WPIAL Class 2A section breakdowns for 2023-24 season

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 | 6:37 PM

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Section 1

Reigning WPIAL champion Burgettstown (17-2) looks for back-to-back titles by returning nine starters. Heading the list of returnees are three PIAA qualifiers: senior Parker Sentipal (47-7), senior Gaven Suica (43-13) and senior heavyweight Joe Baronick (41-15). … McGuffey (11-3) looks to challenge for the section title. The Highlanders also return nine starters led by PIAA qualifier sophomore Lucas Barr (40-12). … Senior Chase Frameli (33-11), a two-time PIAA qualifier, is one of eight returning starters at Jefferson Morgan (8-3). … Beth-Center (6-6) lost a couple key wrestlers to graduation but returns senior Jacob Layhue (38-13). … Bentworth (3-4) will be led by three PIAA qualifiers: senior Chris Vargo (42-3), sophomore Owen Ivcic (36-16) and senior Vitali Daniels (36-11). Vargo was a PIAA runner-up, and Daniels placed fourth. …PIAA fourth-place finisher junior Braedon Welsh (44-6) is one of the key starters back for Fort Cherry (5-7). … Sophomore Colin Whyte (35-11) and senior Seth Burns (25-15) plan to lead West Greene (2-8). … Sophomore heavyweight Joe Wilson (24-7) looks to improve Washington (0-7).

Section 2

Senior three-time PIAA champion Rune Lawrence (45-3) isn’t the only weapon at Frazier (12-9). The returning section champions also return four PIAA Southwest Regional qualifiers:senior Tyler Clark (33-13), sophomore Jonah Erdely (36-12), junior Ryan Celaschi (35-8) and sophomore Jackson Angelo (33-8). Erdely and Celaschi also reached Hershey. … Tommy Dolde is the new coach at Mt. Pleasant (11-6). Two PIAA qualifiers — senior Jamison Poklembo (39-8) and sophomore Dylan Pitzer (35-12) — return for the Vikings. … Southmoreland (9-5) returns 10 starters headlined by PIAA regional qualifier sophomore Gabe Kubasky (17-11) and junior Landon Delara (27-14). … Albert Gallatin (8-5) returns 11 starters including regional qualifier senior Landon Conroy (26-13). … Belle Vernon (6-6) will get some help once football season is over. The Leopards are led by senior Giovanni Weightman (34-13), junior Kole Doppelheuer (12-5) and sophomore Elijah Brown (35-13). … Senior Damon Michaels (38-10) looks to lead Elizabeth Forward (4-8). … Yough (1-19) hopes to build around junior Raidon Kuroda (12-9).

Section 3

Quaker Valley (15-6) returns 10 starters from the defending section champions. The Quakers are led by senior Jack Kazalas (38-5). … Montour (11-2) returns nine starters and hopes to challenge for the section title. The Spartans will lean on senior Anthony Orlandini (40-15) to pave the way. … Junior Braiden Sudor (29-9) will lead Carlynton (8-4). … Sophomore Jeremy Wagner (17-11) is one of seven starters back for Keystone Oaks (7-4). … Regional qualifiers — sophomore Austin Kosinovic (30-14) and senior Luke Hollywood (21-14) — are ready to lead Avonworth (3-13). … Junior Wyatt Markovich (25-9) looks to be the top gun at South Park (6-7). … Sophomore Mason Naspinski (13-13) seeks to build on his season at South Allegheny (2-9).

Section 4

Senior Brenan Morgan (38-5) just missed becoming Central Valley’s first PIAA champion. He’s 1 of 11 starters returning for the Warriors (6-2). … PIAA regional qualifier junior Gavyn McCray (27-13) is one of 10 starters back for Freedom (10-11). … PIAA qualifier senior Isaiah Pisano (36-11) looks for gold this season for Hopewell (8-5). … Senior Nick Thompson (18-13) will be counted on to lead Beaver (4-5) this season. … Eight starters return for Blackhawk (4-1) led by junior Gavin Ronacher (11-13). … Two junior PIAA regional qualifiers Ryder Goe (23-17) and Slayton Williams (24-15) look to lead South Side Beaver (2-5). … Junior Dean Chalupiak (16-17) seeks a breakout season at Ambridge (1-15).

Section 5

Highlands (9-2) is coming off one of its better season as section champion. Junior Aiden Burford (35-9) is one of 11 starters returning. …. Laurel (14-5) must replace seven starters. Look for sophomore Braxton Carr (27-15) to carry the flag. … Junior Owen Layhew (21-15) is one of 12 starters back for Knoch (9-12). … Hampton (3-9) found out 2A is pretty good, too, after spending years in Class 3A. Sophomore Dustin Kerr (20-12) is someone to watch. … Junior Logan Shriver (21-15) looks to lead Ellwood City (3-9). The Wolverines return 11 starters. … Sophomore Angelo Amelio (12-11) will lead North Catholic (1-13). … Summit Academy (2-10) could be led by senior Devin Dickson (10-2).

Section 6

Burrell (12-6) looks to regain the top spot in Class 2A. The Bucs return 12 starters, including PIAA champion senior Cooper Hornack (43-6), sophomore Cam Baker (41-11) and junior Isaac Lacinski (41-14). Baker placed fourth in the state. … Juniors Nico Fanella (35-6) and Carter Putt (33-11) and senior Will Turner (28-11) should make Indiana (8-8) tough to beat. … Valley (14-6) returns 10 starters led by senior Charles Perkins (30-12). … Look for Derry (7-7) to make some noise this year. The Trojans return 11 starters including junior Anthony Mucci (34-9). Look for freshmen Mason Horwat and Brady Brown to make an impact. … Ligonier Valley (6-9) returns eight starters led by junior Aiden Mulheren (13-13). … Greensburg Salem (4-13) will count on Keenan Young (18-16). … Junior Anthony Tiagano (21-11) will carry the torch for Riverview (1-12).

City League

Allderdice (12-7) returns eight regional qualifiers led by junior Tom Paternoster (23-13). … Carrick (9-9) will try to dethrone the Dragons. … Obama Academy (4-4) will contend for the title with 11 regional qualifiers returning. Seniors Mi’ere Green (8-6) and Dante Duncan (18-6) could be fun to watch. … Brashear (6-11) returns five regional qualifiers. The Bulls are led by senior Ashish Darji (13-11). … Perry (1-5) and Westinghouse (2-9) are struggling with numbers. The Commodores’ best returning wrestler is junior Marquese Howard (5-3), and the Bulldogs’ top dog is sophomore Daniel Noel (19-6).

Independents

These schools elected not to take a schedule from the WPIAL. Their individuals are eligible for postseason action.

Chartiers-Houston (0-1) has four wrestlers returning led by senior PIAA qualifier Jorden Williams (30-13). … Beaver County Christian (0-0) has sophomore Eli Bosch (6-7) returning. … Junior Gabe Lilly (18-8) qualified for regionals from Beaver Falls (0-0). … The Neighborhood Academy (3-8) returns 10 starters led by senior Omar Parker (10-6).

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.