Mars senior wrestles his way into record book
Tri-State Sports & News Service
Mars senior Alex Hornfeck became the first wrestler in Mars history to reach the century mark at the Steve DeAugustino Holiday Classic Dec. 27-28 at West Mifflin High School.
Hornfeck recorded his 100th career victory with a pin of Hampton’s Vincent Schmitt in the 145-pound semifinals, then capped his domination of the weight class with a fourth-consecutive pin in the finals against Woodland Hills’ Shayne Williams.
“It’s really cool to set the school record and become the first to reach 100 wins,” said Hornfeck, who now has a 101-15 career mark. “It sets a goal for younger Mars wrestlers to beat.”
Hornfeck’s next goal is to become the fifth wrestler in school history to qualify for the PIAA tournament. He has qualified for the WPIAL tournament three times, but last year’s sixth place was his top finish.
“I’m in a tough weight class, but my goal is to get to states,” Hornfeck said. “I just need to keep working hard.”
Seneca Valley’s Louis Newell also broke his school record for career victories. The senior entered the week with a 17-1 record, which gives him a career mark of 131-20. The previous record was held by Mark Barron, who graduated in 1984 with 125 wins.
Powerade tournament
Norwin sophomore Kurtis Phipps became the second member of his family to win a title at the Powerade Christmas Tournament Dec. 29-30 at Canon-McMillan High School.
His older brother Drew claimed the 195-pound title in 2015. Kurtis followed in his brother’s footsteps by winning the 106-pound crown with a 3-2 overtime win against Will Guida of St. Paul’s, Md. The bout went to the ultimate tiebreaker and Phipps rode out Guida.
“It’s awesome to match Drew’s accomplishment,” Kurtis Phipps said. “He always has good advice for me. He told me before the finals to concentrate like nobody’s watching, just like I do in the practice room.”
Phipps believes the Powerade tournament title is one of the two best accomplishments of his career.
“This and the WPIAL title are the two biggest of my career,” Phipps said. “But they will take a backseat if I can reach my ultimate goal of winning a state title.”
Southmoreland Classic
It was a total team effort for Greensburg Salem Dec. 28-29 at the Southmoreland Holiday Classic. The Golden Lions had 12 wrestlers place among the top eight in their weight class to claim the team title by a 49.5-point margin over runner-up Freedom.
Greensburg Salem had two wrestlers advance to the finals: Luke Ewing and Jesse Quatse. Ewing won the 160pound title with a 5-0 win over Northern Bedford’s Alex Fouse. Quatse lost, 9-0, to Ligonier Valley’s Robert Patrick in the 170-pound final.
South Side Beaver and Freedom each had two champions.
Kenny Duschek and Z.J. Ward claimed titles for the Bulldogs, while Joe Demor and Bishop McCoy were champs for the Rams.
Demor claimed the 145pound crown with a 6-3 victory against Ligonier Valley’s Alex Caldwell. McCoy made his second appearance in the finals and won his first title with a 3-1 win against Valley’s David Schuffert at 285.
Duschek won the 120pound title with a 6-2 win against Beth-Center’s Jimmy Gwyer. Ward recorded a 7-4 win in the 126pound final.
DeAugustino Classic
McGuffey had four champs at the Steve DeAugustino Holiday Classic: Jett Pattison, Christian Clutter, Luke Shingle and Dalton Lough.
Pattison claimed the 126pound title with an 8-5 win over Hampton’s Zach Wright. Clutter won at 170 with a 3-0 victory over Peters Township’s Luke Mary. Shingle pulled out an 8-7 victory against Quaker Valley’s Geoff Magin in the 182-pound final. Lough pinned Elizabeth Forward’s Ethan Cain in the 195-pound final.
Hampton edged Peters Township, 209.5 to 203.5, in the battle for the team title. The Talbots had 10 wrestlers place among the top eight, including Tyler Kocek, who won the 120-pound title by pinning Peters Township’s Will Kail. Wright and Dawson Dietz were silver medalists for Hampton.
WCCA tournament
Colton Camacho and Luke Kemerer have a chance to three-peat at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association tournament Friday and Saturday at Norwin High School.
Camacho, a junior at Franklin Regional, has claimed titles at 113 and 120 and is now entered at 132. Kemerer, a senior at Hempfield, has won titles at 132 and 138 and is now at 145.
Kiski Area’s Darren Miller, Southmoreland’s Tyler Griffiths, Belle Vernon’s Zach Hartman and Kiski Area’s Danny Starr are also returning champions.
Elsewhere, Albert Gallatin’s Tim Wallace can become a four-time champion at the Tri-County tournament Friday and Saturday at Trinity High School. Wallace has won titles at 145, 160, and 170, and is now entered at 182. Canon-McMillan’s Logan Macri, Jefferson-Morgan’s Gavin Teasdale and Waynesburg’s Caleb Morris are two-time returning champs.