Thomas Jefferson acquits itself well at sections

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, March 3, 2018 | 10:19 AM

Thomas Jefferson's Alex Weber proved deserving of the No. 1 seed in his weight class at the recent Section 2-AAA wrestling tournament.

Weber, a 138-pound junior who finished as a section runner-up last season, methodically plowed his way to first place. He was at his best in the championship bout, rolling Connellsville junior Colin Franks by an impressive 14-2 score.

“My first-place finish at the section tournament was exciting for sure,” Weber said. “It was one of my goals this season, after taking second last year.

“I am not done, however. There is still unfinished business to take care of at the WPIAL tournament. I am continuing to work hard to accomplish my individual goals this season. Although I set them high, if I continue to be myself and wrestle the way I train, I think my chances of making the podium at Hershey are good.”

The WPIAL Class AAA championships take place Friday and Saturday at Canon-McMillan.

Weber improved to 31-4 on the season off his performance at the sectional meet.

“I think Alex wrestled great at sections, and we saw a lot of little things that we have been working on come to fruition,” TJ assistant coach Gus Mizia said. “Alex is a brick-and-mortar type guy, someone who reaps what he sows, both positively and negatively. I feel lucky and honored to have the opportunity to work with him every day.”

Another top performance at the section finals was turned in by TJ junior in Max Shaw, who placed second at 182 pounds.

Shaw lost a tough 1-0 decision to Albert Gallatin senior Tim Wallace in the championship bout.

“Max went toe-to-toe with Wallace, the No. 2-ranked wrestler in the state, and I'm sure he's (now) anticipating the WPIALs,” TJ assistant coach Bob Ladick said. “Max and I have a special rapport with each other. I try to prepare him both physically and mentally, as we do with all the wrestlers. I think they appreciate my long-time experience as a coach.

“Alex and Max knew what to expect (at the section tournament). Alex's performance was workman-like and all business, especially in the finals against a very good opponent from Connellsville. What I love the most about Alex and Max is that they lead by example every single day, and our younger wrestlers see that and they look up to them.”

Shaw, a two-sport standout who was a runner-up at sections last season, suffered a fractured thumb against Belle Vernon in the WPIAL football semifinal round. He returned to the Jaguars' lineup and won his first 10 bouts of the season.

Shaw, seeded second, improved to 18-2 overall at this year's sectionals, and Mizia believes he has a high athletic ceiling and is peaking at the right time.

“Max wrestled as good as we've seen this year,” Mizia said. “I believe Max is a person who carries a lot of expectations from others and is enjoying blazing his own path and becoming the wrestler he wants himself to be.

“Max has yet to reach his ceiling as an athlete, and the future looks very promising, in my own opinion.”

Two other TJ grapplers — both freshmen — also finished second in their weight classes at the section meet.

Nathan Krutules, competing at 106, went 12-4.

“Nate has been one of the most reliable guys on our squad this season and rarely fails to show up when his number is called,” Mizia said. “He is someone who seizes each opportunity that is presented to him and squeezes everything out that he can. I am excited to have Nate for the next three years, and I believe he will be someone who's name becomes awfully recognizable in this sport.”

Kale Buckiso, who wrestles at 120, boosted his season record to 25-9.

“I think Kale's section tournament was the best he's wrestled so far this season,” Mizia said. “Kale is the guy that keeps people light on their feet and enjoying themselves, never letting a moment get too big. He loves the sport of wrestling, loves to learn, loves to work, and you can see those assets as his performance continues to be on the rise.”

Krutules and Buckiso secured No. 2 seeds entering the sectional tournament.

“For Nathan and Kale to finish as runner-ups as freshman was a tremendous accomplishment for both,” Ladick said. “We have a saying among our coaching staff that ‘they drank the Kool-aid.' In other words, they bought into our system of training — all the hard work in the preseason, the extra work in the weight room and all the extra road work.”

Thomas Jefferson had nine grapplers seeded in the top five in their weight classes at sectionals.

Along with Weber, Shaw, Krutules and Buckiso, sophomore Brendan Finnerty (132) was seeded second, and senior Kellen Lynch (113) and freshman Michael Zacur (126) were third. Ridge Vlha, a 145-pound junior, and Denver Haynes, a 220-pound sophomore, received No. 5 seeds.

Finnerty (29-6) and Lynch (22-14) placed third at the tournament. Haynes, Zacur and 160-pound junior Andy Kalup corralled fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively. Zacur improved to 27-9.

“All of our boys have been great to work with for the last four or five months,” Mizia said. “I enjoy myself every day (in the TJ wrestling room) and am proud to be associated with this program and our guys specifically.”

The Jaguars coach is Michael Ladick, who is in his third year at the helm.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

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