Perfection displayed in Southwest region

Spencer Lee’s domination of WPIAL wrestling can be easily illustrated with his performance in the Class AAA WPIAL/Southwest Regional over the past four years. He appeared in 16 bouts and recorded 12 pins and four technical falls.

Lee (32-0), a Frankin Regional senior, became the 27th wrestler in WPIAL history to win four titles with a pin of Kiski Area senior Noah Levett (38-7) in the 126-pound final.

“It means a lot to me since it’s my last WPIAL tournament,” said Lee, who recorded four first-period pins. “I waved to the crowd because they will never see me again.”

Lee takes a perfect 141-0 career record into the PIAA tournament next week with the goal of claiming a fourth state title.

“There have been only four undefeated four-time state champs,” Lee said. “I want to be the fifth.”

Lee was one of five wrestlers who entered the weekend with an unblemished record. All five claimed WPIAL titles to remain unbeaten.

Penn-Trafford senior Cameron Coy (34-0) made his fourth appearance in the finals and claimed his third title with a 5-2 win against Canon-McMillan freshman Gerrit Nijenhuis (41-6) at 152 pounds. Coy has won 71 consecutive bouts.

“It’s awesome to get my third title, but there were a few things mentally that held me back,” Coy said. “I will have to wrestle better at the state tournament.”

North Hills freshman Sam Hillegas (39-0) continued his impressive debut with a 6-4 win against Seneca Valley junior Louis Newell (38-4) in the 113pound final. Newell was a returning WPIAL champion.

“It’s amazing for me to win a WPIAL title as a freshman,” Hillegas said.

North Allegheny senior Eric Hong (29-0) claimed his first title with a 7-4 victory in the 160-pound final against Belle Vernon junior Zachary Hartman (36-6). Franklin Regional’s Spencer Lee gains control of Kiski Area’s Noah Levett en route to his history-making win at 126 pounds Saturday night. Hartman was making his third appearance in the finals and had to settle for a second silver medal.

“It was an exciting experience to wrestle in my first WPIAL tournament and take home a title,” Hong said.

Bethel Park senior Nino Bonaccorsi (36-0) won a second consecutive title with a 10-3 victory against PennTrafford senior Matt McGillick (26-9) at 182 pounds.

“It’ feels good to be the first two-time champion in Bethel Park history,” Bonaccorsi said.

Lee, Coy, Bonaccorsi, Newell and Hartman were among eight returning WPIAL champions. The others were Waynesburg junior Caleb Morris, Albert Gallatin junior Tim Wallace, and North Allegheny senior Jake Woodley.

Morris (35-4) won his second title in three years with a 2-0 win in the 132-pound final against Pine-Richland senior Hunter Baxter (37-3). It was the second consecutive silver medal for Baxter.

“This title means more to me than the first one, because this is the first time I’ve ever beat him,” Morris said.

Wallace (35-2) won his second title in a row with a 5-0 shutout of Waynesburg senior Kyle Homet (34-6) at 170.

Woodley (46-2) claimed his second title by pinning Upper St. Clair senior Eli Grape (34-3) at 195 pounds.

The top four finishers in each weight class qualify for the PIAA tournament, which begins Thursday at Giant Center in Hershey.