Much at stake for B-C, McGuffey wrestling teams
Gary Welsh believes it’s one of the biggest dual meet in Beth-Center’s wrestling program history.
The Bulldogs travel to McGuffey tonight for a 7 p.m. match that will decide Subsection 2-A. Both teams are 4-0 in the section and the winner not only gets the subsection title but hosts the Section Team Tournament next Wednesday.
“It’s probably the biggest match I’ve been a part of,” said Welsh, B-C’s head coach. “We’re going to try to prepare the same way we do for anyone and try not to give it too much hype.”
Welsh believes the three key bouts are 126, 132 and 170. Three of the Highlanders’ stronger wrestlers – Jett Pattison, Teague Nicolella and Christian Clutter – sit in those weight classes, respectively.
Beth-Center will count on Jimmy Gwyer (120), Dom Fundy (182), Garrett Dillon (195) and David Headlee (heavyweight) to counter with extra bout points.
“We watched them a little at Tri-County,” said McGuffey head coach Mark Caffrey. “They are a well-balanced team and we are going to have to wrestle well to win.”
The Highlanders understand what’s at stake for this dual meet besides the perfect run through the subsection.
“We talked to the kids about (hosting the Section 2 team tournament),” Caffrey said. “That’s one incentive. It we have it at our place, that’s an incentive.”
Fundy is the top wrestler at his weight in the O-R’s Class AA Wrestling Rankings.
“He’s a hard worker and a smart kid,” Welsh said. “He’s like having another coach because he knows enough to guide our kids.”
Welsh said a key to Beth-Center’s success has been filling the weight classes the past two seasons.
The odds are against us and we like that,” he said. “We welcome the opportunity.”
In Class AAA, Canon-McMillan can finish an undefeated Subsection 4-A season by defeating rival Trinity in Canonsburg. The Big Macs also can wrap up hosting rights for the Section 4 Tournament.
Trinity is tied with Waynesburg at 3-1 and needs a win and Waynesburg loss to stay out of the fifth-place dual meet in the section tournament. A win by Waynesburg over visiting Central Catholic assures no worse than a second-place finish in the subsection.
The Raiders are planning a celebration of the program’s 900th win, which came last week against Connellsville. The school is bringing back previous coaches and holding Senior Night as part of the festivities.
In Subsection 2-B, Peters Township needs a win over visiting Ringgold to finish undefeated and in first place. The Indians knocked off previously unbeaten Upper St. Clair Monday night.
Belle Vernon travels to Connellsville with the top spot in Section 2-A and hosting rights for the section tournament up for grabs.
In Class AA, Burgettstown goes to Chartiers-Houston to battle for first place, as well as hosting rights, in Subsection 1-A.
Fundy was one of eight local wrestlers to win their weight class in the Burgettstown Tournament last weekend.
Fundy won the 182-pound title to help the Bulldogs to a third-place finish.
Manny Dovshek was one of two Bentworth champions, winning at 113 and watching teammate Ashton Lopez take 220. Chartiers-Houston had three champions, Josh Kuslock at 138, R.J. Hall at 170 and Trey Lober at heavyweight.
Nick Candelore of Fort Cherry won at 126 and Burgettstown’s Darrell Bailes won at 145.