Dec 1, 2015 6 min read

A.C. Headlee gave area wrestling fans a thrill with one of the most amazing runs to a state title in this century last season. Headlee won dramatic matches over Luke Pletcher of Latrobe to secure WPIAL then PIAA gold medals.

Headlee is off to North Carolina University, wrestling for the Tar Heels.

So, who will be this year’s success story?

Will it be Mike Carr of South Fayette and Gavin Teasdale of Jefferson-Morgan battling for their second straight PIAA titles?

Will it be the South Fayette wrestling team landing a WPIAL Team Tournament title?

Is there some relatively unknown wrestler ready to burst onto the scene?

And what about the Big Macs?

The answers might lie here as I break down the strengths and weaknesses of each local team, who graduated, who is returning, and what the future might hold.

Key losses: None

Key returns: Tim Hritsko (120, 23-16, So.), Matt Oblock (132, 25-14, Jr.), Micah Kusturiss (145, 30-9, Sr.), Tommy James (182, 24-11, Sr.) James Zeremenko (195, 20-12, Sr.) Brendan Furman (Hvy, 30-11, Jr.)

Comment: Big Macs have talent throughout the lineup and even more in the pipeline. They don’t have a knockout punch at any weight, but do have good body shots to deliver at each weight class. Expectations should be high.

Key losses: Phillip Mary (126, 26-7), Sal Merante (160, 27-12), Mitch Fitzgerald (170, 22-6)

Key returns: Danny Florentino (106, 25-6, Jr.), Mike McAleavy (182, 28-14, Sr.),

Comment: Peters Township lost 75 wins through graduation and that will be hard to replace. Florentino had a fine sophomore season.

Key losses: Gage Downer (138, 27-13), Jake Gerard (152, 26-7), Henry Caufield (160, 31-12), Taylor Bass (Hvy, 17-16)

Key returns: Doug Gudenburr (120, 32-9, Sr.)

Comment: Rams lost six senior starters. It’s going to be a long year, unless the younger kids develop.

Key losses: Cam Reynolds (132, 25-10), Robert West (220, 28-5)

Key returns: Mike Kolosky (113, 19-6, Jr.), Ryan Yocum (132, 18-9, Sr.), Justin Ritter (170, 14-5, Sr.),

Comment: Hillers have 11 returning wrestler with experience. Lots of room for growth.

Key losses: A.C. Headlee (132, 45-1 PIAA champion), Shane Piper (152, 32-8)

Key Returns – Caleb Morris (106, 35-10, So.), Cole Rush (120, 29-12, Sr.), Logan Henderson (126, 20-15, Sr.), Shaun Wilson (138, 36-5, Sr.), Kyle Homet (145, 26-14, So.), Terry Victor (160, 32-9, Sr.), Colin McCracken (182, 35-8, Jr.)

Comment – Headlee was a tremendous story last year. McCracken leads a talented group that should make a strong run at a WPIAL title. Morris’ freshman season was impressive.

Avella

Key Losses – Nick Kusich (145, 30-6), Derek Allen (195, 11-3), Jared Graham (220, 24-14)

Key Returns – Luke Lloyd (126, 20-8, Sr.), William Meredith (138, 27-14, Sr.), Dean Simonelli (182, 17-12, Sr.)

Comment – Numbers problem hurts Eagles chances. But then again, that’s an ongoing problem.

Bentworth

Key Losses – None

Key Returns – Manny Dovshek (106, 30-9, So.), Hunter Neely (126, 28-7, Sr.), Ty Mitchell (138, 29-10, Sr.)

Comment – Upper weights are a problem. Neely leads talented lower weights. Dovshek was strong in freshman season.

Beth-Center

Key Losses – Jason Stay (160, 37-10), Nico Brown (182, 37-12), Colton Dillon (195, 20-15)

Key Returns – Anthony Welsh (170, 36-7, Sr., 5th PIAA),

Comment – Welsh has good shot at winning a WPIAL title. No one else in the lineup had a winning record.

Burgettstown

Key Losses – Austin McDermitt (120, 39-6), Jake McKee, (170, 20-16), Tristan Nicholson (182, 25-16), James Reedy (Hvy, 24-100).

Key Returns – P.J. Smith (106, 23-16, So.), Austin Riffle (126, 23-17, Jr.), Darrell Bails (132, 26-21, Jr.), Tyler Nicholson (160, 18-15, Sr.), Brad Hucik (195, 24-19, Sr.)

Comment – Graduation cleared upperweights but talent exists below. Head coach Terry Havelka has a knack of getting best out of wrestlers.

California

Key Losses – None

Key Returns – James Campbell (138, 17-12, Sr.)

Comment – Campbell made it to regionals and more is hoped for him this year.

Charleroi

Key Losses – None

Key Returns – None

Comment – Program dropped out of section and like California, it can only have individuals qualify for the WPIAL tournament.

Chartiers-Houston

Key Losses – Ben Hritsko (138, 23-13), Garrett Grimm (182, 30-16)

Key Returns – Josh Kuslock (126, 25-15, Jr.), R.J. Hall (145, 21-14, Jr.), Trey Lober (Hvy, 19-16, Jr.)

Comment – Look for year of growth and development. This weekend’s C-H tournament is a good test.

Fort Cherry

Key Losses – None

Key Returns – Nick Candelore (106, 12-8, So.), Trevor McIntyre (220, 17-8, Sr.)

Comment – Rangers have 10 returning wrestlers and lost just one to graduation.

Jefferson-Morgan

Key Losses – Brendan Howard (120, 43-8, 7th PIAA), Anthony Patterson (195, 29-19), Ian Wolfe (Hvy, 39-16, 4th PIAA)

Key Returns – Gavin Teasdale (106, 46-0, So., PIAA champion), Trevor Kniha (160, 27-17, Jr.), Bill Bowlen (182, 36-9, Sr., 6th PIAA)

Comment – It will be fun to watch Teasdale win his second straight title.

Mapletown

Key Losses – Zack Brown (Hvy, 13-11,)

Key Returns – Brian Brady (120, 14-11, Jr.), Seth Shubert (138, 18-13, Jr.), Harley Gee (220, 11-10, Sr.),

Comment – Maples sent five wrestlers to District 7 tournament last season.

McGuffey

Key Losses – Lane Klein (106, 22-16), Luke Desmond (138, 22-15), Liam McElhoes (220, 28-13), Ryan Steinstraw (Hvy, 30-12)

Key Returns – Gage Nicolella (113, 38-4, Sr.), Teague Nicolella (120, 32-16, Jr.), Aaron Harris (126, 31-15, Sr.), Dillon Richey (152, 27-19, Sr.)

Comment – Highlanders can compete for WPIAL title if heavyweights can be replaced. Picked in some circles as a top 2 team in Class AA.

South Fayette

Key Losses – Andrew John (113, 30-14), Jared Walker (160, 39-5, 3rd PIAA), Brett Beltz (182, 39-8, 5th PIAA)

Key Returns – Jasper Wolfe (120, 26-15, Sr.), Shane Ging (132, 24-10, Sr.), Mike Carr (138, 45-0, Sr., PIAA champion), Ben Previte (145, 35-14, Sr.), Rasaun Culberson (195, 34-13, Sr.)

Comment – Carr leads Lions to WPIAL title? Could be. Talent is there and will assemble quicker than last year because football team out of playoffs.

Washington

Key Losses – Keirs Gloady (Hvy, 13-11)

Key Returns – Zhiere Patmon (132, 18-13, Jr.), Kurt Adkins (145, 15-11, Sr.)

Comment – Patmon, Adkins are a good 1-2 punch in the lineup.

West Greene

Key Losses – Sheldon Phillips (113, 22-12), Donovan Weaver (152, 13-9), Will VanNorman (220, 21-15)

Key Returns – Connor Main (182, 18-14, So.), Owen Main (195, 29-13, Sr.)

Comment – Owen Main coming off strong 2014 season, but West Greene numbers are low.