With deep roster, Penn-Trafford wrestlers expect to bounce back

By: Paul Schofield
Sunday, December 1, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Travis McKillop is back as the head wrestling coach at Penn-Trafford.

He really didn’t leave the program.

A new job last year had him hand over the daily duties to his assistant coach Larry Hohman. This allowed McKillop to settle into his new job.

Now the roles have switched back.

“I didn’t know how things would work out with my new job,” McKillop said. “I figured I might not be there all the time. It ended up that I was there more than I expected.”

The Warriors finished a disappointing 4-10 overall, 2-3 in Section 3-3A. A couple of key injuries hurt the team.

The Warriors kick off this season Dec. 6-7 at the Hickory Invitational in Hermitage.

They are in Section 9, one of the toughest in Class 3A, along with Franklin Regional, Norwin, Plum and Gateway.

Heading the group of returnees is PIAA qualifier junior Dylan Barrett (35-10) at 107. He is a two-time qualifier, and McKillop said Barrett expects to be on the podium this year.

The Warriors graduated one starter: Hayden Coy (17-7), who finished eighth in the state at 145.

Other key returning starters are sophomore Luke DeSantis (18-13) at 121, senior Tasso Whipple (27-12) at 189, senior Logan Ventura (14-21) at 127, junior Logan Matrisch (28-16) at 152 and Dylan Clayton (16-19) at 160. Whipple was a PIAA qualifier in 2023, but he was one win away from qualifying last season.

“Dylan has been looking tough,” McKillop said. “Logan grew like a weed, and we expect him to have a big season as well as Tasso. He had a breakout football season, and he wants to get on the podium.

“The goal is to produce PIAA champions. I expect Tasso, Dylan (Barrett), Luke and Logan (Matrisch) to do it.”

Others back include junior Ivan Ratesic at 114, junior Jake Long at 121, sophomore Sidney Hand at 133, junior Cael Ott at 139, junior Jamison Yurt at 215 and junior Aiden Toth at 285.

McKillop has the Warriors competing in some tough tournaments: Kiski Area Duals (Dec. 14), the Powerade (Dec. 27-28) and WCCA (Jan. 10-11) tournaments and the Ultimate Duals in Brookville (Jan. 18).

“I know we’re in a tough section, but I expect us to make some noise in the WPIAL,” McKillop said. “Our strong section will help us. Our depth allows us to make moves.”

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: Penn-Trafford