Gateway wrestlers prepare for section tournament

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, February 18, 2018 | 11:15 PM

The Gateway wrestling team has put aside all of the invitationals and dual matches and is focusing on its postseason journey that begins Saturday with the Section 1-AAA tournament at Kiski Area.

“The guys know it's going to be a challenge the whole day. Section 1 is one of the toughest in the WPIAL, but they are ready,” Gators assistant coach R.J. Santilli said.

Wrestling on Saturday begins at 9:30 a.m. with full wrestlebacks from the round of eight. If a wrestler loses a pigtail match before the quarterfinals, he or she is eliminated.

“Everyone understands what they need to do Saturday,” Santilli said. “They all have the same goal to survive and advance.”

The top five finishers in each weight class advance to the WPIAL/Southwest Regional tournament March 2-3 at Canon-McMillan.

Sophomores Evan Whiteside and Jaired Lehman and senior Caleb Lehmen will attempt to earn their second consecutive trips to WPIALs.

Caleb Lehman finished fourth at 160 at sections last year, and Whiteside was fifth at 106.

Jaired Lehman took sixth at 120. He initially was on the outside looking in for WPIALs, but fourth-place section finisher Justin Perkins of Penn Hills was not able to compete at WPIALs, and Lehmen took his spot.

Whiteside, who will compete at 113 on Saturday, leads the team in victories this season (18-13).

Caleb Lehman, who returns to 160 for one final postseason run, is 17-8 overall.

“Caleb has to trust in his experience and his abilities,” Santilli said. “He's been there before. He has that experience. He knows what his mindset needs to be.”

In his junior and senior years combined, Lehman has 38 victories.

Junior Nevin Matthews also is among the team leaders in victories with a 17-15 overall record. He makes the jump to 182 after wrestling at 152 for sections last year.

While the Lehmen brothers, Whiteside and Matthews have experience at sectionals, Saturday will be new territory for three other Gateway wrestlers: sophomores Matt Hall (145, 3-13), Connor McCune (152, 7-10) and Emaad Khan (170, 5-8).

“The four more experienced guys will be able to help the other guys stay grounded and focused throughout the week,” Santilli said. “They all realize they put in a lot of work. Now it's just about fine-tuning things to be as ready as possible.”

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at mlove@tribweb.com.

Tags: Gateway