Wrestling team by team
Class AAA
Top 10
1. Kiski
2. Waynesburg
3. Canon-McMillan
4. Connellsville
5. Hempfield
6. Trinity
7. Penn Trafford
8. Shaler
9. Belle Vernon
10. Franklin Regional
Team Breakdown
(Based on last year’s roster)
Belle Vernon
Key losses: Jacob Dunlop (13, 41-8, 8th in PIAA); Tyler Seliga (145, 32-17); William Korber (220, 36-9, 4th)
Key returns: Brock Godzin (12, 152, 41-9, 5th), Zach Hartman (12, 160, 37-8); Scott Joll (11, 170, 30-14);
Comment: Graduation puts Leopards in rebound mode.
Canon-McMillan
Key losses: Matt Oblock (126, 37-18); Anthony Mastrangelo (132, 22-15); Blaze Kansco (170, 31-13); Bryan Milligan (182, 18-7); Brendan Furman (Hvy, 47-3, 1st)
Key returns: Jacob Gardner (10, 106, 22-17); Ken Hayman (11, 113, 24-12); Logan Macri (12, 120, 42-8, 5th); Tim Hritsko (12, 138, 35-13); Gerrit Nijenhuis (10, 152, 46-7, 3rd)
Comment: Big Macs need to replenish upper weights.
Peters Township
Key losses: Dan Florentino (138, 21-11)
Key returns: Bryce Wilkes (10, 106, 21-4); Will Kail (10, 113, 21-15); Colton Jezioro (11, 126, 27-11); Brandon Matthews (11, 132, 25-14); Luke Mary (12, 152, 33-8); Jeff Markert (11, 170, 18-10)
Comment: Mary leads a dangerous Indians’ team.
Ringgold
Key losses: Tyus Bundy (120, 11-8); Caleb Means (145, 18-17)
Key returns: Tairen Bundy (11, 106, 19-14); Jacob Duncan (10, 113, 22-13); Bo Haines (12, 182, 24-10)
Comment: Haines needs 32 wins to reach 100.
Trinity
Key losses: None
Key returns: Hunter Hickle (11, 106, 19-14); A.D. Nelson (11, 113, 14-5); D.J. Long (12, 132, 22-11); Cole Whitmer (10, 145, 17-9); Jarrod Rice (12, 170, 21-10); Xane Stock (12, 195, 26-12)
Comment: Hillers lost just two seniors and should be top-five team.
Waynesburg
Key losses: Ryan Braun (126, 17-15); Colin McCracken (195, 43-6, 3rd)
Key returns: Caleb Morris (12, 132, 35-6); Colby Morris (11, 138, 22-16); Trey Howard (11, 145, 31-9); Kyle Homet (12, 170, 34-8)
Comment: Strength through middle makes Raiders top-three team. Homet eight wins from 100.
Class AA
Top 10
1. Burrell
2. Derry
3. South Fayette
4. McGuffey
5. Freedom
6. Beth-Center
7. Valley
8. Burgettstown
9. Mt. Pleasant
10. Elizabeth Forward
Team Breakdown
(Based on last year’s roster)
Avella
Key losses: Dalton Simonelli (160, 10-3)
Key returns: None
Comment: With three returnees, Avella will have another long season.
Bentworth
Key losses: Carter Riskey (138, 21-15); Ryan Wise (195, 23-10)
Key returns: Manny Dovshek (12, 113, 30-7); Jonathan Vargo (11, 182, 28-11); Ashton Lopez (12, 220, 24-14)
Comment: Dovshek is a gem for the Bearcats. Middle of lineup is weak.
Beth-Center
Key losses: Dylan Swarrow (126, 11-14); Tim Welsh (138, 11-9); David Headlee (Hvy, 21-17)
Key returns: Jimmy Gwyer (11, 120, 29-19); Jacob Baker (11, 170, 14-9); Dominick Fundy (11, 182, 39-1, 2nd)
Comment: This year, Fundy goes the distance.
Burgettstown
Key losses: Austin Riffle (138, 13-9); Darrell Bails (145, 32-9);
Key returns: Austin Ryan (11, 113, 20-9); P.J. Smith (12, 120, 28-13); Riley Kemper (10, 220, 31-15)
Comment: Blue Devils have enough for team tournament run.
Chartiers-Houston
Key losses: Josh Kuslock (138, 40-8); Jacob Ognibene (152, 28-15); R.J. Hall (170, 37-7); T.J. Johnston (220, 13-9); Trey Lober (Hvy, 31-15)
Key returns: Ty Mazutis (11, 120, 13-11); Joey Dunn (12, 126, 15-10); Nick Kalafatis (12, 182, 16-10)
Comment: Bucs lost 169 bout wins to graduation.
Fort Cherry
Key losses: Josh Kumer (220, 17-12)
Key returns: Nick Candelore (12, 126, 26-8); Shane McIntyre (12, 160, 13-6)
Comment: Rangers lose one senior but have holes to fill.
Jefferson-Morgan
Key losses: Aaron Mylan (138, 19-13)
Key returns: Josh Agnew (12, 120, 20-16); Gavin Teasdale (12, 126, 40-0, 1st); Kolin Walker (10, 152, 10-13)
Comment: It’s going to be fun watching Teasdale chase history, fourth title.
Mapletown
Key losses: Brian Brady (132, 24-8); Seth Shubert (152, 32-10); Brandon Smotzer (160, 19-12); Gavin Uphold (195, 31-13)
Key returns: Kevin Hayes (12, 145, 16-13); Tanner Weston (12, 220, 19-10)
Comment: Graduation gutted Maples middleweights from last year’s 14-win team.
McGuffey
Key losses: Collyn Bell (113, 14-5); Teague Nicolella (132, 34-16); Jeff McConn (152, 38-9); Ed Shingle (Hvy, 23-16)
Key returns: Seth Burgdolt (10, 106, 24-18); Jett Pattison (11, 120, 37-12); Christian Clutter (11, 160, 38-5); Luke Shingle (12, 170, 25-18)
Comment: Highlanders powerful enough for strong postseason run.
South Fayette
Key losses: Cam Hoover (152, 23-16)
Key returns: Colin Dunn (12, 113, 30-13); Gary Loeffler (12, 120, 31-15); Ed Brinsky (10, 126, 26-19); Mike Cusick (12, 145, 36-11); Joe Bastaroli (12, 170, 33-16); Mark Kurchena (11, 195, 24-19); Jake Walker (12, 220, 27-8)
Comment: Lions ready to roar again in postseason.
Washington
Key losses: Zhiere Patmon (145, 8-5); Malik Mitchell (195, 8-8)
Key returns: Joe Somerville (12, 160, 5-5)
Comment: Prexies undermanned again.
West Greene
Key losses: None
Key returns: Connor Main (12, 220, 28-9)
Comment: Pioneers return four starters.