Close shave for coach, but 4 C-M wrestlers in semifinals
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By Joe Tuscano
For the Observer-Reporter
newsroom@observer-reporter.com
CANONSBURG – On most days, Brian Krenzelak can’t hide.
The head coach of Canon-McMillan’s wrestling team and a leader in his church, Krenzelak relishes being seen, whether it be in the corner chair on the mat or during his many acts of charity.
Each year, to the surprise of his wrestlers, Krenzelak shows up at practice missing an important feature on his face.
His beard.
On Friday, Krenzelak showed up at the WPIAL Class 3A Championships in Canon-McMillan’s gym clean-shaven and his wrestlers responded.
“We do a lot of fundraising at the school and I have a lot of speaking engagements, so I spent a lot more time without the beard than with it,” said Krenzelak. “It’s usually a shock to the wrestling community. I’ve had people walk right by me. They say I didn’t recognize the coach without his beard.”
As long as his wrestlers can pick him out in a crowd, then Krenzelak will continue to snip the hairs once in a while.
“I’ll give you a good quote,” said Krenzelak. “There ain’t a horse that can’t be rode and a man that can’t by throwed.”
Canon-McMillan wrestlers had a strong first day as four wrestlers made it to the semifinals and are one win away from qualifying for the state individual tournament at the Giant Center in Hershey. The top four wrestlers in each weight class advance.
Geno Calgaro (215) kept his undefeated record at 19-0 with a convincing 7-0 decision over Aiden Pham of Norwin. Calgaro and Santino Sloboda (34-0) of Butler are the only undefeated wrestlers in the tournament.
“I’m just here to wrestle, do my thing,” Calgaro said. “I’m not really keeping (the undefeated record) in my mind. It’s not the biggest thing in the world. I’m just here to wrestle for my last year so I’m going to give it my all.”
Calgaro is one of 11 area wrestlers to advance to today’s (noon) semifinals. Finals are at 4 p.m.
Joining Calgaro in the semifinals are three teammates: Collier Hartman at 121, Andrew Binni at 127 and Ryder Joseph at 139. Others included are Blake Reihner a 139, Bode Morgan at 172, and Robbie Allison at 189 of Trinity; Nick McGarrity of Peters Township at 107; Luke Dunlap of South Fayette at 152; and Waynesburg’s Ky Szewczyk at 127 and Roan Tustin at heavyweight.
Hartman had a big win over Trinity’s Dom Canali, 5-0, at 121.
“I grew up wrestling Dom. He’s my best friend,” said Hartman. “It’s bittersweet but I’m moving on.”
Hartman entered the tournament as the No. 5 seed while Canali was No. 4.
“Obviously, I was nervous to wrestle him,” Hartmann said. “We prepared a lot so I’m happy with my performance.”
This will be the last go-around for Szewczyk, but he will always be known for his part on what might be the best teams in Waynesburg history.
“This win felt good,” Szewczyk said. “One more. That’s what I’m focusing on right now. I’ve been trying to step up. There is only so much I can do. I just need to focus on myself and keep pushing myself. Maybe all the guys will take my lead.”
Waynesburg head coach Kyle Szewczyk will do everything he can to help his son succeed.
“You soak up every moment,” said Kyle Szewczyk. “He’s a hard worker. I know the work ethic is there. It’s just a matter of putting the pieces together.”