Ringgold’s Conroy emerging as a top wrestler in WPIAL
CANONSBURG – Ringgold’s Jake Conroy is quietly making waves this season.
The junior and Cornell University recruit remains undefeated after qualifying for the semifinals of the TriCADA Wrestling Tournament Friday night at Canon-McMillan High School.
Conroy had a bye into the quarterfinals before earning a fall in 1:38 to advance to the semifinals. Conroy faces West Greene’s Colin Whyte in the final four at the 215-pound weight class.
Conroy, who won an individual TriCADA title as a freshman at 189, will reach 100 career victories if he captures his second championship Saturday evening. His season record is 24-0 and his career mark is 98-12.
“It is definitely a good feeling to be so close to 100 career wins, but the job is not even close to being done,” Conroy said. “We have our win banners hanging up at school and Doug Gudenburr has 130, and I’m trying to beat that and get more.
“Obviously, there are other goals. I am trying to be a two-time state champ. I’m super grateful for all the opportunities that my coaches, parents, teammates and friends have given me.”
Conry’s 6-4 decision over Franklin Regional’s Juliano Marion in a dual meet on Wednesday provided a statement that Conroy is for real. Marion is a two-time state qualifier and placed sixth as a sophomore.
“He (Marion) has a 3-2 lead in our matches,” Conroy said. “We went back-and-forth last year in our matches, but anytime you can get a win against a top-ranked guy it definitely boosts your confidence, but it makes you want to work harder because I am also looking for more points. All respect to him (Marion). He is a great wrestler, and we will probably be battling all year long.”
Conroy, a junior, has committed to continue his academic and wrestling careers at Cornell University.
The Rams’ Justin Steingrabe (114) and Cristian Lowther (145) will join Conroy in the semifinals on Saturday morning at 11. Ringgold is in fifth place as a team with 72.5 points.
“We are definitely improving as a team,” Conroy said. “We lost a close match to Franklin Regional on Wednesday, but last year, I think we only won one individual bout, so it feels good to be doing so well at this tournament.”
Bentworth leads the team standings with 84.5 points. Trinity is second with 80 and defending champion Burgettstown is third with 78. Peters Township (74.5) has a slight lead over Ringgold for fourth.
The Bearcats have six wrestlers alive for an individual championship in Drake McClure (121), Chris Vargo (127), Owen Ivcic (145), Braydon Taggart (172), Vitali Daniels (189) and Alex Rusilko (285).
Burgettstown’s Parker Sentipal is seeking his third-straight TriCADA championship after winning last year at 114 and at 106 as a sophomore. The Blue Devil senior, along with the rest of the 2024 graduates, were not able to compete as freshmen because the TriCADA tournament was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sentipal earned a 7-3 decision over Trinity’s Devin Junko in the quarterfinals at 133.
Teammate Joey Baronick advanced to the semifinals with two victories at 285. His round-of-16 victory was the 100th in his career.
Jefferson-Morgan’s Chase Frameli is also chasing a third TriCADA championship. He earned a fall in the quarterfinals.
Canon-McMillan’s Andrew Binni (127), Peters Township’s Darius McMillon (160), South Fayette’s Jonny Baiano (127) and Trinity’s Blake Reihner (139) are seeking back-to-back TriCADA titles.
All four advanced to the semifinals and are guaranteed no less than sixth place.
Waynesburg’s Ky Szewczyk earned a 3-2 decision over Beth-Center’s Mason Wright in the quarterfinals at 121. Szewczyk won the TriCADA two years ago as a sophomore.