Penn-Trafford wrestlers prep for section tournament

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, February 19, 2018 | 4:06 PM

When Penn-Trafford wrestling coach Rich Ginther, his assistants and his seven wrestlers walk into Kiski Area's gymnasium Saturday to compete in the WPIAL Section 1-AAA individual championships, they finally can move past the team competition part of the season and focus on individual success.

“This has been a down year for us in a team sport-type of thing, and we're really looking forward to the individual (competition),” Ginther said. “That's the good thing about wrestling, you have two parts to the season.”

Couple injuries with the exodus of senior talent from last season, and Ginther was only able to fill seven, and at times eight, of the 14 weight classes for much of the season.

“Our numbers are going to double next year,” Ginther said.

While Ginther waits for reinforcements, the Warriors must continue to move forward.

Ginther likes what he sees already from one of his young freshmen Luke Paszek (9-14).

Paszek will jump in at the 113-pound weight class, try to place in the top five and move on to the WPIAL Class AAA individual championships March 2-3 at Canon-McMillan.

“He adapted well to the pressure of high school wrestling, and he's a great, great worker in the room,” Ginther said. “His work ethic is second to none, and he's done nothing but improve.”

Ginther's son, Brett, will compete at 120 pounds. He qualified for the WPIAL tournament as a freshman but fought the injury bug the last two years.

Ginther said his son (10-10) could be a “wild card” going into sectionals. Ginther was cleared just last week to resume wrestling after breaking his thumb during the regular season.

“I'm anxious to see Brett at work and battle through the postseason with no more injuries,” Ginther said.

Junior Nick Coy (21-5) has pedigree and a track record of success.

A two-time PIAA qualifier, he is expected to make another run at a section title.

Coy's brother, Cam, is a redshirt freshman wrestler at Virginia.

Sophomore Tony Zona is a two-year starter and moved up from 138 to 152 pounds.

It's a weight class that is better suited for Zona, but the experience of wrestling up in weight was something that will heap benefits moving forward.

In addition to Coy, Ginther can count on senior Job Chishko (28-6) advancing to WPIALs at 145 pounds.

A Bucknell commit, Chishko is a three-time PIAA qualifier who placed at states as a sophomore.

Ginther said he's looking forward to seeing a possible matchup between Hempfield senior Luke Kemerer and Chishko.

“When you go to our section tourney and get two top-notch guys like that wrestle each other, its good for the sport and the section,” Ginther said. “I'm sure (Chishko's) looking to be high on that podium.”

Junior John Bachar (16-10) will look to improve after qualifying for the WPIAL tournament as a sophomore.

Bachar finished in the top eight at last year's WPIAL tournament but fell short of qualifying for the PIAA event.

The Warriors will close the section tournament at 195 pounds, where junior Connor Shirey (5-15) will look to qualify for WPIALs.

“They're chomping at the bit, and they've been waiting for this time of year,” Ginther said. “The biggest battle is believing that you're good enough to do it.”

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn-Trafford