that was nice for the media's deadlines and parents who had long drives home. But you always take a chance that someone good is going to lose and few people will see it if it happens in the auxilary gym.

Those type of upsets are what makes a tournament memorable. Everyone has their own upset special. Be thankful you saw it in the main gym.

Region picks

2007-03-01T00:04:00.000-05:00

Class AAA

103 1. Shane Young, Penn Trafford; 2. Tom Magness, Kiski; 3. Sean Lubin, Chartiers Valley

112 1. Ken Trumbetta, Greensburg Salem; 2. Zach Cecchetti, Kiski; 3. Jake Quinten, Plum

119 1. Nico Cortese, Hempfield; 2. Joe Waltko, North Allegheny; 3. Mike Spisak, Kiski

125 1. Colin Johnston, Canon McMillan; 2. Matt Scherich, McGuffey; 3. Mike Grant, Greensburg Salem

130 1. Grant Lowther, Trinity; 2. Rudy Chelednik, Hempfield; 3. Jared Jones, Penn Trafford

135 1. Tony Clark, Kiski; 2. Adam Steele, Greensburg Salem; 3. Dave Cawley, North Allegheny

140 1. James Fleming, West Mifflin; 2. Jared Roberts, Trinity; 3. Luke Miller, Indiana

145 1. Nick Nelson, Shaler; 2. Donnie Tasser, Belle Vernon; 3. Dennis Fix, Norwin

152 1. Ryan Goodman, Latrobe; 2. Ethan Headlee, Waynesburg; 3. Brian Letters, Fox Chapel

160 1. Matt Ryan, Canon McMillan; 2. Travis Uncapher, Hempfield; 3. Kameron Zitelli, Greater Latrobe

171 1. A.J. Brentzel, Penn Trafford; 2. Rob Waltko, North Allegheny; 3. Clint Podish, Waynesburg

189 1. Michael Salopek, Norwin; 2. Zach Benzio, Connellsville; 3. Jurdon Maier, Canon McMillan

215 1. Dan Utchel, Chartiers Valley; 2. Danny Vaughan, Central Catholic; 3. T.J. Valore, Hempfield

Hvy 1. Justin Haines, Connellsville; 2. Steve Santia, Hempfield; 3. Eric Kush, Chartiers Valley

Class AA
103 1. Joe Lascari, North Star; 2. Frank Martellotti, SS Academy; 3. Andrew Lucarini, Fort Cherry

112 1. Dane Johnson, Shady Side Academy; 2. Dave Fogle, Forest Hills; 3. Anthony Zanetta Keystone Oaks

119 1. Troy Dolan, Derry; 2. Cody Myers, Southern Huntingdon; 3. Mitch Spencer, Avella

125 1. Sam Zimmerman, North Star; 2. Zack Sheridan, Mount Pleasant; 3. Cody Feathers, Claysburg-Kimmel

130 1. Jordan Shields, Burrell; 2. Nathan Link, Penn Cambria; 3. Gary Pfahler, Chestnut Ridge

135 1. Shane Welsh, Burrell; 2. David Ivashchenko, South Park; 3. Ryan Jacoby, Moshannon Valley

140 1. Kory Bissett, West Greene; 2. Russ Sichak, Richland; 3. Devon Maloney, Burrell

145 1. Chris Lascari, North Star; 2. Eli Norvell, Huntingdon; 3. Matthew Cunningham, Shady Side Academy

152 1. Jason Foor, Southern Huntingdon; 2. Phil Sorrentino, South Allegheny; 3. Tucker Conklin, West Greene

160 1. Alex Evans, Washington; 2. Matt Moore, Blairsville; 3. Zak Klinvex, Shady Side Academy

171 1. Marco Pecora, Richland; 2. Damian Majocha, Burrell; 3. Charlie Wonsettler, Bentworth

189 1. Zac Bennett, Westmont-Hilltop; 2. Ethan Virgili, Jefferson-Morgan; 3. Tyler Baker, Berlin-Brothersvalley

215 1. Luke Miller, Chartiers-Houston; 2. Codie Noga, Avella; 3. Stefen Firmstone, Mount Pleasant

Hvy 1. Myles Caragein, Keystone Oaks; 2. Paul Snyder, Mount Pleasant; 3. Ryan Everhart, Huntingdon

AA championship notes

2007-02-25T00:31:00.000-05:00

It's time to take notice of Jefferson-Morgan's wrestling program. The Rockets put three wrestlers into the finals of the WPIAL Class AA Championshps Saturday night. Brian Scritchfield and Ty Basinger finished second and Ethan Virgili won the 189-pound title. Todd Sibert is doing a great job since taking over this season. The Rockets nearly made the team tournament, too. It's nice to see them successful after they struggled for so long.

Charlie Wonsettler was a fan favorite in the 171-pound finals. The senior from Bentworth has been through a lot over the past few years. He lost his mother a couple years ago and went through an injury-plagued junior season. Wonsettler nearly defeated top-seed Damian Majocha of Burrel in the finals but a takedown at the buzzer cost him a 6-4 decision in overtime.

I know Kory Bissett wears a harness to help protect his shoulder but anyone who watched the 140-pound finals has to feel the shoulder is 100 percent. Bissett, a senior from West Greene, was locked up with Devon Maloney of Burrell for much of the match. The two wrenched, cranked, twisted, bent, and basically beat on each other's shoulders for eight minutes. Bissett muscled his way to a 2-1 overtime victory.

Give credit to Mitch Spencer of Avella in his 119-pound final against Troy Dolan of Derry. The Avella wrestler suffered a cut on his nose, a busted lip and a nose bleed that nearly ate up four minutes of blood time. The easy way out for Spencer would have been to say he couldn't continue and default. But he battled through the match. Dolan didn't ease up in a 10-2 victory.

I keep beating the drum for John Prezzia but strange things keep happening to him. The defending state champion from South Side Beaver had an unusual tournament. Despite last year's success, he was seeded third in the weight class at 112. He wrestled four times and allowed only one bout point and . . . . finished third. The point he gave up cost him a 1-0 decision to Anthony Zanetta of Keystone Oaks in the semifinals. Prezzia's three wins came via shutouts.

Without naming names, because sometimes coaches don't reveal problems or injuries to me, I thought there were a few wrestlers out there who simply went through the motions. And some of them will wrestle next week in Johnstown. That's what happens when half the bracket advances.

Finally, let's all wish Ron Garrison a speedy recovery from some medical problems. The man who is the Brotherhood of Wrestling is invaluable to the sport in this area.

Cost of watching

2007-02-25T00:22:00.000-05:00

Here's another reason why people don't go to wrestling matches. It really isn't anything new. The cost for the full day at the Section 5-AAA wrestling tournament at Trinity was $13. It cost $6 for matches through the semifinals and consolation finals. The gym was cleared and it cost $7 to attend the session of individual finals and third and fourth.

Can you say gouge?

And it's not just the WPIAL that does this. The PIAA is adept at charging outlandish ticket prices for wrestling because of its session. Charging two prices for the section tournament is like charging basketball fans one price to watch the first half of the game, clearing the gym at halftime, and charging again for the second half.

Outside of the moms, dads, sisters and brothers, how many tickets do you think were sold at this event. I bet an avid wrestling fan won't return after being burned at the gate.

Amazing.

WPIAL notes

2007-02-23T22:36:00.000-05:00

This season has not been kind to Western Pa. wrestlers. Injuries have infiltrated and taken center stage with some talented kids. Consider John Prezzia of SS Beaver and his bad knee. The WPIAL must not have a great deal of confidence in him repeating, seeding him third at 112 pounds. Even on one leg, he's better than most on two.

A broken foot sidelined Adam Hoffman of Fort Cherry, a knee injury shelved Bryan Vallina of Burgettstown, and a shoulder injury ended Ryan Watson's season at Burgettstown.

Colton Blumer got hosed Friday in the first round of the WPIAL Championships. The sophomore from West Greene should not have had to wrestle Prezzia in the first round. The WPIAL should have changed the bracket when his preliminary-round opponent pulled out. Section finalists should not have to wrestle in the first round of the WPIAL Championships. Blumer's 30 wins were more than any other at 112.

Here's how bad the talent level in Class AA is. It took only four hours to wrestle 112 bouts on Charleroi's four mats. In those bouts, 39 were decided by pins and many occurred before the match was half over.

West Greene's Kory Bissett looks unbeatable, despite recovering from a shoulder injury. He wrestles mean. By that, I mean he never lets up, works for the fall and looks unhappy about it afterward. I would not bet against him having a great ending to his season.

You have to wonder why people would show up for the WPIAL Championships when six of the 12 wrestlers advance to the regional tournament. What a joke. Do you wonder whether schools such as Waynesburg and McGuffey, which wrestle up in classifications, are paying attention to how easy it is to advance to Hershey. I understand why they wrestle in Class AAA and it's for the right reasons, but how many wrestlers from these two teams could qualify for the state tournament if the teams were in Double-A? The guess here is five from each.

The right decision

2007-02-18T00:14:00.000-05:00

When Ryan Watson reinjured his shoulder in a dual mett against Elizabeth Forward last week, Burgettstown head coach Terry Havelka made the right move by taking him out of the Section 1 Tournament and ending his season. Havelka consulted the family and talked to Watson. There had to be a great desire to wrestle because of the remarkable comeback Ryan made after separating the shoulder three times in the last year.

Doctors thought he would be out until at least spring after surgery during the football season. But Ryan's hard work moved the recovery date up. He's only a sophomore so there are still two seasons left. If he wrestled now, there is a good chance the shoulder would be injured and affect him over the next two seasons.

It's better to have a healthy Ryan Watson for two years, than an injured Ryan Watson for three.

Seedy seeds

2007-02-17T23:56:00.000-05:00

There is no excuse for the problems the WPIAL wrestling committee had in seeding the Section 1-AA Tournament. The WPIAL made John Prezzia, a defending state champion from South Side Beaver, the No. 2 seed at 112 pounds. The WPIAL made Kory Bissett of West Greene, a regional champion who was a third-place finisher at 135-pounds in the state last season, the No. 2 seed at 140 pounds.

The reason this happened was the section record of the No. 1 seeds were better than those of Prezzia and Bissett. That happened because the two missed part of the season with injuries.
This was really embarassing. Prezzia and Bissett are the class of their respective weight class and they each proved it by winning their weights.

The more troubling aspect of going strictly by the numbers is that they can easily be manipulated. What would have happened if, say, Troy Dolan, a two-time state champion from Derry, had gotten the flu and missed a couple of section dual meets this season. Would he have been seeded second, or maybe third, if there were two wrestlers with better section records than his?

Wrestling is unique in that past achievements by wrestlers do mean something. Many Class AA coaches believe their tournaments are treated as second class by the WPIAL. When seeding blunders such as these happen, it only heightens those suspicions.

Time out

2007-02-15T00:06:00.000-05:00

When the WPIAL Class AA section tournaments begin Saturday, it will mark Day 24 since the official end of the regular dual meet season. How many other sports take a nearly month-long break at the most important time of the schedule? A better question is what did wrestlers and coaches do with all this time on their hands.

Some coaches brought their teams together for meaningless dual meets. They are meaningless because the scores don't matter, the intensity level is not as high and you just use it as a workout to stay sharp.

Some coaches brought teams together for combined practices, which sort of strikes me as odd because hardly any other sport does this. Golf? Swimming?

It's also tough on us bloggers, who have virtually no news coming out of these schools because no one is competing. It's difficult to comment on a sport when there is nothing taking place.

Through it all, coaches have asked their wrestlers to hold their weight, keep sharp and be ready to wrestle their best in the most important part of the season, after a 24-day layoff.

And you wonder why it's hard to get athletes to come out for wrestling.