Kiski Area takes second at PIAA Class AAA wrestling team tournament

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, February 10, 2018 | 4:48 PM

HERSHEY — Kiski Area needed more than an extraordinary effort to win its first PIAA Class AAA team title.

The Cavaliers got a great team effort, but it wasn't enough to defeat District 11 powerhouse Bethlehem Catholic in the finals Saturday at Giant Center.

Two overtime losses were too much for the Cavaliers to overcome in a 34-22 loss to finish second for the second time. Kiski Area's other runner-up finish was to Easton in 2003.

A balanced Bethlehem Catholic wouldn't allow Kiski Area to go on many runs. The Golden Hawks finished off the Cavaliers by winning the final five bouts. It was Bethlehem Catholic coach Jeff Karam's 300th win.

“They won a couple close matches and outscored us,” Kiski Area coach Chris Heater said. “In these type of matches, you have to win the close ones. I thought we wrestled a great match and had a great tournament. I'm proud of their effort.”

Kiski Area got pins from Jack Blumer (152 pounds) and Nick Delp (160) to grab a 12-7 lead. And they increased that lead to 18-11 after wins by Logan Pollick (182) and Danny Starr (195).

But a pin by Robert Spezza (220) seemed to ignite Bethlehem Catholic, and when heavyweight Jase Crouse only gave up a major decision to Isaac Reid, Bethlehem Catholic secured momentum.

A pin by Nate Lackman at 106 gave Bethlehem Catholic the lead for good at 23-22.

“I want them to gain the experience from this tournament,” Heater said. “The guys coming back have to learn how to score points in close matches. I felt we wrestled well in the lower weights.”

Kiski Area finished third in 2017 and fourth in 2005.

Burrell comes up short

Burrell fell short of its goal, which was a top-four finish in Class AA.

The Bucs battled District 3 champion Boiling Springs to the final match in the third round of the consolation bracket, but Colby Christie was unable to up with a victory despite a valiant effort.

Burrell lost, 33-31.

After the match, Burrell coach Josh Shields said the team, which has won 12 consecutive WPIAL Class AA championships, had a lot to of which be proud.

“There is no doubt that we wrestled with a lot of heart,” Shields said. “A lot of the kids had break-through weekends.

“Shaun Gates, Corey Christie and Austin Mele came up big all weekend. The entire team has something to build on. We did a lot of positive things.”

Against Boiling Springs, Trent Valovchik (106) and Ian Oswalt (113) collected pins to give Burrell a 31-30 lead heading into the final bout. But Boiling Springs sophomore Andrew Stafford pulled out a 6-2 win.

Corey Christie (152) had a pin for the Bucs.

A.J. Corrado (132) won by a major decision, and Bryan Gaul (126), Gates (160) and Mele (170) won by decision.

“This team has come a long way and overcame some adversity,” Shields said. “Now we have to keep this momentum going in the individual tournaments. We can still win a state title. I'd rather have 14 individual champions than one team title.”

The WPIAL individual tournament begins Friday at Canon-McMillan.

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Burrell, Kiski School