Franklin Regional Wins First Ever WPIAL Team Wrestling Gold

By: Bruce Markey
Saturday, February 1, 2014 | 10:52 PM

Last year Franklin Regional came one match away from winning WPIAL gold as a team. This year, they didn’t let it go down to the last match, dominating action while beating Greater Latrobe 42-19 for their first ever WPIAL team championship.

The match started at 138 pounds, where Franklin Regional bumped their lineup up one weight class each from 138 to 170 pounds. The Panthers would jump out to an early 19-0 lead thanks to a fall, technical fall, and two major decisions. Greater Latrobe would fight back, registering a pair of victories, one by technical fall, to cut the lead to 19-8. But Franklin Regional would regain control, winning four of the next five matches en route to a 42-19 victory.

Devon Brown (106) and Josh Shields (160) picked up falls for Franklin Regional while Tyler Smith (138) added a technical fall. Spencer Lee (113), Michael Kemerer (145), Josh Maruca (152), and Brett Zanotto (220) added major decisions to help increase the Panthers lead. Latrobe received a fall from Tyler Mears (285) and two technical falls from Luke Pletcher (120) and Zack Zavatsky (182).

Both Franklin Regional and Greater Latrobe advance to the PIAA tournament in Hershey, which will begin on Thursday.

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

Franklin Regional Panthers 42– Latrobe Wildcats 19

106 – Devon Brown (FR) fall Matthew Lukon (GL) 1:30

113 – Spencer Lee (FR) maj. dec. Ethan McCoy (GL) 15-6

120 – Luke Pletcher (GL) tech. fall Kyle Berk (FR) 23-7, 5:14

126 – Gus Solomon (FR) dec. Joel Cawoski (GL) 8-2

132 – Dom Giannangeli (FR) dec. Ethan Stas (GL) 3-1

*138 – Tyler Smith (FR) tech. fall Jake Willochell (GL) 20-5, 4:55

145 – Michael Kemerer (FR) maj. dec. Ethan Smith (GL) 14-5

152 – Josh Maruca (FR) maj. dec. Jake Shaffer (GL) 9-1

160 – Josh Shields (FR) fall Luke Shaffer (GL) 3:26

170 – Dom Scalise (GL) dec. Brandon Yant (FR) 2-0

182 – Zack Zavatsky (GL) tech. fall John Wohlin (FR) 18-3, 4:07

195 – Jake Pickup (FR) dec. Travis Schmeling (GL) 3-2 OT UTB

220 – Brett Zanotto (FR) maj. dec. Logan Carns (GL) 11-1

285 – Tyler Mears (GL) fall Charlie Mazon (FR) 1:42

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A battle for a trip to the PIAA tournament ended with a dramatic finish Saturday afternoon. After several close bouts throughout the day, including 6 one point victories (3 wins by each team), the match came down to the final bout of the night. Canon McMillan’s Camden Fontenot needed a major decision to tie the bout. But North Allegheny’s Zack Stedeford proved to be a tough opponent, keeping the match tight before dropping a 7-6 match.

For the third consecutive season, North Allegheny will advance to the PIAA tournament where they will wrestle District 8 Champion Taylor Allderdice on Monday in a pigtail match. The loss for Canon McMillan ends their string of four consecutive WPIAL titles.

North Allegheny Tigers 29 – Canon-McMillan Big Macs 28?

106 – Camden Fontenot (CM) dec. Zack Stedeford, 7-6

*113 – Luke Landefeld (NA) dec. Brendon Price, 1-0

120 – Matt Oblock (CM) dec. Scott Stossel, 3-2

126 – Dalton Macri (CM) dec. Dom Forys, 4-3

132 – Jake Hinkson (NA) tech. fall Isaac Miles, 18-2

138 – A.J. Boeh (NA) dec. Alec Hutchin, 3-2

145 – Solomon Chishko (CM) tech. fall Drew Landefeld, 22-6

152 – Malachi Krenzelak (CM) dec. Blinn Shindler, 3-0

160 – Jake Woodley (NA) dec. Micah Kusturis, 4-3

170 – Nick Konyk (CM) tech. fall David Tallman, 16-0

182 – Colton Byerly (NA) dec. Jesse Lesko, 8-1

195 – Clay Byerly (NA) pinned James Zeremenko, 1:18

220 – Zach Smith (NA) pinned Alec Rideout, 1:18

285 – Brendan Furman (CM) pinned David Probert, 3:02

Tags: Franklin Regional, Latrobe