6 PIAA qualifiers from last year not wrestling at WPIALs

By: Paul Schofield
Tuesday, February 16, 2021 | 6:15 PM

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Seneca Valley senior Chanz Shearer isn’t the only big-name wrestler not participating in the WPIAL and PIAA championships.

Mt. Lebanon junior Mac Stout, the returning WPIAL Class AAA 170-pound champion and PIAA runner-up, was not entered along with four other PIAA qualifiers.

Stout has not wrestled since getting injured Jan. 30 at the Powerade Tournament.

Also sidelined is Connellsville sophomore Jace Ross and West Allegheny sophomores Nico Taddy and Ty Watters. Taddy finished fourth in the PIAA last year at 113 pounds.

Shearer hasn’t wrestled since the Powerade Tournament.

Ross along with teammate George Shultz were injured against Seneca Valley in the WPIAL team semifinals.

Connellsville coach Mike Yancosky said both were battling injuries since football season.

Another wrestler not entered was Penn-Trafford heavyweight Joe Enick.

Quaker Valley senior Connor Redinger, a two-time PIAA qualifier, and Mt. Pleasant junior Luke Geibig were not entered in the WPIAL Class AA tournament that began Tuesday.

Fort Cherry did not enter anyone in the tournament because the team is under quarantine. Fort Cherry athletic director Tom Scarpone said “it’s heartbreaking for our wrestlers, coaches, parents and community. It’s especially tough for our seniors.”

The Rangers had three wrestlers — Julian Moore, Jake Tkach and Robbie West — who were ranked by Trib HSSN. Tkach and West are seniors. West was a PIAA qualifier in 2020.

Burrell magic

There is something special about the Burrell wrestling program.

Just when opponents believe this is the year to dethrone the champion, the Bucs have some step up and get a huge win. Burrell defeated Burgettstown, 38-18, on Saturday to win its 15th consecutive WPIAL Class AA title.

This year’s hero was Damian Barr, who pinned Burgettstown’s D.J. Slovick in the third match of the finals.

“The pin was unexpected,” Burrell senior AJ Corrado said. “It sure gave us a boost.”

Weekend schedule

Here is a look at the WPIAL schedule for the next four days.

Class AA: Section championships are Friday at Canon-McMillan. Sections 2 and 3 begin at 3 p.m.; Section 1 at 7 p.m.

Class AA championship is Saturday at Canon-McMillan. Pigtails at 2 p.m.; semifinals at 3 p.m.; finals (weight classes 106-138) at 5:30 p.m. and (weight classes 145-285) at 6:30 p.m. Note: No spectators for Session 1 and two spectators per wrestler making it to the championships.

Class AAA: Sub-sections 1 and 4 are 5 p.m. Wednesday. Sites are: 1A at Kiski Area, 1B at Penn-Trafford; 4A at Canon-McMillan and 4B at Upper St. Clair. Sub-sections 2 and 3 are 5 p.m. Thursday. Sites are: 2A at Thomas Jefferson, 2B at Hempfield, 3A at Seneca Valley and 3B at North Allegheny.

Class AAA section championships: Section 4 at Canon-McMillan 9 a.m. Saturday; Section 1 at Kiski Area; Section 2 at Hempfield and Section 3 at North Allegheny 10 a.m. Saturday.

Class AAA Championship is Feb. 27 at Canon-McMillan.

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.