Latrobe wrestling ‘climbing to the top’ of Section 1-AAA mountain

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, December 11, 2018 | 6:09 PM

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Mike Ciotti’s last high school wrestling match for Latrobe was 16 years ago in the 113-pound state finals.

Looking back, it doesn’t matter that he lost by three points in a decision to Drew Headlee, his eventual Pitt teammate.

What is important is that he trained like a state champion, which is what he tells his wrestlers at Latrobe every season.

“They might not remember every match, but they’ll remember all that time and effort they put in and the people around them,” Ciotti said. “I put in the extra time and work. While I was never a state champion, I sure do remember what it takes to get there and all of the ups and downs. I think it paid off for me.”

In his third season as head coach, Ciotti said the program has gone from the “bottom of the mountain and to still climbing to the top.”

“I think we have gotten a lot tougher mentally and physically by pushing ourselves though our training,” senior Marino Angelicchio said. “I realize I have to work harder to achieve bigger goals and show the team a good example, show them the right way to go about things inside and outside of school, train hard and do well with academics.”

Ciotta expects the Wildcats (1-0) to compete for a section title, a feat that he said would be difficult against Hempfield and others in Section 1-AAA.

“The Hempfield team is solid, and it’d be an upset to win the section,” Ciotti said. “I also think in playoffs we can do well. We have an overall better team this year and could upset some people. We’re just building and getting guys trickling up from the junior high team.”

Junior Gabe Willochell is the only returning Latrobe wrestler who qualified for states last season. He placed fifth at 126 pounds and has moved up a class to 132.

Angelicchio, his younger brother Enzo and junior Ricky Armstrong could join Willochell in Hershey in March, competing in the PIAA tournament.

“I’d like to see all of those guys get into the state tournament this year,” Ciotti said. “They’ll probably get into the WPIAL tournament again, which is about as tough as it gets, so I hope they make it to state, too.”

Freshman Jack Pletcher, whose brother Luke won three state championships and wrestles for Ohio State, should be one of the team’s top wrestlers at 145.

“He’s young, but focused like an upperclassman,” Ciotti said. “His brother has helped mentor him to do what it takes to be very successful. He’s got the mental toughness and role models around him to get him to be a star one day.”

Jack Pletcher was named a team captain before his varsity career began, but he’s not the only freshman who could contribute this season.

“My practice partner is usually Gabe Golden,” senior Nate Cochran said. “He’s a monster, and no one knows about him yet.”

Returning wrestlers like Tyler Ross, A.J. Rock, Luke Shaffer, Adam Hoffman, Payton Henry and Logan Scherff should also get regular time as starters.

The team’s success will come down to more than their training, according to Ciotti, who said the leadership of the team has to step up, too, throughout the season.

“I have spent all of this time for three years learning from other captains, and now it’s time for me to take what I’ve learned and teach it to our new guys,” Cochran said. “When I came in as a sophomore, I was definitely the quiet, wide-eyed kid. Now I have to be more vocal if I’m going to help our younger guys to reach our goals.”

Shawn Annarelli is a freelance writer.

Tags: Latrobe