Burrell falls to Faith Christian in state quarterfinals; Bertucci reaches milestone
By:
Friday, February 7, 2025 | 8:40 PM
Burrell’s Julian Bertucci talks to coach Steve Ansani during a break in the 139-pound match on Feb. 7, 2025.
Burrell’s Cam Baker attempts to escape the grasp of Faith Christian Academy’s Joey Bachmann during a PIAA Class 2A quaterfinal match at Altoona.
Burrell’s Luke Boylan tries to hold down Faith Christian Academy’s Jason Singer in a 215-pound match Feb. 7, 2025.
Burrell’s Julian Bertucci holds down Faith Christian Academy’s Lincoln Botero in a 139-pound match Feb. 7, 2025.
Burrell’s Julian Bertucci celebrates his 1,000th win Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
ALTOONA — Any team hoping to knock off one of the top squads in the country better bring its A-plus game to the mat.
Burrell, the WPIAL Class 2A champion, wrestled well Friday against Faith Christian Academy but was unable to keep pace with the talented Lions from Quakertown and fell 65-4 in the PIAA Class 2A team championship at Altoona Area High School Field House.
The Bucs dropped into the consolation round and will face Erie Cathedral Prep at 8 a.m. Saturday.
“We have to come back Saturday and climb the ladder one wrung at a time,” Burrell coach Steve Ansani said. “I felt we competed, but we made a couple mistakes that cost us, and you cannot do that against a team like that.”
One Burrell wrestler, junior Julian Bertucci, was able to celebrate.
He was the lone Bucs wrestler to win a match, and he made it a memorable one.
Bertucci defeated Lincoln Botero, 9-0, for his 100th career win.
“Julian was not going to be denied,” Ansani said. “He determined to get that win. He went out and got it done.”
Bertucci said he was proud to reach the milestone but felt the team could have wrestled better.
“I can put this milestone behind me,” Bertucci said. “I want the team to come back strong Saturday and finish third. We are better than we wrestled.
“I knew I faced a big challenge coming into the match. That’s a great team. Now I’m focused on individuals.”
Faith Christian Academy showed why it is a great team. The Lions had seven pins and four technical falls.
Burrell junior Jacob Stewart gave up a headlock that resulted in seven points but fought back and only lost 8-1.
After allowing the big move, he dominated against Henry Racich but just could not turn him for points.
“That was one of the mental mistakes we made during the match,” Ansani said. “Those are things we need to correct.”
The other quarterfinal winners were Bishop McDevitt, Berks Catholic and Bishop McCort.
McDevitt defeated Erie Cathedral Prep, 39-23, Berks Catholic whipped Chestnut Ridge, 51-11, and McCort downed Montoursville, 58-8.
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.
Tags: Burrell
More High School Sports
• Penn-Trafford uses familiar formula to defeat Latrobe in baseball home opener• North Allegheny, Shaler boys volleyball teams hold on to No. 1 spots in latest coaches association polls
• Westmoreland County Senior Spotlight: Southmoreland’s Elliot Premus
• A-K Valley Senior Spotlight: Valley’s Arianna Bernard
• High school sports scores, schedules for March 23, 2025
