Can anybody step up and dethrone Burrell?
As we enter the 2020-21 wrestling season, the big question in Class 2A is the same question we’ve asked for more than a decade.
Can anybody beat Burrell? The Buccaneers have won 14 consecutive WPIAL titles and are once again the Post-Gazette’s No. 1ranked team.
“Burrell has to be considered the team to beat,” Burgettstown coach Joey Vigliotti said. “Until somebody beats them, Burrell has to be ranked No. 1.”
Burrell has all but four starters returning from last season’s championship squad, including three PIAA qualifiers.
“The streak is always a challenge and goal,” Burrell coach Josh Shields said. “We always have a target on our back. The kids welcome that challenge. Our goal every season is to repeat as WPIAL champions and continue the streak.”
Shields also realizes that COVID19 is another challenge the Buccaneers must face.
“This season is like no other,” Shields said. “Most tournaments, including the Westmoreland County tournament, have been canceled. We want the opportunity to wrestle, but must be ready for anything that comes our way.”
Burgettstown, last year’s WPIAL runner-up, is hoping to be the team that ends Burrell’s streak. The Blue Devils made their second appearance in the WPIAL finals last season, and first since 1980, but were dominated by the Buccaneers, 63-9.
“We didn’t wrestle to our full potential in last year’s title match,” Vigliotti said. “We would like to have another chance this year.”
Burgettstown has all but three starters back from last season, including two PIAA qualifiers.
“This is the deepest team we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Vigliotti, now in his fourth season as head coach and 10th season with the program. “We did lose a few kids to graduation, but have a talented squad coming back.”
The 2020 season also features a new alignment, which includes many changes to the section picture. Montour, Knoch and Ambridge dropped down from Class 3A, while Highlands and Beaver moved up to Class 3A. Ligonier Valley has joined the Class 2A alignment after moving into the WPIAL from District 6. Summit Academy will not be competing this season due to COVID-19.
Below is the Post- Gazette’s WPIAL Class 2A preseason top 10.
1. Burrell (13-7) — Shields enters his eighth season as head coach with a squad that features seven returnees who placed among the top eight in their weight class in the WPIAL. The Buccaneers’ top returnees are Nikolas Ferra (34-20 at 106), Shawn Szymanski (31-17 at 113), Nicholas Salerno (34-16 at 120), Ian Oswalt (45-7 at 132) and A.J. Corrado (45-8 at 152). Salerno, Oswalt and Corrado were PIAA qualifiers.
2. Burgettstown (14-4) — The Blue Devils lineup features eight individuals who recorded 20 or more wins last season, including six who finished among the top six in their weight class in the WPIAL. Burgettstown’s top returnees are Joey Sentipal (40-15 at 120), Shane Kemper (39-13 at 152), D.J. Slovick (31-16 at 170) and Turner Lehman (33-17 at 182). Sentipal and Kemper were PIAA qualifiers.
3. Quaker Valley (16-6) — The Quakers advanced to the WPIAL team tournament semifinals the past two years. All but three starters are back for coach Mike Heinl, including five who qualified for the Southwest Region tournament: The top returnees are Logan Richey (2111 at 106), Justin Richey (21-5 at 132), Conner Redinger (34-8 at 152) and Patrick Cutchember (40-11 at 182). Redinger missed the regional tournament with an injury.
4. McGuffey (12-3) — Coach Jared Roberts enters his second season with a squad that returns all but four starters. The Highlanders’ lineup features four starters who recorded 20 or more wins last season: Beau Bergles (23-14 at 113), Nate Yagle (39-18 at 132), Rocco Ferraro (37-5 at 145) and Ethan Barr (45-9 at 160). Yagle will miss the first month of the season with an injury sustained during football season.
5. Montour (7-5) — The Spartans are making their Class 2A debut after moving down in classification. Coach Zach Tournay has all but two starters returning, including six who recorded 20 or more wins last season. The Spartans top returnees are James Walzer (24-11 at 106), Peter Chacon (21-12 at 120), Aaron DeLuca (25-13 at 138) and Aidan DeLuca (26-15 at 160).
6. Laurel (9-3) — Coach Kevin Carmichael has led Laurel to the WPIAL team tournament three of the past four years. The Spartans have five returnees who recorded 10 or more wins, including two PIAA qualifiers: Colin Bartley (32-12 at 106) and Mitch Miles (37-3 at 285). The Spartans also picked up Grant MacKay (39-12 at 152), a transfer from North Allegheny who qualified for the PIAA 3A tournament last year.
7. Beth-Center (9-6) — Coach Gary Welsh has led the Bulldogs to six consecutive WPIAL team tournament appearances. The Bulldogs have six starters return who recorded 20 or more wins last season, including four Southwest Region qualifiers: Kyle McCollom (3012 at 120), Tyler Fisher (20-14 at 126), Tyler Berish (31-10 at 132) and Trevor Pettit (31-13 at 145).
8. Elizabeth Forward (11-4) — The Warriors have made four consecutive appearances in the WPIAL team tournament, but lost four key starters to graduation, including two PIAA qualifiers. The Warriors top returnees are Austin Wilson (2014 at 106), Dylan Bruce (18-8 at 126) and Nick Murphy (33-8 at 285).
9. Freedom (6-5) — The Bulldogs have placed second in the WPIAL three of the past five years. The Bulldogs’ lineup features five individuals who recorded 10 or more wins last season, including brothers Matthew Schultheis (23-18 at 113) and Trent Schultheis (39-6 at 170). The Bulldogs lost Kenny Duschek (43-8 at 138), a PIAA placewinner who transferred to Blackhawk.
10. Mount Pleasant (6-7) — The Vikings have qualified for the WPIAL team tournament two of the past three years. Coach Zach Snyder enters his second season. PIAA champion Dayton Pitzer is back for his junior season after missing last season with an injury. Also back are: Luke Geibig (36-16 at 113) and Noah Gnibus (29-14 at 138).