Turning silver into gold
Komara, Dovshek win Class 2A titles
Freedom’s Kody Komara and Bentworth’s Manny Dovshek had something in common as they entered the WPIAL Class 2A tournament, which was held Saturday at Canon-McMillan High School.
Both were two-time WPIAL silver medalists. And both were seeded second in their weight class behind a wrestler who had won a previous WPIAL title.
When the final buzzer sounded, both claimed the gold medal that had eluded them in previous attempts.
Komara (35-6) claimed his title with a 3-2 win over South Park’s Dallas Bulsak in the 145-pound final. It was the third time the two met, the second in two days. Komara beat him, 3-2, at the start of the season, while Bulsak (323) posted a 6-3 win Friday in the Section 1 title match.
Dovshek (27-3) won the 113-pound title with a 9-7 win over Freedom’s Z.J. Ward (34-5).
“It feels great to finally win,” said Dovshek, who jumped to a 7-1 lead and held on for the win. “Getting off to a good start was important, but I got a little sloppy at the end. I can’t do that next week.”
Ward and Bulsak were two of four wrestlers who entered the finals as a returning champions. The other two claimed titles.
Southmoreland’s Tyler Griffiths (31-1) won his second title in a row with a 2-0 win against Ellwood City’s Tyler Alberts (33-4) at 132 pounds.
“A lot of kids know I’m good on my feet, so they stall out a lot on me,” Griffiths said. “I just have to keep forcing the action.”
Jefferson-Morgan’s Gavin Teasdale (32-0) won his third WPIAL title and improved his career record to 114-0 with a 20-8 win over Burrell’s Dillan Jeffrey (31-12) in the 126-pound final.
Teasdale was one of two wrestlers in the tournament with unblemished records. The other was Beth-Center’s Dominic Fundy (32-0), who claimed the 182-pound crown, 2-1, in double overtime over Burrell’s Anthony Marra (25-8).
Freedom, McGuffey and Burrell each had four entries advance to the finals.
Freedom had three champs — Komara, Bryson Miller (30-6 at 195) and Evan Sweesy (41-5 at 285).
McGuffey had two champs — Jett Pattison (33-8 at 120) and Christian Clutter (36-3 at 160).
Burrell had one champ — Trent Valovchik (32-8 at 106).
The top seven finishers in each weight class advance to the Southwest Regional tournament, which will be held Friday and Saturday at IUP. They will be joined at the regional by Districts 5 and 6.