Class AA Preview - Part 2

The following is a brief look at the local Class AA wrestling teams:

Jefferson-Morgan

Key Losses: Dustin Conti (170, 42-1, 3rd in PIAA)
Key Returns: Brendan Howard (11, 106, 40-9); John Demaske (12, 126, 29-6, 4th PIAA); Jason Miller (12, 138, 36-11); Ryan Zalar (12, 145, 22-11); Bill Bowlen (10, 160, 31-13)
Comment: Lots of talent. New head coach, Mike Lesko, needs to coax more of it out of others.

Mapletown

Key losses - Damien Riley (120, 16-8),
Key returns - Noah Hixon (106, 12-13); Zach Brown (11, Hvy, 16-16)
Comment - Nine starters could return.

South Fayette

Key Losses: Seth Carr (113, 39-5, 2nd PIAA); Mike Fetchet (170, 45-5, 4th PIAA); Brad Haney (182, 26-18)
Key Returns: Jasper Wolfe (10, 106, 22-11); Mike Carr (10, 120, 29-13); Grant Fetchet (12, 152, 37-12); Jared Walker (11, 160, 34-9, 7th PIAA); Zach Walker (12, 195, 32-7)
Comment: Football will cut into wrestling season. Lions will be much better at end than beginning of season. My dark horse pick to win WPIAL.

Washington

Key Losses - Elijah Ellerman (170, 10-13); Elijah Jones (195, 5-1)
Key Returns - Kurt Adkins (10, 120, 14-12); George Rogers (12, 145, 17-10); Shawn Hughes (12, 160, 12-11).
Comment - New coach in John Paiani.

 

West Greene

Key losses - Wade Blackmon (132, 29-13); Matt Johnston (145, 41-8); Cody Jacobs (220, 37-9, 6th in PIAA).
Key returns - Sheldon Phillips (11, 106, 25-16); Dalton Wildman (12, 170, 29-10); Trevin Bedillion (12, Hvy, 23-18).
Comment - Pioneers lose 107 wins with Blackmon, Johnston and Jacobs.

Class AA Preview - Part 1

The following is a brief look at the local Class AA wrestling teams:

Avella

Key Losses - Zach Simonelli (182, 22-12)
Key Returns - Nick Kusich (11, 138, 30-15); Shawn Carl (12, 152, 24-17); Derek Allen (11, 195, 23-15); Jake Temple (12, 220, 40-3, 4th in PIAA);
Comment - There is enough talent on this team to keep opposing coaches worried.

Bentworth

Key losses - Vince Vahaly (126, 30-7); Trevor Wood (132, 33-16); Jake Fordyce (220, 31-12); Mason Shumaker (Hvy, 27-11)
Key returns - Hunter Neely (10, 106-29-14); Jake Rothka (12, 113, 41-13, 8th PIAA); Matt Vickless (12, 120, 29-14)
Comment - Bearcats lost 94 wins from Vahaly, Wood and Fordyce. Finding heavyweights will be key.

Beth-Center

Key Losses - Zach Swarrow (113, 22-8)
Key Returns - Anthony Welsh (10, 138, 37-14); Jason Stay (11, 145, 29-15); Matt Riggle (12, 152, 22-14);  Nico Brown (11, 160, 22-11)
Comment - B-C's football backfield the backbone of this team. Numbers still an issue.

Burgettstown

Key Losses: Matt Abbott (160, 27-18)
Key Returns: Austin McDermott (11, 106, 37-8); John Dennis (12, 113, 25-15); Stephen Kotouch (12, 132, 30-14);
Comment: Lots of experience returning but still a young team..

 

Charleroi

Key losses - None
Key returns - Nick Gavazzi (12, 138, 38-4, 5th PIAA)
Comment - Going to be another long season for the Cougars.

Chartiers-Houston

Key losses - Tanner Sutton (145, 43-8); David Kincaid (170, 25-13); Garrett Vulcano (195, 45-3, 2nd PIAA); Josh Kraushaar (220, 28-17);
Key returns - Ben Hritsko (10, 106, 26-20); Richie McGinnis (12, 120, 34-16); Derek Hull (12, 160, 31-19)
Comment - Graduation took six heavyweights. New coach Jeff Havelka will have work cut out for him.

Fort Cherry

Key losses - None
Key returns - Trevor McIntyre (10, 220, 15-15)
Comment - Good news is nine returning starters. Bad news is only McIntyre was not under .500.


Editor's note: The weights and records were taken from the end of last year. Because rosters have not been set at most schools, I did not include incoming freshmen. Class AA preview will be broken into two parts. The next one will be published Sunday.

Class AAA Preview

The following is a brief look at the local Class AAA Wrestling Teams:

Canon-McMillan

Key Losses - Connor Schram (126, 44-3, state champ); Will Pihiou (152, 15-13); Sam Minor (160, 35-8); Cody Wiercioch (170, 44-1); Steve LaFrance (182, 25-13); Alex Campbell (220, 37-10); Angelo Broglia (Hvy, 37-10)
Key Returns - Brendan Price (12, 106, 38-9); Dalton Macri (12, 120, 45-7, PIAA runnerup); Alec Hutchin (12, 132, 23-13); Josiah Hritsko (12, 138, 20-15); Malachi Krenzelak (12, 138, 10-7); Solomon Chishko (12, 145, 11-0, state champ)
Comment - If Big Macs can find some heavyweights, they will be hard to beat.

McGuffey

Key losses - Brent Blacharczyk (182, 27-6), Zac Herrle (195, 23-14)
Key returns - Gage Nicolella (10,, 106, 25-10); Aaron Harris (10, 113, 29-10); Tyler Harris (12, 138, 19-11); Ryan Steinstraw (11, 220, 21-10)
Comment - Highlanders have some talented sophomores. Still a young team.

Peters Township

Key Losses - Devan Evanovich (138, 22-13); John Ivanschenko (145, 20-12); Jake Caputo (152, 22-13)Mack Mitchell (160, 10-4)
Key Returns - Phil Mary (11, 113, 29-8); Tyler Buckiso (12, 126, 34-5); Italo Merante (12, 132, 29-5); Mac Oberschelp (12, 170, 20-18); Lukas Cervanak (12, Hvy, 21-16)
Comment - Solid team that needs big wins from Mary, Buckiso and Merante.

Ringgold

Key losses - None
Key returns - Doug Gudenburr (10, 106, 33-6)Jake Gerard (11, 126, 28-11); Ken Tarpley (12, 132, 20-9); Brandon Heinzelman (11, 145, 27-10); Devin Fallenstein (12, 160, 34-5); Taylor Bass (11, Hvy, 21-15)
Comment - Rams poised for solid season. Gudenburr and Fallenstein must take the next step.

 

Trinity

Key losses - Evan Sherrieb (145, 26-13), Jeff Miller (152, 24-16), Evan Seaman (Hvy, 28-12)
Key returns - Tristan Buxton (12, 106, 27-10); Ryan Yocum (10, 120, 25-9); Justin Ritter (11, 138, 23-12); Robert West (11, 182, 28-6);
Comment - Hillers lost eight seniors and that will be felt through middle and heavier weights. Yocum and West anchor a good core.

Waynesburg

Key losses - Michael Heasley (138, 19-15)
Key returns - A.C. Headlee (11, 113, 41-6); Logan Henderson (10, 113, 10-1); Shaun Wilson (10, 120, 28-11); Bo Hampson (12, 152, 20-11);
Comment - Headlee the star of this group. Finding wins in heavier weights will be difficult.


Editor's note: The weights and records were taken from the end of last year. Because rosters have not been set at most schools, I did not include incoming freshmen. Class AA preview will be broken into two parts. The first one will be published Friday.

Preseason Team Rankings

1. Franklin Regional

Key Losses: Conner Medlang (120, 4-2); Luke Fleck (Hvy, 23-5).
Key Returns: Tyler Smith (12, 132, 45-4, PIAA champion); Michael Kemerer (11, 126, 38-6, PIAA runnerup); Kyle Berk (11, 113, 31-15); Josh Maruca (11, 138, 43-8, 5th PIAA); Josh Shields (11, 145, 44-6, 3rd PIAA);
Comment: Two transfers _ Devin Brown, a state champ from Saegertown, and Spencer Lee, top-ranked freshman - make them unstoppable.

2. Latrobe

Key Losses: Eric Mills (120, 19-16)
Key Returns: Luke Pletcher (10, 106, 41-2, state champ); Jake Shaffer (10, 138, 34-11), Travis Schmeling (10, 195, 20-12); Tyler Mears (11, Hvy, 28-11)
Comment: Two transfers from Kiski Prep - Ethan McCoy (106) and Dam Scalise (16) - make Wildcats tougher.

3. Canon-McMillan

Key Losses: Connor Schram (126, 44-3, state champ); Will Pihiou (152, 15-13); Sam Minor (160, 35-8); Cody Wiercioch (170, 44-1); Steve LaFrance (182, 25-13); Alex Campbell (220, 37-10); Angelo Broglia (Hvy, 37-10)
Key Returns: Brendan Price (12, 106, 38-9); Dalton Macri (12, 120, 45-7, PIAA runnerup); Alec Hutchin (12, 132, 23-13); Josiah Hritsko (12, 138, 20-15); Malachi Krenzelak (12, 138, 10-7); Solomon Chishko (12, 145, 11-0, state champ)
Comment:. If Big Macs can find some heavyweights, they will be hard to beat..

4. North Allegheny

Key Losses: Ben Schweiger (160, 25-13); Alex DeCiantis (182, 35-4)Dan Watson (Hvy, 23-18)
Key Returns: Jesse Rodgers (12, 138, 40-7, 4th PIAA); Clay Byerly (11, 170, 20-8); Zach Smith (11, 195, 35-10)
Comment: Getting production out the lightweights will be crucial.

5.  Peters Township

Key Losses: Devan Evanovich (138, 22-13); John Ivanschenko (145, 20-12); Jake Caputo (152, 22-13)Mack Mitchell (160, 10-4)
Key Returns: Phil Mary (11, 113, 29-8); Tyler Buckiso (12, 126, 34-5); Italo Merante (12, 132, 29-5); Mac Oberschelp (12, 170, 20-18); Luke Cervanak (12, Hvy, 21-16)
Comment: Solid team that needs big wins from Mary, Buckiso and Merante.

 

6. Connellsville

Key Losses: Ethan Kenney (138, 34-7, 3rd PIAA); Dylan Miller (Hvy, 32-6);
Key Returns: Tyler Kenney (11, 106, 25-10); Dale Provance (11, 152, 22-7); Tommy Provance (10, 160, 26-11); Matt Butler (12, 195, 23-13)
Comment: Numbers are good, but talent level just not there yet.

7. Belle Vernon

Key Losses: Nate Russo (126, 34-6); Adam Nickelson (182, 41-7, 5th PIAA);
Key Returns: Mitch Hartman (10, 113, 26-11); Brendan Hassan (12, 120, 34-6); Derek Verkleen (10, 145, 26-8); Austin Bell (160, 10, 35-9); Milt Kobaly (10, 170, 30-12); Pat Mayernik (11, 220, 22-16)
Comment:  Might have had best crop of freshmen in WPIAL last year.

 

8. Greensburg Salem

Key Losses: Tyler Reinhart (152, 39-9, 6th PIAA); Zach Voytek (160, 43-5, 4th PIAA)
Key Returns: Chris Eddins (10, 106, 32-13); Austin Shaw (11, 126, 33-13); Zach Mattucci (11, 138, 28-17);
Comment: Strong down low, but heavyweights a question mark.

9. Kiski

Key Losses: Cole Landowsky (145, 34-5); Kyle Skelly (152, 26-8)Matt McCutcheon (195, 37-2, 2nd PIAA);
Key Returns:  Ryan Hardaway (12, 120, 26-7); Shane Kuhn (12, Hvy, 42-1, 3rd PIAA)
Comment: Hardaway, Kuhn provide punch, but they need more.

10. Hempfield

Key Losses: Sean LaVella (138, 26-5); Dom Nania (170, 30-10);
Key Returns: Ricky Cavallo (11, 113, 24-6); Sam Krivus (11, 120, 40-3, state champ); Joey Alessandro (12, 132, 29-9);
Comment:  Not enough punch at the end of the lineup.

 

Class AA

1. Burrell

Key Losses: Phil Marra (145, 32-10, 4th PIAA); Dakota DesLauriers (182, 36-0, state champ)
Key Returns: Damon Greenwald (10, 126, 27-15); John Andrejcik (12, 132, 31-11); Steve Edwards (12, 138, 43-10, 6th in PIAA); Corey Falleroni (12, 152, 24-5); Alan Beattie (11, Hvy, 36-10)
Comment: Good wrestlers sprinkled throughout lineup.

 

2. Jefferson-Morgan

Key Losses: Dustin Conti (170, 42-1, 3rd in PIAA)
Key Returns: Brendan Howard (11, 106, 40-9); John Demaske (12, 126, 29-6, 4th PIAA); Jason Miller (12, 138, 36-11); Ryan Zalar (12, 145, 22-11); Bill Bowlen (10, 160, 31-13)
Comment: Lots of talent. New coach needs to coax more of it out of others.

3. South Fayette

Key Losses: Seth Carr (113, 39-5, 2nd PIAA); Mike Fetchet (170, 45-5, 4th PIAA); Brad Haney (182, 26-18)
Key Returns: Jasper Wolfe (10, 106, 22-11); Mike Carr (10, 120, 29-13); Grant Fetchet (12, 152, 37-12); Jared Walker (11, 160, 34-9, 7th PIAA); Zach Walker (12, 195, 32-7)
Comment: Football will cut into wrestling season. Lions will be much better at end than beginning of season. My dark horse pick to win WPIAL.

4. Kittanning

Key Losses: Christian Emminger (126, 22-16); Taylor Jack (152, 34-11); Zac Croyle (195, 30-14, 6th PIAA)
Key Returns: Jason Nolf (12, 132, 45-0, state champ); Jacob Robb (10, 160, 27-10); Logan Robb (11, 220, 19-5)
Comment: Balance, balance, balance. Need to stay away from injuries.

5. Burgettstown

Key Losses: Matt Abbott (160, 27-18)
Key Returns: Austin McDermott (11, 106, 37-8); John Dennis (12, 113, 25-15); Stephen Kotouch (12, 132, 30-14);
Comment: Lots of experience returning but still a young team.

A sad day

I will always remember his reaction to winning the Powerade Tournament title.

Kyle D. Deliere
1985-2013
Kyle D. Deliere, 27, of Cecil, died peacefully Friday, November 15, 2013, surrounded by his loving family and friends, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
He was born December 18, 1985, in Pittsburgh, a son of Tanny and the late Patricia Flaherty Deliere.
Mr. Deliere was a 2004 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School, where he earned 11 varsity letters during his high school athletic career. A stand out wrestler, he won several championships including a WPIAL and Powerade Title. He was also a 2008 graduate of University of Pittsburgh, where he earned two varsity wrestling letters.
Surviving are his father, Tanny (Janet) Deliere; a brother, Tanny J. Deliere; a stepsister, Stephanie Morgan; a stepbrother, Brennan Morgan; an uncle, Dr. Emil (Barb) Deliere; an aunt, Bernadette (Gene) Bonner; and his maternal grandmother, Rosemary Flaherty.
Deceased are his paternal grandparents, Morris and Louise Deliere.
Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Warchol Funeral Home Inc., 3060 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, 412-221-3333. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Monday, November 18, in St. Mary Church, Cecil. Everyone is asked to please meee at the church. Interment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, McMurray.
The family suggests memorials to ViaQuest Hospice, 610 Park Avenue, Monongahela, PA 15063. View and add condolences at: www.warcholfuneralhome.com.