Two juniors are 3-time champions
Hillegas, Phipps could join elite club in 2020
It’s three and counting for North Hills’ Sam Hillegas and Norwin’s Kurtis Phipps.
Both claimed a third Class 3A WPIAL/Southwest Region title Saturday at Canon-McMillan High School. And both are juniors, so each will have a chance next year to join the WPIAL’s prestigious fourtime champions club, which currently has 28 members.
Hillegas (38-0) hit the trifecta with a 18-2 technical fall of Latrobe junior Gabe Willochell (33-4) in the 132pound final. He also recorded three first-period falls in the two-day competition, and was given the Outstanding Wrestler Award. His other titles were at 113 and 126.
“It’s awesome to have opportunities like this,” said Hillegas, a Virginia Tech recruit, who is also a two-time PIAA champ. “Winning four WPIAL titles is one of my goals, but I must concentrate on winning another state title before I can think about another WPIAL title.”
Phipps (34-2) claimed his third title with a 4-1 win over Belle Vernon senior Logan Seliga (30-7) at 120 pounds. His previous titles came at 106.
“It’s an awesome feeling,” said Phipps, who was a PIAA runner-up last year. “Hopefully I can do it again next year and be a four-timer. Right now I’m just focusing on the state tournament.”
Hillegas and Phipps were among six returning champions, and all but one claimed another gold medal. The Kiski Area duo of Cam Connor and Jack Blumer, and Franklin Regional’s Colton Camacho were the other three entries who won a second title.
Connor (46-2), a senior, claimed his second title with a 9-1 major decision of Thomas Jefferson senior Alex Weber (38-3) in the 152-pound final. Connor won his first title at 145 as a junior and earned his third trip to Hershey.
“It was just as good as the first one,” Connor said. “It’s always a big deal winning a WPIAL title. It’s a great tournament with a lot of good kids.”
Blumer (41-3), a junior, moved up from 152 to 160 and claimed his second title by defeating Mars junior Jake Richardson (273), 4-0.
“I’m so excited. It feels great,” Blumer said. “To come in as a sophomore and win a title, then repeat again this year is awesome.”
Camacho (37-3), a senior, moved down from 132 to 126 and won his second title with a 4-2 win against Kiski Area senior Darren Miller (41-2). The victory avenged two previous losses to Miller earlier in the season.
“I got two takedowns early in first period,” Camacho said. “That really opened the match. That kept me mentally focused and allowed me to stay positive. The experience of being in the finals before also helped.”
Seneca Valley topped all teams with three champions: Alejandro HerreraRondon, Dylan Chappell and Antonio Amelio.
Herrera-Rondon (44-1), a 113-pound sophomore, made his second appearance in the finals and won his first title with an 8-0 major decision of Hempfield senior Kyle Burkholder (31-6). Herrera-Rondon lost to Phipps in last year’s 106-pound semifinals, then avenged the loss in the PIAA finals.
“It was different this year coming in as the favorite,” Herrera-Rondon said.
“I was the underdog last year. I wanted to make a statement that this is my weight class and I want to dominate it.”
Chappell (39-4), a sophomore, recorded a 3-1 win in triple overtime in the 106-pound final against Franklin Regional sophomore Carter Dibert (37-2).
Amelio (30-13), a sophomore, won the 145-pound title with a third-period pin of Waynesburg senior Trey Howard (35-6).
It’s the first time in school history the Raiders had three champions in one season.
Belle Vernon senior Scott Joll (32-7) was the only returning champion who had to settle for a silver medal.
Joll dropped a 9-2 decision to Mt. Lebanon junior Luke Stout (39-1) in the 182pound final.
The top four finishers in each weight class qualify for the PIAA tournament, which begins Thursday at the Giant Center in Hershey.