Connellsville sees hope, opens at No. 1 in 3A
Having a target on their backs will be an adjustment for Falcons
The 2023 WPIAL Class 3A team tournament title match ended in a tie, and Waynesburg’s three-year reign ended when Canon-McMillan was declared the winner by criteria decision.
Can either of those finalists win the title this year? Waynesburg will be hardpressed to make a fifth consecutive championship appearance after suffering significant graduation losses. The Raiders must replace seven starters, including five PIAA qualifiers and four who were medal winners.
Canon-McMillan, meanwhile, enters the season with a lineup that is capable of making a return trip to the final. But the Big Macs debut at No. 2 in the Post-Gazette’s team rankings.
That means Connellsville is the team to beat in Class 3A. The Falcons are the Post-Gazette’s No. 1-ranked team. The Falcons lost in the 2022 title match to Waynesburg, then lost again to the Raiders in the 2023 semifinals.
Connellsville coach Bill Swink returns for his third season with a squad capable of winning it all despite losing six starters to graduation.
“I’m flattered to be ranked No. 1, but I’d rather be the hunter than the hunted,” Swink said. “I think we’re going to be very good, but we are also young. We only have one senior in the starting lineup.”
Connellsville is the only team in WPIAL history to qualify for the WPIAL tournament all 45 years. The Falcons haven’t won a title since 2008.
What follows is a breakdown of the top five teams in Class 3A and their key returning starters:
1. Connellsville (15-2) — The Falcons have eight wrestlers returning who recorded 15 or more wins, including Lonzy Vielma (32-15 at 139), a two-time PIAA qualifier. Others with 20 or more wins are Landon Lynn (27-15 at 107), Evan Petrovich (35-9 at 127), Christopher Cook (22-18 at 215), and Tyler Gallis (26-15 at 285). The Falcons’ freshman class includes Kai Vielma, who is expected to make an impact in the lower weights.
2. Canon-McMillan (174) — The Big Macs have been a WPIAL final-four finisher in 14 of the past 16 years. Coach Brian Krenzelak has all but four starters returning, including PIAA runner-up Andrew Binni (45-6 at 127). Others returning who had 20 or more wins are Tanner Mizenko (39-10 at 107), Collier Hartman (24-15 at 114), and Geno Calgaro (31-12 at 215). Also back are three others with 10 or more wins. Freshman Brayden Collins is expected to make an impact in the upper weights.
3. Trinity (11-3) — The Hillers haven’t been to the WPIAL semifinals since winning the title in 2002. Coach Ron Tarquinio is hoping to end that streak this year as all but three starters are back. Blake Reihner (39-9 at 139) and Bodie Morgan (35-11 at 172) are the top returnees. Others who had 20 or more wins are Dominic Canali (28-8 at 121) and T.J. Allison (22-8 at 127). The Hillers’ biggest concern is to replace heavyweight Ty Banco.
4. Bethel Park (12-6) — The Black Hawks have all but one starter back, including two individuals who suffered season-ending injuries last season. Ryan Walsh posted a 31-6 record as a freshman and a 5-1 mark before his sophomore season ended. Cordan McDonnell returns with 22 career wins. Other returnees with 20 or more wins are Mason Kernan (33-5 at 133), Jaden Palombine (20-17 at 107), Aiden Bench (24-13 at 121), Aden Stout (22-17 at 127), Ethan Higgins (25-13 at 139), Hunter Goelz (23-5 at 189), and Landon Hartman (26-7 at 215).
5. North Allegheny (10-5) — The Tigers have all but four starters back, including Travis Stipetich, a senior who missed last season with a knee injury. Stipetich recorded 39 wins in two seasons prior to the injury. Others returning who recorded 20 or more wins last season are Gus Stedeford (28-12), Casey Walker (21-14), Griffen Reid (25-14), William Bentrim (25-15), and Aiden Buggey (29-9). The Tigers have qualified for the WPIAL team tournament for 38 consecutive years but have not been to the semifinals since 2017.
Class 2A
Burrell has made 21 consecutive appearances in the WPIAL Class 2A title match and has won it all 16 times in that stretch.
Burgettstownhas appeared in the WPIAL Class 2A title match three times in the past four years. After losing to Burrell in the 2020 and 2021 finals, the Blue Devils won their first WPIAL team tournament title last season with a 31-25 win against the Buccaneers.
Both teams have all but four starters back, which made it tough to choose a favorite.
“This could be the best group of seniors that has ever come through this school,” said Burgettstown coach Joey Vigliotti, referring to six of his returning starters. “It’s up to them. They can’t be satisfied with one title. They can’t have a championship hangover.”
Burrell is a much younger team with only three senior starters returning.
“After losing in the finals the last two years, we have more incentive to get back on top.” Burrell coach Josh Shields said. ” We are a younger team with a big freshman class coming in.”
What follows is a breakdown of the top five teams and their key returning starters:
1. Burgettstown (17-2) — The Blue Devils lineup features three PIAA qualifiers: Parker Sentipal (47-7 at 114), Gaven Suica (43-13 at 133), and Joseph Baronick (41-15 at 285). Others with 20 or more wins are Darius Simmons (24-13 at 107), Daniel Smith (23-18), Dylan Slovick (34-18 at 127), Eric Kovach (26-15 at 145), Rudy Brown (34-10 at 152), and Logan Noyes (24-19 at 160).
2. Burrell (12-6) — The Buccaneers lineup also features three PIAA qualifiers: Cooper Hornack (43-6 at 127), Cameron Baker (41-11 at 107), and Isaac Lacinski (41-14 at 172). Hornack is a returning state champ. Others returning with 29 or more wins are Julian Bertucci (32-16 at 114), Calio Zanella (33-20 at 121), Nico Zanella (31-21 at 160), and Luke Boylan (29-17 at 215).
3. Frazier (12-9) — The Commodores made their first final four appearance last season, and all but one starter returns for coach Buck Watkins. Rune Lawrence (45-3 at 189), a three-time WPIAL and PIAA champion, is the top returnee and one of the best wrestlers in the country. Jonah Erdely (36-12 at 145) and Ryan Celaschi (35-8 at 152) were PIAA qualifiers. Others with 30 or more wins are Tyler Clark (33-13 at 127) and Jackson Angelo (33-8 at 160).
4. Quaker Valley (15-6) — The Quakers have made five consecutive appearances in the WPIAL semifinals and ended Burrell’s streak of 15 titles in a row in 2022. Coach Austin Heinl has all but four starters returning. Jack Kazalas (38-5 at 121) is the top returnee. Others back who had 19 or more wins last season are Bruce Anderchak (31-13 at 107), Isaac Maccaglia (19-17 at 114), and Jack Diemert (28-14 at 152). Freshmen Trey Dunlap and Aris Haniotes are expected to make an impact in the upper weights.
5. McGuffey (11-3) — The Highlanders have advanced to the WPIAL semifinals 17 times, including three times since moving down to Class 2A. Coach Jared Roberts has eight starters returning who had 11 or more wins last season, including five who made their debut as freshmen. Returnees with 20 or more wins are Emmett Wolfe (3117), Lucas Barr (40-12 at 121), Garrett Newman (25-16 at 127), Victor Bonus (24-17 at 133), and Reid Teagarden (21-17 at 145).