Jefferson-Morgan’s Gavin Teasdale wins 4th WPIAL wrestling championship

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, February 17, 2018 | 7:06 PM

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Jefferson-Morgan senior Gavin Teasdale probably doesn't like to see two losses on his record this season, but what's important is winning titles.

Teasdale became the 28th wrestler in WPIAL history to win four titles with a convincing 18-4 victory against Derry senior Shawn Broadway on Saturday at the WPIAL Class AA championships at Canon-McMillan.

Now that the WPIAL title is in his pocket, the Penn State recruit can focus on his next two goal — becoming a four-time Southwest Region champion next weekend at IUP, then becoming a four-time PIAA champion on March 10 at Hershey.

“This tournament is just another event for me,” said Teasdale, who won the 126-pound title. “I figure if I outwork everyone, the championships will come. That's my mindset. I didn't think I wrestled as well as I could have.”

Teasdale (32-2) had a pin, a technical fall and a major decision during the tournament. He won his fourth Section 2 title Friday.

Southmoreland senior Tyler Griffiths (18-5) was denied his third WPIAL title, falling to South Side Beaver senior Joe Demor, 5-3, at 145. Demor (37-1) did a good job stopping Griffiths' leg attack.

“He knows what I like to do,” Griffiths said. “I know how I want to attack him now. It was kind of a big deal, the WPIAL title.

“But even if I won, it doesn't guarantee a title next week or even advancing to Hershey. It (stinks) to lose, but it's not a big deal. My wrestling is a little rusty because I took some time off.”

Derry advanced a record nine wrestlers to regionals and had two champions: Freshman Ty Cymmerman (120) and junior Dom DeLuca (220).

Broadway and junior Onreey Stewart (138) fell in the finals. Other Trojans to advance were junior Kace Sabedra (113), junior Jason Baker (132), senior Dom Jellison (145), junior Trey Weinell (152) and senior Gannon Lenhart (160).

For Cymmerman and DeLuca, it was their first titles.

Cymmerman used a second-period reversal to fend off Freedom freshman Kenny Dushek, 3-2. DeLuca used a two-point nearfall in the second period and a reversal in the third to defeat West Greene senior Connor Main, 5-0.

“I didn't like some of the things that were said in the Latrobe paper on the state team tournament,” DeLuca said. “It motivated me, and I was ready to go.”

DeLuca is battling a shoulder injury that prevented him from practicing the past week. He spent more time in the trainer's room.

“It was a tough tournament, but I was ready,” DeLuca said. “My shoulder isn't 100 percent at all. It will get their eventually. I knew Connor would be tough and strong. I used my technique and moved on.”

Derry coach Mike Weinell said he was pleased the team's effort, especially coming off the state tournament.

“We still have some guys banged up,” Weinell said. “If we get through next week, we'll get a week off before states. That will be nice.”

Winning their second titles were Frazier sophomore Thayne Lawrence (152), McGuffey junior Christian Clutter (160), Freedom junior Bryson Miller (195) and South Side Beaver senior Bishop McCoy (285).

Lawrence defeated Burrell senior Corey Christie, 9-0; Clutter nipped Southmoreland senior Jaden Datz, 1-0; Miller pinned Summit senior Ty Stine; and McCoy needed overtime to edge Valley junior David Schuffert, 3-1.

The other champions were Quaker Valley freshman Connor Redinger (106), Burrell freshman Ian Oswalt (113), Freedom freshman Trent Schultheis (132), Freedom junior Jake Pail (138) and Bentworth junior Jon Vargo (182).

Redinger is Quaker Valley's first WPIAL champion.

Burrell advanced 11 wrestlers to the regionals and had two champions: Oswalt and senior Shaun Gates (160).

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

Tags: Jefferson-Morgan, Mt. Pleasant, Southmoreland