Norwin’s Phipps, Seneca Valley’s Herrera-Rondon get rematch in PIAA Class AAA finals

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Saturday, March 10, 2018 | 12:36 PM


HERSHEY — When Norwin sophomore Kurtis Phipps won his second WPIAL Class AAA title last week with a 1-0 victory against Seneca Valley freshman Alejandro Herrera-Rondon, he wasn't thrilled how he was awarded the winning point.

Herrera-Rondon was called for an illegal move in the second period, giving Phipps the winning margin at 106 pounds.

“If I was the official, I wouldn't have awarded it,” Phipps said afterward. “We should have settled this in overtime. But on the other hand, this could be a final next week.”

Well, next week is Saturday, and Phipps and Herrera-Rondon will again square off, this time in the PIAA finals.

Phipps (39-0) defeated Cumberland Valley sophomore Ben Monn, 4-1, and Herrera-Rondon (45-8) toppled Council Rock South sophomore Kyle Waterman, 4-1, in the semifinals Saturday morning.

“Oh yes, I was hoping for a rematch,” Herrera-Rondon said. “I didn't think the move I made was illegal.”

The 106-pounders are among nine WPIAL wrestlers who reached the finals, which begin at 7 p.m. at the Giant Center.

North Hills sophomore Sam Hillegas heads the list as he attempts to become a two-time champion. He'll face Central Dauphin senior Chris Wright in the 126-pound final.

The others to reach the finals are Shaler junior Ryan Sullivan at 113, Canon-McMillan senior Logan Macri at 120, Franklin Regional junior Colton Camacho at 132, Belle Vernon senior Zach Hartman at 160, Albert Gallatin senior Tim Wallace at 182 and Kiski Area senior heavyweight Isaac Reid.

The WPIAL wrestlers who fell in the semifinals were Hempfield junior Kyle Burkholder (113), Latrobe sophomore Gabe Willochell (126), Hopewell junior Jacob Ealy (126), Kiski Area senior Noah Levett (138), West Allegheny junior Ty McGeary (152), Canon-McMillan sophomore Gerrit Nijenhuis (160), Mt. Lebanon sophomore Luke Stout (160), Belle Vernon junior Scott Joll (170), Thomas Jefferson junior Max Shaw (182), Connellsville senior Nate Ansell (195) and Laurel Highlands senior Ian Edenfield (220).

The WPIAL will have 33 placewinners in Class AAA.

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

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