Mar 18, 2015 2 min read

Charleroi High School will not compete in the team portion of the next WPIAL wrestling season because of low roster numbers.

Instead, the Cougars will schedule tournaments and compete in the WPIAL individual postseason.

The move came after other options, including a cooperative agreement with Bentworth, were dismissed.

“The board approved it at last month’s meeting,” said Charleroi athletic director Bill Wiltz. “We informed the WPIAL.”

Charleroi competed in Section 2-B of Class AA with Mt. Pleasant, Southmoreland, Derry, Yough, Elizabeth Forward and Jeannette. Charleroi had an 0-6 section record.

Wiltz said the goal is to build up the numbers and ask for reinstatement to the WPIAL team schedule.

“We’ll go to as many tournaments as we can,” Wiltz said. “Last year, we competed in the Burgettstown Tournament, the West Mifflin Tournament and the Tri-CADA. Well try to schedule six weekend tournaments but no duals.”

The Cougars originally listed a roster of 18 wrestlers before the season started and had seven compete in the first dual meet of the season. By the the Section 2 Tournament at McGuffey in mid-January, only two wrestlers – senior Tanner Large and sophomore Carter Riskey – competed.

Tim O’Malley, executive director of the WPIAL, said once Charleroi fulfills a few requirements, the program would be put back on the schedule.

“They have to pursue an independent schedule for one year,” said O’Malley. “They have to be off the (team schedule) for one year. If they do that and show they can honor a schedule, they can be put back on.”

Charleroi’s plight is not unusual in a sport with declining participation. James Campbell was the only wrestler on California High School’s team and he competed in the individual tournaments. Highlands is another program that followed that path.

“They say we have more wrestlers coming up,” Wiltz said. “The coach (Dave Benning) is trying to get the numbers up. If we do that, then we’ll try again.”