Trinity sets up WPIAL finals rematch with PIAA Class 3A consolation win

By: Paul Schofield
Friday, February 9, 2024 | 5:54 PM

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HERSHEY – Trinity rebounded from a tough loss to Bethlehem Catholic in the PIAA Class 3A quarterfinals at the team championship by trouncing District 12 champion La Salle College, 45-23.

The Hillers (13-2) won the first seven bouts and built a 35-0 lead at the Giant Center.

Bodie Morgan at 172, Jacob Wright at 114, Zane Garner at 127 and Blake Reihner at 139 each recorded pins.

Trinity gets a rematch of the WPIAL finals against Connellsville at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Turning point: Zane Garner kick-started the offense with a first-period pin at 127 pounds. Devin Junko followed with a hard-fought 9-8 win against Aidan Buchanan at 133.

Coach’s thoughts: “I was confident we’d bounce back,” Trinity coach Ron Tarquinio said. “We showed a lot of heart and the team responded. Now we get another shot at Connellsville.”

Up next: Trinity faces Connellsville in a WPIAL Championship rematch at 9 a.m. Saturday.

TRINITY 45, LA SALLE COLLEGE 23

127: Zane Garner (T) p. Cole Trzeciak, 1:12.

133: Devin Junko (T) d. Aidan Buchanan, 9-8.

139: Blake Reihner (T) p. Phillip Sodano. 1:22.

145: Thomas Allison (T) t.f. Noah Ruibal, 16-0 (4:10).

152: Jackson Bruckner (T) major Luke Johnson, 13-4.

160: Cael Nicolella (T) t.f. Nicholas Colucci, 15-0 (4:18).

172: Bodie Morgan (T) p. Jake Zadroga, 1:54.

189: Cormac Morrissey (L) p. Adam Watson, :21.

215: Mario Verrecchia (L) p. Jason Minnie, 1:56.

285: Andrew Brennan (L) p. Jase Banco, 2:43.

107: Jackson Hersh (L) t.f. Mickey Horne, 16-0 (4:13).

114: Jacob Wright (T) p. Cooper Helm, :59.

121: Dominick Canali (T) major Dominic Parenti, 10-0.

R: T 13-2; L 15-3.

Hillers fall in quarters

HERSHEY – Trinity rallied to tie the score with District 11 champion Bethlehem Catholic with three bouts left in their quarterfinal round bout, but the Hawks won them all and walked away with a 41-24 victory Friday at the Giant Center.

The WPIAL runner-up dropped into the consolation round where it will face District 12 champion La Salle College.

The Hillers won five bouts, getting pins from Blake Reihner at 139, Thomas Allison at 145 and Robbie Allison at 215. Devin Junko at 133 and Bodie Morgan at 189 were the other Hillers to win.

Bethlehem Catholic had five falls.

Turning point: After Trinity took a 15-9 lead, Shane McFillin at 152 and Kollin Ruth at 160 had consecutive pins to give the Hawks the lead. Heavyweight Jacob Lance’s pin gave Bethlehem Catholic the lead for good at 30-24.

Coach’s thoughts: “They just had too many weapons,” Trinity coach Ron Tarquinio said. “We gave them a battle and had some good wins. We just didn’t have enough.”

Up next: Trinity faces La Salle College at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

BETHLEHEM CATHOLIC 41, TRINITY 24

121: Keanu Dillard (BC) p. Dominick Canali, 1:26.

127: Ryder Campbell (BC) Zane Garner, 6-1.

133: Devin Junko (T) d. Mason Thomas, 9-8.

139: Blake Reihner (T) p. Peter Vanance, 1:04.

145: Thomas Allison (T) p. Marci Frinzi, 5:19

152: Shane McFillin (BC) p. Jackson Bruckner, 1:21.

160: Kollin Ruth (BC) p. Ian Holub 1:41.

172: Charlie Scanlan (BC) d. Cael Nicolella, 5-3.

189: Bodie Morgan (T) d. Dario Cruz, 6-0.

215: Robbie Allison (T) p. James Deluise, 1:58.

285: Jacob Lance (BC) p. Jase Banco, 3:08.

107: Louden Hower (BC) t.f. Mickey Horne, 16-0 (4:40).

114: Reed Dillard (BC) p. Jacob Wright, 3:32.

Records: M 24-4; B 15-3.

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.

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