Final flight
Trio of Falcons finish high school careers in Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic
McMURRAY — The Connellsville wrestling trio of Janayah Nobles, Evan Petrovich and Lonzy Vielma had their last hurrah as high school wrestlers Saturday evening in the 51st Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic at AHN Arena on the campus of Peters Township High School.
Nobles earned a decision, Petrovich a major decision and Vielma dropped a decision in the final high school competition for the three.
Petrovich, who has committed to continue his academic and wrestling careers at the University of Pittsburgh, earned a 10-2 victory over Luke Geleta of the New Jersey All-Stars in the 152-pound weight class. Petrovich’s victory helped lead the WPIAL All-Stars to a 29-17 triumph over the New Jersey All-Stars.
After a scoreless first period, Petrovich escaped and scored the first of three takedowns for a 4-0 lead with 1:46 remaining in the second. Geleta escaped but Petrovich added another takedown for a 7-1 advantage after two. Petrovich recorded his final takedown with 35 seconds left in the match.
The soon-to-be Panther, as he has many times during his career, scored on a picture-perfect reshot that completely caught Geleta off guard.
“You just have to wrestle through every position, which is something that I take pride in,” Petrovich said. “It was nice to wrestle in this environment, which was similar to a college dual meet. It was nice to be able to come out here and not only represent the WPIAL, but the Connellsville wrestling program and community.”
Petrovich is excited to begin his collegiate career, and looks forward to being teammates with former Falcon Jared Keslar.
“It was a little sentimental since this was my last time wrestling in high school, but I am looking forward to competing in college,” Petrovich said. “I am excited to get there and glad that Jared will be one of my teammates. Pitt has really been going after WPIAL guys. It is kind of funny that Lonzy (Vielma) will be wrestling for a school that will now be a rival for me.”
Nobles didn’t imagine five years ago she would be wrestling in the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic, as the senior didn’t start the sport until her sophomore season, but the Wilkes University commit is glad she did.
“It was kind of hard reaching up to everyone’s potential when I started because they had been wrestling longer,” Nobles said. “However, when you put in the hard work, you will get the results. It is crazy how I got here after starting just three years ago.”
Nobles earned a 7-2 decision over Melani Contreras of the New Jersey All-Stars to help the Pennsylvania All-Stars earn a 49-16 victory in the women’s dual meet that kicked off the event.
Contreras was in on a shot in the first period, but Nobles fought off the takedown attempt and the bout went into the second period scoreless.
Nobles was close in turning Contreras, who slipped out of danger and was close to a reversal before Nobles allowed an escape.
The match took a turn in Nobles’ favor after she scored a takedown with three seconds remaining in the second for a 3-1 lead.
Nobles escaped and scored a second takedown in the third for a 7-1 advantage. She allowed Contreras to escape with two seconds left and the decision locked up.
“It was a little bit intimidating wrestling someone with a body type like hers because I usually wrestle people that are taller,” Nobles said.
Nobles wrestled at 136 pounds during the high school season, which culminated in her placing fourth in the state, but she was at 130 on Saturday, however, each wrestler was given a five-pound weight allowance.
Connellsville head coach Bill Swink and assistant Jeremiah Bossart were in Nobles’ corner. Swink also coaches the boys team at Connellsville, but Bossart handles the action when the girls compete. He was in the corner for Nobles during her career, and holds a special place in her heart.
“He (Bossart) has been humongous for me,” Nobles said. “I’ve known him my whole life. He used to babysit me when I was younger, and now I babysit kids. He has had a huge impact this past year. I wouldn’t be where I am at if it wasn’t for him and competing for the Connellsville wrestling program.”
Vielma had a tough test against AJ Falcone during their bout at 160. Falcone was second in the state and used a takedown in the second period and an escape in the third for a 4-2 victory at 160.
Vielma pushed the pace and Falcone had a stall warning, but the West Virginia University commit wasn’t able to get to his shots Saturday night.
“He (Falcone) is a tough wrestler,” Vielma said. “I couldn’t get past his defense. He had good defense. I think, right now, I am a little undersized for 160. I will probably be a 149-pounder in college.
“This event is something that I kind of thought about during my wrestling career, and it is kind of cool to say I was able to wrestle in it on this night.”
Despite the loss, Vielma leaves the Falcon wrestling program as a four-time state qualifier. He placed fifth as a junior and sixth as a senior in the state tournament.
“It was nice to go out one last time and wrestle with Evan (Petrovich) and Janayah (Nobles),” Vielma said. “Evan and I will be rivals next year on the mat, but we will still remain friends. This opportunity is something that we all have been working for since we started wrestling.”
In the main event, the United States All-Stars defeated the Pennsylvania All-Stars, 26-16.