Springdale’s Alex Wylly eyes postseason success as part of Riverview wrestling co-op

By: Michael Love
Saturday, February 1, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Last season, Alex Wylly made a postseason push that saw him place fourth in his Class 2A section tournament, earn a sixth-place medal at the WPIAL championships, and compete at regionals.

The sophomore and lone Springdale varsity wrestler in this year’s Springdale-Riverview co-op is on a mission to take that next step and build on what was a strong first varsity season.

Two months into this season, Wylly has built a strong resume of performances and is gearing up for championship tournament success.

“I learned last year that varsity wrestling at the high school level is different from anything else,” said Wylly, who is in his fourth year overall with the Springdale-Riverview co-op.

“There is so much you have to follow and stay focused with. It’s a harder level of wrestling, especially when you get into districts and regionals. At regionals last year, there were some state champions in my bracket. I was just amazed at how much the competition level spikes as soon as you get to high school.”

Wylly is 17-7 overall this season after earning 23 wins in 37 matches last year.

He most recently recorded three technical fall victories and a pin in his four matches at the Valley Duals on Jan. 25.

That came on the heels of an eighth-place podium finish at 160 pounds at the Allegheny County tournament Jan. 18.

“All that I went through last year helped me come back more confident that I can get to the places I want to be and need to be,” Wylly said.

Wylly went 3-3 at the county tournament. He advanced to the quarterfinals with a technical fall win over Central Catholic’s Jackson Pacellio and a second technical fall against Avonworth’s Dimitri Velisaris.

His run through the championship bracket, however, ended with a pinfall loss to Fox Chapel’s Milo Chiu.

But Wylly guaranteed himself a spot on the podium with a 13-2 major decision over North Hills’ Austin Demartino in the fourth round of consolations.

He hoped for a better fate in the battle for seventh, but North Allegheny’s Kellen Buggey was too strong and produced a 14-5 result.

“Kellen is a very good wrestler,” Wylly said. “He’s very defensive, so I had to get him moving to get to my offense. It was definitely rough scoring at least a couple of points. He ended up scoring off of a couple of my attacks. I definitely have to clean up getting in on the legs.”

Despite the setback in his final bout of the day, Wylly said he was happy he was able to take that next step. Now, he wants more at next year’s county tournament.

“That was a goal to get onto podium after last year,” he said.

“I didn’t really care about the seeding. The kid that won (160) wasn’t even seeded. Nothing rattled me. I just went out there and wrestled and did the things that I know. Some things worked well for me, and some things didn’t. But I was able to learn from each match.”

Riverview coach Joe Murphy said that in addition to Wylly’s improvement and success on the mat, he has upped his leadership role among his Raiders teammates.

“That’s been a big difference,” Murphy said. “Alex can be vocal, and the big thing is that he just keeps working. He’s going to clubs in addition to our practices. The guys see that. They see how hard he works, and the results are there for him.

“He’s wrestling more controlled and smarter this year, and it has shown in all his matches. He has a nice run going. His goals are high, and I know he’s going to do whatever he can to be prepared.”

Wylly and his Riverview teammates are now in the room gearing up for the Class 2A Section East tournament Feb. 15 at Greensburg Salem High School.

It is the first championship tournament which will lead into WPIALs Feb. 21 and 22 at Chartiers Valley and the PIAA Southwest Regional on Feb. 28 through March 1 in Altoona.

“I am super excited to get out there and show people what I’ve got,” Wylly said.

“There are a lot of tough kids in the section, WPIALs and the region. I am looking to get to regionals and do better than a 1-2 finish like it was last year. But I know I have to take it one step at a time and not look too far ahead.”

Wylly said he also is pumped for what the overall group of Riverview wrestlers can do starting at the section tournament.

“It is exciting to see all the guys who came back and have shown so much improvement,” said Wylly, who also trains several days a week at the Mat Factory in Lower Burrell.

“They know that no matter if they have a tough match, they are going to go out there and wrestle hard. We come into the room every day ready to wrestle and ready to compete and give it our all.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Riverview