Mar 7, 2026 By Jonathan Guth 5 min read

HERSHEY — Connellsville’s Kai Vielma entered his semifinal bout in the state tournament as the favorite, while teammate Tommy Gretz was most likely viewed as the underdog.

Vielma’s performance didn’t pay out a whole lot on the tote board, as the No. 1 seed at 145 pounds used three takedowns and an escape for a 10-0 major decision over Central Bucks West’s Daniel Dennis to advance to the state final on Friday in the PIAA Class 3A Individual Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center.

However, for those who put money on Gretz, the payout meant the winner would be able to treat their family and friends to a day at Hersheypark, as the Falcon junior stunned top-seed Matteo Gallegos of DuBois, 8-6, to qualify for the finals at 121. Gretz had lost to Gallegos twice this season by scores of 1-0 and 4-0. Gallegos earned the 1-0 victory last weekend in the regional tournament. The 4-0 decision came in the quarterfinals at Powerade on Dec. 29.

“I don’t think I’ve beaten him (Gallegos) since JOs,” Gretz said. “I knew that I wasn’t the favorite coming into the match, but that’s OK with me. I really don’t worry about that stuff. It got pretty loud in the arena when we were wrestling, but I really can’t hear anything when the match is going on.”

Vielma, a junior who has committed to Stanford to continue his academic and wrestling careers, will look to become Connellsville’s 15th state champion when he wrestles Central Mountain’s Aiden Kunes for the title. Jared Keslar won the Falcons’ 14th state championship in 2022 at 160.

Vielma (50-3, 139-15) has handed Kunes (41-2, 114-29) his only two losses this season. Both were 5-2 decisions, as the first came on Dec. 6 in the finals of the Tom Best Memorial Top Hat Tournament at Williamsport High School. The second meeting occurred last Saturday in the finals of the PIAA Class 3A Western Regional at Canon-McMillan High School.

“I am glad to get to wrestle in the state final, but I won’t celebrate until I win it because that’s the goal,” Vielma said. “I didn’t do much celebrating after I won in the semifinals.

“I feel like I have dominated in all my matches, so far, and got bonus points in my two matches.”

Gretz’s path to the final began in the preliminary round, as he qualified for the state tournament following a fourth-place finish in the Western Regional. He defeated La Salle College’s Cooper Helm, 5-0, Wilson West Lawn’s Abramm Schaffer, 5-4, before blanking Emmaus’ Teagan Caciolo, 4-0, to set up the final four battle with Gallegos.

Gretz came out strong in the semifinals with a takedown in the first 27 seconds before Gallegos escaped with 1:17 remaining in the opening period. The two finished on their feet, and Gretz went into the second with a 3-1 lead.

Gallegos escaped in the second to cut the deficit to 3-2 before Gretz recorded his second takedown to push his advantage to 6-2. Gallegos escaped again to pull within three entering the third frame.

Gretz escaped in the third for a 7-3 lead, but Gallegos made things interesting when he scored a takedown to trail by one with 1:04 left in the bout. He allowed Gretz to escape again, but couldn’t get the match-winning takedown.

“I scored with my inside single every time,” Gretz said. “He was pushing in a lot, so it was open, and I hit it. It just worked out in my favor. He did take me down in the third period.”

Gretz (46-14, 105-31) will wrestle Norwin’s Landon Sidun (50-1, 123-3) for the state title this afternoon. Sidun defeated Gretz twice this year with the first win coming by way of a major decision, 8-0, in the semifinals of the section tournament on Feb. 14. Sidun, a junior and Penn State commit who is seeking a second state championship, earned a technical fall, 15-0, over Gretz in the semifinals of the WPIAL championships on Feb. 21.

Once again, Gretz knows not too many past his friends and family (teammates and coaches included) will give him much of a chance, but he looks forward to the match.

“I know I will be the underdog again, but I really have nothing to lose,” Gretz said. “I will just go out there and give it my all. I also look forward to the Parade of Champions. I will be out there smiling because it’s a great moment.”

The Falcons were in third place in the team standings in Class 3A following the semifinals with 53 points. Northampton was on top with 55.5 points and Notre Dame – Green Pond was second with 55.

“I didn’t even realize that,” said Vielma when he was informed his team was in a battle for the team title. “Hopefully, we can add some more points tomorrow and earn one of the top spots.”

Belle Vernon’s Elijah Brown (45-1, 172-20) earned a 4-1 decision in the semifinals to qualify for the finals at 215. Brown, a senior and Penn State commit, is seeking his second straight state title.

Brown wrestles Garnet Valley’s Paxton Hunt (46-1, 135-37) for the championship.

Southmoreland’s Zoey Murphy (26-2, 76-20) will wrestle in the finals for the second time in as many seasons against Panther Valley’s Brenda Banks (36-0, 109-2) at 235.

Murphy, a senior, won her semifinal bout, 8-3.

The finals are scheduled for Girls, Class 2A and 3A at 4 p.m.