Jefferson-Morgan junior Teasdale joins an exclusive club
Tri-State Sports & News Service
Gavin Teasdale’s pin in Jefferson-Morgan’s dual meet with West Greene Jan. 18 had special significance for two reasons.
With the victory, Teasdale became the 20th wrestler in school history to record 100 career wins.
More importantly, Teasdale joined one of the most exclusive clubs in Pennsylvania wrestling history. Teasdale became the eighth wrestler to record 100 or more consecutive victories.
“It’s a significant accomplishment to reach 100 wins,” Jefferson-Morgan coach Mike Lesko said. “To do it without losing is incredible. Gavin has a chance to finish his career unbeaten and match Cary Kolat’s achievement.”
Kolat, a 1992 Jefferson- Morgan graduate, concluded his career with a 137-0 record, which ranks first in WPIAL history for the most consecutive wins. He also won four PIAA Class 2A titles.
Teasdale, a junior, entered the week with a 104-0 record. He has won two PIAA titles and is expected to win two more before moving on to the University of Iowa.
“If Gavin can stay away from a major injury, the sky is the limit for him,” Lesko said. “His training regimen is incredible. He’s always doing extra workouts after practice.”
Teasdale will be hardpressed to reach the PIAA record for the most consecutive victories. Chance Marsteller, a 2014 graduate, finished his career at Kennard-Dale High School with a 166-0 record.
The other five PIAA wrestlers who have recorded 100 or more consecutive victories are Franklin Regional’s Nico Megaludis ( 135), McGuffey’s Jeremy Hunter (131), Franklin Regional’s Spencer Lee (131), North Penn’s Chris Kwortnik (109) and North Allegheny’s Ty Moore (104).
Lee, a senior, needs seven wins to break Kolat’s WPIAL record.
PIAA team tournament
The PIAA team tournament begins with nine preliminary round matches. The 20-team Class 3A bracket has four pigtails. The 21-team Class 2A bracket has five pigtails.
The WPIAL will have three teams in each bracket, with the third-place finishers beginning play in the preliminary round, along with the City League champion.
For a recap of the Fred Bell tournament, along with the individual tournament and rankings, go to post-gazette.com/ sports
The winners of the pigtail matches advance to the round of 16. The rest of the tournament, in both classes, will be held Feb. 9-11 in Hershey at the Giant Center.
The WPIAL is not expected to win either tournament, especially in Class 2A. Only one WPIAL team — Burrell in 2008 — has won a PIAA Class 2A team title since the tournament began in 1999.
“It looks as if Burrell will again be the WPIAL’s top team in Class 2A,” said Jeff Upson of papowerwrestling.com. “We have Burrell ranked No. 18 in the state. I would be very surprised to see any 2A team from the WPIAL make it past the quarterfinals.”
Reynolds, last year’s PIAA bronze medalist, is currently ranked No. 1 in the state, while defending champ Brookville is No. 2.
In Class 3A, Bethlehem Catholic is a heavy favorite to repeat as state champ. The Golden Hawks won four consecutive PIAA Class 2A titles from 2011-14 before moving up to Class 3A in 2015.
“Bethlehem Catholic just beat Nazareth by 20 points in the District 11 title match and we have Nazareth ranked No. 2,” Upson said. “That’s how strong Bethlehem Catholic is this year. I also think Kiski Area is a team to watch, but would be surprised to see anybody beat Bethlehem Catholic.”
Burrell has made 13 consecutive appearances in the PIAA team tournament.
Thomas Chev. Tournament
Teasdale was one of four WPIAL wrestlers who won titles at the Thomas Chevrolet Tournament Jan. 27-28 at Bedford High School. Teasdale dominated the 126pound weight class with a pin and three technical falls. In the title match, he posted a 22-6 win over Northern Bedford’s Zach Clark.
Also winning titles were Burrell’s Trent Bechtold, Beth-Center’s Dominic Fundy and Freedom’s Evan Sweesey.
Bechtold claimed the 120pound title with a 7-2 win over North Schuylkill’s Owen Boyer in the title match. Fundy won at 182 with an 8-2 win over Everett’s Wes Graham. Sweesey won by injury default over Tri-Valley’s Danny Scheib in the 285-pound final.