Jan 11, 2026 By Jonathan Guth 5 min read

BURGETTSTOWN — Colin Whyte won his second straight Burgettstown Invitational wrestling championship on Saturday at Burgettstown Middle/Senior High School, but it wasn’t an easy victory against Casey Wilson.

Whyte’s credentials are noteworthy, as the West Greene senior upped his season record to 25-3, and his overall mark to 141-33, but Wilson is no slouch, either, with Saturday’s loss to Whyte being his only of the season, and the Laurel senior is one victory shy of 100 after starting his varsity career as a sophomore.

Wilson’s defense made it tough for Whyte to get to his attacks, but the Kent State commit finished a single-leg takedown with 16 seconds remaining to break a 1-1 tie, and after allowing an escape, held on for a 4-2 decision and the championship in the 285-pound weight class.

“I always like having tough opponents and good matches,” Whyte said. “It is what gets you ready for the postseason, and going all three periods helps get you in shape, too.

“I definitely want to get to my shots quicker, but he was really good defensively in blocking all my shots. I just kept working on my set-ups. I knew one would eventually come through and work.”

Whyte and Wilson battled for the title in last year’s Burgettstown Invitational with Whyte earning a 4-1 victory. Whyte defeated Wilson, 10-3, in the consolation semifinals last year at the PIAA Class 2A individual championships.

Whyte has challenged himself this season, as the Pioneers competed in the 59th Annual Powerade Tournament, which is considered the top scholastic wrestling tournament in the state and second in the country.

Whyte finished fourth in the tournament after losing decisions of 4-2 and 7-3 to nationally-ranked prep wrestlers Cristian Alvarez of St. Joseph Regional, N.J., and Cael Mielnik of Blair Academy, N.J. Alvarez would go on to win the tournament.

Whyte lost in the finals of the Chartiers-Houston Invitational to North Allegheny’s Bradyn McConneha via decision, 7-2, to open the season on Dec. 6. McConneha is 22-2 this season, and although Whyte would relish the opportunity for a rematch, the Tigers compete in Class 3A, and the teams are not scheduled to compete in the same tournaments for the rest of the season.

McConneha’s second loss came at the hands of AIM Academy’s Isaiah Taylor in the finals of the Mid-Winter Mayhem at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Center on the campus of Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Saturday.

Whyte, who pinned Taylor in the consolation semifinals at Powerade, wasn’t aware of Taylor’s victory, but took on a renewed focus after his loss to McConneha.

“After that loss, I watched the film and what my mistakes were, then I went in the room and practiced fixing them,” Whyte said. “I learned to stay in position and not get out on my shots. I think working on that has helped me.”

Whyte wasn’t the only West Greene wrestler to place at Burgettstown, as Noah Collins finished third at 133. Collins is five victories away for 100 in his career.

Beth-Center had five stand on the podium after finishing in the top six. The Bulldogs’ Malachi Peak (189) and Noah Layhue (215) earned bronze medals. Mason Wright was fourth at 133.

Noah McCollum (107) and Alex Medlen (114) finished fifth for head coach Gary Welsh.

Jefferson-Morgan’s Austin Grandel (107) and Landon Heath (285) earned third place and Alek Palko was fifth at 160.

WCCA tournament — In a rematch of last year’s Class 3A state final at 215 pounds, Belle Vernon’s Elijah Brown earned a 10-0 major decision over Kiski Area’s Cooper Roscosky for his second straight Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association Championship on Saturday at Greensburg Salem High School.

Brown, a senior who has committed to Penn State University, defeated Roscosky by decision, 4-3, to win his first state title at 215.

Brown has a 6-0 record over Roscosky, including a 4-0 triumph in last year’s WCCA finals.

Teammates Gracin Guglielmo (107) and Brayden Broadwater (114) finished third, and Colby Hibner was fourth at 160.

Southmoreland’s Kaden Shannon was the runner-up at 285. The Scotties’ Austin Pepiot placed fourth at 114.

Mount Pleasant’s Tristan Wtorkiewicz (152) and Payton Schaum (285) finished fifth.

Gettysburg Duals — Connellsville went 6-0 in earning the championship at Gettysburg High School.

The Falcons improved to 9-2 this season. They are 1-0 in Section 8-3A action.

Connellsville’s Tommy Gretz, Nolan Rice, Kai Veilma and Jake Lilley won all six of their matches. Landon Lynn was 5-0, and Zachary Franks and Dan Smith were 4-0. The Falcons’ Lane Richey was 1-0.

Connellsville returns to Section 8-3A play on Wednesday when they host Albert Gallatin at 7 p.m.

Girls wrestling

Blue Devil Girls Winter Classic — Three area wrestlers earned championships at Mount Lebanon High School.

Beth-Center’s Bailey Bernot (170), Connellsville’s Ravyn Cameron-Botti (190) and Southmoreland’s Zoey Murphy (235) all won titles.

Bernot won by fall in 2:28 to win the championship. Murphy earned an 8-0 major decision and Cameron-Botti hung on for a 1-0 victory.

Albert Gallatin’s Jenna Chapman was second at 235. The Lady Falcons’ Trinity Moore was the runner-up at 112.

Connellsville’s Jayden Wiltrout won by fall in 2:28 for third place at 148. Teammates Julieth Flores (100) and Olivia Shultz (155) finished fourth. The Lady Falcons’ Alison Leon was fifth at 106.

The Lady Scotties’ Addison Jordan earned a 12-6 decision for third place at 118. Rylee Mains was fourth at 106.

The Lady Bulldogs’ Keiara Atkinson pinned her opponent for fifth place at 170. Teammate Marsala Formentelli was sixth at 190.

Brownsville’s Alexa Lewandowsky was 4-2 at 155 but fell one victory shy of placing in the top six.