4 WPIAL wrestlers to represent Pennsylvania all-star team at Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic

By: Paul Schofield
Monday, March 9, 2020 | 1:15 PM

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Kurtis Phipps’ high school wrestling career isn’t over just yet.

The Norwin senior was selected to compete for the Pennsylvania all-star team at the annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic Saturday at Pitt’s Fitzgerald Field House.

A team of WPIAL all-stars will wrestle Maryland’s all-stars at 4 p.m. followed by the USA team against Pennsylvania at 6.

Phipps (153-10), a Bucknell commit and a four-time WPIAL champion, claimed his first PIAA title last Saturday in Hershey. He will face Pope John Paul XIII’s Eddie Ventresca, a Virginia Tech recruit from Roxbury, N.J., in the 126-pound bout.

Phipps is the first wrestler in the 84-year history of the school to win a title.

Also named to the Pennsylvania squad were North Hills senior Sam Hillegas (138), Canon-McMillan senior Gerrit Nijenhuis (182) and Mt. Lebanon senior Luke Stout (195).

Hillegas (157-5), a Virginia Tech recruit, and Nijenhuis (181-16), who will compete at Purdue, are two-time state champions. Stout (153-16), a Princeton commit, won his first Saturday, joining his brother Kellan as a state champion.

Headlining the WPIAL all-star team team is two-time PIAA champion and four-time WPIAL champion Thayne Lawrence of Frazier (160).

The other state champion named to the WPIAL squad was Ellwood City senior Austin Walley (182).

Also named were Kiski Area’s Dom Giordano (113) and Jack Blumer (160), Elizabeth Forward senior Ryan Michaels (120), Hampton’s Zach Wright (126), Latrobe’s Gabe Willochell (132), Pine-Richland’s Nathan Lukez (138), Franklin Regional’s Mason Spears (145), South Fayette’s Eli Brinsky (170), Bethel Park’s Luke Montgomery (195), Greensburg Salem’s John Meyers (220) and Burgettstown heavyweight Riley Kemper.

Waynesburg’s Joe Throckmorton and Burrell’s Josh Shields will coach the WPIAL team.

PA All-Star Team Announced:

1,907 combined wins and 23 State/ National Prep Titles!

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???? https://t.co/NKVOGRDZLl@nwcawrestling @FloWrestling @PAPowerWrestle https://t.co/Jtk7kjC9Uk

— Wrestling Classic (@PWrClassic) March 9, 2020

WPIAL All-Star Team Announced:

1,522 combined wins and 10 WPIALTitles!

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???? https://t.co/NKVOGRDZLl@nwcawrestling @FloWrestling @PAPowerWrestle https://t.co/NTTBwNoxLN

— Wrestling Classic (@PWrClassic) March 9, 2020

USA All-Star Team Announced:

1,604 combined wins and 23 State/ National Prep Titles (not including this season)!

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???? https://t.co/IW0ntXTV2m
???? https://t.co/NKVOGRDZLl@nwcawrestling @FloWrestling @PAPowerWrestle https://t.co/C91Q7BtDxk

— Wrestling Classic (@PWrClassic) February 18, 2020

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Norwin