High school wrestling notebook: Changes ahead for section alignment

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, February 6, 2018 | 7:18 PM

Major changes are coming to the section alignment for the next two wrestling seasons, starting in 2018-19.

According to Canon-McMillan athletic director Frank Vulcano Jr., who serves as chairman of the WPIAL wrestling committee, the new sections have been formed and are awaiting approval from the WPIAL board of directors.

That should occur at the monthly meeting Feb. 19.

Vulcano said competitive balance and geography were major factoris in determining the new sections. Most of the changes were in Class AA.

There will be 46 teams in Class AAA, down two from the previous two-year cycle, and 36 in Class AA, which stayed the same.

South Fayette will move up to Class AAA while Hopewell, Blackhawk and Highlands drop to Class AA. Jeannette, which now has a co-op with Hempfield, and Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic no longer have teams.

“I think people will like the changes,” Vulcano said. “Some may not, but that's expected.”

Vulcano said the addition of Hopewell and Blackhawk — two Beaver County programs — forced the committee to alter sections in Class AA.

While Vulcano could not release the new sections, Hopewell and Blackhawk likely will be a section with Ellwood City, Laurel, Central Valley, South Side Beaver, Beaver, Quaker Valley, Avonworth and Freedom and possibly Summit Academy and Burgettstown.

“Geography did determine some of the sections, that's for sure,” Vulcano said. “There wasn't much change in Class AAA, a couple of minor things.”

There still will be four sections in Class AAA and three in Class AA. Every section will be divided into sub-sections.

Teasdale in Classic

The Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic will be held March 25 at Pitt's Fitzgerald Field House, and Jefferson-Morgan senior Gavin Teasdale has already been selected to the Pennsylvania squad.

The U.S. team was released Tuesday and features 11 two-time state champions. Heading the team is Penn State recruit Roman Bravo-Young (130-0) from Tucson, Ariz.

The only other undefeated wrestler on the U.S. squad is heavyweight Gable Stevenson (132-0) from Apple Valley, Minn. He is a Minnesota recruit.

The WPIAL team will face the Iowa All-Stars.

The remainder of the Pennsylvania and WPIAL squads will be released after the PIAA individual tournament in March.

Century mark

Kiski Area junior Cam Connor, West Allegheny senior Rocky McGeary and McGuffey's Luke Shingle reached the 100-win milestone this past week.

Moon's Nick Acuna and Frank Bonura also reach the 100-win mark recently.

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Blackhawk, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, Highlands, Hopewell, Jeannette, Jefferson-Morgan, Kiski School, McGuffey, Moon, North Catholic, South Fayette, West Allegheny