Dec 29, 2014 3 min read

CANONSBURG – Shaun Wilson went out for wrestling at his mom’s urging. So maybe some thank yous are in order after Wilson had a strong opening day in the Powerade Christmas Wrestling Tournament.

Wilson, a 138-pound junior from Waynesburg High School, took a 3-1 decision from Grant Aycox of Archer, Ga., to advance to today’s (11:30 a.m.) semifinals.

Wilson was one of three Waynesburg wrestlers to reach the semifinals. Joining Wilson are A.C. Headlee, a 132-pound senior who took an 8-3 decision from Michael Bartolo of Reynolds; and Colin McCracken, a 182-pound sophomore who pulled out a 6-4 overtime decision against Milton Kobaly.

Wilson made an early takedown stand up in his bout against Aycox, who was the third seed in the weight class. Wilson was unseeded.

“I watched him wrestle in the bout before when he won 1-0 (over Cole Clever of Brookville),” said Wilson. “I just wanted to wrestle my match, ride tough on top and get out when I’m on the bottom.”

Wilson credits his two workout partners, including Kyle Homet, for honing his skills.

“Last year, I didn’t even make it to the second day,” he said. “I went 1-2. I just want to get my hand raise when I go out there. It doesn’t matter if it’s pretty or not. “

Wilson said he is a good rider and that made the difference in the match.

“I work on it in practice and I look for turns if it’s there,” he said. “Staying on top is the key.”

Wilson has a challenge in the semifinals with defending state champion Cameron Coy of Penn Trafford.

“It will be the first time I wrestle him,” he said. “I’m just going to go after him.”

McCracken said it doesn’t surprise him that Waynesburg had a strong showing.

“I felt all three of us could get into the semifinals,” he said. “I was one win away from placing in this tournament last year. I can tell you it’s easier to go through the winners’ bracket.”

Canon-McMillan does not have a wrestler in the semifinals for the first time in at least a decade. The Big Macs have five wrestlers in the consolations.

The Big Macs did have some heart-breaking losses.

Logan Macri, a 106-pound freshman, couldn’t escape in the final period and dropped a 3-2 decision to third-seeded Alan Diltz of Benton. Macri needs a couple wins to medal.

Matt Oblock, a 132-pound sophomore, gave top-seeded Luke Pletcher of Latrobe all he could handle before losing a 5-2 decision. Oblock came into the tournament unranked.

Other losses

Brendan Howard of Jefferson-Morgan was pinned in the 120-pound quarterfinals by Cole Matthews of Reynolds in 4:27 and fell to the wrestlebacks.

Howard’s teammate, Bill Bowlen, was beaten, 5-2, by fourth-seeded Jake Shaffer of Latrobe; and Trinity’s Robert West, a 220-pound senior, fell in the second round when Nick Miller of Good Counsel, Md., pinned him in 1:10.