Franklin Regional’s Juliano Marion keeps hot streak going, wins section title

By: Paul Schofield
Saturday, March 2, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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When Franklin Regional senior Juliano Marion lost to Ringgold junior Jake Conroy on Jan. 3, he used it as a learning experience.

Marion (39-5) had lost three consecutive matches, including two in the Powerade Tournament, but he wasn’t concerned.

Now he’s one of the hotter wrestlers in the WPIAL and hasn’t lost a match since that defeat to Conroy.

He won 25 consecutive matches heading into the WPIAL Class 3A tournament, including a 4-2 victory against Conroy in the Eastern Sectional on Feb. 24 at Norwin.

“He was better on that day,” Marion said. “He’s a tough wrestler, and we’ll probably meet again.”

Marion was seeded No. 2 in the WPIAL tournament. Conroy (38-2) was seeded third and Canon-McMillan senior Geno Calgaro (17-0) was seeded No. 1 at 215 pounds.

Marion was looking for his first WPIAL title. He placed fourth in 2022 and third in 2023. He placed sixth in the state in 2022 at 189 pounds.

Marion is one of 11 Panthers who advanced to the WPIAL championship weekend.

Senior Tyler Kapusta (39-5) placed second in the Eastern Sectional after falling to Latrobe junior Luke Willochell, 11-6, in sudden victory at 121.

Willochell is 5-0 against Kapusta, but the bouts have been close.

Kapusta is a two-time WPIAL and PIAA place-finisher. He placed second in the WPIAL in 2023 and third in 2022. He placed seventh in the PIAA in 2023 and fourth in 2022.

Others to advance were freshman Titus Colangelo (107), fourth; freshman Mike Ruane (114), fifth; freshman Chase Smith (127), third; junior Nico Sarnic (133), third; Luke Ankney (145), third; freshman Ethan Cartwright (152), fifth; junior Henry Patts (172), fourth; senior Troy McClelland (189), fourth; and junior Elisua Daugherty (285), fifth.

Fennick, Firestine are junior high champs

Franklin Regional had six placewinners, including two champions, at the WPIAL junior high school tournament Feb. 17, at Kiski Area.

Beau Fennick won the 95-pound title, and Max Firestine grabbed at 140 title.

Evan McManis placed second at 147 pounds, and Joey DePaulo placed third at 132.

John Montgomery placed fifth at 157, and Sal Colangelo ended seventh at 89.

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.

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