Feb 10, 2024 By Jonathan Guth 4 min read

HERSHEY – Trinity’s rematch with Connellsville didn’t go according to plan, as the Falcons didn’t give up a fall while securing three of their own in a 30-26 victory Saturday morning in the third round of consolations in the PIAA Class 3A team tournament at the Giant Center.

The Hillers had more success in getting falls in the finals of the WPIAL Class 3A team tournament Feb. 3 in recording three pins in losing by just a point.

Trinity’s team portion of the season ends at 13-3.

“We fought hard, but sometimes in life and wrestling, you come up short,” Trinity coach Ron Tarquinio said. “Our goal was to get into this tournament. We were pretty close to winning WPIALs and we made it pretty deep to the third day at this tournament to finish top eight in the state. I’m proud of my guys and I think we had a pretty successful team portion of the season.”

The Falcons’ run at the state team tournament came to an end in the consolation semifinals following a 39-33 setback to Pennridge.

Connellsville (16-4) still has a dual meet left this season when it travels to Chartiers Valley on Wednesday.

Falcons coach Bill Swink was glad to see not only his team, but the Hillers and Franklin Regional make it to the third round of consolations. Franklin Regional lost to Central Dauphin 29-26 in the third round of consolations.

“The WPIAL wrestled well at this tournament,” Swink said. “It was nice to have all three WPIAL teams make it to the third day. Our kids were pretty emotional after the win against Trinity, but we just needed to find another win against Pennridge. Our goal was to wrestle in the medal round but we finished one victory short.”

Trinity started the dual meet with Connellsville with an 11-3 major decision for Robbie Allison at 215 pounds for a 4-0 lead.

The Falcons’ Tyler Gallis recorded a fall in 1:44 at 285, which didn’t occur in the WPIAL Class 3A finals, as Gallis won by decision.

Tommy Gretz (107) followed the pattern of the District 7 match, as he won by fall in 3:21 and teammate Nolan Rice earned a 6-4 decision in sudden victory for a 15-4 Connellsville advantage after four bouts.

Dom Canali won by forfeit in the first meeting against the Falcons, but Zachary Franks stepped in on Saturday and yielded an 11-3 major decision setback at 121.

“They did a good job of not giving up bonus points in some of the matches,” Tarquinio said. “We are going to get ready for individuals and try to send as many guys as we can here.”

Landon Lynn wasn’t available for Connellsville against the Hillers the first time because of a concussion, but he stepped in and lost an 8-3 decision to Zane Garner at 127. Garner had a pin in the first match against the Falcons.

“Chase Sparks has been wrestling well, but we have another option to go with when Landon Lynn is healthy,” Swink said. “Getting some bonus points and not giving them up was big in this match.”

Trinity’s Devin Junko stayed off his back and lost a 14-2 major decision to Kai Vielma at 133, which was much better than the last time the two wrestled when Vielma won by fall.

Connellsville had a 19-11 lead after Vielma’s win but were deducted one team point for a seven-point advantage with six matches remaining.

Blake Reihner got the Hillers within four points with a 3-2 decision over Julian Ruggieri at 139, but the Falcons’ Evan Petrovich (145) and Kolton Turek (152) won back-to-back decisions for a 24-14 lead.

The three bouts at 139, 145 and 152 was a huge turning point from the last dual meet because a 10-point swing went in Connellsville’s favor.

Lonzy Vielma not only won by fall at 160, but he earned a pin in 2:48 for his 100th-career victory that also clinched the dual meet.

The Falcons forfeited 172 and 189 to Trinity’s Bodie Morgan and Adam Watson.