Area wrestlers look to make history at PIAA championships

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, March 6, 2018 | 7:36 PM

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Four victories. That's all that stands between Jefferson-Morgan senior Gavin Teasdale, North Hills sophomore Sam Hillegas and all the seeded wrestlers from making history at the PIAA individual championships beginning on Thursday in Hershey.

For Teasdale, a Penn State recruit, he will attempt to become a four-time state champion. His dream of finishing his career undefeated ended two months ago at the Powerade Wrestling Classic.

Teasdale (36-2) will try to become the 13th four-time champion and hopes to be standing atop of the podium for one final time at the Giant Center in Hershey. For Hillegas, it would be his second title.

“This is what I've been working towards all season,” Teasdale said. “Four more wins in my high school career.”

That's the sentiment many wrestlers echoed the past few weeks, especially seniors who have finished second in the past.

Ligonier Valley senior Robby Patrick is a two-time runner-up. He lost to Susquehanna Township senior Ed Ruth in overtime in 2017. Ruth (28-0) is seeded No. 1 at 170 pounds and Patrick (31-0) is seeded No. 2 for this year's Class AA tournament, which will wrap up Saturday.

The path won't be easy for Patrick, a Virginia recruit. On his side of the bracket are Mahoney junior Colin Fegley (33-1), Susquenita senior Dalton Group (36-2) and McGuffey junior Christian Clutter (42-4).

“I tried to separate myself from the rest of the pack (at the Southwest Regional) at Indiana,” Patrick said, “I'm wrestling with more confidence. I'm paying the price in the practice room. I'm more physical.”

Patrick became a four-time Class AA Southwest Regional champion and now is looking forward to Hershey.

“I know there are a couple tough kids, and you can't overlook anybody,” Patrick said.

Other Western Pennsylvania wrestlers who finished second in 2017 were Southmoreland senior Tyler Griffiths, Shaler junior Ryan Sullivan, Seneca Valley senior Louis Newell, Laurel Highlands senior Ian Edenfield and Kiski Area senior Isaac Reid.

“I have one more shot,” Griffiths said. “Hopefully, my change of preparation will help me.”

Griffiths (22-6) is on the upper side of the 145-pound bracket in Class AA. He'll face Reynolds senior Hunter Michaels (35-7) in the opening round. The top seed is Palisades junior Nathan Haubert (27-3).

Teasdale (126 pounds) is the only WPIAL Class AA wrestler seeded No. 1. South Side senior Bishop McCoy is seeded No. 2 at heavyweight.

WPIAL wrestlers to earn No. 1 seeds in Class AAA are Norwin sophomore Kurtis Phipps (36-0) at 106, Sullivan (38-1) at 113, Hillegas (28-1) at 126, Edenfield (30-5) at 220 and Reid (19-0) at heavyweight.

Seeded No. 2 are Canon-McMillan senior Logan Macri (35-2) at 120 and Belle Vernon senior Zach Hartman (40-1) at 160.

Hempfield senior Luke Kemerer (37-2) was ranked No. 1 in the state by PaPowerWrestling at 145 pounds, but he moved up a weight and lost to Kiski Area sophomore Jack Blumer in the WPIAL semifinals Saturday.

Kemerer admitted he didn't wrestle to his ability as he was trying to get used to the heavier weight.

“I was getting more comfortable with the weight during the tournament, and I should be ready for states,” said Kemerer, one of four Hempfield wrestlers to qualify for the PIAA tournament. “I'm looking forward to Thursday.”

Luke will try to join his brother Jake as a state champ. Jake Kemerer (2008-09) was a two-time champion.

“I expect him to have a great tournament,” Hempfield coach Vince DeAugustine said. “He really had a couple good workouts Monday and Tuesday.”

Penn-Trafford coach Rich Ginther hopes juniors Nick Coy and Job Chishko can bounce back after tough losses in the WPIAL finals. Both dropped overtime decisions.

“Those were tough losses,” Ginther said. “I just want them to bounce back and be somewhere on the podium on Saturday.”

Franklin Regional junior Colton Camacho (37-2) is ranked first in the state, but the PIAA seeded him third at 132 pounds. Camacho, a WPIAL champion, said he's eager to get started and take aim at a state title.

Wrestling begins at 9 a.m. Thursday with Class AA action. Class AAA bouts start at 4 p.m.

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

Tags: Franklin Regional, Hempfield Area, Jefferson-Morgan, Kiski School, Laurel Highlands, Ligonier Valley, North Hills, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Seneca Valley, Shaler, South Side, Southmoreland