Class AA Preview - Part 1

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

Avella

Key Losses - Shawn Carl (170, 33-14), Derek Allen (195, 26-15), Jake Temple (220, 43-0, PIAA champion), Andrew Haskakis (Hvy, 21-17)

Key Returns -  Luke Lloyd (120, 24-18, Jr.), Sean Meredith (132, 17-11, Jr.), Nick Kusich (145, 27-16, Sr.), Dakota Umphrey (152, 15-15, Sr.)
Comment - The Eagles need to find some heavier weights. Loss of Temple hurts.

 

Bentworth

Key Losses - Jake Rothka (120, 30-12), Matt Vickless (126, 31-11), Paul Mizia (170, 18-13), Dillon Jolly (182, 13-8), Mason Shumaker (Hvy, 29-12)

Key Returns - Hunter Neely (106, 34-8, Jr.), Ty Mitchell (132, 26-15, Jr.), Ethan Tush (160, 17-14, Jr.)
Comment - Graduation wiped out heavyweights. Neely poised for strong season.

 

Beth-Center

Key Losses - None

Key Returns - Anthony Welsh (145, 37-8, Jr.), Jason Stay (152, 26-12, Sr.), Nico Brown (160, 34-16, Sr.)
Comment - Welsh, Stay and Brown strong through middle. B-C needs young kids to develop around them.

 

Burgettstown

Key Losses - John Dennis (120, 21-19), Stephen Kotouch (132, 33-20), Ryan Pendeville (195, 24-13)

Key Returns - Austin McDermitt (113, 41-6, Sr., 6th in PIAA), Jake McKee, 160, 29-12, Sr.), Tristan Nicholson (160, 22-17, Sr.), Brad Hucik (182, 19-16, Jr.)
Comment - Blue Devils a Top 5 team this year. Good season awaits McDermitt.

 

California 

Key Losses - None

Key Returns - James Campbell (132, 7-11, Jr.)
Comment - Campbell the one and only wrestler at California last year. You gotta root for him.

 

 Charleroi

Key Losses - None

Key Returns - None
Comment - Program is on shaky ground, starting from scratch after four seniors graduated.

Chartiers-Houston

Key Losses - Rich McGinnis (132, 36-14), Pete Provenzano (160, 26-14), Derek Hull (170, 35-11)

Key Returns - Josh Kuslock (10, 23-6, So.), Ben Hritsko (126, 26-13, Sr.), Garrett Grimm (182, 19-16, Sr.), Trey Lober (Hvy, 19-13, So.)
Comment - New coach in Garrett Johnston but solid core to build on this season.

Fort Cherry

Key Losses - Caelin Celani (145, 15-11), Logan Ellek (152, 16-10),

Key Returns - Hunter Frye (106, 12-9, So.), Trevor McIntyre (Hvy, 28-11, Jr.)
Comment - Rangers lost eight seniors who produced a combined 64 wins from last year.

 

Editor's note: The second part of Class AA will follow in a couple days. Class AAA also will be posted next week.