Feb 26, 2005 By Jim Downey 4 min read

Connellsville was riding the crest of euphoria brought on from the Falcons’ PIAA Class AAA team wrestling title when Tom D. Dolde brought the troops back to earth, grounding the squad in preparation for today’s Section 2-AAA tournament, which includes Albert Gallatin, Laurel Highlands and Uniontown, to be held at Connellsville beginning at 10 a.m. “They were on Cloud 9 when we won the state title. We had a light practice Monday and another light practice on Tuesday,” explained Dolde. “On Wednesday, they went into lazy mode so we said ‘The honeymoon’s over’ and started working.

“We’ve had 11/2 weeks of real good practices.”

The practices include not only those 14 wrestlers who will participate in today’s tournament, but at least twice that many in the daily workouts.

“The kids still want to come out and help the others get to Hershey,” said Dolde.

A similar attitude has carried through with Mustangs and Colonials, although both teams will not bring a full card to the tournament. Laurel Highlands has 11 seeded wrestlers out of the 14 weights while Albert Gallatin brings 11 as well. Uniontown has only six seeded wrestlers.

“We’ve had trouble filling out all the weight classes,” explained Albert Gallatin coach Duane Dupont. “It’s all individual. What you put in, you get out.

“Still, it’s a team concept. They’re still pushing each other. We’ve had good practices. That’s a good sign.”

Of Connellsville’s 14 wrestlers, only Alan Porter is seeded lower than second – he’s No. 6 – and that’s due to an injury earlier in the season that held the 189-pounder out of the lineup.

Jake Knepper (119), Steven Bell (125), Eric McGinnis (130), Ashtin Primus (135), Josh Martin (145), Buddy Sines (152), Jason Doppelheuer (171), Josh Brewer (215) and Melvin Warrick (275) were all rewarded with No. 1 seeds. All but McGinnis and Dopppelheuer received byes with 130 and 171 pounds, in addition to 140 pounds, the only weights to field a full complement of eight wrestlers.

Bell (38-3) recovered from an injury in time to finish second in the WPIAL at 119 pounds last year while Primus (35-6) finished third at 130 pounds.

Tyler Nicholson (103), Kody Pujia (112), Zach Snyder (140) and Adam Knepper (160) are seeded second. Nicholson and Pujia received byes.

“We need to get through without making mistakes we’ve made this season. We want to see improvement,” said Dolde.

The Mustangs’ Cameron Muma enters as the No. 1 seed at 112 pounds with an overall mark of 23-3. A trio of Laurel Highlands’ wrestlers is seeded second in Josh Klink (119), Greg Hogan (130) and Nick Browne (135).

According to the Mustangs’ first-year coach Irwin Brambley, now is the time for the individual to shine.

“Everyone is 0-0. The team thing is over. Now, it is individual time,” said Brambley. “They need to focus on themselves.

“All I ask of them is they wrestle 100 percent, scrap for every point. We’ve been working on things that didn’t allow us to wrestle in the postseason. We don’t practice to beat an individual. We teach a system to use the positioning we practice in the room (on the mat).”

The Colonials have No. 1 seeds in Mark Brown (160) and Rob Blosser (189) with Charlie Belch (171) and Dave Bryson (145) earning No. 2 seeds.

“Brown and Blosser were undefeated in the section,” said Dupont. “I think 152 and 145 are the strongest weight classes. Dave Bryson is the defending champion at 145 pounds and Brown (160) and Belch (171) finished second.

“We look to advance everyone. We’re looking forward to Saturday. We’re trying to get as many through as we can.”

Dolde sees the 130- and 152-pound classes as the toughest, noting, “The 130 class is the most competitive and 152 is the toughest weight class with (Connellsville’s Buddy) Sines, (Albert Gallatin’s Lance) Bryson and (Thomas Jefferson’s Mark) Generalovich.”

The Red Raiders don’t have a wrestler among the top three seeds with Bobby Holt (140), Jason King (152) and Josh Malenke (160) all seeded fourth.

The visiting teams from Elizabeth-Forward, Thomas Jefferson, Ringgold, Uniontown, Albert Gallatin, Laurel Highlands and McKeesport not only have to contend with top-ranked wrestlers, the athletes also have to deal with a highly partisan crowd.

“It helps to have it at Connellsville,” Dolde said of the home crowd. “This is the last time they’ll wrestle in their own gym. We’re looking forward to rematches. I think it’s a problem for other teams coming in.”

Dupont doesn’t see it as a hindrance, rather, his squad looks forward to the atmosphere.

“The kids are adjusted to the crowds. They love the competition,” said Dupont.

Wrestling begins at 10 a.m. and will continue through until the consolation finals are completed. The action resumes around 7 p.m. with the championship bouts.