See ya in the winter

Well, this has been an interesting first blog for me. I wasn't sure how you would receive it but I got numerous responses and will be back again next wrestling season for season 2. If anything of note happens in between, I will throw it on the blog. Until next season, wish for warm weather and go play golf.

Season wrapup

The wrestling season gave us some new heroes and hope for the future. The level of wrestling in this area lacks quantity but not quality. The medal count, nine, for the Washington-Greene County was respectable but not at the levels of 10 or 20 years ago. Canon-Mac's Colin Johnston appears to be the next coming of Coleman Scott, a possible three-time champion with a great future. C-M's Matt Ryan was a surprise finalist but also an indication of how the Big Macs' program is on the rise.

Kory Bissett of West Greene fell one win shy of a state title, taking third place.

Ryan wasn't the only wrestler to finish higher than expected. Bentworth's Charlie Wonsettler (8th at 171) and C-M's Ben Maund (7th at 189) came through tough weight classes to medal. Garrett Hunter and Tyler Sim of McGuffey had excellent senior seasons and they will be missed.

The balance of power in wrestling in the WPIAL still sits east of Washington County, in Westmoreland and Fayete counties. But the performance of area wrestlers in Hershey gives hope that things are improving here.

Classic March 26

Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic
Sunday, March 26
at Pitt's Fitzgerald Field House
United States vs. Pennsylvania 4 p.m.
WPIAL vs. Delaware 2 p.m.

USA Team
Wt. Wrestler School Record State titles College
112 Mark Kist Eagle Grove Iowa 150-8 3x Iowa State
119 Ben Ashmore Bishop LynchTexas 260-7 4x Okla. State
125 Henry Cejudo Coronado Colo. 151-2 4x Undecided
130 Jordan Frishkorn Great Bridge Va. 196-18 3x Okla. State
135 Lance Thompson Stillwater Okla. 124-15 3x Okla. State 140 Curtis Salazar Valley Colo. 153-6 3x Nebraska-Lincoln 145 J.P. O'Connor Oxford Academy N.Y. 236-12 4x Harvard 152 Darrion Caldwell Rahway N.J. 146-4 3x N. Carolina State
160 Mack Lewnes Mt. St. Joseph Md. 187-13 4x Cornell
171 David Craig Brandon Fla. 182-0 4x Lehigh
189 Keith Dobish Lodi N.J. 128-11 1x Rutgers
215 Scott Bayer Howells Neb. 141-11 2x Nebraska-Lincoln
Hvy Kenny Lester Oviedo Fla. 182-26 1x Arizona State

Total Records 2236-133 Combined Record
State Championships 40
Honorary Coach Greg Jones 3-time NCAA Champion

Pennsylvania Team

Wt. Wrestler High School Record State titles College
112 Jason Guffey Warrior Run 124-25 2x Bloomsburg
119 Billy Chamberlain Cumberland Valley 110-21 1x Undecided
125 Brian Polashuk Spring Grove 141-29 1x Undecided
130 Mike Rappo Council Rock South 149-21 2x North Carolina
135 Ashtin Primus Connellsville 179-20 2x Missouri
140 Garrett Scott Juniata Valley 129-2 3x Penn State
145 Matt Dunn Reynolds 176-11 2x Columbia
152 Andy Rendos Brockway 144-16 2x Bucknell
160 Brent Fiorito Upper Perkiomen 176-31 1x Virginia
171 Mike Letts Octorara 144-19 2x Maryland
189 Pat Flynn Quakertown 141-19 1x Lehigh
215 Mike Cook Bald Eagle Area 75-12 1x Undecided
275 Trevin Cowman Wyoming Valley West 123-27 1x Undecided

Combined Record 1662-253
State Championships 21
Coaches: Vince Testa Penn Trafford WPIAL AAA Team Champions
Mark Mears Mt. Peasant WPIAL AA Team Champions

WPIAL Team

Wt. Wrestler High school Record WPIAL placement
112 Tyler Sim McGuffey 35-4 72-12 2nd 4th
119 Vitaly Ivashchenko South Park 30-5 108-37 3rd DNP 6th
125 Jay Ivanco Gateway 43-4 121-11 3rd 2nd 2nd
130 Lee Vanella Mt. Pleasant 36-9 152-47 1st 1st 1st 4th
135 Tyler Oravec Kiski Area 36-4 149-24 2nd 3rd 2nd 5th
140 Cody Renner West Greene 38-9 116-48 1st 5th
145 Donnie Ament Mt. Pleasant 46-6 179-28 1st 1st 1st 2nd
152 Curtis Brachen Avonworth 44-5 137-25 2nd 5th
160 Josh Shields Burrell 47-3 144-42 1st 2nd 3rd
171 Josh Serene Kittanning 35-3 119-25 1st 3rd
189 David Pisarcik Mars 48-1 79-14 1st 6th
215 Nathan Tomporoski Highlands 42-5 117-27 1st 1st 4th
275 Chris Dempsey Ambridge 39-2 115-27 3rd 5th

Combined Record 1608-367
WPIAL Championships 12
Coaches: Vince Testa Penn Trafford WPIAL AAA Team Champions
Mark Mears Mount Peasant WPIAL AA Team Champions

Delaware Team
Wt. Wrestler High school Record Overall Del. placement
112 Jake Sawyer Lodi 23-21 43-41 4th
119 Nathan Fleming Milford 34-7 126-29 2nd 2nd 5th 5th
125 Ian Moser Caesar Rodney 43-6 143-30 1st 1st 1st
130 Jeremy Shaw St. Marks 39-9 148-44 3rd 1st 3rd 3rd
135 Kyle Klinkenborg Polytech 38-4 100-25 2nd 3rd 6th
140 Zach Fredrick St. Marks 35-13 146-49 4th 5th 2nd
145 Matt Caldwell Caesar Rodney 41-5 109-15 1st 1st 1st
152 Andrew Bradley St. Marks 43-5 138-23 1st 1st 1st 4th
160 Anthony Edwards Caesar Rodney 25-9 74-36 DNP
171 Tim Bisson Alexis I DuPont 39-8 118-37 6th
189 Kaamil Alghanee William Penn 38-0 108-18 1st 4th
215 Luke Pierson Milford 15-3 72-27 3rd 6th
Hvy Brandon Kendzierski Milford 34-7 126-33 1st 2nd 3rd 6th

Combined Record 1451-407
State Championships 12
Coaches: Don Parsley Milford High School
Dickie Howell Caesar Rodney High School
Jason Bastianelli St. Marks High School
Marvin Dooley William Pen High School

Johnston wins, Ryan 2nd

HERSHEY Colin Johnston, a sophomore from Canon-McMillan High School, captured the 112-pound gold medal in the PIAA Class AAA Wrestling Championships Saturday night at the Giant Center.

Johnston thrashed Fred Rodgers of Boyertown 12-2 in front of a packed arena. Johnston put the match away early when he hit a five-point move in the first period. He then breezed through the final four minutes, outscoring Rodgers 7-2 for the 10-point win.
Johnston was the first state champion for head coach Chris Mary.

The Canon-McMillan hopes for a second state champion were dashed when Matt Ryan dropped a heart-breaking 1-0 decision to Ryan Goodman of Latrobe in the 152-pound championship. The only point of the match was scored 7 seconds into the third period when Goodman broke free after Ryan tried a lift.

AAA Finals

CLASS AAA
Championship matches
103 Jordan Oliver Easton dec. Nico Cortese Greensburg Central Catholic 6-2.
112 Colin Johnston Canon-McMillan major dec. Fred Rodgers Boyertown 12-2.
119 Billy Chamberlain Cumberland Valley dec. Walter Peppelman Central Dauphin 2-1 OT.
125 Brian Polashuk Spring Grove dec. Tyler Nauman Middletown 2-1.
130 Mike Rappo Council Rock South dec. Steve Fittery Cocalico 7-5.
135 Zach Kemmerer Upper Perkiomen dec. Matt Moley Spring-Ford 2-1 rideout.
140 Ashtin Primus Connellsville dec. Nick Nelson Shaler 7-4.
145 Tim Darling Nazareth dec. Quentin Wright Bald Eagle Area 8-5.
152 Ryan Goodman Greater Latrobe dec. Matt Ryan Canon-McMillan 1-0.
160 Brent Fiorito Upper Perkiomen dec. Thad Frick Nazareth 2-1 rideout.
171 Sam Eck Jersey Shore pinned David Crowell Nazareth 5:22.
189 Pat Flynn Quakertown dec. Thomas Shovlin Central Dauphin 5-4.
215 Mike Cook Bald Eagle Area dec. Josh White Boyertown 6-5.
275 Trevin Cowman Wyoming Valley West dec. Chris Dempsey Ambridge 7-4.

AA Placements

CLASS AA
Championship matches
103 John Prezzia South Side Beaver dec. Cody Kelly Reynolds 4-1.
112 Jason Guffey Warrior Run dec. Cody Myers Southern Huntingdon 6-5.
119 Troy Dolan Derry Area dec. Vitaly Ivashchenko South Park 10-3.
125 Scott Clymer Northwestern Lehigh dec. Adam Hluschak Northern Lehigh 8-2.
130 Nikko Leitzel Ridgway dec. Donny Clark West Branch 5-4.
135 Kellon Balum Line Mountain dec. Nick Stabile Hamburg 3-2.
140 Rickey Schmelyun Bermudian Springs dec. Aaron Nestor Reynolds 10-8.
145 Matt Dunn Reynolds tech. fall Dan Konno Northwestern Lehigh 15-0 3:01.
152 Andy Rendos Brockway dec. Matt Moore Blairsville 4-3.
160 James Sciascia Pius X dec. Josh Shields Burrell 6-4 OT.
171 Mike Letts Octorara tech. fall Zac Bennett Westmont Hilltop 18-1 3:17.
189 Kellen Harris Sharon dec. David Pisarcik Mars 8-6 OT.
215 Adam Farrell Fort LeBoeuf major dec. Scott Snyder Northern Lehigh 15-6.
275 Mike Edwards Reynolds dec. Eli Morres Brookville 7-4.
Third Place Consolations
103 Matt Yocco Brandywine Heights pinned Eric Caschera South Williamsport 2:36.
112 Tony Communale Pius X dec. Bryce Marshall Bermudian Springs 7-3.
119 Marty Borowsky Harriton dec. Derek Reber Lewisburg 1-0.
125 Brock Parker Canton dec. Brad Kummerer Hamburg 6-5.
130 Shane Welsh Burrell dec. Tony Lascari North Star 3-2.
135 Kory Bissett West Greene dec. Cody Streuning Wilson Area 5-2.
140 Dan Moist Schuylkill Valley dec. Josh Knecht Athens 13-7.
145 Donnie Ament Mt. Pleasant dec. Mike Delaurentis Springfield Township 2-1.
152 Glenn Shober Schuylkill Valley dec. David Sunderland Southern Huntingdon 4-2.
160 Nate Johnson Central Columbia dec. Lawrence Beckman Reynolds 7-5 OT.
171 Steve Makin Central Cambria dec. Derek Coffey Lewisburg 8-6.
189 Justin Hepburn Loyalsock dec. Nick Sipes Curwensville 3-1.
215 Brandon Boyer Saucon Valley major dec. Nathan Tomporoski Highlands 10-1.
275 Mike Sullivan Youngsville dec. Richie Smith Pen Argyl 3-2.
Fifth Place Consolations
103 Dane Johnson Shady Side Academy dec. David Fogel Forest Hills 4-2.
112 Cameron Moran Kane dec. Nick Yocco Brandywine Heights 9-5.
119 Nick Nichols Port Allegany pinned Andrew Arnold Northern Lehigh 3:48.
125 Josh Snyder Hyndman dec. Lee Vanella Mt. Pleasant 2-1.
130 Matt Lee Wyalusing dec. Steve Waite Fort LeBoeuf 3-1.
135 Devon Maloney Burrell by default over Colby Pisani Ridgway 3:54.
140 Mike Maurer Towanda by forfeit over Brent Willison Hyndman.
145 Beau Fisher Grove City dec. Derek Brownmiller Lehighton 3-1.
152 Cody Anderson Port Allegany dec. David Priest Wyomissing 11-5.
160 Alex Brown Delone Catholic dec. Ryan Smith Eastern York 2-1.
171 Greg Lapp Brandywine Heights dec. Damian Majocha Burrell 2-1.
189 Matt Panasevich Mountain View by injury default over James Haynes Mount Carmel 2:00.
215 Stan Brudnicki Lake-Lehman dec. Jordan Cooke Youngsville 9-8.
275 Ryan Gibble Central Columbia dec. Tim Smeal West Branch 2-1 rideout.
Seventh Place Consolations
103 Josh Malick Mount Carmel major dec. Seth Ecker Potstown 11-0.
112 Kory Hiner Fort LeBoeuf dec. Gary Pfahler Chestnut Ridge 5-4.
119 Mike Powlus Central Columbia dec. Paul Kulka Reynolds 3-1.
125 Luke Chohany Susquenita dec. Mike Paronish Northern Cambria 2:07.
130 Kyle Patton Westmont Hilltop by forfeit over Joey Anceravage Bloomsburg.
135 Mason Stewart Reynolds dec. Zach Marlatt Northern Lehigh 5-0.
140 Joe Geary Mt. Pleasant dec. Andy Snyder Tamaqua 2-1.
145 Greg Conover Littlestown dec. Brandon Dixon Lackawanna Trail 5-2.
152 Chad Sindoni Athens dec. Justin McCrillis Greenville 7-5.
160 Zeke Drake Oswayo Valley dec. Frank Heffernan Northern Lehigh 8-5.
171 Shawn Fausey Line Mountain dec. Charlie Wonsettler Bentworth 8-6.
189 Jerod Northcott Cochranton dec. Jeremy Cannon Boiling Springs 1-0.
215 Brian Johnson Montoursville dec. Pete King Mars 6-1.
275 Paul Snyder Mt. Pleasant dec. Brock Nichols Towanda 5-2.
Team Scoring
1. Reynolds 114 2. Northern Lehigh 58.5 3. Burrell 56 4. Northwestern Lehigh 51.5 5. Pius X 44 6. Brandwine Heights 42 7. Bermudian Springs 38 8. Fort LeBoeuf 36 9. Southern Huntingdon 35.5 10. Line Mountain 34. more

Johnston, Ryan in finals

Canon-McMillan hit the daily double for the PIAA Wrestling Championships Saturday morning.

Colin Johnston, a 112-pound sophomore, and Matt Ryan, a 152-pound junior, advanced to the Saturday night finals in their respective weight classes.

Johnston (47-1) got there with a 6-2 decision over Joe McCullough of Cathedral Prep. Johnston will take on Fred Rodgers (48-2) of Boyertown, a 4-2 winner over Tyler Sim of McGuffey in the other semifinals.

Ryan (46-7) won a hard-fought 4-3 decision over Justin Barrier of Big Spring and meets Ryan Goodman (40-1) of Greater Latrobe in the finals.

Grant Lowther of Trinity was beaten by Brian Polashuk of Spring Grove 7-4 in two overtimes. The match was tied 4-4 after one overtime and Polashuk caught Lowther on a roll-through for three backpoints with six seconds left.

Garrett Hunter of McGuffey dropped a 7-0 decision to Pat Flynn of Quakertown in the 189-pound quarterfinals and dropped to the wrestlebacks.

Sim, Hunter and Lowther can finish as high as third and as low as sixth.

PIAA Class AAA results

Class AAA

(First round and consolations)

Colin Johnston, Canon-McMillan, 112 pounds
First round decisioned Chris Kochinsky, Middletown, 3-2
Quarters decisioned Shane Smith, Upper Perkiomen, 8-4
Next opponent Joe McCullough, Cathedral Prep, Sat. Morning

Tyler Sim, McGuffey, 112 pounds
First round decisioned Tyler Fishburn, Bellefonte, 9-5
Quarters decisioned Bobby Ward, Nazareth, 3-1
Next opponent Fred Rodgers, Boyertown, Sat. morning

Matt Scherich, McGuffey, 119 pounds
First round decisioned by Nick Hyatt, Boyerstown, 6-0
Consols decisioned by Andrew Flegler, Nazareth, 4-2 OT
(Eliminated)

Grant Lowther, Trinity, 125 pounds
First round decisioned Ryan Kemmerer, Upper Perkiomen, 8-7
Quarters decisioned Jonathan Crawford, Lower Dauphin, 8-3
Next opponenet Brian Polashuk, Spring Grove, Sat. morning

Nick Garber, Waynesburg 125 pounds
First round pinned Stuart Rhoades, Hollidaysburg, 1:31
Quarters decisioned by Mario Giordano, Nazareth, 4-3
Consols decisioned by Jeremy Stierly, Owen J. Roberts, 11-0
(Eliminated)

Ethan Headlee, Waynesburg, 145 pounds
First round decisioned Aaron Sandel, Milton, 5-0
Quarters decisioned by Rob Morrison, Cedar Cliff, 6-2
Consols decisioned by Zach Mckendree, Kiski, 11-3
(Eliminated)

Matt Ryan, Canonn-McMillan, 152 pounds
First round decisioned Rob Hoffman, Owen J Roberts, 7-4
Quarters decisioned Marcus Wilson, Northampton, 4-2
Next opponent Chris Barrick, Big Spring, Sat. mornning

Eric Williams, Trinity, 160 pounds
First round decisioned by Zach Rabenold, Freedom, 4-2
Consols decisioned by Brad Clark, Methacton, 6-0
(Eliminated)

Nathan Murin, Trinity, 171 pounds
First round pinned by Sam Eck, Jersey Shore, 4:39
Consols pinned Tim Kovitch, Neshaminy, :46
Consols pinned Mario Morelli, Dubois, 2:29
Next opponenet A.J. Brentzel, Penn-Trafford, Sat. morning

Ben Maund, Canon-McMillan, 189 pounds
First round decisioned Justin Weiller, Northampton, 7-5
Quarters pinned by Pat Flynn, Quakertown, 3:34
Consols decisioned Cory Ruth, Easton, 3-2
Next opponent Travis Stem, Bald Eagle Area, Sat. morning

Garrett Hunter, McGuffey, 189 pounds
First round decisioned Derrick Hockensmith, Cumberland Valley, 8-2
Quarters decisioned Travis Stem, Bald Eagle Area, 5-2
Next opponent Pat Flynn, Quakertown, Sat. morning

PIAA Class AA results

Class AA
(Through the first round and 3rd rd Consols)

Kory Bissett, West Greene, 135 pounds
First round pinned D.J. Traylor, Kutztown 2:52
Quarters decisioned by Cody Struening, Wilson, 6-4
Consols pinned Don Tasser, Belle Vernon, 1:35
Consols decisioned Zach Marlatt, Northern Lehigh, 10-5
Consols decisioned by Cody Struening, Wilson, 11-1
(Wrestling for third place Saturday)

Cody Renner, West Greene, 140 pounds
First round decisioned Cody Frick, Hamburg, 4-2
Quarters decisioned by Dan Moist, Schuylkill Valley, 8-5
Consols decisioned by Josh Knecht, Athens, 9-4
(Eliminated)

Grady Paxton, Chartiers-Houston, 140 pounds
First round pinned by Aaron Nestor, Reynolds, 4:55
Consols decisioned by Mike Maurer, Towanda, 10-2
(Eliminated)

Alex Evans, Washinngton, 152 pounds
First round decisioned Dan Vogel, Western Wayne, 2-1
Quarters decisioned by Andy Rendos, Brockway, 3-2 rideout
Consols decisioned by Justin McCrillis, Greenville, 2-0 OT
(Eliminated)

Aaron Hrutkay, Beth-Center, 152 pounds
First round decisioned by Glenn Shober, Schuylkill Valley, 16-5
Consols decisioned by Rich Clocker, Benton, 10-0
(Eliminated)

Derek Yanchak, Bentworth, 160 pounds
First round decisioned by Lawrence Beckman, Reynolds, 8-0
Consols pinned by Clint Gardner, Montoursville, 2:07
(Eliminated)

Charlie Wonsettler, Bentworth, 171 pounds
First round decisioned Nick Hosford, Northern Lehigh, 4-1
Quarters decisioned by Derek Coffey, Lewisburg, 11-4
Consols decisioned Jeremy Gross, Bloomsburg, 5-3
Consols decisioned by Damian Majocha, Burrell, 4-1
(Wrestling for seventh Saturday)

Ryan Watson, Burgettstown, 171 pounds
First round lost by tech. fall to Mike Letts, Octorara, 16-0
Consols decisioned John Phillips, Smethport, 5-2
Consols pinned by Damian Majocha, Burrell, 4:21
(Eliminated)

Phil Henderson, Chartiers-Houston, 189 pounds
First round decisioned by Matt Panasevich, Mountain View, 9-4
Consols pinned Dustin Pine, James Buchanan, 4:37
Consols decisioned by Justin Hepburn, Loyalsock, 2-1
(Eliminated)

Luke Miiller, Chartiers-Houston, 215
First round pinned Ede Renninger, Sheffield, :17 (fastest of first round)
Quarters decisioned by Scott Snyder, Northern Lehigh, 8-6
Consols decisioned by Stan Brudnicki, Lake Lehman, 8-3
(Eliminated)

Matt Kosarik, Fort Cherry, Hvy
First round decisioned Brian Brandt, Columbia, 4-0
Quarters decisioned by Eli Morres, Brookville, 3-0
Consols decisioned by Brock Nichols, Towanda, 5-4 2 OTs
(Eliminated)

Scott out of tournament

Garrett Scott, a three-time state champion from Juniata Valley High School, withdrew from the PIAA Wrestling Championships after receiving a 10-day suspension for violating school rules governing the Internet. Scott, a 140-pound senior, was hoping to become the PIAA's 10th four-time champion and first since Jeremy Hunter accomplished the feat from 1993-96. Scott's absence was filled by Chartiers-Houston junior Grady Paxton and the bracket was redrawn.

Get local results here

You don't have to keep your ear glued to the radio or call your friends in Hershey to find out what happened to the Washington-Greene County wrestlers in the PIAA Championships. Get the results of every local wrestler right here in this blog. I will be updating their results round by round throughout the three-day event. Find out who they wrestled, what the score was and what round it came in.

Just log on the the Observer-Repoter Web site (observer-reporter.com) and follow the blog link to Mat Matters. It's that easy. Tell your friends.

PIAA Class AAA predictions

Tuscano's Picks

Class AAA
103
1. Jordan Oliver, Easton
2. Nic Bedelyon, Indian Valley
3. Chris Albright, Red Lion
4. Nico Cortese, GC Catholic
112
1. Colin Johnston, Canon-McMillan
2. Fred Rodgers, Boyertown
3. Joe McCullough, Cathedral Prep
4. Tyler Sim, McGuffey
119
1. Chris Sheets, Uppper Perkiomen
2. Matt Kyler, Clearfield
3. Russ Souders, Easton
4. Matt Scherich, McGuffey
125
1. Grant Lowther, Trinity
2. Tyler Nauman, Middletown
3. Mike Robinson, Lewistown
4. Mario Giordano, Nazareth
130
1. Mike Rappo, Council Rock South
2. Steve Fittery, Cocalico
3. Matt Nelson, Shaler
4. Bryan Ortenzio, Cedar Cliff
135
1. James Fleming, West Mifflin
2. Zack Kemmerer, Upper Perkiomen
3. Tyler Oravec, Kiski
4. Matt Moley, Spring-Ford
140
1. Ashtin Primus, Connellsville
2. Braylin Williams, Easton
3. Nick Nelson, Shaler
4. Justin Accordino, Coughlin
145
1. Tim Darling, Nazareth
2. Dillon Evans, Council Rock South
3. Quentin Wright, Bald Eagle Area
4. Dave Zeek, Council Rock North
152
1. Chris Barrick, Big Spring
2. Ryan Goodman, Latrobe
3. Curtis Branchen, Avonworth
4. Jason Ardillo, Cathedral Prep
160
1. Brent Fiorito, Upper Perkiomen
2. Thad Frick, Nazareth
3. Dave Woodall, Pittston
4. A.J. Detwiler, Pennridge
171
1. Josh Serene, Kittanning
2. Sam Eck, Jersey Shore
3. Josh Ballan, Whitehall
4. Nathan Murin, Trinity
189
1. Thomas Shovlin, Central Dauphin
2. Pat Flynn, Quakertown
3. Scott Joseph, Kiski
4. Garrett Hunter, McGuffey
215
1. George Hingson, Moon
2. P.J. DiStefano. Whitehall
3. Luke Cox, Red Land
4. Josh White, Boyertown
Hvy
1. Miles Caragein, Keystone Oaks
2. Ryan Tomei, Penn-Trafford
3. Trevin Cowman, Wyoming Valley West
4. Chris Dempsey, Ambridge

PIAA Class AA predictions

Tuscano's Picks

Class AA
103
1. Matt Yocco, Brandywine Heights
2. John Prezzia, SS Beaver
3. Evan Yenolevich, NW Lehigh
4. Cody Kelly, Reynolds
112
1. Jason Guffey, Warrior Run
2. Cameron Moran, Kane
3. Kory Hiner, Fort LeBoeuf
4. Jordan Shields, Burrell
119
1. Troy Dolan, Derry
2. Robert Waite, Tyrone
3. Vitaly Ivashchenko, South Park
4. Derek Reber, Lewisburg
125
1. Adam Hlushak, Northern Lehigh
2. Lee Vanella, Mt. Pleasant
3. Josh Snyder, Hyndman
4. Jeff Langdon, North East
130
1. Nikko Leitzel, Ridgway
2. Donny Clark, West Branch
3. Joey Anceravage, Bloomsburg
4. Steve Nestor, Reynolds
135
1. Kellon Balum, Line Mountain
2. Nick Stabile, Hamburg
3. Kory Bissett, West Greene
4. Jake Snyder, Hyndman
140
1. Garrett Scott, Juniata Valley
2. Ricky Schmelyun, Bermudian Springs
3. Aaron Nestor, Reynolds
4. Cody Renner, West Greene
145
1. Donnie Ament, Mt. Pleasant
2. Matt Dunn, Reynolds
3. Chris Lascari, North Star
4. Dan Konno, NW Lehigh
152
1. Andy Rendos, Brockway
2. Matt Moore, Blairsville
3. Glenn Shober, Schuykill Valley
4. Chad Sindoni, Athens
160
1. James Sciascia, Pius X
2. Lawrence Beckman, Reynolds
3. Josh Shields, Burrell
4. Nate Johnson, Central Columbia
171
1. Mike Letts, Octorara
2. Derek Coffey, Lewisburg
3. Steve Makin, Central Cambria
4. C.J. Church, Fort LeBeouf
189
1. Dave Pisarcik, Mars
2. Kellen Harris, Sharon
3. Nick Sipes, Curwensville
4. Jeremy Cannon, Boiling Springs
215
1. Scott Snyder, Northern Lehigh
2. Nathan Andrews, Penns Valley
3. Brandon Boyer, Saucon Valley
4. Nathan Tomporoski, Highlands
Hvy
1. Ritchie Smith, Pen Argyl
2. Ryan Gibble, Central Columbia
3. Paul Snyder, Mt. Pleasant
4. Eli Morres, Brookville

AAA Regional recap

Was it bad seeding or just parody that turned the PIAA Class AAA Southwest Regional Tournament at Norwin into a disaster for No. 1s? Only four of the top seeds won their weight class. The weakest was unquestionably 160, where No. 1 Mark brown of Albert Gallatin struggled against wrestlers with, respectively, 15-9 and 29-11 records in the first two rounds, was pinned in the semifinals and was eliminated one round later.

A similar fate was in store one weight later for North Allegheny's Rob Waltko. He never made it to the semifinals, beaten in the quarters by A.J. Brentzel of Penn Trafford and eliminated by Nate Murin of Trinity for third place.

In the Where Have I Seen Him Before category. James Fleming of West Mifflin won the 135-pound weight class, shutting out two of his last three opponents. Fleming wrestled in this season's Powerade Tournament for Greensburg Central Catholic. He was in the Lakeview School District last year.

They kept team points at the event and the two WPIAL team semifinalists – Canon-Mac and Penn-Trafford – finished 10th and 18th, respectively, over the weekend. Kiski won it with 38 points, 10 more than Greensburg Salem.

AA Regional recap

Because of some technical problems, I was unable to bring a few final thoughts on the PIAA Class AA Southwest Regional Tournament. And there were a number of side issues that went along with the one champion – Kory Bissett of West Greene – and two runners-up – Cody Renner of West Greene and Matt Kosarik of Fort Cherry.
Charlie Wonsettler of Bentworth gave a gutsy performance to take third place. Wonsettler wasn't sure he would even wrestle in Johnstown because of a flareup of a groin injury sustained in football season. He won four matches in the wrestlebacks to qualify for Hershey.
Grady Paxton of Chartiers-Houston missed a berth in Hershey after a 5-3 loss to Mt. Pleasant's Joe Geary for fifth place at 140 pounds. Paxton didn't appear his usual self the match after being tech. falled by Garrett Scott of Juniata Valley in the semifinals. A 10-4 loss to Justin Berrier of Southern Huntingdon forced him into the fifth-place match with Geary.
Derek Yanchak of Bentworth knocked Marco Pecora of Richland out of a trip to Hershey with an 11-10 win for fifth place at 160. Pecora is the son of UPJ wrestling coach Pat Pecora.
Phil Henderson of Chartiers-Houston is one of the toughest wrestlers to score on. In five bouts at 189 pounds, he gave up seven bout points and took third.
Michael Coleman of Apollo-Ridge took fifth place at 145. The interesting part about that is he is the lone member of the team, is coached by his dad, and has former Mt. Pleasant coach Rob Waller sitting in the second coaching chair. Coleman works out at Waller's wrestling club.
Finally, one of the odd parts of the postseason for AA wrestlers is how poor the lightweights are. No one from Washington-Greene County made it to states at 130 or below. Only five qualified for the regional in that span.

Ho-hum first round

The first round of the WPIAL Class AAA Wrestling Tournament was about as exciting as we thought it would be. Actually, as exciting as we thought it wouldn't be.

Only one of the top four seeds in any weight class was knocked off. Waynesburg's Keith Higginbotham, a fourth seed at 215, was pinned by Alex Fleming of Fox Chapel in 1:47. I don't remember a round that went so according to plan. Either the WPIAL steering committee is seeding this tournament with uncanny success or there is a vast divide in the level of wrestling in each weight class.