Why are they here

If you needed further proof that the WPIAL Class AA Team Tournament is one round too long, take a look at the final scores of the opening matches. The closest bout was 10 points but one was decided by 49 and another by 60. One match was forfeited because of a lack of wrestlers.

How are you going to generate interest in an event when you have lopsided matches such as these? Remember, less is better, especially when it comes to competition. The WPIAL does not seem to understand that.

I also hate TV

Arghhhh.

Technical problems apparently forced PCN to replace the airing of the Trinity-Canon-McMillan wrestling match with a rerun of the Powerade Tournament Saturday night.
Terrific.
Originally, I thought PCN was going to do the match live last Wednesday and wrote a story about it. I was wrong, got wrong information, but worse I didn't check the PCN schedule to make sure.
Arghhhhh.
So it was supposed to run Saturday night on a tape-delayed basis. And now it's postponed to who knows when.
Want to take a guess about when the next time will be that I write about a wrestling match being televised on PCN?

I hate team tourneys

The most frustrating two weeks are upon us, or rather me.
I admit it. I can't stand the team tournament season, not the WPIAL's, which eats up one entire week, nor the PIAA event, which is a total waste of time.

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I doubt it. The crowds that have attended these bouts are getting smaller and the matches are not very good until the end. So why have so many teams qualify? Let's cut both events, the WPIAL to two days and run it like a dual meet tournament format. Let's just eliminate the state event because the PIAA sabotages it by naming a second team champion at the individual finals.

Ridiculous.

If both moves were made, the season could be cut by two weeks or start two weeks later so it doesn't coincide with the Thanksgiving holiday. For the next 14 days, I will hold my nose and keep thinking the individual postseason is just three weeks away.

And the winners are

The WPIAL released the pairings for its team tournament and there was one surprise. Connellsville, which had fewer victories and more losses than Kiski, was still the top seed. The Cavaliers got No. 2. No big deal, just a surprise. Mt. Pleasant was No. 1 in Class AA.

So who is going to win.

Well, Class AA is easy. Only one of the most incredible upsets in the history of this event will stop Mt. Pleasant from taking first place. Burrell will make it to the finals but come up one match short. The best effort from the area will come from West Greene, which should make it to the semifinals.

In Class AAA, I'm not a big believer that Connellsville can win it. The Falcons are young and inexperienced in too many places for that to happen. Kiski has a solid lineup but not that much stronger than the team the Cavs will meet in the semifinals: Canon-McMillan.

There is something about the Big Macs that intrigues me. Last month, after a poor performance against Connesllville, I would not have given C-M much chance of even winning its section. But this is a team that appears to be wrestling 100 times better than that point in the season. The Macs won the Washington County Wrestling Tournament and then rolled over Trinity in the regular season finale. Getting Tyler Adams back in the lineup makes them stronger and that much more deep.

This might not be the strongest team Canon-McMillan has ever had but it is one of the deepest. And in a mediocre Triple-A team tournament, that will be good enough to win.

Match not live on PCN

One of the great things about making a mistake is that you find out just how many people are reading your articles. Such was the case Wednesday when the prematch story on Canon-McMillan-Trinity wrestling said it would be broadcast live by PCN. It will not be broadcast live but will be shown on a tape-delayed basis 7:30 p.m., Saturday.

Now, it is my fault I did not check the PCN listings. I wrote the story after a number of individuals involved told me it was on live. Shame on me for not checking. Anyway, if you are hoping to watch it, come on down to Trinity for the 7:30 p.m. start.

Remember, you can't believe everything you read. :)

Smile, you're on . . .

Wednesday night's wrestling match between Canon-McMillan and Trinity will be televised by the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) and that is interesting on two fronts.

First, it's believed that this battle between two heated rivals has never been televised before. I can only recall a time in the 1980s when the dual meet was on closed circuit television but never on a broadcast across the state.

Second: the weather might turn bad on Wednesday so it will be interesting to see how the crowd is affected by the telecast. There is no replacing being there in person and PCN normally reruns the events during the following week.

Individual Rankings

O-R Wrestling Rankings

(Records through Thursday)
Class AAA
103
1. Nico Cortese, 16-1, Greensburg CC
2. Joe Waltko, 17-2, North Allegheny
3. Zach Zummo, 19-1, Plum
4. Nathan Pennesi, 23-3, Latrobe
5. Ken Trumbetta, 26-3, Greensburg Salem
112
1. Colin Johnston, 26-0, Canon-McMillan
2. Brock Livorio, 19-2, Penn Trafford
3. Tyler Sim, 18-2, McGuffey
4. Brett Skonieczny, 16-5, Fox Chapel
5. Brian Knapp, 16-8, Waynesburg
119
1. Rudy Chelednik, 25-6, Greensburg CC
2. Josh Testa, 26-3, Hempfield
3. Chris Santucci, 23-3, Bethel Park
4. Nick Garber, 21-7, Waynesburg
5. Ian McGlaughlin, 13-3, Butler
125
1. Grant Lowther, 27-4, Trinity
2. Jay Ivanco, 23-1, Gateway
3. Josh Daniels, 18-3, McGuffey
4. Aaron Formaneck, 15-3, Pine-Richland
5. Dave Cawley, 17-7, North Allegheny
130
1. Matt Nelson, 27-2, Shaler
2. Kalvin Schultz, 16-4, Trinity
3. Dustin Henderson, 27-8, Waynesburg
4. Brian Petrakis, 17-3, Gateway
5. Adam Steele, 18-5, Greensburg Salem
135
1. Tyler Oravec, 22-1, Kiski
2. Luke Miller, 16-3, Indiana
3. Dan Svec, 17-5,Greensburg Salem
4. Ryan McGarity, 19-3, Pine-Richland
5. Cory Leslie, 19-1, Keystone Oaks
140
1. Ashtin Primus, 31-1, Connellsville
2. Nick Nelson, 24-1, Shaler
3. Dom Bonnacorsi, 23-1, Bethel Park
4. Andy Vaugh, 24-4, Central Catholic
5. Ryan Heilman, 19-5, Peters Township
145
1. Zach McKendree, 28-1, Kiski
2. Ethan Headlee, 29-6, Waynesburg
3. Brendan Cutenese, 20-6, Avonworth
4. Jesse Byerly, 19-0, Keystone Oaks
5. Dennis Fix, 24-3, Norwin
152
1. Brian Letters, 16-1, Fox Chapel
2. Curtis Branchen, 24-1, Avonworth
3. Matt Ryan, 24-3, Canon-McMillan
4. Travis Uncapher, 14-3, Greensburg CC
5. Mark Generalovich, 25-2, Thomas Jefferson
160
1. Mark Brown, 22-4, Albert Gallatin
2. Kam Zitelli, 15-4, Latrobe
3. Mike Salopek, 23-3, Norwin
4. Dan Mahoney, 20-3, Baldwin
5. Eric Fulmer, 23-3, Shaler
171
1. Rob Waltko, 22-1, North Allegheny
2. Nathan Murin, 28-4, Trinity
3. Josh Serene, 22-0, Kittanning
4. Russell Kropp, 21-1, Upper St. Clair
5. Lance Bryson, 24-2, Albert Gallatin
189
1. Garrett Hunter, 10-1, McGuffey
2. Scott Jospeh, 28-1, Kiski
3. Ray Nubani, 20-1, Upper St. Clair
4. Corey Vasbinder, 12-1, Indiana
5. Ben Maund, 24-4, Canon-McMillan
215
1. George Hingson, 13-0, Moon
2. Jake Kurant, 25-2, Greensburg Salem
3. Rick Dlubak, 24-1, Ambridge
4. Josh Brewer, 25-6, Connellsville
5. Matt Riddle, 25-3, Kiski
Hvy
1. Ryan Tomei, 23-2, Penn Trafford
2. Myles Caragein, 20-0, Keystone Oaks
3. Justin Haines, 24-5, Connellsville
4. Chris Dempsey, 23-0, Ambridge
5. Mike Cornelius, 14-1, Gateway

Class AA
103
1. Patrick Gouin, 16-2, Washington
2. John Prezzia, 32-0, SS Beaver
3. Colin Sheridan, 18-6, Mt. Pleasant
112
1. Dustin Brodmerkel, 31-1, SS Beaver
2. Jordan Shields, 24-4, Burrell
3. Zach Sheridan, 22-3, Mt. Pleasant
119
1. Troy Dolan, 25-1, Derry
2. Matt Perri, 20-5, Mars
3. Ty Basinger, 12-5, Jeff-Morgan
125
1. Lee Vanella, 19-3, Mt. Pleasant
2. Dom Demore, 29-5, SS Beaver
3. Ed Petrosky, 18-2, Highlands
130
1. Shane Welsh, 25-6, Burrell
2. Dave Cunningham, 20-2, SS Academy
3. Zach Catalina, 4-2, Beth-Center
135
1. Kory Bissett, 22-2, West Greene
2. Don Tasser, 27-4, Belle Vernon
3. Guy Dedola, 14-0, Carlynton
140
1. Devon Maloney, 24-5, Burrell
2. Joe Geary, 22-3, Mt. Pleasant
3. Jacob Weslager, 24-4, Belle Vernon
145
1. Donnie Ament, 23-3, Mt. Pleasant
2. Tucker Conklin, 22-6, West Greene
3. Zach Klinvex, 21-4, SS Academy
152
1. Derek Maloney, 23-6, Burrell
2. Marc Montecalvo, 21-2, Washington
3. Michael Brown, 17-6, Mt. Pleasant
160
1. Josh Shields, 26-2, Burrell
2. Alex Evans, 12-1, Washington
3. Nick Gless, 16-4, Highlands
171
1. Dave Grillo, 19-1, Charleroi
2. Josh Morales, 12-5, Elderton
3. Damian Majocha, 21-7, Burrell
189
1. Philip Henderson, 20-3, Chartiers-Houston
2. Dave Pisarcik, 29-0, Mars
3. Stefan Firmstone, 22-4, Mt. Pleasant
215
1. Nathan Tomporoski, 19-1, Highlands
2. Codie Noga, 16-1, Avella
3. Luke Miller, 18-4, Chartiers-Houston
Hvy
1. Paul Snyder, 23-3, Mt. Pleasant
2. Matt Kosarik, 15-1, Fort Cherry
3. Aaron Boyko, 15-4, Highlands

Team rankings

Team Rankings
Class AAA
1. Kiski 18-1
2. Connellsville 16-4
3. Canon-McMillan 10-5
4. Pine-Richland 15-0
5. Penn-Trafford 10-0
6. North Allegheny 10-3
7. Trinity 9-4
8. Waynesburg 20-5
9. Albert Gallatin 16-2
10. Hempfield 16-2

Class AA
1. Mt. Pleasant 15-1
2. Burrell 10-2
3. SS Beaver 16-2
4. West Greene 10-4
5. Highlands 17-4

County tournament success

The first Washington County Wrestling Tournament was everything the planners thought it would be. There were exciting matches, a major upset, it was well run by the experienced people at Beth-Center, and the small confines did not hinder the matches.

Colin Johnston, the top-ranked wrestler in the state at 112, was beaten by McGuffey's Tyler Sim, 5-4. Sim simply outwrestled him, using effective single-leg shots to score two takedowns. He escaped with 52 second left and then held Johnston off for the win. It wasn't a fluke win for Sim.

Two Class AA wrestlers - Chris Stay of Beth-Center and Matt Kosarik of Fort Cherry - won titles. And a number of Class AA wrestlers, 21 in all, finished second through fourth.

A few wrestlers who caught my eye:
Nate Blackman of Ringgold, third at 103; quick and strong.
Tyler Adams of Canon-McMillan, second at 135, finally back from an injured shoulder sustained in early December. Makes Canon-Mac a much better team.
Matt Kosarik of Fort Cherry, first at heavyweight; big, strong and coordinated. Only drawback is sometimes he's too nice a guy on the mat.
Nick Standish of Trinity, first at 145; up-and-down season now up again. Beat defending state champion Donnie Ament of Mt. Pleasant in Trinity Elite Duals, but then went into funk after that win. He dominated the weight class in this tounament.

Scratching my head over:
Johnston, chalking this up to just a bad bout.
Codie Noga of Avella, second at 215, should have won the title but a penalty point for clubbing C-M's Ron Totterdale over the head in the first period helped send it to OT. He lost in overtime.

Keep these coaches

If you want to understand what it means to be a coach, there was no better example than Wed. night's wrestling match between Washington and West Greene. It wasn't the outcome that really mattered, though Rich Burgoldt of Washington and Allen Hughes of West Greene wanted to win this match because it would determine the Section 4-AA title. These are competitive coaches but they also see the bigger picture.

Burgdolt didn't wrestle Patrick Gouin at 103 for what he called disciplinary reasons. If he had, Wash High would have won the match instead of losing 36-32. Gouin would have probably won his match, which would have made it a 9-point swing because Washington lost by a pin at 103.

Because West Greene was forfeiting at 119, Hughes could have moved up 112-pound Garrett Johnston to 119 against Gary Smith and forfeit at 112. Instead, he sent Johnston out against a talented Ryan Nowlin because Nowlin will stand in Johnston's way in the individual postseason. If Johnston won, that would make him more confident heading into the postseason. If Johnston lost to Nowlin, West Greene would have lost the match and section title to Washington. Johnston won.

What's important here is that these two coaches made difficult decisions that affected their teams and you have to respect them for that. How many coaches would take a chance on losing a section title to either stand on principal or give a wrestler important experience against one of his rivals?

Not many.

That's what makes these two coaches special. You all would be smart to keep them around.

Individual rankings

O-R Wrestling Rankings

Class AAA
103
1. Nico Cortese, 11-1, Greensburg CC
2. Nathan Pennesi, 16-2, Latrobe
3. Zach Zummo, 13-0, Plum
4. Joe Waltko, 16-2, North Allegheny
5. Ken Trumbetta, 22-2, Greensburg Salem
112
1. Colin Johnston, 20-0, Canon-McMillan
2. Brock Livorio, 18-2, Penn Trafford
3. Brett Skonieczny, 15-5, Fox Chapel
4. Brian Knapp, 16-8, Waynesburg
5. Tyler Sim, 17-2, McGuffey
119
1. Rudy Chelednik, 21-6, Greensburg CC
2. Chris Santucci, 22-1, Bethel Park
3. Josh Testa, 21-2, Hempfield
4. Nick Garber, 29-11, Waynesburg
5. Ian McGlaughlin, 11-3, Butler
125
1. Grant Lowther, 25-4, Trinity
2. Jay Ivanco, 22-1, Gateway
3. Josh Daniels, 17-3, McGuffey
4. Aaron Formaneck, 15-3, Pine-Richland
5. Dave Cawley, 12-5, North Allegheny
130
1. Matt Nelson, 26-2, Shaler
2. Kalvin Schultz, 15-4, Trinity
3. Dustin Henderson, 29-10, Waynesburg
4. Brian Petrakis, 16-3, Gateway
5. Adam Steele, 14-5, Greensburg Salem
135
1. Tyler Oravec, 17-1, Kiski
2. Dan Svec, 14-3,Greensburg Salem
3. Luke Miller, 11-3, Indiana
4. Ryan McGarity, 17-3, Pine-Richland
5. Cory Leslie, 18-1, Keystone Oaks
140
1. Ashtin Primus, 23-1, Connellsville
2. Nick Nelson, 23-1, Shaler
3. Dom Bonnacorsi, 22-1, Bethel Park
4. Lee Layton, 4-2, Seneca Valley
5. Ryan Heilman, 17-5, Peters Township
145
1. Zach McKendree, 24-1, Kiski
2. Ethan Headlee, 24-6, Waynesburg
3. Brendan Cutenese, 20-6, Avonworth
4. Jesse Byerly, 18-0, Keystone Oaks
5. Andy Vaughn, 19-1, Pittsburgh CC
152
1. Brian Letters, 15-1, Fox Chapel
2. Curtis Branchen, 24-1, Avonworth
3. Travis Uncapher, Greensburg CC
4. Matt Ryan, 19-2, Canon-McMillan
5. Mark Generalovich, 20-0, Thomas Jefferson
160
1. Mark Brown, 20-4, Albert Gallatin
2. Kam Zitelli, 11-3, Latrobe
3. Mike Salopek, 20-2, Norwin
4. Karl DeCiantis, 10-5, North Allegheny
5. Dan Mahoney, 18-3, Baldwin
171
1. Rob Waltko, 21-1, North Allegheny
2. Nathan Murin, 26-4, Trinity
3. Josh Serene, 16-0, Kittanning
4. Russell Kropp, 20-0, Upper St. Clair
5. Lance Bryson, 22-2, Albert Gallatin
189
1. Garrett Hunter, 9-1, McGuffey
2. Scott Jospeh, 23-1, Kiski
3. Ray Nubani, 19-1, Upper St. Clair
4. Corey Vasbinder, 8-0, Indiana
5. Ben Maund, 18-4, Canon-McMillan
215
1. George Hingson, 5-0, Moon
2. Jake Kurant, 20-2, Greensburg Salem
3. Rick Dlubak, 15-0, Ambridge
4. Josh Brewer, 21-5, Connellsville
5. Matt Riddle, 21-2, Kiski
Hvy
1. Ryan Tomei, 18-2, Penn Traffords
2. Myles Caragein, 19-0, Keystone Oaks
3. Justin Haines, 21-5, Connellsville
4. Chris Dempsey, 13-0, Ambridge
5. Mike Cornelius, 13-1, Gateway

Class AA
103
1. Patrick Gouin, 16-2, Washington
2. John Prezzia, 22-0, SS Beaver
3. Colin Sheridan, 13-4, Mt. Pleasant
112
1. Dustin Brodmerkel, 21-1, SS Beaver
2. Jordan Shields, 20-4, Burrell
3. Zach Sheridan, 17-2, Mt. Pleasant
119
1. Troy Dolan, 21-1, Derry
2. Matt Peri, 20-5, Mars
3. Ty Basinger, 12-5, Jeff-Morgan
125
1. Lee Vanella, 13-3, Mt. Pleasant
2. Vitaly Ivaschenko, 12-3, South Park
3. Dom Demore, 21-5, SS Beaver
130
1. Shane Welsh, 23-5, Burrell
2. Dave Cunningham, 20-2, SS Academy
3. Ed Petrosky, 17-2, Highlands
135
1. Kory Bissett, 21-2, West Greene
2. Don Tasser, 23-2, Belle Vernon
3. Adam Hoffman, 12-3, Fort Cherry
140
1. Devon Maloney, 20-4, Burrell
2. Joe Geary, 17-2, Mt. Pleasant
3. Jacob Weslager, 21-4, Belle Vernon
145
1. Donnie Ament, 18-2, Mt. Pleasant
2. Tucker Conklin, 22-6, West Greene
3. Zach Klinvex, 21-4, SS Academy
152
1. Derek Maloney, 19-5, Burrell
2. Marc Montecalvo, 20-2, Washington
3. Ed Moorhead, 17-3, Mt. Pleasant
160
1. Josh Shields, 22-2, Burrell
2. Alex Evans, 11-1, Washington
3. Nick Gless, 16-4, Highlands
171
1. Dave Grillo, 18-1, Charleroi
2. Josh Morales, 9-3, Elderton
3. Damian Majocha, 19-6, Burrell
189
1. Philip Henderson, 19-3, Chartiers-Houston
2. Dave Pisarcik, 26-0, Mars
3. Ethan Virgili, 17-4, Jeff-Morgan
215
1. Nathan Tomporoski, 18-1, Highlands
2. Codie Noga, 11-1, Avella
3. Stefen Firmstone, 18-3, Mt. Pleasant
Hvy
1. Paul Snyder, 18-2, Mt. Pleasant
2. Matt Kosarik, 13-1, Fort Cherry
3. Aaron Boyko, 16-4, Highlands

Team Rankings

Team Rankings
Class AAA
1. Kiski 16-1
2. Connellsville 15-4
3. Canon-McMillan 9-5
4. Pine-Richland 14-0
5. Penn-Trafford 8-0
6. North Allegheny 9-3
7. Trinity 8-4
8. Waynesburg 16-5
9. Albert Gallatin 14-2
10. Bethel Park 17-2

Class AA
1. Mt. Pleasant 9-0
2. Burrell 9-1
3. SS Beaver 8-0
4. West Greene 9-3
5. Washington 5-0

Who's No. 1 (redux)

OK, Trinity, which lost to Mt. Pleasant, North Allegheny and Albert Gallatin last week, defeats Waynesburg, which beat No. 1 Connellsville, which beat Trinity and Canon-McMillan, which beat McGuffey, which has achance to beat Waynesburg when the two teams wrestle Jan. 25. Kiski, which lost to Mt. Pleasant and was supposed to wrestle Connellsville in December but had the match postponed because of weather, and is not strong enough to beat Connellsville.
So who's No. 1 in Class AAA?
I just don't know.
This is what makes wrestling so intriguing this season, not knowing from one week to the next who will beat whom.
Bet you can't wait for the WPIAL Team Tournament, huh?

A weight warning

The PIAA will be instituting a new way to determine weight certification next season. It has adopted a national high school federation guideline that will help determine a wrestler's lowest weight through a hydration test. The test, along with the measuring of body fat, will determine the lowest weight he can wrestle.

If a wrestler comes in for certification and the hydration test determines he needs to be at a higher weight, then that will be where he competes.

The test is supposed to be given at the beginning of the season and a weight chart will be kept throughout the season, updated on a weekly basis. Trainers at most high schools are now being certified to give the hydration tests and schools will have to pay for the equipment needed for testing.

One of the unintended pluses of the hydration test is that it will virtually eliminated certain steroids from the sport. Many steroids derive their benefits by allowing water to be trapped into the body's tissue and that allows muscles to form quicker. The hydration test is supposed to gause the water in your system so that should discourage athletes, from middleweight on down, from using steroids.

Individual rankings

O-R Wrestling Rankings

Class AAA
103
1. Nico Cortese, 11-0, Greensburg CC
2. Nathan Pennesi, 15-2, Latrobe
3. Zach Zummo, 13-0, Plum
4. Joe Walko, 10-2, North Allegheny
5. Ken Trumbetta, 16-2, Greensburg Salem
112
1. Colin Johnston, 18-0, Canon-McMillan
2. Brock Livorio, 16-2, Penn Trafford
3. Brian Knapp, 15-8, Waynesburg
4. Dan Karpency, 13-3, Albert Gallatin
5. Tyler Sim, 17-2, McGuffey
119
1. Rudy Chelednik, 15-4, Greensburg CC
2. Brett Skonieczny, 15-4, Fox Chapel
3. Chris Santucci, 16-0, Bethel Park
4. Nick Garber, 15-5, Waynesburg
5. Ian McGlaughlin, 10-3, Butler
125
1. Grant Lowther, 20-4, Trinity
2. Jay Ivanco, 21-1, Gateway
3. Josh Daniels, 16-3, McGuffey
4. Aaron Formaneck, 13-3, Pine-Richland
5. Dave Cawley, 12-5, North Allegheny
130
1. Matt Nelson, 17-1, Shaler
2. Kalvin Schultz, 9-4, Trinity
3. Dustin Henderson, 17-6, Waynesburg
4. Brian Petrakis, 15-3, Gateway
5. Jared Jones, Penn Trafford
135
1. Tyler Oravec, 12-1, Kiski
2. Dan Svec, 8-3,Greensburg Salem
3. Luke Miller, 11-3, Indiana
4. Ryan McGarity, 16-3, Pine-Richland
5. Cory Leslie, 13-1, Keystone Oaks
140
1. Ashtin Primus, 16-1, Connellsville
2. Nick Nelson, 14-1, Shaler
3. Dom Bonnacorsi, 16-0, Bethel Park
4. Lee Layton, 4-2, Seneca Valley
5. Ryan Heilman, Peters Township
145
1. Zach McKendree, 16-1, Kiski
2. Ethan Headlee, 19-5, Waynesburg
3. Brendan Cutenese, 19-6, Avonworth
4. Andy Vaughn, 19-0, Pittsburgh CC
5. Jesse Byerly, 13-0, Keystone Oaks
152
1. Brian Letters, 14-1, Fox Chapel
2. Curtis Branchen, 23-1, Avonworth
3. Travis Uncapher, 5-2, Greensburg CC
4. Matt Ryan, 17-2, Canon-McMillan
5. Mark Generalovich, 14-0, Thomas Jefferson
160
1. Mark Brown, 17-2, Albert Gallatin
2. Kam Zitelli, 10-3, Latrobe
3. Mike Salopek, Norwin
4. Karl DeCiantis, 10-5, North Allegheny
5. Dan Mahoney, 17-3, Baldwin
171
1. Rob Waltko, 15-1, North Allegheny
2. Nathan Murin, 22-2, Trinity
3. Russell Kropp, 11-0, Upper St. Clair
4. Lance Bryson, Albert Gallatin
5. Zach Benzio, Connellsville
189
1. Garrett Hunter, 8-1, McGuffey
2. Josh Serene, Kittanning
3. Scott Jospeh, 17-1, Kiski
4. Ray Nubani, 11-0, Upper St. Clair
5. Corey Vasbinder, 8-0, Indiana
215
1. George Hingson, 5-0, Moon
2. Jake Kurant, 14-2, Greensburg Salem
3. Josh Brewer, 12-4, Connellsville
4. Rick Dlubak, 15-0, Ambridge
5. Matt Riddle, 16-1, Kiski
Hvy
1. Ryan Tomei, 14-1, Penn Traffords
2. Myles Caragein, 14-0, Keystone Oaks
3. Justin Haines, 14-5, Connellsville
4. Chris Dempsey, 13-0, Ambridge
5. Mike Cornelius, 12-1, Gateway

Class AA
103
1. Patrick Gouin, 10-2, Washington
2. John Prezzia, 15-0, SS Beaver
3. Colin Sheridan, 8-2, Mt. Pleasant
112
1. Dustin Brodmerkel, 14-1, SS Beaver
2. Jordan Shields, 14-4, Burrell
3. Garret Johnston, 10-5, West Greene
119
1. Troy Dolan, 16-0, Derry
2. Matt Peri, 13-4, Mars
3. Ty Basinger, 11-5, Jeff-Morgan
125
1. Lee Vanella, 7-2, Mt. Pleasant
2. Vitaly Ivaschenko, 11-3, South Park
3. Zach Pisano, 10-3, Burrell
130
1. Shane Welsh, 17-5, Burrell
2. Dave Cunningham, 14-2, SS Academy
3. Ed Petrosky, 12-0, Highlands
135
1. Kory Bissett, 16-1, West Greene
2. Adam Hoffman, 9-1, Fort Cherry
3. Don Tasser, 13-1, Belle Vernon
140
1. Devon Maloney, 16-3, Burrell
2. Joe Geary, 10-2, Mt. Pleasant
3. Cody Renner, 12-3, West Greene
145
1. Donnie Ament, 12-1, Mt. Pleasant
2. Tucker Conklin, 11-5, West Greene
3. Zach Klinvex, 16-3, SS Academy
152
1. Derek Maloney, 15-3, Burrell
2. Marc Montecalvo, 13-2, Washington
3. Ed Moorhead, 17-3, Mt. Pleasant
160
1. Josh Shields, 16-2, Burrell
2. Alex Evans, Washington
3. Derek Yanchak, 5-2, Yough
171
1. Dave Grillo, 17-1, Charleroi
2. Josh Morales, 9-2, Elderton
3. Damian Majocha, 14-5, Burrell
189
1. Philip Henderson, 12-3, Chartiers-Houston
2. Dave Pisarcik, 23-0, Mars
3. Nic Harr, 8-3, Mt. Pleasant
215
1. Nathan Tomporoski, 13-0, Highlands
2. Codie Noga, 10-1, Avella
3. Stefen Firmstone, 12-2, Mt. Pleasant
Hvy
1. Paul Snyder, 14-2, Mt. Pleasant
2. Matt Kosarik, 7-1, Fort Cherry
3. Chris Alexander, 11-3, Valley

Team rankings

Team Rankings
Class AAA
1. Kiski 15-1
2. Connellsville 11-3
3. Waynesburg 15-4
4. Canon-McMillan 5-3
5. North Allegheny 9-2
6. Penn-Trafford 7-0
7. McGuffey 4-1
8. Albert Gallatin 12-2
9. Hempfield 14-2
10. Pine-Richland 12-0

Class AA
1. Mt. Pleasant 8-0
2. Burrell 8-1
3. SS Beaver 7-0
4. West Greene 8-3
5. Washington 4-0

A peek at the future

The Trinity Elite Duals might not have been as successful as Hillers' fans would have liked, but the interesting format should be more popular in a season that is already too long. Two-day dual meet tournaments will rise to four scheduling points next season but their benefit is well worth the extra point.

Scheduling has always been a challenge even for the most educated people - remember the North Allegheny snafu that cost the Tigers a section title against Shaler about 10 years ago? Other schools have had trouble counting to the maximum scheduling point of 24.

Dual tournaments are nice because they give you as many as five bouts in a day and even the less accomplished wrestlers get that many. Not every team is strong enough to compete in Powerade but every team can find a dual tournament that is right for them if the trend catches on in the WPIAL.

The only downside to the dual tournament is that it might not be an accurate reflexion of your team. For example: two of your team's wrestlers are injured in the first dual meet. Under ordinary circumstances, a coach would have a couple of days to nurse them back to health. In a dual tournament, you have to find a way to have them ready in a couple hours or face forfeiting those weights.

But for getting a wrestler some much-needed experience in a grueling regular season, you can't beat it.

A rant

The WPIAL will hold its Class AAA wrestling championships at Norwin High School this year. And I only have one question.
Why?
I have nothing against Norwin, can't even remember being there in the last 10, 15 years. But my anger is not because of where the tournament is moving into, but where it's moving out of, Canon-McMillan. There is no better place to watch a wrestling tournament than Canon-McMillan, and I'm not saying that simply because it's a short drive from our paper.
Why is it so good?
Because it is the only gymnasium I know of that allows fans to watch the winners' and losers' bracket in the same gym. Whoever designed C-M's gym had wrestling in mind. There are two gyms shaped in a T. The top part of the T is the auxilary gym and the stem of the T is the main gym with seating for about 2,200.
You can watch the action at either gym simply by walking through the top opening of the main gym. There is no wall separating the two. That's what makes it unique. Most two-gym setups require fans to walk through sets of doors into the second gym, and into the leper colony as I like to call it, where most of the wrestlebacks are held.
The other good part about C-M is that they are very experienced in running tournaments. It is the site of Powerade, one of the largest and best tournaments in the country. Frank Vulcano and the crew do a magnificent job organizing and expediting the 935 matches.
The WPIAL had a long-standing agreement with Chartiers Valley for its tournament but that relation broke about about 10 years ago. I understand the WPIAL wants to move the event around so that other schools get an opportunity. Norwin has a beautiful gym, I'm told, but that isn't the way to judge whether it's the best place.
There is money to be made in concessions for any school that gets the event. But again, that shouldn't be the barometer, either.
If a school puts on a good tournament – and Canon-McMillan does – then why move it? Stay with what's working. It's an easy drive and the increased number of parking spaces all but eliminated its biggest drawback.
The WPIAL Championships will be in a gymnasium that's new but there is no guarantee the tournament will be improved.

The best team in Class AAA ...

... isn't even in Class AAA. Mt. Pleasant has separated itself as the best Class AA team in the WPIAL and, judging by the Trinity Elite Duals, is also the best WPIAL team in Class AAA. The Vikings defeated Trinity and Kiski in the duals and looked strong enough to be a force in the Triple-A team tournament, despite not being eligible because of its Class AA status.

Connellsville, the state's defending Class AAA team champion, has lost too much talent from last season and has too many young and inexperienced wrestlers to repeat. In fact, had Canon-McMillan not wrestled so poorly in December's dual meet against the Falcons, the Big Macs could have easily won. Waynesburg beat Connellsville on criteria over the weekend and Kiski showed it has some weak spots in losing to Mt. Pleasant in the Elite Duals.

Trinity can't be feeling good about its chances now, after losing to Albert Gallatin and North Allegheny in their Elite Duals. The Hillers received two forfeits in a 9-point loss to Albert Gallatin and two more in a 9-point loss to NA, Ouch.

Peters Twp. Alumni Night Wed.

Peters Township is holding an alumni night before Wednesday's dual meet against Baldwin. There will be a reception for alumni, family, friends, wrestlers and coaches after the meet. Alumni are asked to arrive at the high school by 6:45 p.m. . . . or you won't get any cookies.

Trinity Elite Duals

Boy, talk about your strong lineups for a pool tournament dual meet. The Trinity Elite Duals run Friday and Saturday at Trinity High School and will include 10 teams, including Kiski, Mt. Pleasant, Burrell, Erie Prep and Greensburg Central Catholic. The idea came from Jeff Bricker, the Hillers' head coach and he spent the past year luring the teams in.

Times are

Friday 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m.,

Individual Rankings

Through Dec. 30

Class AAA
103
1. Nico Cortese, Greensburg CC
2. Nathan Pennesi, Latrobe
3. Zach Zummo, Plum
4. Joe Walko, North Allegheny
5. Ken Trumbetta, Greensburg Salem
112
1. Colin Johnston, Canon-McMillan
2. Brock Livorio, Penn Trafford
3. Brian Knapp, Waynesburg
4. Dan Karpency, Albert Gallatin
5. Zach Cecchetti, Kiski
119
1. Rudy Chelednik, Greensburg CC
2. Brett Skonieczny, Fox Chapel
3. Chris Santucci, Bethel Park
4. Nick Garber, Waynesburg
5. Tyler Sim, McGuffey
125
1. Grant Lowther, Trinity
2. Jay Ivanco, Gateway
3. Matt Scherich, McGuffey
4. Cameron Mumma, Laurel Highlands
5. Aaron Formaneck, Pine-Richland
130
1. Matt Nelson, Shaler
2. Kalvin Schultz, Trinity
3. Dustin Henderson, Waynesburg
4. Brian Petrakis, Gateway
5. Jared Jones, Penn Trafford
135
1. Tyler Oravec, Kiski
2. Dan Svec, Greensburg Salem
3. Luke Miller, Indiana
4. Ryan McGarity, Pine-Richland
5. Jared Roberts, Trinity
140
1. Ashtin Primus, Connellsville
2. Nick Nelson, Shaler
3. Dom Bonnacorsi, Bethel Park
4. Lee Layton, Seneca Valley
5. Ryan Heilman, Peters Township
145
1. Zach McKendree, Kiski
2. Ethan Headlee, Waynesburg
3. Brendan Cutenese, Avonworth
4. Andy Vaughn Pittsburgh CC
5. Jesse Byerly, Keystone Oaks
152
1. Brian Letters, Fox Chapel
2. Curtis Branchen, Avonworth
3. Travis Uncapher, Greensburg CC
4. Ryan Goodman, Latrobe
5. Ryan Sula, Gateway
160
1. Mark Brown, Albert Gallatin
2. Kam Zitelli, Latrobe
3. Mike Salopek, Norwin
4. Karl DeCiantis, North Allegheny
5. Matt Wilps, Chartiers Valley
171
1. Rob Waltko, North Allegheny
2. Nathan Murin, Trinity
3. Russell Kropp, Upper St. Clair
4. Lance Bryson, Albert Gallatin
5. Zach Benzio, Connellsville
189
1. Garrett Hunter, McGuffey
2. Josh Serene, Kittanning
3. Scott Jospeh, Kiski
4. Ray Nubani, Upper St. Clair
5. Corey Vasbinder, Indiana
215
1. George Hingson, Moon
2. Jake Kurant, Greensburg Salem
3. Josh Brewer, Connellsville
4. Rick Dlubak, Ambridge
5. Matt Riddle, Kiski
Hvy
1. Ryan Tomei, Penn Traffords
2. Myles Caragein, Keystone Oaks
3. Justin Haines, Connellsville
4. Chris Dempsey, Ambridge
5. Allen Meyers, Albert Gallatin

Class AA
103
1. Patrick Gouin, Washington
2. John Prezzia, SS Beaver
3. Colin Sheridan, Mt. Pleasant
112
1. Dustin Brodmerkel, SS Beaver
2. Jordan Shields, Burrell
3. Garret Johnston, West Greene
119
1. Troy Dolan, Derry
2. Matt Peri, Mars
3. Ty Basinger, Jeff-Morgan
125
1. Lee Vanella, Mt. Pleasant
2. Vitaly Ivaschenko, South Park
3. Zach Pisano, Burrell
130
1. Shane Welsh, Burrell
2. Dave Cunningham, SS Academy
3. Ed Petrosky, Highlands
135
1. Kory Bissett, West Greene
2. Adam Hoffman, Fort Cherry
3. Don Tasser, Belle Vernon
140
1. Devon Maloney, Burrell
2. Joe Geary, Mt. Pleasant
3. Grady Paxton, Chartiers-Houston
145
1. Donnie Ament, Mt. Pleasant
2. Tucker Conklin, West Greene
3. Mike Pleskovich, Fort Cherry
152
1. Derek Maloney, Burrell
2. Marc Montecalvo, Washington
3. Zach Klinvex, SS Academy
160
1. Josh Shields, Burrell
2. Alex Evans, Washington
3. Derek Yanchak, Yough
171
1. Damian Majocha, Burrell
2. Josh Morales, Elderton
3. Dave Grillo, Charleroi
189
1. Philip Henderson, Chartiers-Houston
2. Joe Tarley, Beth-Center
3. Nic Harr, Mt. Pleasant
215
1. Nathan Tomporoski, Highlands
2. Codie Noga, Avella
3. Matt Deveaney, Fort Cherry
Hvy
1. Paul Snyder, Mt. Pleasant
2. Matt Kosarik, Fort Cherry
3. Chris Alexander, Valley

Team rankings

Class AAA

1. Connellsville 5-0
2. Kiski 10-0
3. Canon-McMillan 4-3
4. North Allegheny 5-0
5. McGuffey 3-1
6. Penn Trafford 2-0
7. Waynesburg 9-2
8. Gateway 8-3
9. Trinity 3-1
10. Chartiers Valley 4-0

Class AA

1. Mt. Pleasant 2-0
2. Burrell 3-0
3. SS Beaver 7-0
4. West Greene 4-1
5. Burgettstown 5-0

Battling the Titans

Most Class AA wrestling coaches wouldn't dream of entering their best wrestlers into an event such as the Powerade Christmas Tournament, afraid that they will have their confidence shattered by some of the toughest competition in the country.

That's why West Greene, Chartiers-Houston and all the other Class AA teams that annually compete in Powerade should be commended. Competition is the best tonic for a wrestler trying to make himself into a medal-winner at Hershey. And there is no better competition in the state during the regular season than Powerade.

Imagine Kory Bissett's confidence level now that he knows he won a weight class against wrestlers from some of the best teams in the country. Even those wrestlers who simply competed got better competition than many of the dual meets they'll wrestle in during the season. That only helps you at season's end.

Strong competition makes you stronger, win or lose. Coaches should be seeking those type of events for their top wrestlers in dual meets and tournaments, even if it means records will suffer. That's how winning programs and winning wrestlers are developed.