WPIAL Class 3A section breakdowns for 2023-24 season

By: Paul Schofield
Tuesday, November 28, 2023 | 6:35 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

Section 1

Last year’s section champion, Plum (15-3), returns 10 starters who won 21 or more matches during the season. Heading the list was the 172-pound section champion senior Antonio Walker (22-3). … It was a rare season that Kiski Area (8-9) didn’t win the section crown. The Cavaliers will be young but will count on two veterans, junior Mark Gray (32-8) and sophomore Cooper Roscosky (32-10), to lead the way. … Fox Chapel (14-8) graduated one starter, who finished third and won a playoff match. Senior Alexander Kaufmann (27-7) is one of the returning starters. … Sophomore Nezumiiro Green (30-8) is one of the top wrestlers returning at Central Catholic (15-5). The Vikings return nine starters. … Armstrong (7-5) returns four WPIAL qualifiers led by junior Max Formaini (23-14). … Sophomore Vito Barravecchio (25-10) is one of four returning WPIAL qualifiers at Shaler (2-7).

Section 2

Butler (21-2) graduated five starters in the upper weights from a team that was section champion. Sophomore Santino Sloboda (40-3), a PIAA fourth-place finisher, looks to lead the Golden Tornado. … North Allegheny (10-5) looks to build around six WPIAL qualifiers headlined by sophomore Gus Stedeford (28-12). … WPIAL 189-pound champion, junior Vaughn Spencer (28-2), looks to lead Pine-Richland (8-5). … Seneca Valley (9-6) returns nine starters as it looks to rebound. The Raiders are led by senior Connor Smith (33-10), who placed eighth in the state at 114. … North Hills (12-5) return nine starters, including four WPIAL qualifiers. Senior Evan Letky (29-11) looks for a big season. … Junior Liam Hein (10-8) is one of the top wrestlers returning at Mars (2-7).

Section 3

There was a three-way tie between Norwin (15-4), Franklin Regional (7-2) and Penn-Trafford (7-9) last year. Things could be just as tight this season. … The Knights return nine starters, but freshman Landon Sidun is someone to watch. … The Panthers also return nine starters, including PIAA-qualifying seniors Tyler Kapusta (32-11), who placed seventh, and Juliano Marion (29-7). … The Warriors return seven starters led by two PIAA qualifiers, senior Hayden Coy (38-10) and junior Tasso Whipple (34-15). … Juniors Maddox Shaw (44-3) and Bode Marlow (38-9) will be a solid one-two punch for Thomas Jefferson (5-7). … West Mifflin (4-11) returns nine starters led by sophomore Cooper Dietz (27-11). … Junior Jake Conroy (42-6)had a big season at Ringgold (6-12). He placed fourth in the WPIAL and qualified for PIAAs.

Section 4

Junior Lonzy Vielma (32-15), a PIAA qualifier, is one of nine starters back at Connellsville (15-6). A second Vielma, Lonzy’s freshman brother Kai, may crack the starting lineup. … With two-time WPIAL champion Luke Willochell (38-5), a junior, returning, along with junior Leo Joseph (34-8), Latrobe (11-3) looks to challenge for the section title. Keep an eye on freshman Hunter Snyder. … Hempfield (11-7) got hot at the right time last year, stunning Butler, Trinity and Connellsville in the WPIAL playoffs to finish third and qualify for the PIAA tournament. WPIAL champion senior Eli Carr (42-8) is one of six starters returning for new coach Steve Santia. … McKeesport (3-7) will be led by senior Colton Kotouch (19-13). … Junior Luke Pawlowski (22-8) looks to shine for Gateway (3-12).

Section 5

Waynesburg (16-5) returns eight starters and looks to battle for a WPIAL title. Heading the list are seniors Joe Simon (10-7) and Ky Szewczyk 38-12). … West Allegheny (12-2) has a couple holes to fill but returns senior WPIAL champion and PIAA runner-up Shawn Taylor (40-3) and PIAA qualifier senior Caiden Harbert (33-11). … The team to beat this year could be Trinity (11-3), which returns 13 starters. The Hillers graduated two starters. Heading the returnees are senior Blake Reihner (39-9)and junior Bodie Morgan (35-11). … South Fayette (10-7) returns 10 starters led by senior Jonathan Baiano (32-10). … Moon (5-12) is led by sophomore Cael Yanek (21-8). He is one of five WPIAL qualifiers returning.

Section 6

Senior Andrew Binni (45-6)returns for Canon-McMillan (17-4). The Big Macs are returning champions and return nine starters, including senior PIAA qualifier Tanner Mizenko (39-10). … Senior and PIAA qualifier Chris Cibrone (30-13) heads a list of 11 starters back at Peters Township (7-6). … Bethel Park (12-6) returns 12 starters headlined by senior Mason Kernan (33-5). … Senior PIAA qualifier Ejiro Montoya (33-8) is one of nine starters back for Mt. Lebanon (5-10). … Six starters return for Upper St. Clair (4-8),which looks to make a comeback. Junior Alex Tucker (14-13) looks to improve. … Baldwin (3-9) is led by PIAA qualifier, senior Owen Klodowski (36-8). The Highlanders return six starters.

Independents

New Castle (0-3), Penn Hills (1-4) and Woodland Hills (1-13) do not compete for WPIAL team titles.

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.