A few thoughts over the weekend

Now, I wish I would have kept ALL my section programs. Because I am wondering when the last time Trinity did not have a section champion. The Hillers qualified 8 for the WPIAL Championships but none as champs.

Dane Johnson of SS Academy became the 18th wrestler in WPIAL history to win four WPIAL championships. His fourth came Saturday night, by forfeit over Chartiers-Houston's Mike Innes. Innes had a rib muscle injury. Not only is Johnson's accomplishment impressive, but give C-H coach Bill Sutton credit for not throwing Innes out there and possibly have him get hurt even worse. No sense in that.

Oh, James Fleming could become the 19th wrestler in WPIAL history to win four WPIAL titles next weekend. The West Mifflin senior will have to beat Jake Kemerer of Hempfield. Obviously, not a given. Kemerer is 41-0 and beat Fleming earlier in the season.

Quietly, Don Rush is doing a nice job at Avella, where all five wrestlers advanced to the regional tournament and Mitch Spencer was named OW after winning his second straight WPIAL gold.

Cody Klempay of Canon-McMillan had a nice section tournament. Only a freshman, Klempay won the title at 215 pounds by pinning Brenton Sutton of Ambridge in 4:28. Klempay entered the tournament losing five of his last eight bouts.

Waynesburg's Derrick Nelson did a nice job beating Dylan Mogan of Bethel Park, 7-2, to win the 112-pound section title. The Raiders have a nice group of young wrestlers and Nelson, only a sophomore, forms a nice 1-2 punch with sophomore Zach McGinnis in the lightweights.

Check back tomorrow for Class AA regional predictions.