State champs in lineup to lead Waynesburg’s quest for No. 4
The WPIAL began its team tournament format in 1979. In the 44 years that have passed, only one team has been able to win four consecutive Class 3A titles.
Canon- McMillan achieved the feat from 20102013 with coach Chris Mary at the helm.
Waynesburg has a chance to match Canon-McMillan’s achievement during the 2022-23 season,which begins Friday.
Waynesburg won titles in 2020 and 2021 with Joe Throckmorton as head coach. Kyle Szewczyk took over last season and the Raiders hit the trifecta with a 35-18 win against Connellsville.
Can Waynesburg win a fourth consecutive title?
“Our goal from Day 1 is to defend our WPIAL title,” Szewczyk said. “I realize that will not be easy. The only thing harder than winning a WPIAL title is to defend it.”
Connellsville is the only team in WPIAL history to qualify for the WPIAL tournament all 44 years. The Falcons haven’t won a title since 2008.
“I think the best four teams in Class 3A will be the teams that were in the semifinals last year,” Connellsville coach Bill Swink said. “All four teams have a good group of kids coming back.”
Waynesburg and Connellsville were joined by Latrobe and Canon-McMillan in the semifinals last year.
“(Latrobe) has never won a WPIAL or PIAA team title in wrestling,” Latrobe coach Mark Mears said. “We have three PIAA medalists in our lineup and at least two more who should qualify for states this year. We have the talent required to win a title. We just have to stay healthy.”
Canon-McMillan has been a WPIAL final-four finisher 13 of the past 15 years.
“On paper, Latrobe looks hard to beat,” Canon-McMillan coach Brian Krenzelak said. “But you can’t count out Waynesburg with two state champs in its lineup. I think we have enough to be a challenger.”’
What follow are the PostGazette’s top five teams in Class 3A and 2A.
Class 3A
1. Latrobe (15-3): Mears enters his third season with a squad that has has eight starters returning, including PIAA champion Vinny Kilkeary (462 at 120 pounds), runner-up Luke Willochell (43-5 at 106), and sixth-place finisher Cory Boerio (215). Nathan Roth (192 at 138) returns after recovering from a second shoulder surgery.
2. Waynesburg (21-0): The Raiders have qualified for the WPIAL team tournament 18 of the past 19 years, despite wrestling up in classification. Szewczyk lost five starters to graduation. Mac Church (38-2
at 132) and Rocco Welsh (46-1 at 172) won PIAA titles last season, while Brody Evans (37-12 at 189) was a state qualifier. Eli Makel (36-11 at 215) is also back.
3. Canon-McMillan (13-7): The Big Macs have all but three starters returning, including four PIAA qualifiers: Tanner Mizenko (31-14 at 106), Brandon Dami (27-11 at 113), Matt Furman (35-10 at 172), and Gabriel Stafford (31-11 at 189).
4. Connellsville (23-4): Eight starters return for Swink, who begins his second year. The Falcons top returnees are: Evan Petrovich (34-11 at 113), Jacob Layton (28-14 at 120), Lonzy Vielma (40-10 at 138), and Ethan Ansell (28-10 at 152).
5. Butler (19-4): The Golden Tornados has qualified for the WPIAL team tournament 13 of the p-ast 15 years. Coach Scott Stoner has ten starters returning. The top returnees are: Levi Donnell (33-5 at 145), Matthew Zinkhann (27-14 at 145), Michael Kreinbucher (3211 at 172), and Landon Christie (25-13 at 189).
Class 2A
1. Burgettstown (15-3): The Blue Devils have all but three starters returning, including eight who recorded 25 or more wins last season. Five were PIAA qualifiers: Parker Sentipal (42-5 at 106), Gaven Suica (32-10 at 126), Joey Sentipal (397 at 132), Rudy Brown (34-14 at 138), and Joseph Baronick (2917 at 285).
2. Burrell (12-7): The Buccaneers have made 20 consecutive appearances in the WPIAL finals and claimed 16 titles during that stretch. Shields enters his 10th season with a squad that features six starters who recorded 25 or more wins last season. The top returnees are: Cooper Hornack (42-10 at 120), Niko Ferra (34-20 at 132), Adam Lacinski (30-15 at 138), and Luke Boylan (25-18 at 215).
3. Quaker Valley (17-5): A trio of PIAA qualfiers, including two place-winners, have graduated, but two placewinners are back: Jack Kazalas (40-8 at 113) and Logan Richey (38-14 at 120). Also back for the Quakers are Isaac Maccaglia (26-11 at 106), and Brandon Krul (35-11 at 126).
4. Laurel (9-2): The Spartans have qualified for the WPIAL team tournament five of the past six years under coach Kevin Carmichael. All starters are back, including twotime PIAA finalist Grant MacKay (40-2 at 160). Other top returnees for Laurel are Colin Bartley (27-9 at 113), Charles Krepp (22-17 at 145) and Chase Tinstman (22-20 at 189).
5. Mount Pleasant (14-6): The Vikings advanced to the semifinals last season and have madethree consecutive playoff appearances. Eight starters return for third-year coach Josh Snyder, including Jamison Poklembo (38-12 at 138), Joseph Longhi (27-6 at 106), Sean Cain (25-16at 120), and Greg Schaulis (22-12 at 132).