A-K Valley Senior Spotlight: Burrell’s Calio Zanella

By: Ted Sarneso
Monday, February 24, 2025 | 10:46 AM

Wrestling is one of those high school sports that has the distinct feature of having team and individual championships.

So there’s always the dichotomy of exceling individually and needing to perform as a group to get the team to the playoffs.

Burrell senior wrestler Calio Zanella knows what it takes to be successful individually and for the team.

As the Bucs (15-3, 4-0) took on Derry in the WPIAL Class 2A final Feb. 1, Zanella was asked to wrestle up in weight from 152 to 160 pounds to give the team the best chance to win.

“I knew it was my job and what I needed to do going into that match,” Zanella said. “I knew the dude was a little heavier than me, so I didn’t do a lot of scrambles because he can outmuscle me. The plan was not to give up bonus points, to score and maybe even win.”

Even though he didn’t win and came away from that match with an injury, Zanella’s sacrifice was worth it as Burrell won 33-29.

“That’s Calio,” coach Steve Ansani said. “He’s the ultimate team player. He’ll sacrifice himself for the team and even wrestle injured.”

Zanella recovered quickly with help from the training staff and was able to record a pin in the team’s next match against Penns Valley three days later in the first round of the PIAA championships.

The Bucs lost to a loaded Faith Christian Academy team 65-4 in the quarterfinals.

“We knew what our team was capable of and what needed to happen for us to win, but it just didn’t happen in our favor,” Zanella said. “We had to realize that it’s OK to lose.”

Zanella said he worked hard in the offseason to improve, beginning with his re-attacks.

“Working on it was just about focusing on the neutral position at practice, going hard with my partner during hand fighting, all the small stuff,” Zanella said. “Re-attacks are all about focusing on scoring points immediately instead of sitting back and waiting for the perfect opportunity.”

Zanella, who has a cumulative GPA of 4.5 and will attend Auburn in the fall, has his sights set on making states.

His journey began Feb. 15 in the section championships. He pinned Rowan Crytzer of Highlands in the quarterfinals and beat Alex Wylly of Riverview by tech fall (18-1) in the semis. He had to forfeit against Mason Horwat of Derry in the section finals at Greensburg Salem.

“I’m looking to keep moving forward,” Zanella said. “I just have to focus on one match at a time and keep clawing my way towards my goal.”

Zanella took a few minutes for a Senior Spotlight Q&A:

How big of a difference is it to go up to 160 from 152?

It’s a huge difference. Although it might only be 8 pounds, it’s 8 pounds of muscle. That’s a lot of mass that’s against you, but you have to find ways to work around it, things that can play to your advantage.

What do you see as your best match of the season?

I’ve had some good matches, some close ones. If I had to pick one, I felt like I wrestled well against Kole Doppelheuer (of Belle Vernon). Even though I lost that match, I thought I did pretty good. It was during the WCCA tournament in the semifinals. It opened up a vision of what I needed to work on and how much I actually improved from last year.

What are some ways that you’ve led this team?

In the practice room, making sure everyone is getting the best out of one another. Positivity was a main thing. Even though we might have lost in the state tourney, just keeping our guys’ heads up, talking them through it, letting them know it was OK, and they did their best.

Favorite high school memory?

The team trips up to Hershey. Being up there in that environment with your teammates, bonding and going out and having fun. It’s the happiest place on Earth, even if you lose, kind of like Disneyland.

Why did you choose Auburn?

What I wanted in a college experience was a top engineering program and a great environment that surrounded it. I had a few on the radar, like Purdue and Iowa State were on the list. Auburn really felt like it would be the best place for me in the next four years of my life.

What’s one piece of advice you’d want to leave your teammates?

Don’t take anything for granted. We just had a teammate break his hand at states, absolutely devastating. You’re gifted with every day of your life, so use that gift.

Tags: Burrell