2026 PIAA West Regional boys wrestling tournament preview capsules

By: Paul Schofield
Thursday, February 26, 2026 | 2:46 PM

PIAA Class 3A West Regional

Where: Canon-McMillan High School, Canonsburg

When: Friday — 5 p.m. (preliminary round, quarterfinals and first round consolations). Saturday — 9 a.m. (second round consolations); 10:30 a.m. (semifinals and third round of consolations); 12:15 p.m. (fourth round of consolations); 3 p.m. (finals and third- and fifth-place matches).

Participants: Districts 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

At stake: Top five in each weight class qualify for the PIAA championships March 5-7 at the Giant Center, Hershey.

Returning champions: Peters Township junior Nicholas McGarrity (107), Hempfield senior Nico Kapusta (114), Altoona senior Braiden Weaver (121), Butler senior Santino Sloboda (127), Connellsville junior Kai Vielma (139), DuBois sophomore Kendahl Hoare (189) and Belle Vernon senior Elijah Brown (215)

Wrestlers to watch: Norwin junior Landon Sidun (121), DuBois sophomore Mateo Gallegos (121), Central Mountain junior Aiden Kunes (145), Kiski Area sophomore Mario Hutcherson (189), Kiski Area senior Cooper Roscosky (215)

PIAA Class 2A Southwest Regional

Where: Altoona Area High School, Altoona

When: Friday — 4:30 p.m. (preliminary rounds); 7:30 p.m. (quarterfinals and preliminary consolations). Saturday — 9 a.m. (first round consolations); 10:30 a.m. (second round consolations); 12:15 p.m. (semifinals and third round consolations); 2:30 p.m. (fourth round consolations); 5 p.m. (Parade of Champions, finals and third-, fifth- and seventh-place matches).

Participants: Districts 5, 6, 7

At stake: Top seven in each weight class qualify for the PIAA championships March 5-7 at the Giant Center, Hershey

Returning champions: Bishop McCort sophomore Keegan Bassett (107), Penns Valley sophomore Max Dinges (114), Bishop McCort senior Bo Bassett (145) and Bishop McCort junior Melvin Miller (160)

Wrestlers to watch: Chestnut Ridge freshman Kooper Deputy (107), Derry freshman Mason Keesecker (107), Derry freshman Patrick Bulger (114), Chestnut Ridge freshman Carter Ickes (114), Chestnut Ridge senior Dominic Deputy (127), McGuffey senior Lucas Barr (133), Frazier senior Jonah Erdely (152), Derry junior Mason Horwat (172), Tyrone senior Kyle Scott (189) and Derry junior Brady Brown (189)

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.