PIAA Team Wrestling Playoffs – Day Two Recap
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Saturday, February 13, 2016 | 12:53 AM
All three WPIAL Class AAA teams remain alive at the PIAA Team Wrestling Championships, but only one will bring home the hardware from Hershey’s GIANT Center. Belle Vernon lost Friday evening in the semifinals in a much anticipated showdown with the state’s top-ranked team. As a result, the Leopards drop to the consolation bracket and await the winner of a match between the WPIAL’s other two representatives, Canon-McMillan (12-3) and Kiski Area (22-2), who will square off on Saturday morning in a third round consolation match at 9:00am .
This marks the third time the two squads will meet this season. Canon McMillan won a 27-25 nail-biter in the WPIAL semifinals last Saturday, while the Cavaliers turned in a 35-20 victory in the Big Macs’ gym before the holidays. The winner then moves on to an 11:00am consolation semifinal match with Belle Vernon, with the winner of that match advancing to the consolation bracket final for third and fourth place. The top four finishers will earn team trophies.
Belle Vernon (18-2) started its Friday in Chocolatetown on a positive note with an impressive 46-18 quarterfinal pounding of District 1 runner-up Council Rock South. Logan Seliga (113), Zach Hartman (132), Austin Bell (182) and Michael Fine (220) all pinned their opponents while Scott Joll (145) and Mitch Hartman (170) notched technical falls. The victory advanced the Leopards to the semifinals and a match that showcased the #2-ranked WPIAL champions against #1 Bethlehem Catholic.
The match began at 145 pounds with a barn-burner as the Hawks’ Jarred Papscy narrowly defeated Scott Joll, 9-8. Belle Vernon then jumped on top, 6-3, with a late second period pin by Jarod Verkleeren at 152. The Leopards’ junior is ranked #2 in the state at 145 pounds. Bethlehem Catholic’s Cole Karam then edged Jarod’s older brother, Derek Verkleeren, 5-4, in the 160 pound bout to knot the team score at 6-6. Belle Vernon’s Mitch Hartman, #5 in the state at 160 pounds, bumped up a weight class and struggled with the state’s #2 ranked grappler at 170 pounds, Mike Labriola, who rolled to a 15-7 major decision win. The Leopards’ Austin Bell, #1 in the state at 170, moved up to 182 and was the recipient of a forfeit, giving Belle Vernon a narrow 12-10 lead.
The next four bouts would prove to be incredibly competitive, resulting in a razor-thin 18-16 lead for the Leopards. Belle Vernon was victorious at 195 and 220, with Milton Kobaly edging Adam Soldridge, 2-1, and Michael Fine winning in the Ultimate Tie Breaker, 5-4, over Jody Crouse. The Hawks then scored their own close victories at 285 and 106, as Niko Camacho beat Billy Korber, 5-3 in overtime, and Zach Glenn defeated Jacob Dunlop, 2-0. Bethlehem Catholic then took control of the match, winning the next three matches by a technical fall and two pins. Two-time state champion Luke Karam, a Lehigh recruit, clinched the match, pinning Tyler Seliga at 2:25 in the 126 pound bout. With the match in hand, the Hawks forfeited the final two bouts at 132 and 138 pounds.
Canon-McMillan, the WPIAL’s second place representative, lost its quarterfinal match to Boyertown, 37-20. The Bears, the District 1 champion and ranked third in the state, held the Big Macs to six wins and just two bonus points, both scored by Blaze Kansco with a technical fall victory at 160 pounds. Canon-McMillan bounced back with a convincing 34-18 second round consolation win over District 2 champion Tunkhannock. The Big Macs got falls from James Zaramenko (182) and Brendan Furman (285) and a technical fall by Logan Macri (113), while not allowing the Tigers any bonus points in their six wins.
Kiski Area, the WPIAL’s third place team, suffered a heart-breaking loss in the quarterfinals to Nazareth, the fourth ranked team in the state and the District 11 runner-up. The match finished in a tie, but Nazareth was declared the 33-32 winner by virtue of the ninth tie-breaker criterion, most near fall points. With the match tied 29-29 and two bouts remaining, Kiski Area’s Noah Levitt recorded a clutch 8-7 overtime win over the Blue Eagles’ Ryan O’Grady at 120 pounds. But Nazareth got the three team points it needed to tie the match with a closely contested 4-2 win in the 126 pound bout as Trevor Tarsi edged the Cavaliers’ Matt Siszka. Kiski Area shook off the tough loss by defeating the District 10 champion, Erie Cathedral Prep Ramblers, 35-18, in a second round consolation match. Danny Starr (160) and Tyler Worthing (195) recorded pins for the Cavaliers.
NOTE: Bethlehem Catholic (19-1) meets Boyertown (22-0), the state’s only undefeated AAA team in the championship final at 1pm on Saturday. Bethlehem Catholic’s lone loss was to national prep school power Blair Academy (NJ).
WPIAL Class AA champion Burrell lost in the quarterfinals to Boiling Springs, 39-25. The Bubblers, the defending state champions and District 3 runner-up, blew open a close contest by winning the final four bouts of the match. Trailing 18-8, Burrell got falls from Robert Scherer (220) and Bryan Gaul (106) and decision victories from Alex Bellinotti (195) and Alex Moses (285) to jump out to a 25-18 lead. But Boiling Springs quickly turned the table, recording two falls, a forfeit and a decision to win going away. The Bucs’ Damon Greenwald chipped in with a technical fall at 152 pounds.
Burrell was later eliminated from the competition in a second round consolation match by Southern Columbia, the third place qualifier from District 4. Burrell had a 23-21 lead with two bouts remaining in the match, but had to forfeit the 132 pound bout to give the Tigers a 4-point lead. In the final bout of the match, Todd Lane, ranked #7 in the state at 132 pounds, bumped up one weight class to 138 and defeated the Bucs’ Dylan Jeffrey, 5-0, to secure the 30-23 win for Southern Columbia. Burrell finishes its dual meet season with a 12-7 record.
NOTE: The Class AA championship match will feature a battle of undefeated teams as Brookville (28-0), the District 9 champ and ranked #1 in the state, will face Saucon Valley (26-0), ranked #4 and the top squad from District 11.
Bethlehem Catholic Golden Eagles 33 – Belle Vernon Leopards 30
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145- Jarred Papcsy (Bethlehem Catholic) Dec Scott Joll (Belle Vernon) 9-8 |
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152- Jarod Verkleeren (Belle Vernon) Fall Ryan Zeiner (Bethlehem Catholic) 1:55 |
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160- Cole Karam (Bethlehem Catholic) Dec Derek Verkleeren (Belle Vernon) 5-4 |
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170- Michael Labriola (Bethlehem Catholic) Major Mitchell Hartman (Belle Vernon) 15-7 |
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182- Austin Bell (Belle Vernon) For (Bethlehem Catholic) For |
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195- Milton Kobaly (Belle Vernon) Dec Adam Soldridge (Bethlehem Catholic) 2-1 |
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220- Michael Fine (Belle Vernon) Dec Jody Crouse (Bethlehem Catholic) 5-4 UTB |
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285- Niko Camacho (Bethlehem Catholic) Dec Billy Korber (Belle Vernon) 5-3 OT |
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106- Zach Glenn (Bethlehem Catholic) Dec Jacob Dunlop (Belle Vernon) 2-0 |
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113- Ryan Anderson (Bethlehem Catholic) TF Logan Seliga (Belle Vernon) 23-8 5:42 |
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120- Luke Carty (Bethlehem Catholic) Fall Jake Fine (Belle Vernon) 0:13 |
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126- Luke Karam (Bethlehem Catholic) Fall Tyler Seliga (Belle Vernon) 2:25 |
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132- Zachary Hartman (Belle Vernon) For (Bethlehem Catholic) For |
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138- Brock Godzin (Belle Vernon) For (Bethlehem Catholic) For |
Belle Vernon Leopards 46 – Council Rock South Golden Hawks 18
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132- Zachary Hartman (Belle Vernon) Fall Eric Woloshyn (Council Rock S) 2:44 |
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138- Cary Palmer (Council Rock S) Dec Brock Godzin (Belle Vernon) 9-4 OT |
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145- Scott Joll (Belle Vernon) TF Josh Kahn (Council Rock S) 15-0 4:05 |
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152- Jarod Verkleeren (Belle Vernon) Dec Lucas Martoccio (Council Rock S) 7-4 |
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160- Derek Verkleeren (Belle Vernon) Dec Dylan Schwartz (Council Rock S) 7-3 |
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170- Mitchell Hartman (Belle Vernon) TF Keith Bennett (Council Rock S) 20-5 5:33 |
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182- Austin Bell (Belle Vernon) Fall Tyler Gettmann (Council Rock S) 1:31 |
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195- Joe Doyle (Council Rock S) Fall Hunter Ferrara (Belle Vernon) 1:46 |
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220- Michael Fine (Belle Vernon) Fall Shane Anderson (Council Rock S) 1:16 |
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285- Billy Korber (Belle Vernon) Dec John Anderson (Council Rock S) 3-1 |
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106- Jacob Dunlop (Belle Vernon) Dec Maximino Mendez (Council Rock S) 7-4 |
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113- Logan Seliga (Belle Vernon) Fall Braden Ricchini (Council Rock S) 0:49 |
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120- Kyle Kutney (Council Rock S) Fall Jake Fine (Belle Vernon) 3:05 |
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126- Cary Palmer (Council Rock S) Dec Tyler Seliga (Belle Vernon) 8-2 |
Nazareth Blue Eagles 33 – Kiski Area Cavaliers 32*
* – Nazareth wins by tie-breaker criteria I – most near fall points
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132- Joey Blumer (Kiski) Fall Ian Pulli (Nazareth) 1:38 |
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138- Sammy Sasso (Nazareth) Fall Jake York (Kiski) 2:23 |
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145- Brock Wilson (Nazareth) Fall Logan Pollick (Kiski) 1:30 |
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152- Ricky Fornaciari (Nazareth) Fall Danny Starr (Kiski) 1:38 |
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160- Cade Wilson (Nazareth) Dec Tom Starr (Kiski) 7-0 |
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170- Travis Stefanik (Nazareth) Major Jordan Laero (Kiski) 10-2 |
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182- Vinny Romano (Kiski) Major Zac Keifer (Nazareth) 14-1 |
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195- Tyler Worthing (Kiski) Fall Austin (AJ) Vlasaty (Nazareth) 0:53 |
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220- Chad Kuhn (Kiski) Fall Tucker Klump (Nazareth) 0:37 |
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285- Isacc Reid (Kiski) Major Antonio Novielli (Nazareth) 13-2 |
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106- Darren Miller (Kiski) Dec Sean Pierson (Nazareth) 4-3 |
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113- Tyson Klump (Nazareth) Major Cam Conner (Kiski) 9-0 |
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120- Noah Levett (Kiski) Dec Ryan O`Grady (Nazareth) 8-7 OT |
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126- Trevor Tarsi (Nazareth) Dec Matt Siszka (Kiski) 4-2 Kiski Area Cavaliers 35 – Erie Cathedral Prep Ramblers 18 138- Joey Blumer (Kiski) Dec Ta`Naz Gregory (Cathedral Prep ) 10-4 145- Carter Starocci (Cathedral Prep ) Dec Logan Pollick (Kiski) 7-1 152- Danny Starr (Kiski) Fall Albert Taylor (Cathedral Prep ) 2:11 160- Luigi Yates (Cathedral Prep ) Dec Tom Starr (Kiski) 6-0 170- Vinny Romano (Kiski) Dec Kyle Carter (Cathedral Prep ) 7-2 182- Michael Hughes (Cathedral Prep ) Dec Jordan Laero (Kiski) 8-7 195- Tyler Worthing (Kiski) Fall Ian Malesiewski (Cathedral Prep ) 0:30 220- Chad Kuhn (Kiski) Major Phillip Selker (Cathedral Prep ) 11-2 285- Kawaun Deboe (Cathedral Prep ) Dec Isacc Reid (Kiski) 6-4 106- Darren Miller (Kiski) Dec Brady Sittinger (Cathedral Prep ) 6-4 113- Cam Conner (Kiski) Major Tyler McKinney (Cathedral Prep ) 12-2 120- Noah Levett (Kiski) Def Andrew Stark (Cathedral Prep ) Def 126- Brandon Sauers (Cathedral Prep ) Dec Matt Siszka (Kiski) 10-7 132- Spencer Staab (Cathedral Prep ) Dec Collin Murray (Kiski) 9-2 |
Boyertown Bears 37 – Canon-McMillan Big Macs 20
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132- Tim Hritsko (Canon McMillan) Dec Garrett Mauger (Boyertown) 8-6 |
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138- John Cooley (Boyertown) Dec Dimitri Pihiou (Canon McMillan) 4-3 |
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145- Chris Berry (Boyertown) Fall Declan Lewis (Canon McMillan) 3:13 |
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152- Hunter Vogels (Boyertown) Dec Micah Kusturis (Canon McMillan) 5-2 |
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160- Blaze Kansco (Canon McMillan) TF Zakary Reck (Boyertown) 16-0 3:52 |
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170- Elijah Jones (Boyertown) Dec Thomas James (Canon McMillan) 4-2 |
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182- Gregg Harvey (Boyertown) Fall James Zeremenko (Canon McMillan) 1:13 |
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195- Nick Konyk (Canon McMillan) Dec Brody O`Connell (Boyertown) 5-1 |
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220- Jordan Wood (Boyertown) Fall David Ainscough (Canon McMillan) 0:57 |
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285- Brendan Furman (Canon McMillan) Dec Tommy Killoran (Boyertown) 3-2 |
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106- Matt Wilde (Boyertown) Major Michael Binni (Canon McMillan) 12-4 |
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113- Logan Macri (Canon McMillan) Dec Jakob Campbell (Boyertown) 3-0 |
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120- David Campbell (Boyertown) For (Canon McMillan) For |
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126- Matt Oblock (Canon McMillan) Dec (Boyertown) 3-2 OT Canon-McMillan Big Macs 34 – Tunkhannock Tigers 18 138- Jake Richards (Tunkhannock) Dec Dimitri Pihiou (Canon McMillan) 9-3 145- Connor Munley (Tunkhannock) Dec Stefen Richer (Canon McMillan) 4-2 152- Bill Manley (Tunkhannock) Dec Micah Kusturis (Canon McMillan) 5-0 160- Blaze Kansco (Canon McMillan) Dec Mike Manley (Tunkhannock) 1-0 170- Dalton Ray (Tunkhannock) Dec Thomas James (Canon McMillan) 7-2 182- James Zeremenko (Canon McMillan) Fall Jarod Bernosky (Tunkhannock) 2:15 195- Nick Konyk (Canon McMillan) Fall Josh Flaherty (Tunkhannock) 2:28 220- Sam Rice (Tunkhannock) Dec David Ainscough (Canon McMillan) 3-2 285- Brendan Furman (Canon McMillan) Fall Ricky Stevens (Tunkhannock) 2:54 106- Michael Binni (Canon McMillan) Dec David Gavek (Tunkhannock) 9-8 113- Logan Macri (Canon McMillan) TF Josh Beeman (Tunkhannock) 24-8 3:33 120- Tom Bachman (Tunkhannock) Dec Skyler Adams (Canon McMillan) 6-1 126- Matt Oblock (Canon McMillan) Dec Tommy Traver (Tunkhannock) 7-4 132- Tim Hritsko (Canon McMillan) Dec Dakota Quick (Tunkhannock) 8-3 |
Boiling Springs Bubblers 39 – Burrell Buccaneers 25
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138- Cole Wetzel (Boiling Springs) Major Dylan Jeffrey (Burrell) 13-5 |
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145- AJ Kostyak (Boiling Springs) TF Corey Christie (Burrell) 20-5 |
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152- Damon Greenwald (Burrell) TF Nick Kostyak (Boiling Springs) 25-10 4:33 |
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160- Travis Wickard (Boiling Springs) Dec Shaun Gates (Burrell) 4-2 |
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170- Anthony Marra (Burrell) Dec Cory Calaman (Boiling Springs) 10-4 |
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182- Austin Taylor (Boiling Springs) Fall Nico Barone (Burrell) 3:46 |
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195- Alex Bellinotti (Burrell) Dec Colby Tennyson (Boiling Springs) 11-5 |
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220- Robert Scherer (Burrell) Fall Damon James (Boiling Springs) 1:23 |
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285- Alex Moses (Burrell) Dec Rickie Ott (Boiling Springs) 7-3 |
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106- Bryan Gaul (Burrell) Fall Josiah Haulman (Boiling Springs) :50 |
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113- Kollin Myers (Boiling Springs) Fall Daniel McCarthy (Burrell) 2:56 |
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120- Jalin Hankerson (Boiling Springs) Fall Trent Bechtold (Burrell) 1:06 |
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126- Tristan Hanshaw (Boiling Springs) Dec Ethan Awes (Burrell) 4-0 |
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132- Cameron Palmer (Boiling Springs) For (Burrell) For |
Southern Columbia Tigers 30 – Burrell Buccaneers 23
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145- Corey Christie (Burrell) Dec Jake Santor (Southern Columbia) 5-0 |
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152- Damon Greenwald (Burrell) TF John Gembic (Southern Columbia) 23-5 3:53 |
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160- Anthony Scicchitano (Southern Columbia) Dec Shaun Gates (Burrell) 3-1 OT |
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170- Blake Marks (Southern Columbia) Dec Anthony Marra (Burrell) 5-2 |
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182- Nico Barone (Burrell) Dec Kevin Olvaney (Southern Columbia) 9-4 |
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195- Robert Scherer (Burrell) Dec Steve Toczylousky (Southern Columbia) 2-0 |
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220- Andrew Bell (Southern Columbia) DQ Alex Bellinotti (Burrell) DQ |
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285- Alex Moses (Burrell) TF Connor Fullmer (Southern Columbia) 19-4 3:54 |
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106- Jaret Lane (Southern Columbia) Fall Bryan Gaul (Burrell) 4:36 |
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113- Shane Casey (Southern Columbia) Dec Daniel McCarthy (Burrell) 5-0 |
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120- Trent Bechtold (Burrell) Major Ethan Knoebel (Southern Columbia) 11-3 |
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126- Ethan Awes (Burrell) Dec Jake Renn (Southern Columbia) 1-0 |
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132- Michael Miner (Southern Columbia) For (Burrell) For |
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138- Todd Lane (Southern Columbia) Dec Dylan Jeffrey (Burrell) 5-0 |
Tags: Belle Vernon, Burrell, Canon-McMillan, Kiski School
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