Elusive win finally comes
Hempfield’s Verkleeren turns silvers to gold at Westmoreland tournament
After falling short in three previous tries, Jarod Verkleeren finally celebrated a title at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association Wrestling Tournament, which concluded Saturday at Franklin Regional High School.
Verkleeren, a senior at Hempfield, advanced to the finals for the fourth consecutive year and finally added a gold medal to the three silver medals he won in past appearances.
“It’s very satisfying to finally win a county title,” Verkleeren said. “It’s great to win after three close losses in the finals.”
Verkleeren recorded technical falls in his first three bouts at 145, then registered a 9-3 win over Kiski Area’s Joey Blumer in the title match.
“The difference has been coaching,” Verkleeren said. “My coaches have really pushed me to reach new levels.”
Verkleeren was joined atop the winners platform by teammate Luke Kemerer, who claimed his second title with a 6-0 shutout of Kiski Area’s Cam Connor at 138 pounds.
“It feels good to come back here and repeat,” Kemerer said. “I just have to keep working hard and keep on getting better as the year goes on.”
Kiski Area dominated the team standings en route to a second consecutive title. The Cavaliers accumulated 272 points and had all 14 entries place among the top six in their weight class. Greensburg Salem was a distant second with 162 points.
Darren Miller, Danny Starr, and Isaac Reid won titles for Kiski Area. Miller claimed the 106pound title with a 4-2 win over Latrobe’s Gabe Willochell.
“It’s great to win,” Miller said. “I felt like I was in control the entire time, but did give up a couple back points.”
Franklin Regional’s Spencer Lee claimed his third title in four years with a 17-2 technical fall of Kiski Area’s Noah Levett at 126.
Other tournaments
• Waynesburg claimed the team title at the TriCounty Tournament, which was held at Albert Gallatin High School. The Raiders outscored defending champion CanonMcMillan, 205.5-190.
Six Waynesburg wrestlers advanced to the finals, including three who won titles: Caleb Morris (132), Trey Howard (145), and Colin McCracken (195). It was the third consecutive title for McCracken.
Also winning a third title were: Albert Gallatin's Tim Wallace (170) and CanonMcMillan’s Brendan Furman (285).
• West Allegheny won the Midwestern Athletic Conference Tournament. The Indians had four wrestlers advance to the finals, including two champions: Dan Clements and Rocky McGeary. Clements won the 160-pound title with a 3-1 win against Hopewell’s Jack Georgetson. McGeary won his second title with a 6-4 win over Freedom’s Bryson Miller in the 195-pound final.