Derry wrestling on the verge of breaking into WPIAL elite

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, November 27, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Derry wrestling coach Troy Dolan Jr. was having a tough time keeping the excitement about the future from showing.

“It’s going to be fun around here the next several years,” Dolan said. “We’ve got some good wrestlers (in seventh and eighth grade) coming up. We should be much improved this season.”

With what Derry has returning and the freshmen coming up this season, the Trojans could be making some serious noise as soon as this season.

Dolan wouldn’t say it, but Derry could be a challenge for perennial power Burrell.

Derry returns three PIAA qualifiers, including placewinner Mason Horwat (38-7), a sophomore who placed sixth at 145.

The other qualifiers were senior Anthony Mucci (35-8) at 114 and sophomore Brady Brown (35-6) at 189.

“I expect Anthony to have a big season,” Dolan said. “He worked hard in the summer. He’s going to surprise people.

“I feel the same way for Mason and Brady. They’ll be a lot better. Everyone has been working hard.”

Dolan said he expects freshmen Dylan Bateman (114-121), Matt Fernell (114), Rocco DeCario (107) and Hayden Hood (145) to compete for starting spots.

Others back include senior Teryn Nuttall (9-14) at 107, senior Giovanni Beatrice (24-14) at 121, senior Brett Klim (30-14) at 127 and junior Jeremiah Gess (14-11) at 139.

Another wrestler in the room this winter is former Mt. Pleasant junior heavyweight transfer Dylan Pitzer, who placed fourth in the state. The WPIAL ruled Pitzer’s transfer was for athletic intent and ruled him ineligible.

Dolan said he was unsure if the Pitzer family and school are going to appeal to the PIAA.

Derry is in a section that includes Greensburg Salem, Ligonier Valley and Mt. Pleasant.

“Burrell is the team to beat until someone beats them,” Dolan said. “I just hope we will challenge them.”

Derry opens the season at River Valley on Dec. 7 for the Babbit Duals.

The Trojans travel to Latrobe for a nonsection match Dec. 11. They are in the Moon Duals, Powerade and WCCA tournaments. They also face Forest Hills and Bethel Park in nonsection matches.

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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