Burrell Remains Great After Title Win Number Eight

By: Bruce Markey
Saturday, February 1, 2014 | 10:31 PM

Some things never seem to change. This is especially true when it comes to high school wrestling in Western Pennsylvania. For the eighth straight season, Burrell (12-3) won the WPIAL Class AA team championship with a 34-28 thriller Saturday afternoon over previously undefeated South Fayette (20-1) at Chartiers Valley High School.

In a rematch of last season’s title match, the Bucs jumped out on top, 17-3, by winning four of the first five bouts. A technical fall by Anthony Marra at 126 pounds, decision victories by Damon Greenwald (138) and Corey Falleroni  (145), and a pin by Steve Edwards (152) helped the Bucs build the early 14 point lead. The Lions, however, came roaring back with three successive victories to take a 19-17 lead, the first of six lead changes in the second half of the match.  Falls by Grant Fetchet  (160) and Jack Previte (182) sandwiched around a major-decision win by J.J. Walker (170), his 100^th career victory, gave South Fayette the two point lead eight bouts into the match.

The teams traded victories the next four matches, leaving the Lions with a 28-26 lead with just two bouts remaining. After Dillon Jeffrey scored a technical fall victory at 113 pounds to give Burrell a 31-28 edge, Jason Roberts locked up the title for the Bucs with a 7-1 decision at 120 pounds. It was the second successive season that Roberts clinched the title match for Burrell. Both times he was carried off the mat on the shoulders of his teammates.

Burrell and South Fayette both advance to the state team championships next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the GIANT Center in Hershey.

WPIAL Class AA Championship
Burrell 34, South Fayette 28

126 – Anthony Marra (Burrell) tech. fall Scott Rzepecki, 18-3
132 – Michael Carr (SF) dec. J.R. Andrejcik, 6-4
138 – Damon Greenwald (Burrell) dec. Shane Ging, 4-2
145 – Corey Falleroni (Burrell) dec. Brett Beltz, 8-2
152 – Steve Edwards (Burrell) pinned Ben Previte, 1:27
160 – Grant Fetchet (SF) pinned Noah Hanna, 2:44
170 – Jared Walker (SF) major dec. Derrick Beattie, 11-3
182 – Jack Previte (SF) pinned Nick Pattock, 3:47
195 – Robert Scherer (Burrell) dec. Rausaun Culberson, 6-0
220 – Zach Walker (SF) pinned Corey Arabia, 1:32
285 – Allan Beattie (Burrell) pinned Bryce Christoff, 0:52
106 – Andrew John (SF) dec. Dean Edwards, 6-5
113 – Dillan Jeffrey (Burrell) tech. fall Jasper Wolfe, 17-2
120 – Jason Roberts (Burrell) dec. Kevin Chaussard, 7-1

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Jefferson Morgan advanced to the state championship tournament with a 45-22 win over Burgettstown in the third place match. The Rockets will face District 10 runner-up Fort LeBeouf in a Monday night pigtail match with the winner advancing to Hershey.

WPIAL Class AA Consolation (Third Place)
Jefferson-Morgan 45, Burgettstown 22

126 – John Demaske (JM) pinned Darrell Bails, 2:27
132 – Austin Riffle (Burg) pinned Austin Goldsberry, 1:15
138 – Jason Miller (JM) dec. Stephen Kotouch, 11-5
145 – Trevor Kniha (JM) pinned Josh Paich, 0:47
152 – Tyler Nicholson (Burg) major dec. Parker Woodring, 9-1
160 – Jake McKee (Burg) pinned Jeremy Mayfield, 2:42
170 – Bill Bowlen (JM) pinned Nick Christy, 0:39
182 – Jason Perkins (JM) dec. Tristan Nicholson, 7-4
195 – Jeff Jento (JM) dec. Brad Hucik, 5-3
220 – Anthony Patterson (JM) pinned Brandon Hucik, 1:23
285 – Ian Wolfe (JM) pinned Tyler Shernisky, 1:01
106 – Damon Belford (JM) win by forfeit
113 – No bout
120 – Austin McDermitt (Burg) by forfeit

For a full recap of the AAA WPIAL Championships, including an interview with head coach Josh Shields of Burrell, tune in to Inside the WPIAL Wrestling Circle, Monday night at 7:00 PM on msasports.net.

Tags: Burrell