Feb 24, 2007 By Jim Downey 4 min read

Section 2-AAA was long the dominion of Connellsville wrestling, but Albert Gallatin has been on the rise in recent years and Hempfield, new to the section and bolstered by a co-op with Greensburg Central Catholic, altered the landscape a bit as wrestlers from nine schools make a bid for one of four berths into next week’s WPIAL Class AAA Individual Wrestling Championships. The Spartans ended the Falcons’ stranglehold on the team section title earlier in the season, and have a fair share of the top four seeds in the 14 weight classes.

The addition of Greensburg Salem plus the return of Belle Vernon promises for a very competitive section tournament.

“Hempfield, Elizabeth-Forward, Albert Gallatin, Belle Vernon, they all have good kids,” said Connellsville coach Tommy Dolde. “This is the toughest this section has been since the early 1990s.”

“There are some very strong weight classes. Each team has some very good kids,” said Albert Gallatin coach Duane Dupont. “I think 145 pounds is the toughest class, and 152 will be good.

“You can’t overlook anybody, but all you need to do is win by one point.”

The approach now changes from the team framework, echoed in Dupont’s words. No need to win by fall or major decision, one point more means one more match.

“It’s a different frame of mind. You don’t have the stress of a team score,” said Dolde. “We changed our practices. They’ve been more intense, geared to the individual.

“We have a lot of youth. We’ve mixed it up with teaching and mental preparation. It’s a nice change of pace for me personally.”

“The hard work as an individual comes (into play) at this time of the season,” said Dupont. “Just cause you beat someone earlier (or vice versa), you throw that out the window now.”

Laurel Highlands coach Erwin Brambley echoed that sentiment, saying, “Everybody’s 0-0 now. It’s time to redeem yourself. You have to be ready to go on that day. Good things can happen.”

Heavyweight is expected to be hotly contested with Connellsville’s Justin Haines the No. 1 seed with an overall mark of 27-5 and Hempfield’s Steve Santia (30-7) at No. 2, the same spots the two hold in WPIAL rankings.

Belle Vernon’s Jess Gauden (24-11) is third and Laurel Highlands’ Eric Minerd (24-6) is fourth.

The Falcons’ Lee Newcomer (14-6) holds to top seed at 152, with Albert Gallatin’s Jeff Dulaney (25-8) seeded second, Laurel Highlands’ Nick Browne (20-5) third, and Uniontown’s Tyler Holt (20-7) seeded fourth.

The Leopards’ Donnie Tasser is not only the No. 1 seed at 145 pounds, but has the distinction as the only wrestler with an unblemished record at 35-0. Teammate Jacob Weslager is the top seed at 140 pounds, bringing an overall record of 32-3.

Dupont expects big things from Lance Bryson, the two-time defending champion at 171 pounds. The junior is the No. 1 seed at the weight with a record of 27-3.

Hempfield’s Chris Mongelluzo (103, 26-8), Jack Bachman (125, 28-7), Rudy Chelednik (130, 29-6), Travis Uncapher (32-3), and T.J. Valore (215, 27-5), Greensburg Salem’s Ken Trumbetta (112, 29-2), Elizabeth-Forward’s Jake Boyer (135-14-1), and Connellsville’s Zach Benzio (24-6) are the other No. 1 seeds.

Uniontown didn’t have a No. 1 seed, but Bob Holt (25-3) is second seeded at 160 and teammate Jason King (25-6) is No. 2 at 189.

Seeded wrestlers at 103 and 119 pounds should have an easier time with fewer wrestlers in the brackets, but the other 12 classifications will have to work to advance.

“We want to take all of our kids to the WPIAL,” said Dolde. “We have a young team and that’s a great goal to get that experience next week.”

“It’s the second season. The quality has increased,” said Dupont. “If we get half of our wrestlers through, I’d be pleased. Lance (Bryson) has a great work ethic. Dave Mitchell at 215 has had a great season. Kevin Bella is the section champ at 189.

“I’m really counting on Josh Boyle at 125, our 130-pounder Mike Mari, Nick Browne at 152 and our heavyweight, Eric Minerd, to advance,” said Brambley. “If they’d get through, I’d be very happy.

“It’s a long off-season. You don’t want to regret anything.”

The day begins at 10:30 a.m. with the semifinals slated to start around 1 or 2 p.m. The championship and consolation finals will be held.