Feb 6, 2005 By Kevin Harrison For The 4 min read

MONROEVILLE -Connellsville avenged a loss earlier this season to Kiski Area Saturday night, and in the process, became WPIAL champions. The Falcons won their sixth WPIAL title, beating the Cavaliers, 33-22, to bring home the Class AAA crown.

“Tonight was kind of special, because we won our second straight title and we beat a very good Kiski team,” Connellsville head coach Tom Dolde Jr. said. “This win was more satisfying than last year, because Kiski is a real solid team. They are well coached and always ready to go.”

The match started with the 125-pound bout, with Steve Bell getting the Falcons off to a quick start working a series of takedowns to get a 25-8 technical fall over Eric Jefferies for a 5-0 Connellsville lead.

The Cavaliers came right back to take what would be their only lead of the evening when Tyler Oravec got a third-period pin against Mike Zavada.

The Falcons matched that pin with one of their own, as Ashton Primus needed only 41 seconds to pin Evan Tobin and give Connellsville a 11-6 lead.

Kiski closed to within two when A.J. Milanak scored a third-period takedown to edge Zach Snyder, 3-2.

The Falcons picked up a big win at 145 pounds when Josh Martin scored an 11-2 major decision against Zach McKendree. Martin took a quick 7-0 lead in the first period with a takedown and two near-falls.

In the second period, McKendree started down and escaped. Martin patiently waited for an opening to get another takedown to increase his lead to 9-1. In the third period, the wrestlers started in the neutral position and Martin was able to pick up another takedown, before giving up a late escape to give the Falcons a four-point win.

“I thought Josh Martin’s match really provided us with some momentum tonight,” Dolde said. “He went against one of their better kids. We lost to McKendree in the dual meet. Tonight Josh just had more intensity. Hopefully we’re starting to peak at the right time.”

Buddy Sines rode the intensity wave at 152 pounds, with another major decision, beating Cody Briscoe, 13-4. Sines edged out to a 2-1 lead in the first period. In the second, Sines took control of the match. Starting on the bottom he powered his way to a quick reversal, gave up an escape, and came back with a takedown and a three-point near-fall to take a 9-2 lead into the third period.

Sines gave up an escape in the third, but got another takedown and a two-point near-fall before giving up a late escape to give the Falcons a 19-9 lead.

Kiski came back with a win, as Scott Joseph topped Steve Blackburn, 13-7. The Falcon sophomore managed to stay away from giving up back points, when the Cavaliers expected to get a little more out of the match.

“I was expecting Joseph to get a pin or at least a four-point decision,” Kiski coach Chuck Tursky said. “That move allowed Connellsville to bump some of their other kids up and they got some favorable match-ups.”

Adam Knepper bumped up from 160 to 171 pounds against Jordan Moore, who also bumped up a weight class. Knepper took a 4-1 lead in the first period. In the second, he was able to work a tilt against Moore for some near-fall points to increase his lead to 14-3. In the third period, Knepper got a near-fall and a takedown for a technical fall, giving Connellsville a 24-12 lead.

Jason Doppelheuer increased the Connellsville lead to27-12 with a 7-3 decision over Matt Riddle at 189 pounds.

Kiski came back with two wins, as Quentin Taraszewski (215) decisioned Josh Brewer 6-0, and Jared Hessom (275) hit a four-point move in the final second to beat Justin Haines, to make the score 27-18.

Kiski Closed to within five points when Zach Cecchetti (103) got an 12-2 major decision against Tyler Nicholson to make the score, 27-22.

In the 112-pound bout, Kody Pujia secured the title for the Falcons, beating Tony Clark, 8-4. The wrestlers were tied 2-2 after the first period. Pujia got a reversal in the second, taking a 4-2 lead.

In the third period, Pujia started down and got another reversal to increase his lead to 6-2. Clark got a reversal of his own to cut the lead to 6-4. Pujia came back with another reversal to get the win and give the Falcons the championship.

Jake Knepper (119), closed out the match with a 9-4 win over Mark Spisak.

“This win was very satisfying because it was the WPIAL, where all the coaches have a great amount of respect for each other,” Dolde said. “After tonight, the kids know they have a chance to win the whole thing at Hershey.”