Lightweights carry load in Trinity wins

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Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter Trinity's Cael Nicolella bowls over Kiski's Riley Shearer in the 160 pound bout in the first round of WPIAL team competition at Trinity on January 31.

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Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter Trinity's Devin Junko works a leg on Kiski's Jackson Pollick in the 133 pound bout in the first round of the WPIAL team tournament at Trinity on January 31.

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Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter Trinity's Zane Garner reaches for a hold on the way to a win by fall over Kiski's John Deluca at 1:25 in the 127 pound bout of the WPIAL team tournament first round at Trinity on January 31.

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Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter Trinity's Luke Poland launches into Kiski's Caden Jackson in the 145 pound bout of the WPIAL team tournament first round at Trinity on January 31.

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Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter Trinity's Cael Nicolella gets a leg up on Kiski's Riley Shearer in the 160n pound bout of the WPIAL team tournament first round at Trinity on January 31.

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Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter Hiller Blake Reihner takes down Norwin's Matthew Smethwickon the way to a win by fall at :51 of the 139 pound bout of the WPIAL team tournament quarter final at Trinity on January 31.

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By Joe Tuscano

For the Observer-Reporter

newsroom@observer-reporter.com

Last year, the members of the Trinity High School wrestling team suffered a stinging loss to Hempfield in the WPIAL Team Tournament. It was a match the Hillers expected to win and the fact that they did noy only hurt their egos more.

Fast forward to Wednesday night and the first two rounds of the Class 3A Team Tournament.

This time there would be no disappointment. This team there would be no questions among the team with uncomfortable answers. This time there would be celebration not heartbreak.

And the Hillers have Zane Garner and Jacob Wright to thank.

The two lightweights came through big time with falls to help the team take a 43-19 victory from Norwin in the quarterfinals of the tournament at Trinity’s gym. Trinity advances to Saturday’s semifinals at Peters Township High School.

Trinity, now 10-0, eliminated Kiski with a 55-18 trouncing in the first round. Norwin earned its spot in the quarterfinals with a 39-37 victory over Plum.

Had Garner and Wright not gotten their pins and maybe even lost by regular decision, it would have been an 18-point swing in a 21-point match. So as it turned out, the Hillers had a very relaxing last few bouts in a tournament that can give you ulcers.

“Those were some of our toss-up matches that could have went either way on us,” said Trinity head coach Ron Tarquinio. “We came out on top with both of them. The win at 114 was huge because we got bonus points.”

Wright, a 114-pounder, pinned Nathan Klingensmith in 2:47. Garner, a 127-pounder, followed two bouts later with a pin of Aaron Wong.

“I always expect to pin,” said Garner. “It set us up. We all worked hard in the room this year. Last year, we slacked off a little. I am holding everyone accountable this year.”

Wright stopped Klingensmith with a headlock, a move he doesn’t use very often.

“He just fell into it,” Garner said.

Garner caught Wong with a cradle.

“It was good to get the win,” Wright said. “This was big. Last year that kid pinned me so I came back and pinned him.”

Norwin head coach Kyle Martin was unavailable for comment.

Trinity stopped Kiski in the opener, 55-18.

The Hillers got pins from Mickey Horne (107), Dom Canali (121), Zane Garner(127), Blake Reihner (139) and T.J. Allison (152). Trinity won 10 straight Bouts from the lightweights through the middle.

“Being physical is all we talked about,” said Tarquinio. “If we concentrate on that thing, we can get the job done. I was very happy with the first match. I didn’t know where we were going to start. We started at a weight we weren’t sure of but we racked up the points.”

Norwin defeated Plum, 39-37, in the first bout.