Kick-Off Weekend Re-Cap: Veterans and Rookies Shine
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Freshman Gavin Teasdale
The 2014-2015 PIAA Wrestling Season officially kicked-off for many high schools across the Keystone State. Several big name wrestlers returned to the mats while new faces made their debuts. Both topped ranked teams and wrestlers began the season and did not disappoint.
Eastern Area Invitational
Top Incoming Freshman Gavin Teasdale was untouched in his debut for Jefferson Morgan at the Eastern Area Invitational. Teasdale picked up two falls, a tech-fall, and a (25-8) major decision over fellow freshman Job Chishko (Penn Trafford) in the finals at 106 lbs.
Burgettstown senior Austin McDermitt earned three falls and a (7-2) decision over Luke Landefeld (North Allegheny) in the finals at 126 lbs.
2014 State Champion Cameron Coy (Penn Trafford) moved up to 138 lbs. and had no issues winning the Championship with a (6-0) decision over Mitch Hartman (Belle Vernon Area) in the finals. At 152 lbs. sophomore Nino Bonaccorsi (Bethel Park) won a hard fought decision over Derek Verkleeren (Belle Vernon Area) in the finals (3-0). At 160 lbs. senior Devin Austin (Penn Trafford) had an impressive showing with a (2-1) win over PIAA State Third Place Medalist Paul Dunn (Bethel Park) in the finals. Penn Hills wrestler Te’Shan Campbell was one of the WPIAL’s top running-backs this season for the Indians but seemed to have no issue transitioning to the mat. Campbell upset junior and Pittsburgh recruit Austin Bell (Belle Vernon Area) in the finals at 170 lbs. with a (9-4) decision.
Arguably the most surprising and impressive performance of the weekend was Kiski Area freshman Isaac Reid who stunned the field at 285 lbs. earning the Championship title over senior and 2014 PIAA State qualifier Tom Server (Yough) in the finals (6-4 OT).
Franklin Regional Visits Ohio
2014 PIAA Class AAA Dual Team State Champions Franklin Regional travelled to Ohio and took on one of the Nation’s most prestigious programs in St. Edward’s. There the stud filled line-up of Franklin Regional captured three victories including a (36-29) win over St. Edward.
Franklin Regional (PA) 36, St. Edward 29
106: Kazimir (SE) p. Prucnal 3:00. 113: Brown (F) d. Hart 9-6. 120: Lee (F) p. Daugherty 3:20. 126: Solomon (F) d. Bentley 7-4. 132: Ladnier (SE) m.d. Krause 13-0. 138: Collier (SE) d. Contraguerro 3-1. 145: Kemerer (F) p. Hall 1:30. 152: Maruca (F) p. Santillo 1:45. 160: Sheilds (F) p. Carpenter 3:50. 170: Leidich (SE) d. Deloach 8-3. 182: Stepic (SE) d. Kubas 8-7. 195: Campbell(SE) p. Nestor 5:30. 220: Knapp (SE) d. Pickup 5-2. 285: Dbl ff.
PennLive’s Jeremy Elliott Recaps District 3 Tournaments
Canon-McMillan’s Thomas James appreciated his time on the mat during this weekend’s Cumberland Valley Kickoff Classic.
It’s been a while.
A year ago, James was forced to sit on the sidelines the entire season after having his appendix removed. It was a painful procedure, and it was equally stressful not being able to be in the room improving with his teammates.
So when he returned to the lineup this weekend in the CV Dome, it was special. And he took full advantage of the opportunity.
James completed his run from unseeded obscurity to the top of the podium, besting Council Rock South’s Ben Kenis 14-7 to capture the 182-pound title. He was the second Big Macs wrestler to earn a championship during competition.
Solanco dominates the 17th annual Mule Classic with four champions and six additional placers
Running away with your own tournament is a good way to get off to a fast start in the new wrestling season.
Solanco was in a league of its own.
Head coach John Little’s squad ran away in the 17th annual Mule Classic, winning four weights and placing six more to score 211 points and claim the team title over John Carroll (Md) and the rest of the 19-team field.
AJ Wilson set the pace, downing Spring Grove’s Hunter Miller 6-3 at 126. Two weights later, Wyatt Jennings (138) decked John Carroll’s Austin Smith 11-4. Dalton Groff (152) and Bo Spiller (285) also won championships.
A young Hershey squad made noise, placing eighth in the team standings. Gennaro Cerminara carried the banner, executing a brutal cradle in the third period for a 12-7 win over John Carroll’s Chris Almony.
Council Rock South’s Riley Palmer makes a statement in lop-sided win over Cumberland Valley’s Will Kaldes
Advantage, Riley Palmer.
A year ago, the Council Rock South standout and Cumberland Valley’s Will Kaldes squared off in two tight battles.
Kaldes drew first blood in the clash of freshmen with a 2-1 tiebreaker decision in the finals of last season’s Cumberland Valley Kickoff Classic. Palmer returned the favor a week later in a 3-0 King of the Mountain win.
The rubber match took place Saturday afternoon in the Cumberland Valley Dome during this year’s edition of the season-opening classic. The prize: another title.
This one wasn’t close. In the premier match of the finals, Palmer was efficient and overwhelming in a surprising 15-0 tech fall beat down that ended at 4:39.
“I wouldn’t say it is a rivalry,” Palmer said, “but when I saw the bracket, I thought about last year and it pissed me off. It kind of motivated me.”
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