Burrell’s A.J. Corrado wins state title with overtime pin
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Friday, March 12, 2021 | 9:52 PM
Burrell’s AJ Corrado embraces coach Josh Shields after beating Avery Bassett of Midd-West for the PIAA Class AA 160-pound championship Friday, March 12, 2021 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Burrell’s Cooper Hornack wrestles against Hickory’s Louie Gill in the 106-pound final during the PIAA wrestling championships Friday, March 12, 2021, at Giant Center in Hershey.
Burrell coach Josh Shields watches the 138-pound final featuring the Buccaneers’ Ian Oswalt and Glendale’s Brock McMillen during the PIAA wrestling championships Friday, March 12, 2021, at Giant Center in Hershey.
Burrell’s Ian Oswalt paces the mat before taking on Glendale’s Brock McMillan in the 138-pound final during the PIAA wrestling championships Friday, March 12, 2021, at Giant Center in Hershey.
Burrell senior Ian Oswalt stands second on the podium as spectators snap photos of the competitors in the 138-pound bracket during the PIAA Class AA championships.
Burrell’s Ian Oswalt (bottom) wrestles Glendale’s Brock McMillen in the 138-pound final during the PIAA wrestling championships Friday.
Burrell’s A.J. Corrado battles Hamburg’s Bailey Gimbor in a 160-pound semifinal in the PIAA wrestling championships Friday, March 12, 2021, at Giant Center in Hershey.
Burrell’s Cooper Hornack stands in second place with his opponent, winner Louie Gill of Hickory, after competing in the 106-pound final during PIAA wrestling championships Friday, March 12, 2021, at Giant Center in Hershey.
HERSHEY – AJ Corrado didn’t have pancakes for breakfast Friday, but he served one up in the PIAA Class AA finals.
He pancaked Midd-West senior Avery Bassett in overtime for a pin in the 160-pound final and celebrated his first PIAA title to cap off a historic day for the Burrell program at the Giant Center.
The score was tied 1-1 when Corrado attacked.
“I knew he was going to take that shot, and I was actually looking to hit the pancake,” Corrado said. “When he took it, I saw the opening and hit it. It was something I’ve been working on ever since I came to Burrell. I use it a lot. I guess I serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.”
Corrado actually had three close matches, so he was used to the close battles.
“I feel I’m in better shape than most wrestlers,” Corrado said. “I wrestle all my matches where I slowed down my opponents. I train hard every day and I feel great.”
Corrado (34-0, 155-35) also finished as a four-time PIAA placewinner.
It was the first time the school had three finalists during the same season.
Burrell freshman Cooper Hornack (28-3) had never reached the finals in a state event during his illustrious youth wrestling career.
And while he dropped a 6-2 decision to Hickory freshman Louie Gill, it ended up being a learning experience. Hornack defeated Gill at the West Super Region on March 6.
Gill was able to expose Hornack’s back to the mat to pick up three near-fall points in the second period.
“Losing here makes me want to work even harder,” Hornack said. “I just got caught in the second period. I thought I wrestled well until that point.”
Burrell senior Ian Oswalt (24-3) lost a 1-0 heartbreaker to three-time PIAA champion Glendale senior Brock McMillan in a rematch from the 2020 final.
McMillen was able to escape in the second period and held on for the win. He finished 6-0 in his career against Oswalt.
“He’s tough on top. He’s a leech,” Oswalt said. “He hangs on for dear life. He does a really good job to sag on the opposite side and covers your hips.
“That’s no excuse. I shouldn’t get ridden out in the state finals. I was close to taking him down in the first period, but I just couldn’t finish.”
Oswalt said he wasn’t supposed to wrestle this season because of a leg injury that could require surgery.
He said it’s not an excuse for losing.
Oswalt (164-24) finished his career as a four-time PIAA placewinner and two-time runner-up.
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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