Nov 25, 2018 3 min read

The fortunes of Trinity High School’s wrestling team took an upward turn this year when the WPIAL realigned the classifications.

No longer was powerhouse Canon-McMillan on the Hillers’ side of the Section 4 subdivision. The Hillers had been the third-best team in that old alignment, behind C-M and Waynesburg, and now find themselves at No. 2.

Their matches against Waynesburg have been relatively close, reason for hope in this new setup of teams.

The preseason rankings in Class AAA have Trinity hovering around No. 10.

“I think that’s a little low. We have a good team, solid throughout,” said Trinity head coach Mark Powell. “We only have three seniors, so we’re young. The kids are hungry, working hard. So I expect a really good year.

“That Waynesburg match is going to be big. Last year, it came down to two bouts. I think us and Waynesburg will come down to one match. Who’s going to win the toss-ups, who’s going to lose the toss-ups, who is going to win big and who is going to lose small. It’s going to be a barn-burner.”

Trinity has taken baby steps forward this past few seasons, but Powell is sure this team has the potential to make a jump.

“We’re not going to lose a beat after this year,” Powell said. “We’ll look to build on this season and take it from there.”

Trinity took some hits from last year, losing heavier weight starters in Dante Cecchine, Jared Rice, Xane Stock and Will Edgar.

But the return of some key lightweights in Justin Walters, A.D. Nelson, Gianni Martini and Daniel Boardley can soften the blow of those losses.

“Nelson and Boardley are three-year starters for us,” said Powell. “Gianni Martini should be a hammer. We have Micah Finley coming back and Drew Cain at 145 and 152 to supplement the guys we lost (to graduation). We’re young but experienced. That’s the best way I can put what we are.”

One telling tournament will be the WPIAL Class AAA Championship, which has proven to be the roadblock for Powell’s wrestlers.

Canon-McMillan is not on this year’s schedule, but there is the possibility the two teams could meet in the WPIAL Section Team Tournament. Individual bouts could happen at Powerade, Tri-CADA and the postseason tournaments. Trinity scheduled a scrimmage with a number of other teams at Canon-McMillan over the Thanksgiving holiday.

“Hopefully, we see them in the finals of the section tournament,” Powell said. “If it pans out, we’ll see them in the section semis if we lose to Waynesburg or the section finals if we beat Waynesburg. We’re closing the gap on them.”