Mar 4, 2018 3 min read

Patience and determination finally paid off for Logan Macri.

The senior from Canon-McMillan High School had not won a title in the WPIAL Class AAA Championships until Saturday’s masterful performance against Louis Newell, a state runner-up from Seneca Valley last season.

Macri rallied from a 2-1 deficit early to emerge with a 4-3 decision in the 120-pound finals. And he did so in front of a fan-friendly crowd at Canon-McMillan High School.

Last year, Macri lost a 3-1 overtime decision at 120 pounds to Vince Distefanis of Hempfield, and was upended by the same score, only in regulation, by Sam Hillegas of North Hills at 113 two years ago.

Macri was fourth as a freshman at 106 pounds after losing a 5-4 decision to Newell.

Macri looked quick and strong in his most recent win over Newell. He fought with the determination of a champion.

The path now leads to the state tournament, where he has to be one of the favorites to win the weight class now that Julian Chlebove is not competing this season.

Chlebove won the 120-pound weight class for Nazareth in Hershey last year, shutting out Macri, 6-0, in the quarterfinals along the way.

Now, the way is clear for anyone to take the gold medal. If Macri continues to wrestle like this, he is more than capable of winning.

• When Jackson Henson rolled off Tim Hritsko, grabbing at his left knee during the 138-pound semifinals, the coaching staff at Waynesburg held its collective breath.

Henson, a two-time West Virginia state champion who transferred in from University High School in Morgantown, W.Va., this season, felt a pop in the back of the knee.

Fortunately, the injury does not seem to be as serious as it originally appeared. Henson was able to finish his match, a 3-1 overtime win against Hritsko, a Canon-McMillan senior.

Henson had his knee checked by a doctor at the tournament and will have another checkup before he leaves for Hershey Wednesday to compete in the state tournament.

After the medal ceremony, Henson was walking normally and said he probably would forego wearing a knee brace this week.

• The realignment of wrestling sections by the WPIAl was nothing short of idiotic when it came to Section 4 in Class AAA.

The WPIAL broke up the three main rivals in sub-section B – Canon-McMillan, Waynesburg and Trinity – by moving C-M into sub-section A with Ambridge, New Castle, South Fayette and West Allegheny. Moon, Montour and Chartiers Valley join Waynesburg and Trinity in sub-section B.

Geographically, Moon and Montour are better fits for sub-section A than Canon-McMillan.

Now, there is no guarantee Canon-McMillan will wrestle Waynesburg or Trinity, unless in the postseason. They could be scheduled as non-section duals in the regular season but that misses the point.

Wrestling needs these rivalries in order to grow. Ripping them apart like this is not only unnecessary but damages the sport.