Big Macs win, C-H second

Canon-McMillan defended its WPIAL Class AAA Team Tournament title with a 36-19 victory over Latrobe. As has been the case over the past two seasons, the Big Macs got a huge win from an unlikely source. This time, it was freshman Alec Hutchin, who pinned Mitch Lesko to start the dual meet at 130 pounds. The pin was impressive for two reasons: Hutchin had not wrestled in a month - Jan. 8 at the Virginia Duals to be precise - and head coach Chris Mary showed no fear putting him in the lineup after such inactivity.

Hutchin was just the latest hero in a string of heroes over the past two seasons. Sam Minor's pin of Cole Landowski was a crucial point in a win over Kiski in Friday's semifinals. Last year, Zach Thomas' 'pin won a semifinal matchup against Penn-Trafford, and Michael Hull, wrestling with a separated shoulder, won the Kiski match with a 3-2 decision over Steven Calderone in the final bout of the dual meet.

Give the Macs credit for getting the most out of their wrestlers. No argument that their lineup is filled with fantastic wrestlers, but they get production from unexpected sources and that makes them even more dangerous.

Chartiers-Houston was not so fortunate in the finals, falling to Burrell, 54-20. I can't see any Class AA team beating this team in the PIAA Team Tournament and I would buy a ticket to see a Burrell-Canon-McMillan match if it were possible.

Chartiers-Houston was just overwhelmed. But with only one senior – Michael Innes – in the lineup, these Bucs will be back strong next year, too. Burrell had seven wrestlers who had medaled in a state tournament last season. That's a potent lineup.