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WRASLIN’ ROUND-UP
By: Jerry W. Seaman for the Recorder
February 1, 2008
MONONGAHELA-The 3rd annual Washington County Wrestling Tournament concluded Saturday night at Ringgold High School with very few surprises or upsets.
The Big Macs pounded out their third title in a row with a team total of 225 points, followed by Burgettstown with 165.5 and Ringgold with 108.5 to round out the top three teams.
Canonsburg was definitely the favorite team coming into this tournament after their strong showing in the Powerade Christmas Tournament. They are the proven team in the county and have some individual talent to make it to Hershey in March.
The Burgettstown Blue Devils made it known just how strong and balanced team they have this year by finishing second in the county against some larger, Class AAA, schools.
This seems to indicate that wrestling is still a one-on-one individual sport regardless of how many team tournaments the state requires. Each individual wrestler will decide the team champion.
“We have a full team roster this year with only two seniors and a lot of young kids,” Terry Havelka the Blue Devils head coach said. “Our kids are working hard and getting better every practice.
Ryan Watson won the only gold medal at 189 for Burgettstown with a decision over Nick Shuman, McGuffey, with a 9-2 decision.
The officials had a little difficulty calling and awarding points in the match. The official give’th and he take’th away.
“I thought the score should have been 5-5 at the end of the first period.” Said Jeff Breese, the Highlander Head Coach. “Nick got real frustrated after that first period.”
Dan Conley didn’t get the results he was looking for in his rematch with Michael Hull, Canon-McMillan 215-pounder, dropping a 5-2 decision. They went into over-time in the finals of the Powerade Christmas Tournament with Hull taking a 3-1 victory in that match
“Dan has got to work on his shots. You got to take them down to win.” Said Coach Havelka. “He definitely has a shot at states this year just by how hard he works to improve.”
McGuffey finished in sixth place with 87 points. They had three finalists but no gold.. Alex Dunaway 103, lost a tough on to Andrew Lucarini 3-2. The Fort Cherry grappler defeated Dunaway in this tournament last year. “Alex didn’t bang him around enough on his feet.” Said Jeff Breese. “He just missed the turn for back points. He is getting better.” Their match made the O-R Photo two years in a row.
Nick Whipkey 125, lost in the finals to Nick Catalano 2-1. Sean Sim took forth at 135, and Jake Knoneburg placed fourth at 152.
The Avella Eagles had two champions as did Fort Cherry. Not so shabby for small double a schools going up against the triple a powerhouse wrestling teams.
Mitch Spencer got a tech. fall over Michael Innes, Chartiers Houston, 17-2. Spencer is wrestling on a banged-up knee. “It hurts a lot when I get in a bad position on a poor shot. Can’t take the time to fix it now.” Said Spencer.
Kyle Appleby-152- took it to Colin Ryan, Canonsburg, with a 6-1 decision. Appleby has the ability to toss any opponent he meets. His height and confidence on his feet make him a threat in any tournament. He is fun to watch.
Fort Cherry got gold at 103 and 160. Andrew Lucarini won his second title with a hard fought decision over Alex Dunaway, 3-2.
Lucarini and Dunaway made the O-R’s picture of the tournament both this year and last. Each trying to pin the others shoulders to the mat. Good shots.
Most of the coaches in the tournament feel that it must get bigger or be discontinued all together. Making it a larger tournament is easily done by inviting the Greene and West Moreland teams. This would be the way to go.
The Avella wrestling program will most likely merge with the Fort Cherry program next year due to the small number of individuals coming out for wrestling.
This is a never ending problem for most of the wrestling programs in the county. Junior high numbers are falling off as with some of the youth programs. Many of our programs in the southwest are weak right now.
Possible ways to remedy the problem would include: Schools need to hire qualified new teachers that can coach wrestling. The junior high programs and tournaments must be improved. They need the numbers here and the youth programs where wrestling is still fun need encouragement. Folks who love wrestling must get involved to keep our sport alive and well.
