Burrell wrestlers defeat Highlands to earn 22nd straight section title

By: Josh Rizzo
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 | 9:23 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

Jacob Taylor’s attitude before his 189-pound match Wednesday night highlighted what has allowed the Burrell wrestling program to maintain its section dominance over the past 25 years.

The sophomore was making his first start in a dual against Highlands that would determine the Section 9-2A title.

But Taylor already had laid the foundation to be ready for such a match.

“We stay physical in our room,” Taylor said. “It’s about the work. Give your practice partners a good look, they’ll give you a good look. Keep everybody in shape and everybody in line.”

Taylor, who went 2-2 at the Westmoreland County championships in his only other varsity action of the season, won by tech fall as the Buccaneers beat Highlands, 48-21, to earn their 22nd straight section title.

Burrell (10-1, 4-0) last missed out on winning the section when Mt. Pleasant finished first in 2003.

“It’s what we do,” Buccaneers coach Steve Ansani said. “We wanted to keep steamrolling through teams. You don’t want to give up what Burrell has done for the last 22 years.”

The match was initially supposed to be at Highlands but was moved to Burrell because of school closures at Highlands.

Taylor set the pace by scoring a first-round takedown and followed up with nearfall points. He built a 7-0 lead after the first period and finished the tech fall with a late takedown.

“It’s definitely a lot of pressure,” Taylor said. “My first varsity match. I’ve wrestled a bunch of JV time. I haven’t wrestled a lot of good opponents. That was a tough, strong, physical opponent.”

Ansani said he was happy with how Taylor wrestled. Burrell wanted to get him some work ahead of a tournament this weekend.

“He cut down from 215 to 189, and I wanted to give him a shot and see what he could do to get ready for Bedford,” Ansani said.

Highlands coach Grant Walters said he was happy with the Golden Rams’ effort. Highlands (10-5, 3-1) jumped out to a 12-0 lead after pins by Jesse Hankey and Javeon Chambers at 107 and 114 pounds.

“We opened up well and opened up the way we expected to open up,” Walters said. “There were a couple of bumps in the road, but Burrell is tough. We will get another shot, if not at team playoffs, but at individual sections.”

Burrell didn’t take long to regain the lead. Carter Thomas won by technical fall, and Cam Baker and Jacob Stewart followed with pins to put Burrell ahead 17-12.

Julian Bertucci and Aiden Buford, two of the WPIAL’s top wrestlers in their weight class, had a close match at 139. Bertucci worked his way to a 3-1 win, but Highlands was unhappy with how the match was officiated late. The Golden Rams’ protests drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, and Highlands was docked a team point.

The Golden Rams, who were missing two starters, hope to refocus before the team playoffs start. Kyren Veasley (160) and Caden Dadowski (285) also won for the Golden Rams.

“We had a controversial week between school closings, practice times and everything else,” Walters said. “We were coming into this with a leg halfway out the door. Once we get a good week’s practice in and see what’s going on, my guys battled, and I’m very proud of them.”

Burrell also got pins from Cadyn Crawford (145) and Luke Boylan, and Isaac Lacinski (172) won by tech fall.

Taylor said the Buccaneers are focused on defending their WPIAL title.

“Every day, we put that work in,” Taylor said. “We put that grind in. We can’t come up short. We need to be physical.”

Tags: Burrell, Highlands