WPIAL wrestling teams finish among top eight at PIAA tournament

By: Paul Schofield
Saturday, February 10, 2024 | 6:56 PM

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HERSHEY — When WPIAL Class 3A wrestling teams Connellsville, Trinity and Franklin Regional qualified for the PIAA championships, they weren’t ranked high in the state.

Connellsville was ranked ninth, Trinity 10th and Franklin Regional 13th.

So much for those rankings. All three made it to the final eight, and Connellsville made the final six.

“We wanted to finish top four, so that was disappointing,” Connellsville coach Bill Swink said. “But all three WPIAL teams performed well. We just needed to reverse some of the matches against Pennridge.”

Pennridge held off Connellsville in the consolation semifinals 39-33.

It was a match that featured 10 pins, five by each team. The difference was Pennridge, from District 1, was able to get a technical fall and a major decision, and Connellsville’s sixth win was a decision.

The Falcons who won by fall were Tommy Gretz (107), Kia Vielma (133), Julian Ruggieri (139), Evan Petrovich (145) and Chris Cook (215).

“We needed to find a seventh win and didn’t get it,” Swink said. “I thought the effort was there, but maybe we were emotionally drained after beating Trinity.”

The Falcons and the Hillers met in a rematch of the WPIAL finals, and the Falcons won 30-26.

Connellsville was able to get bonus points and not allow bonus points against Trinity.

“The Trinity match was big for the wrestlers,” Swink said. “We had a little wiggle room this time.”

Connellsville led 30-14 with two matches left and forfeited the matches.

Connellsville got pins from Gretz, Lonzy Vielma (160) and Tyler Gallis (285). It was Vielma’s 100th career victory.

“We were in a situation that we were alright hoping to keep the match for later,” Trinity coach Ron Tarquinio said. “We save some points at one spot and give up bonus points at another. We were behind the eight ball against them.”

Tarquinio told the team after the match he was proud that they were able to battle through injuries through the season. Trinity was ranked No. 1 for much of the season.

Franklin Regional saw its season end during the round of eight when it lost to Central Dauphin, 29-26.

The Panthers led early, but the District 3 perennial power won five consecutive matches (139 through 172) to rally from a 23-6 deficit.

“In a three-point dual meet, we needed one win,” Franklin Regional coach Matt Lebe said. “These guys were unbelievable. Losing always hurts. They really believed they should be here. I’m happy overall of our team effort.”

All three coaches told their teams that they expect to return here next year. Connellsville started only one senior, Franklin Regional started four and Trinity seven.

“We have to continue to get better, and they will,” Swink said. “Some of the average kids will become better wrestlers.”

CONNELLSVILLE 30

TRINITY 26

107: Tommy Gretz (C) p. Mickey Horne, 3:21.

114: Nolan Rice (C) d. Jacob Wright, 6-4 (SV).

121: Dominick Canali (T) major Zachary Franks, 11-3.

127: Zane Garner (T) d. Landon Lynn, 8-3.

133: Kai Vielma (C) major Devin Junko, 14-2.

139: Blake Reihner (T) d. Julian Ruggieri, 3-2.

145: Evan Petrovich (C) d. Thomas Allison, 6-2.

152: Kolten Turek (C) d. Jackson Bruckner, 5-1.

160: Lonzy Vielma (C) p. Cael Nicolella, 2:48.

172: Bodie Morgan (T) won by forfeit.

189: Adam Watson (T) won by forfeit.

*215: Robbie Allison (T) major Chris Cook, 11-3.

285: Tyler Gallis (C) p. Jase Banco, 1:44.

= Connellsville had team point deducted for unsportsmanlike conduct at 133.

(*) match started at 215 pounds.

Records: C 16-3, T 13-3.

CENTRAL DAUPHIN 29

FRANKLIN REGIONAL 26

107: Thunder Beard (CD) d. Titus Colangelo, 8-2.

114: Mike Ruane (FR) major Francis Perri, 10-2.

121: Tyler Kapusta (FR) p. Pierce Lemmons, :45.

127: Luke Hitchcock (CD) d. Chase Smith, 7-1.

133: Dom Colaizzi (FR) d. Aidan Mariano, 7-2.

139: Clayton Ferree (CD) p. Nico Sarnic, 2:33.

145: William Flanagan (CD) d. Luke Ankney, 4-0.

152: Gavin Reynolds (CD) t.f. Cohen Buccicone, 16-0 (5:00).

160: Mason Wydra (CD) d. Ethan Cartwright, 3-2.

172: Ryan Garvick (CD) p. Jordan Perks, :39.

189: Henry Patts (FR) d. Cole Ramberger, 4-0.

*215: Troy McClelland (FR) major Anthony Neuhard, 14-3.

285: Juliano Marion (FR) p. Gabriel Lara, 3:47.

(*) match started at 215 pounds.

Records: CD 16-5; FR 22-3.

PENNRIDGE 39

CONNELLSVILLE 33

107: Tommy Gretz (C) p. Kevin McFadden, 2:47.

114: Colby Martinelli (P) t.f. Nolan Rice, 15-0 (3:51).

121: Cole Coffin (P) p. Zachary Franks, 2:12.

127: Quinn McBride (P) p. Chase Sparks, 1:14.

133: Kai Vielma (C) p. Blaze Lewis, :57.

139: Julian Ruggieri (C) p. Anthony Granite, 1:08.

145: Evan Petrovich (C) p. Brady McMahon, :41.

152: Sam Kuhns (P) p. Kolten Turek, 3:59.

160: Lonzy Vielma (C) d. Ryan Gallagher, 5-1.

172: Talan Hogan (P) p. Cooper Lembo, 1:35.

189: Ryan Rowe (P) major Nicholas Rohal, 11-2.

215: Chris Cook (C) p. Shaymus McBride, 1:27.

*285: Chase Washington (P) p. Tyler Gallis, 3:23.

(*) match started at 285 pounds.

Records: P 21-5, C 16-4.

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.