Franklin Regional notebook: Panthers wrestlers again advance in postseason

By: Paul Schofield
Saturday, January 31, 2026 | 11:01 AM

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The Franklin Regional wrestling team reached the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals in the team tournament for the third consecutive season.

The Panthers won the team title in 2025 and placed third in 2024.

“This group of guys, they have high goals,” Franklin Regional coach Matt Lebe said. “For them, they want to be on the radar to win a WPIAL every year.

“It keeps them focused on what they want to achieve.”

No. 1 Franklin Regional (16-0) faced No. 4 Connellsville (16-2) in the semifinals on Saturday.

The Panthers defeated the Falcons, 32-25, in last year’s final. Connellsville defeated Franklin Regional, 28-22, in the PIAA tournament and finished third.

Connellsville won in the 2024 semifinals, 31-28. The Falcons have won 15 consecutive matches, including two wins against Kiski Area and victories against Gettysburg and State College.

“Connellsville is well coached,” Lebe said. “They are in a community that loves wrestling. It is fun to compete against them.

“We respect the heck out of them. They are a great challenge.”

The Panthers won the Section 9-3A title by edging rival Norwin, 30-28.

Then they defeated Peters Township, 69-0, and Thomas Jefferson, 50-16, to advance to the semifinals.

No. 2 Norwin (11-2) faced No. 3 Canon-McMillan (11-3) in the other semifinal.

Panthers look to rebound

After holding on to defeat McKeesport, 55-52, on Jan. 20, Franklin Regional’s boys basketball team dropped a battle for first place against Gateway, 56-41, on Jan. 23.

The Panthers (7-3, 11-5) could not find their traction offensively against the Gators (10-1, 12-6).

Franklin Regional has four section games remaining. They faced Laurel Highlands (8-8, 3-7) on Jan. 29 and were at Latrobe (6-11, 4-7) on Jan. 30.

They were at Albert Gallatin (2-16, 0-11) on Tuesday and conclude section play against Uniontown (10-8, 6-5) on Friday as they look to secure a berth in the WPIAL playoffs.

FR swimmers shine at county meet

The Franklin Regional boys and girls swimming teams won the Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association team titles.

The girls finished with 352 points. Latrobe was second with 278.

The girls swept the relays.

Senior Magdalena Hull and freshman Anna Tomasic each won two individual races and were part of two relays.

Hull won the 200- and 500-freestyle races, while Tomasic won the 50- and 100-freestyle races.

Junior Scarlett Zolnak won the 100 backstroke.

The 200-medley relay team included Amelia Oates, Tomasic, Aidah Holm and James Kociela.

The 200 free relay team consisted of Hull, Kociela, Holm and Zolnak.

The 400 free relay team members were Hull, Holm, Zolnak and Tomasic.

The boys edged Hempfield, 365-295.

Junior Thomas Westerman won the 200- and 500-freestyle. Senior Peter Ducruet won the 100 breaststroke.

The Panthers also won two relays: the 200 medley and 400 free.

On the winning 200 medley were Andrew Silvis, Ducruet, Christopher Wu and Lucas Oates, while the 400 free team consisted of Wu, freshman Nate Collamer, Silvis and Westerman.

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: Franklin Regional