WPIAL wrestling notebook: Canon-McMillan’s Macri finally stands atop of the podium

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, March 3, 2018 | 10:33 PM

Canon-McMillan senior Logan Macri was so tired of finishing second at the WPIAL/Southwest Regional Class AAA wrestling championship that he leaped atop the podium at the conclusion of the 132-pound match Saturday.

Macri, a two-time WPIAL runner-up and three-time placewinner, rallied from an early deficit to defeat Seneca Valley senior Louis Newell, 4-3, in the 126-pound final. It was Macri's first title, and he denied Newell his second. Newell was a WPIAL champion at 106 pounds in 2016.

“I've been working towards this for my four years in high school,” Macri said. “Being a runner-up twice wasn't very fun. I was ready to get the job done. That's what I came here to do, and I did it.”

Macri said wrestling at home for the final time affected him early, but he was able to calm down and rally.

“I wrestled (Newell) two times before, and I was trying to widen the gap, and I was a little nervous,” Macri said. “I felt great, just nervous. I came out a little sluggish and sloppy. After I got out, I was able get to work.”

Now he is focused on the PIAA tournament Thursday in Hershey.

Hempfield four place third

Hempfield advanced four wrestlers to the PIAA championships after each placed third in their respective weight classes.

Those advancing were senior Luke Kemerer, a 2017 WPIAL champion, junior Kyle Burkholder (113) and freshmen Ty Linsenbigler (138) and heavyweight Isaiah Vance.

Kemerer lost his bid at returning to the finals in the semifinals when he lost to Kiski Area sophomore Jack Blumer, 4-2.

He bounced back to edge Waynesburg junior Trey Howard, 3-1, in overtime during the consolation semifinals.

Kemerer then defeated West Allegheny sophomore Ty McGeary, 3-0. Burkholder defeated West Allegheny sophomore Jordan Watters, 4-2, avenging a loss in a dual match.

“I had a bad match in the semifinals,” Kemerer said. “I'm getting used to the weight. I'm starting to feel better.”

Kemerer said he knew he had to make the consolation semifinal match a brawl because the kid was tough to score on.

“This tournament is already behind me,” Kemerer said. “My focus is on next week already.”

Linsenbigler defeated Canon-McMillan senior Tim Hritsko, 7-2, and Vance beat North Allegheny senior Derek Devine, 1-0.

“It means a lot to the program and means even more to the freshmen,” Hempfield coach Vince DeAugustine said. “They were seeded low in the tournament, and anytime you can outwrestle your seed is a good thing here.

“They did a really good job, even Burkholder outwrestled his seed. They scrapped here. Our goal is to win a state title with Luke.”

Westmoreland strong

Other county wrestlers to advance to Hershey include Franklin Regional freshman Carter Dibert (106), Greensburg Salem senior Jesse Quatse (170) and Latrobe senior Brady Sherback (106) and sophomore Gabe Willochell (120).

Dibert and Willochell placed third, while Quatse and Sherback finished fourth.

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