BURRELL EYES LUCKY NO. 13
The Burrell High School wrestling team enters the 2018-19 season with two significant streaks.
Burrell has won 12 consecutive WPIAL Class 2A titles. During that stretch, the Buccaneers have recorded 38 consecutive team tournament victories. Their previous WPIAL loss came in the 2006 title match, as Mount Pleasant pulled out a 32-27 victory.
“What we’ve accomplish 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.”
Ten starters return from last year’s squad, including three PIAA qualifiers.
“We have an experienced lineup with depth at most weight classes,” said Shields, who boasts a roster of 25. “We are solid throughout the lineup. We also had two freshmen move into our district from Plum. I’ve never had a transfer before. Both have a chance to start.”
Freedom coach Jim Covert is hoping his squad can end Burrell’s streaks.
“We want to beat Burrell. We want to be the team that ends Burrell’s streak,” Covert said.
The following is the PostGazette’s WPIAL Class 2A preseason top 10.
1. Burrell (12-7) — The Buccaneers have made 16 consecutive appearances in the WPIAL title match, dating back to 2003, and claimed 13 titles. Four starters have graduated, including two PIAA placewinners. A trio of PIAA qualifiers are back: sophomores Ian Oswalt (47-10 at 113) and Anthony Corrado (39-15 at 132), and senior Austin Mele (27-24 at 170). Oswalt placed fourth in the state, while Corrado was seventh.
2. Freedom (11-6) — The Bulldogs placed fourth in the WPIAL last season after finishing second in 2016 and 2017. Four starters have graduated. The Bulldogs returning lineup includes four PIAA qualifiers: seniors Z.J. Ward (35-9 at 126) and Bryson Miller (34-7 at 195), and sophomores Kenny Duschek (38-10 at 120) and Trent Schultheis (40-18 at 132). Miller and Schultheis were PIAA placewinners.
3. Derry Area (21-4) — The Trojans placed fourth in the WPIAL in 2016, third in 2017 and second in 2018. The Trojans lost three starters to graduation, plus three senior football players who decided not to wrestle this year. Seven starters return who recorded 20 or more wins last year, including a pair of PIAA qualifiers: senior Dominic DeLuca (48-5 at 220) and sophomore Ty Cymmerman (42-6 at 120). DeLuca placed second in the PIAA last year and third as a sophomore.
4. McGuffey (17-7) — The Highlanders have made four consecutive appearances in the WPIAL team tournament. They advanced to the semifinals last year before losing to Burrell. The Highlanders’ lineup includes seven returnees who recorded 23 or more wins last year. The top returnees are seniors Christian Clutter (47-6 at 170) and Jett Pattison (42-14 at 126). Clutter is a two-time WPIAL champion.
5. Quaker Valley (9-9) — The Quakers qualified for the WPIAL team tournament last year, its second year of competition. Seven starters return, including two PIAA qualifiers: sophomore Connor Redinger (39-2 at 106) and senior Geoff Magin (36-8 at 182). Redinger, a PIAA bronze medalist, is expected to miss the first month of the season with an injury. Donovan Cutchmember (28-6 at 220) and his brother Patrick join the squad after transferring from Fox Chapel.
6. Beth-Center (7-9) — The Bulldogs have made four consecutive appearances in the WPIAL team tournament. All but two starters are back, including six with 15 or more wins. Senior Dominic Fundy (29-2 at 182), a PIAA runner-up as a sophomore, missed the postseason tournaments with a hand injury. Also back for the Bulldogs are seniors Jimmy Gwyer (27-15 at 120) and Jacob Baker (31-12 at 195).
7. Burgettstown (10-4) — The Blue Devils have made six consecutive appearances in the WPIAL team tournament. The Blue Devils have seven starters back who had 12 or more wins last season, including PIAA qualifier sophomore Shane Kemper (33-12 at 113). Also back are senior Austin Ryan (19-19 at 126) and junior Riley Kemper (29-12 at 220).
8. Elizabeth Forward (97) — The Warriors have made two consecutive appearances in the WPIAL team tournament. Seven starters return, including PIAA qualifier junior Ryan Michaels (35-6 at 106). Also back are junior Noah Hunnell (24-14 at 138) and senior Chris Bruce (19-14 at 145).
9. Valley (9-8) — The Vikings have made three consecutive WPIAL playoff appearances under coach Dane Johnson. Nine starters are back, including PIAA placewinner David Schuffert (37-6 at 285), a senior who is the top returning heavyweight in the WPIAL. Also back are senior Noah Hutcherson (43-7 at 170) and junior Travis Lasko (21-14 at 113).
10. Beaver (5-5) - The Bobcats celebrated their first WPIAL team tournament appearance last season in their ninth year of competition. Seven starters are back, including three Southwest Region qualifiers: sophomore Brady Earhart (27-15 at 120), and seniors Dominick Reagan (16-16 at 113) and George Peroni (20-18 at 170).