Leopards claw short-handed Mustangs, 55-6
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Belle Vernon’s Derek Verkleeren (top) gets control over Laurel Highlands’ Dustin Bartos in the 152-pound bout of their Section 2-AAA match Wednesday at Laurel Highlands High School. Verkleeren won by fall with nine seconds left in the first period.
Belle Vernon's Hunter Ferrera flips Laurel Highlands' Nate Ansell on his way to a 3-2 decision in their 195-pound bout Wednesday during Section 2-AAA wrestling action at Laurel Highlands High School.
Laurel Highlands' Austin Saletrick battles to escape from Belle Vernon's Milton Kobaly in the 182-pound bout. Koblay won by 11-2 major decision during their Section 2-AAA match Wednesday at Laurel Highlands High School.
There was not much wrestling when Laurel Highlands hosted Belle Vernon on the Mustangs “Senior Night.” The Mustangs honored Dustin Bartos (152), Jimmy Pierce (170) and Austin Saletrik (182). The way the teams matched up, only three matches were wrestled as the Leopards walked away with a 55-6 win.
“Laurel Highlands is a little light on guys,” Belle Vernon’s Mike Doppleheuer said. “I know coach Zavada. He trains those guys hard and has them ready for every match. So in the matches they do wrestle they bring the competition so you have to be ready for it.”
Forfeits have hurt the Mustangs all season, plus there were no matches at 106, 113 and 126. The Mustangs were down 24-0 before the first match was wrestled at 152. Bartos faced Derek Verkleeren and fell behind 8-0 when Verkleeren scored a takedown and two three-point near-falls before getting the pin with nine seconds left in the first period.
“Belle Vernon is the top of the line as a wrestling team,” LH’s Mike Zavada said. “They’re on the road to win the state title. For my guys to hang in there and go after them, I’m proud of them.”
Following the pin, Mitch Hartman received a forfeit for the Leopards at 160 and Jimmy Pierce picked up what would be the Mustangs’ only points getting a forfeit at 170.
At 182 Saletrik faced the Leopards’ Milton Kobaly. In the first period Kobaly got a takedown and two-point near-fall to open up a 4-0 lead. In the second, Saletrik got a reversal but gave up a reversal and a three-point near-fall to Kobaly to fall behind 9-2. In the third with both wrestlers on their feet Kobaly got a takedown for the 11-2 major decision giving the Leopards a 40-6 lead.
The 195-pound bout could possibly be a preview to the section finals. Hunter Ferrarra went against the Mustangs’ Nate Ansell. In the first period Ansell got a takedown but Ferrara got a reversal to tie the match at two. In the second Ferrara started down and got an escape. He made that lead hold up as he was able to ride Ansell the entire third period for the win.
“I think if Nate Ansell stays healthy, by the time he is a senior he will be a force to be reckoned with,” Zavada said. “Like I said, right now the focus is getting ready for sections and I honestly think I have a couple of guys that can get to the WPIAL tournament.”
The Leopards received forfeits at 220 and 285 to close out the night.
“I kept a couple of guys out of the lineup tonight because they were a little banged up from our recent tournament,” Doppleheuer said. “That’s why we didn’t have any matches in a couple of weight classes. Right now we’re trying to get everybody healthy for the team section tournament next Wednesday.”