WPIAL Releases 2023 2A Wrestling Individual Championships Brackets

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) announced its brackets for the WPIAL 2A Wrestling Individual Championships presented by Western Pennsylvania Laborers’ Union, with all matches set to be held on February 24-25 at Chartiers Valley High School.

Student-athletes punch their tickets to the championship bracket by finishing inside the top six of their respective sectional tournaments, which were held on Saturday, February 18. Sectional tournaments consisted of two sections each, with Sections I and II representing the Southern Sectional, Sections III and IV representing the Northern Sectional, and Sections V and VI representing the Eastern Sectional.

The field will feature 10 wrestlers who won WPIAL championships over the last three seasons in Burgettstown junior Joseph Baronick (2022 at 285), Carlynton senior Chase Brandebura (2020 at 106), Burrell senior Nicholas Ferra (2021 at 120), Burrell junior Cooper Hornack (2021 at 106), Frazier junior Rune Lawrence (2021 at 172; 2022 at 172), Laurel senior Grant Mackay (2021 at 152; 2022 at 160), Mt. Pleasant junior Jamison Poklembo (2021 at 132), Burgettstown senior Joey Sentipal (2022 at 132), Burgettstown junior Parker Sentipal (2022 at 106), and Bentworth junior Chris Vargo (2021 at 113; 2022 at 120).

A total of 232 student-athletes earned qualification for the WPIAL 2A Individual Championships. The top eight finishers in each weight class will move onto the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Southwest Regional Championships on March 3-4 at Altoona High School.

LINK: 2023 WPIAL 2A Wrestling Individual Championships Brackets
LINK: 2023 WPIAL Wrestling Tournament Central

Below is a recap of each sectional tournament.

EASTERN SECTIONAL [Results]
Six different schools produced champions in the WPIAL 2A Eastern Sectional at Greensburg Salem High School, led by Burrell’s five. Laurel had three first-place finishers, Indiana tallied two, and Ellwood City, Greensburg Salem, and Highlands each had one.

At 107, Burrell freshman Cam Baker took home the title via fall in 1:25 over Derry sophomore Anthony Mucci. Highlands freshman Javeon Chambers was a 9-0 major decision winner over Ellwood City sophomore in the third-place match.

Baker’s classmate Julian Bertucci won by forfeit at 114 over Indiana sophomore Nico Fanella. Derry senior Dylan Klim claimed third with a 15-0 technical fall against Ellwood City sophomore Derek Allen.

Indiana sophomore Carter Putt earned a 5-3 decision in the 121 first-place match over Derry sophomore Brett Klim. Burrell sophomore Calio Zanella took third with a 9-0 major decision against North Catholic freshman Angelo Amelio.

Burrell junior Cooper Hornack claimed victory at 127 with a pin of Hampton freshman Dustin Kerr in 4:21. Laurel freshman Braxton Carr was the third-place finisher with a pin in 1:54 of Indiana freshman Jacob Snyder.

Ellwood City freshman Gavin McClure took first at 133 with a pin in 0:57 of Indiana sophomore Tuscan Blystone. Burrell freshman Jake Stewart defeated Ligonier Valley sophomore Aiden Mulheren by 3-2 decision to place third.

At 139, Burrell senior Nicholas Ferra won with a 11-3 major decision over Highlands sophomore Aiden Burford. Valley junior Darnell Costin claimed a 3-1 decision against Laurel senior Tommy Hetzer to finish third.

Laurel senior Charles Krepp earned a fall in 1:36 against Valley junior Ryan Long to claim the title at 145. Riverview senior Aidan Draxinger placed third with a 7-1 decision over Burrell sophomore Stevie Hasson.

Indiana junior Will Turner claimed the 152 weight class with a 12-6 decision against Valley sophomore Kyren Veasley. In the third-place match, Hampton junior Alan Danner topped Highlands sophomore Julius Saunders by a 5-4 decision.

Laurel senior Grant Mackay posted a pin in 2:38 against Valley junior Chuck Perkins to place first at 160. Burrell junior Nico Zanella was a 2-0 decision victor against Indiana freshman Dominic Fanella for third.

Burrell sophomore Isaac Lacinski earned the title at 172 with a pin of Derry junior Nathan Barkley in 0:46. Hampton junior Caleb Rihn also won by fall in the third-place match, doing so in 4:06 against Highlands junior Angelo Markey.

Highlands senior Tyler Bender claimed the 189 crown with a fall in 4:44 against Laurel senior Chase Tinstman. Burrell senior Cam Martin placed third with a 10-1 major decision against Indiana senior Alvin Liu.

Greensburg Salem senior Christian McChesney won with a 4-2 decision over Burrell sophomore Luke Boylan in the 215 final. Indiana senior Brandyn Parcello placed third after scoring an 8-3 decision against Hampton freshman Jonovan McKelvey.

At 285, Laurel senior Coltin Hill claimed victory with a pin in 1:48 of Highlands senior Noah Leslie. Greensburg Salem senior Isaiah Payne won the third-place match over Hampton junior Nate Glock with a pin in 1:56.

NORTHERN SECTIONAL [Results]
Four different schools had multiple champions in the WPIAL 2A Northern Sectional at Keystone Oaks High School, with Montour’s three pacing the field. Avonworth, Central Valley, and Quaker Valley each produced a pair, and Carlynton, Hopewell, Keystone Oaks, and South Side all had one champion.

Central Valley freshman Antonio Boni captured the 107 crown, winning via 13-0 major decision over Quaker Valley freshman Bruce Anderchak. Freedom Area junior James Couch placed third with a 17-0 technical fall against Montour freshman Kristen Walzer.

At 114, Avonworth freshman Auston Kosanovic claimed victory with a 13-1 major decision against Montour junior Jacob Stetz. Beaver freshman Caleb Kullen took third after winning a 9-2 decision over Freedom Area sophomore Camden Bruce.

Quaker Valley junior Jack Kazalas recorded a pin in 2:27 against Montour junior Anthony Esposito to place first at 121. South Side senior Maddox Payne finished third with a pin of Carlynton freshman Dom Giabattoni in 2:05.

Montour junior Anthony Orlandini won via fall at 127, doing so in 1:14 against Keystone Oaks freshman Jeremy Wagner. Carlynton freshman Ashton Donlin placed third over Blackhawk senior Dominic Pugh with a pin in 4:12.

At 133, Montour senior Peter Chacon claimed the title with a pin of Quaker Valley senior Michael Carmody in 5:45. The third-place match ended in a 5-4 decision, with Central Valley junior Don Lindsey besting South Side sophomore Ryder Goe.

Avonworth junior Luke Hollywood won the 139 title with a pin in 1:22 over Montour junior Ilim Abzarov. Beaver County Christian freshman Eli Bosch took home third, thanks to a fall in 2:06 against Carlynton freshman Isaiah Wall.

Quaker Valley senior Logan Richey captured the 145 crown with a fall in 3:41 against Freedom Area sophomore Gavyn McCray. Beaver Falls sophomore Gabe Lilly finished third after a pin of Beaver junior Nick Thompson in 2:28.

Hopewell junior Isaiah Pisano topped Freedom Area senior Tanner Millward with a fall in 3:41 to win the 152 title. Quaker Valley sophomore Jack Diemert placed third after a 13-2 major decision over Montour sophomore Danny Brandl.

Carlynton senior Chase Brandebura took first at 160 with a fall in 1:51 against Freedom Area junior Ryan Kredel. Quaker Valley sophomore Marcus Richey won via 3-1 decision against Montour senior Jerod Bethea to take third.

At 172, Montour senior Riley Hensley won in a narrow 4-3 decision against Freedom Area freshman ZeShawn Williams. Carlynton sophomore Jermell Lindsey was an 11-1 major decision victory against South Park sophomore Wyatt Markovich in the third-place match.

South Side sophomore Slayton Williams defeated Freedom Area senior Trent McCray in the 189 championship match in a 4-2 decision. Beaver senior Alex Snowden took third with a fall in 2:43 against Quaker Valley freshman Kris Brown.

Central Valley junior Brenan Morgan took home the title at 215, winning over Carlynton sophomore Braiden Sudor via 16-0 technical fall. Montour senior Colin Dhanse finished third after a fall in 2:39 against Quaker Valley junior Chase Kretzler.

Keystone Oaks senior Christian Flaherty claimed victory at 285, winning with a pin in 2:16 against Carlynton sophomore Henry Barbisch. Montour junior Alex Dusch defeated Beaver senior Noah Regan in a 3-2 ultimate tie breaker decision to claim third.

SOUTHERN SECTIONAL [Results]
Nine different schools claimed WPIAL 2A Southern Sectional championships at Burgettstown High School, with the host Blue Devils’ three leading the way. Bentworth and Frazier both claimed two, while Bethlehem-Center, Fort Cherry, Jefferson-Morgan, McGuffey, Mt. Pleasant, and Southmoreland all produced one.

Burgettstown sophomore Darius Simmons won at 107, thanks to a 10-3 decision over Bethlehem-Center freshman Alex Medlen. Jefferson-Morgan freshman Carson Sweeney finished third with a 10-2 major decision against West Greene freshman Noah Collins.

At 114, Burgettstown sophomore Parker Sentipal won via fall in 1:54 against Chartiers-Houston junior Jorden Williams. Bethlehem-Center freshman Mason Wright defeated McGuffey freshman Emmett Wolfe via 5-3 decision to take third.

McGuffey freshman Lucas Barr was a 10-3 decision winner at 121, topping Mt. Pleasant senior Sean Cain. West Greene junior Seth Burns placed third with a pin of Bentworth senior Max Ivcic in 3:26.

Bentworth junior Chris Vargo claimed the 127 title via forfeit over Burgettstown junior Dylan Slovick. Frazier junior Tyler Clark won a narrow 3-2 decision against Mt. Pleasant junior Joseph Longhi for third.

Mt. Pleasant junior Jamison Poklembo topped Burgettstown junior Gaven Suica in a 3-1 sudden-victory decision to take the 133 crown. Elizabeth Forward junior Damon Michaels finished third with a pin in 2:00 of McGuffey freshman Victor Bonus.

Burgettstown senior Joey Sentipal won at 139 with a 3-1 decision against Bentworth freshman Owen Ivcic. In the third-place match, Mt. Pleasant junior Gregory Shaulis defeated Belle Vernon junior Giovanni Weightman in a 6-5 decision.

Frazier freshman Jonah Erdely took the 145 crown with a narrow 1-0 decision against Bethlehem-Center senior Tyler Debnar. Southmoreland freshman Gabe Kubasky placed third, thanks to a fall in 2:48 against Burgettstown junior Eric Kovach.

Bethlehem-Center senior Tyler Berish knocked off Frazier sophomore Ryan Celaschi in the 152 championship match via a 6-5 decision. Burgettstown junior Rudy Brown was an 11-7 decision victory against Belle Vernon freshman Elijah Brown in the third-place match.

Jefferson-Morgan junior Chase Frameli won at 160 via forfeit against Frazier freshman Jackson Angelo. Burgettstown freshman Logan Noyes placed third with a fall in 2:52 against Bentworth freshman Brayden Taggart.

At 172, Fort Cherry sophomore Braedon Welsh was an 8-2 winner via decision over Chartiers-Houston senior Jessie Orbin. Southmoreland senior Tristan Ice won the third-place match via default against McGuffey senior Kyle Brookman.

Frazier junior Rune Lawrence took the 189 title with a pin in 0:58 against Bethlehem-Center junior Jake Layhue. Jefferson-Morgan junior Adam McAnany claimed third over Fort Cherry junior Anthony Salvini with a 2-1 decision.

Bentworth junior Vitali Daniels defeated Mt. Pleasant freshman Dylan Pitzer in an 8-4 decision to win at 215. West Greene freshman Colin Whyte took third via default against McGuffey senior Logan Smith.

Southmoreland senior Mason Neiderheiser won at 285 with a pin in 3:40 against Washington freshman Joe Wilson. Bentworth sophomore Alex Rusilko placed third via forfeit over Burgettstown junior Joseph Baronick.

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