Waynesburg, BVA wrestlers lead locals into Class AAA semis
Holly Tonini
Laurel Highlands’ Zeke Beatty kicks the leg out from under Norwin’s Kevin Miller on his way to an 8-4 decision in his 120-pound quarterfinal bout during the WPIAL Class AAA/Southwest Regional Individual Wrestling Championship Friday at Penn Hills High School.
Holly Tonini
Waynesburg Central’s Caleb Morris (in red) has Seneca Valley’s Louis Newell wrapped up for the pin at the 2014 WPIAL Class AAA/Southwest Regional Individual Wrestling Championship at Penn Hills High School. Morris, a junior, is entering his third year wrestling for the Raiders and coach Joe Throckmorton. Morris is a two-time PIAA State Qualifier.
Holly Tonini
Belle Vernon’s Jarod Verkleeren flips Greater Latrobe’s Jake Willochell during their 145-pound quarterfinal bout at the 2015 WPIAL Class AAA/Southwest Regional Individual Wrestling Championship at Penn Hills High School. A judge’s ruling put an end to Verkleeren’s 2016 season on Thursday.
Belle Vernon's Zachary Hartman gets a grip on Ringgold's Doug Gudenburr during their 120-pound quarterfinal bout, winning with a 5-2 decision during Friday's WPIAL Class AAA/Southwest Regional Individual Wrestling Championships at Penn Hills High School.
Belle Vernon had six wrestlers advance through Friday’s quarterfinals, while Waynesburg Central will send three wrestlers into today’s semifinals at the WPIAL Class AAA/Southwest Regional Individual Wrestling Championships at Penn Hills High School.
The top four wrestlers in each weight class advance to next week’s PIAA Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
The Leopards’ Zach Hartman, Mitch Hartman, Jarod Verkleeren, Austin Bell, Milton Kobaly and Michael Fine all won their quarterfinal matches.
Zach Hartman secured a 5-2 decision against Ringgold’s Doug Gudenburr in his 120-pound quarterfinal and will meet Zeke Beatty, Laurel Highlands’ lone semifinalist. Beatty held on for an 8-4 decision over Norwin’s Kevin Miller.
Mitch Hartman edged Pine-Richland’s David Kelly, 1-0, in his 138-pound quarterfinal. Jarod Verkleeren scored a 7-3 decision at 145 pounds against Latrobe’s Jake Willochell. Austin Bell pitched a shutout in his 170-pound quarterfinal, defeating North Allegheny’s Jake Woodley, 7-0. Kobaly pinned Canon-McMillan’s Tommy James in 3:51 at 182 pounds, and Fine edged Trinity’s Robert West, 3-2, at 220 pounds.
The Raiders had three wrestlers safely navigate their way into the semifinals.
Caleb Morris needed 1:44 to secure a fall against Seneca Valley’s Louis Newell at 106 pounds. A.C. Headlee needed less time to get through his 132-pound quarterfinal, pinning North Allegheny’s Jake Hinkson in 1:32. Shaun Wilson advanced to the 138-pound semifinals with a 6-4 decision over Thomas Jefferson’s Nick Burkett.
Belle Vernon’s Jacob Dunlap (106), Tyler Seliga (126), Neiko Kuntz (132), Derek Verkleeren (152), and Billy Korber (285), Laurel Highlands’ Justin Mansberry (113) and Jimmy Pierce (160), Waynesburg’s Ryan Braun (113), Cole Rush (120), Logan Henderson (126), Shane Piper (152), and Terry Victor (160), Albert Gallatin’s Codie Lavery (126) and Tim Wallace (145), and Connellsville’s Tyler Kenney (126), Tyrone Brown (132), Matt Butler (145), Tommy Provance (182), Gunnar Lynch (195), and Louis Mauro (285) all remain alive in the consolation rounds.