No surprise: Burrell is the team to beat

Tri-State Sports & News Service

South Fayette wrestling coach Rick Chaussard summed it up perfectly.

“Burrell is No. 1 until someone knocks them off,” Chaussard said. “I have the utmost respect for Burrell and its program. They seem to reload every year. It’s going to take a valiant effort to beat them.”

Chaussard would like his Lions to be the team to end Burrell’s 11-year domination of the WPIAL Class 2A team tournament.

“Based on the way we finished last year, and having lost one starter to graduation, we come into the season with hopes,” Chaussard said. “Our goal is to win the WPIAL title.”

Burrell is the clear favorite with 10 starters returning.

“What we’ve accomplished over the past decade speaks for itself,” Burrell coach Josh Shields said. “Every title is special. Our goal every season is to repeat as WPIAL champions and continue the streak.”

Burrell has made 15 consecutive appearances in the WPIAL title match, dating back to 2003, and has claimed 12 titles.

Below are the Post-Gazette’s preseason top 10 in Class 2A.

1. Burrell (13-7) — The Buccaneers have 10 starters returning from the 11-time defending champions, including seven who recorded 20 or more wins last season. Three returnees were PIAA qualifers: Senior Trent Bechtold (30-17 at 120), junior Bryan Gaul (33-16 at 113) and sophomore Trent Valovchik (35-13 at 106). Valovchik was a WPIAL champion last season.

2. South Fayette (18-4) — The Lions have been a top-four WPIAL Class 2A finisher the past five years. The Lions have 13 starters back from last year’s squad, including seven who recorded 20 or more wins last season. The top returnees are seniors Jake Walker (27-8 at 220), Colin Dunn (30-13 at 113) and Mike Cusick (36-11 at 145). Walker was a WPIAL bronze medalist.

3. Derry Area (21-3) — The Trojans placed third in the WPIAL last year after finishing fourth in 2016. Eleven starters are back from last year’s squad, including seven who recorded 20 or more wins. Junior Dominic DeLuca (37-8 at 182) and senior Shawn Broadway (30-15 at 126) were PIAA qualifiers. DeLuca was a PIAA bronze medalist.

4. McGuffey (17-4) — The Highlanders have made three consecutive appearances in the WPIAL team tournament. Ten starters return from a squad that advanced to the WPIAL quarterfinals, including five who had 20 or more wins. The top returnees are Christian Clutter (38-5 at 160) and Jett Pattison (37-12 at 120). Both are juniors who won WPIAL titles year.

5. Freedom (14-6) — The Bulldogs have placed second in the WPIAL the past two years, losing to Burrell in both title matches. Six starters have graduated, including two PIAA placewinners. Eight starters are back, including two PIAA qualifiers: Junior Z..J. Ward (39-8 at 113) and senior Chase Komara (34-14 at 138). Ward is a two-time WPIAL finalist.

6. Valley (11-6) — The Vikings have all but one starter back from a squad that advanced to the WPIAL quarterfinals. The top returnees are juniors Noah Hutcherson (27-14 at 160) and David Schuffert (34-6 at 285), and sophomore Travis Lasko (24-16 at 106). Schuffert and Lasko were WPIAL runners-up.

7. Burgettstown (9-2) — The Blue Devils advanced to the WPIAL quarterfinals in Joey Vigliotti’s first season as head coach. Eight starters are back, including three Southwest Region qualifiers: Junior Austin Ryan (20-9 at 113), senior P.J. Smith (28-13 at 120) and sophomore Riley Kemper (31-15 at 220).

8. Southmoreland (2-5) — The Scotties fell one win short of a WPIAL team tournament berth last season. Ten starters are back from that squad, including two PIAA qualifiers: Senior Tyler Griffiths (38-3 at 132) and junior Ryan Mauro (2415 at 220). Griffiths was a PIAA runner-up.

9. Elizabeth Forward (8-10) — The Warriors ended a four-year drought with last year’s WPIAL team tournament appearance. That squad did not have senior. The top returnees for the Warriors are seniors Fred Howard (27-13 at 106) and Nick Wardropper (20-19 at 170). Both were Southwest Region qualifiers.

10. Mount Pleasant (67) — The Vikings fell one win short of a WPIAL team tournament berth last season. Eight starters are back from that squad, including three who had 25 or more wins: Seniors Alex Miscovich (30-12 at 132) and Doug Bittner (26-12 at 113), and sophomore Damian George (25-16 at 106).