Wrestling

Highlands’ Angelo Markey carries a flag honoring Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire as the Golden Rams enter the mat before a match against Knoch on Wednesday. McIntire was killed in the line of duty Jan. 2.

High school roundup for Jan. 11, 2023: Highlands wrestlers pull away for win

January 12, 2023

Julius Saunders recorded a first-period pin at 160 pounds to give Highlands the lead for good in a 51-19 Section 5-2A wrestling victory over Knoch on Wednesday night.

Franklin Regional’s Juliano Marion pins Penn-Trafford’s Adam Hall in the 189-pound bout Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, at Franklin Regional High School.

Quick start carries Franklin Regional past Penn-Trafford

January 11, 2023

The Franklin Regional wrestling team stayed atop Section 3-3A by holding off rival Penn-Trafford in a first-place showdown Wednesday.

Penn-Trafford’s Tasso Whipple wrestles Burrell’s Isaac Lacinski during the 172-pound final at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association wrestling tournament.

What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Jan. 11, 2023: Wrestlers to battle for section top spots

Threes are wild on Wednesday when two of the three teams tied for first place in Section 3-3A go head-to-head on another busy night of WPIAL team wrestling.

Latrobe’s Luke Willochell (top) maintains control from the top against Franklin Regional’s Tyler Kapusta during the 114-pound final of the WCCA.

Westmoreland high school wrestling notebook: Latrobe won’t travel to Virginia

January 10, 2023

The Latrobe wrestling team was scheduled to participate in the Virginia Duals this weekend, but because of the health of concerns of Latrobe coach Mark Mears’ wife, Mary, who suffered a heart attack Dec. 30, the veteran coach decided to tend to his wife.

Franklin Regional’s Nathan Stone (front) reverses position on Hempfield’s Eli Carr during the 139-pound final of the Westmoreland County Coaches Association wrestling tournament Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.

WPIAL team wrestling rankings for Jan. 10, 2023

Here are this week’s WPIAL and City League team wrestling rankings. Teams are listed with overall record and last week’s ranking.

Kiski Area senior Bella DeVito and freshman Ava Golding have worked to help build the school’s still-young girls wrestling program.

Freshman, senior leading charge for Kiski Area girls wrestling

January 9, 2023

It was an all-Kiski Area final in the 126-pound bracket at the high school girls Powerade Tournament on Dec. 28 at Canon-McMillan High School.

Adeline Gray, right, of the United States and Germany’s Aline Rotter Focken compete during the women’s 76kg freestyle finals at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan.

Penn Hills officially sponsors girls wrestling, taking 1st step toward creating a team

January 8, 2023

Penn Hills isn’t ready just yet to field a high school girls wrestling team.

Quaker Valley’s Brandon Krul wrestles Plum’s Antonino Walker during the quarterfinals of the Allegheny County Wrestling Championships at Fox Chapel last season.

Quaker Valley wrestlers learn from Powerade experience, set sights on WPIAL repeat

A select group of Quaker Valley athletes did some big-time wrestling over the holiday break.

Plum’s Saphia Davis wrestles during a match against Fox Chapel on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at Plum High School.

Plum’s girls wrestling team shows improvement in early-season matches

January 7, 2023

The Plum School District sanctioned girls wrestling in June — the 47th district to do so in Pennsylvania — and since then, the program has made significant strides. Its wrestlers, coach Dave Miller said, are making progress both in the practice room and on the competition mat.

Latrobe’s Vinny Kilkeary works to escape Quakertown’s Mason Ziegler in the 120-pound match at the PIAA championships Friday, March 11, 2022, in Hershey.

Latrobe’s Vinny Kilkeary gets chance to become 3-time champion at WCCAs

January 5, 2023

Latrobe senior Vinny Kilkeary returned to the Wildcats starting lineup Wednesday and will get a chance to be a Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association three-time champion.

Latrobe freshman Brock Mears pumps his fists after pinning Hempfield senior Logan Wolfe on Wednesday.

Latrobe wrestlers bring home emotional win for Mears family

January 4, 2023

It’s been a tough week for the Latrobe wrestling team.

Hempfield senior Ethan Lebin tries to escape from Fort LeBoeuf’s Jake Bennett (kneeling) during a 127-pound match at Powerade.

What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Jan. 4, 2023: Class 3A rivals collide on mat

January 3, 2023

We have another first for 2023 with a busy night on the mats with WPIAL team wrestling section matches.

Latrobe Vinny Kilkeary celebrates PIAA Class 3A semifinal round win against Manheim Township’s Kamdyn Williams March 12 at the Giant Center.

Kilkeary, Roth questionable for WCCA wrestling tournament

Latrobe senior Vinny Kilkeary has a chance to become the 58th wrestler in the 70 years of the Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association tournament to win three titles.