2026 WPIAL wrestling tournament preview capsules

By: Paul Schofield
Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 5:53 PM

Boys Class 3A

Where: Canon-McMillan

When: Friday – 5 p.m. (pigtail round, preliminary round, quarterfinals and first round of consolations). Saturday — 10 a.m. (second-round consolations); 11:30 a.m. (semifinals and third round consolations); 1:15 p.m. (fourth-round consolations); 3 p.m. (finals and third-, fifth- and seventh-place matches)

Returning and past champions: Nicholas McGarity, jr., Peters Township (2-time winner); Santino Sloboda, sr., Butler (2-time winner); Elijah Brown, sr., Belle Vernon (2-time winner); Nico Kapusta, sr., Hempfield; Kai Vielma, jr. Connellsville; Cooper Roscosky, sr., Kiski Area (2024)

Advancement: Top seven advance to PIAA 3A West Regional on Feb. 27-28 at Canon-McMillan

Boys Class 2A

Where: Chartiers Valley

When: Friday – 5 p.m. (pigtail round, preliminary round, quarterfinals and first round of consolations). Saturday — 10 a.m. (second-round consolations); 11:30 a.m. (semifinals and third-round consolations); 1:15 p.m. (fourth-round consolations); 3 p.m. (finals and third-, fifth- and seventh-place matches)

Returning and past champions: Mason Horwat, jr., Derry (2-time winner); Brady Brown, jr., Derry (2-time winner); Javeon Chambers, sr., Highlands; Preston Bubash, so., Elizabeth Forward; Austin Kosanovic, sr., Avonworth; Lucas Barr, sr., McGuffey; Lucas Boyer, jr., Elizabeth Forward; Owen Ivcic, sr., Bentworth; Colin Whyte, sr., West Greene; Cam Baker, sr., Burrell (2024)

Advancement: Top eight advance to PIAA 2A Southwest Regional on Feb. 27-28 at Altoona High School

Girls

Where: Mt. Lebanon

When: Saturday, 9 a.m. (pigtail round, first round, quarterfinals, first and second consolation rounds, semifinals and finals)

Returning and past champions: Haley Smarsh, jr., Moon (2-time winner); Ava Golding, sr., Kiski Area (2-time winner); Josephine Dollman, sr., Norwin (2-time winner); Octavia Walker, sr., Norwin (2-time winner); Alaina Claassen, sr., Plum (2-time winner); Kristen Walzer, sr., Montour; Ella Trahan, sr., Fort Cherry; Marlee Solomon, jr., Canon-McMillan; Braylee Ireland, sr., Knoch; Anna Duncan, jr., South Park; Abigail Dolanch, jr., Avella; Zoey Murphy, sr., Southmoreland; Saphia Davis, sr., Plum (2024); Karsyn Champion, jr., Norwin (2024).

Advancement: Top five advance to PIAA 2A West Regional on Feb. 28 at Mt. Lebanon

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.