Latrobe’s Willochell, Hempfield’s Burkholder post upsets at PIAA Class AAA wrestling tournament
By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, March 8, 2018 | 9:30 PM
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Greater Latrobe's Gabe Willochell attempts to maintain an offensive position over Owen J. Roberts' Connor Quinn in the 126 pound class 3A bout during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Greater Latrobe's Gabe Willochell stretches defensively over the mat as Owen J. Roberts' Connor Quinn looks for a hold in the 126 pound class 3A bout during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Hempfield's Kyle Burkholder looks toward coaching staff while atop Manheim Central's Will Betancourt in the 113 pound weight class first round match in the class 3A wrestling during the PIAA championship tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Belle Vernon's Zachary Hartman wrestles atop Dallastown's Jarrett Feeney in the first round of 160 pound weight class bouts in class 3A during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Penn-Trafford's Joe Chishko battles against Methacton's Roman Moser in a first round match for the 145 pound weight class in class 3A wrestling during the PIAA championship tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Hempfield's Luke Kemerer spins on the mat with Owen J. Robert's Daniel Mancini in the first round of 3A 152 pound weight class matches during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey. Kemerer lost to Mancini in the first round.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Kiski Area's Noah Levett wrestles Delaware Valley's Mike McKinney in the first round bout for 138 pound weight class in class 3A wrestling during the PIAA championship tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Kiski Area's Jack Blumer winces while grappling with Muhlenberg's Stefahn Mayo during a first round bout in the 152 pound weight class for class 3A wrestling during the PIAA championship tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Canon-McMillan's Logan Macri wrestles Spring Ford's Brandon Meredith in the 120 pound weight class first round bout in class 3A during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Franklin Regional's Colton Camacho (left) faces off against Nazareth's Ryan O'Grady in neutral for a first round both in the 132 pound weight class for class 3A wrestling during the PIAA championship tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey. Camacho netted his 100th career win in the bout.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Hempfield's Ty Linsenbigler faces Downingtown West's Nick Lilley in neutral position for a 138 pound weight class preliminary match in class 3A during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Seneca Valley's Louis Newell struggles against Cathedral Prep's Paniro Johnson in the 120 pound weight class first round bout in the 3A class during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Canon-McMillan's Tim Hritsko eyes his opponent, Hollidaysburg's Nathan Swartz, while trying to avoid a hold in the 138 pound weight class preliminary match in class 3A during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Franklin Regional's Carter Dibert battles across the mat with Council Rock South's Kyle Waterman in the 106 weight class bout in the first round of class 3A matches during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Hempfield's Luke Kemerer tries to find an offensive opportunity against Chambersburg's Drake Brenize in the preliminary round of the 152 pound weight class for the 3A class matches during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Greensburg Salem's Jesse Quatse battles against Owen J. Roberts' Jason Zollers in the 170 weight class bout for the 3A individual matches during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Mt. Lebanon's Luke Stout battles W.C. Henderson's Ray Martin for the preliminary round of the 160 pound weight class in the class 3A individual matches during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Hempfield's Isaiah Vance grapples in neutral with Governor Mifflin's Jordan Espinosa in the preliminary round of the 285 pound weight class in the class 3A individual matches during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Greater Latrobe's Brady Sherback maintains an offensive position on Meadville's Vincent Rinella in the 106 pound class 3A bout during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Hempfield's Kyle Burkholder is presented as the winner by officials after the 113 pound class 3A bout during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Greater Latrobe's Gabe Willochell attempts to maintain an offensive position over Owen J. Roberts' Connor Quinn in the 126 pound class 3A bout during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Greater Latrobe's Gabe Willochell stretches defensively over the mat as Owen J. Roberts' Connor Quinn looks for a hold in the 126 pound class 3A bout during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Hempfield's Kyle Burkholder looks toward coaching staff while atop Manheim Central's Will Betancourt in the 113 pound weight class first round match in the class 3A wrestling during the PIAA championship tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Belle Vernon's Zachary Hartman wrestles atop Dallastown's Jarrett Feeney in the first round of 160 pound weight class bouts in class 3A during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Penn-Trafford's Joe Chishko battles against Methacton's Roman Moser in a first round match for the 145 pound weight class in class 3A wrestling during the PIAA championship tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Hempfield's Luke Kemerer spins on the mat with Owen J. Robert's Daniel Mancini in the first round of 3A 152 pound weight class matches during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey. Kemerer lost to Mancini in the first round.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Kiski Area's Noah Levett wrestles Delaware Valley's Mike McKinney in the first round bout for 138 pound weight class in class 3A wrestling during the PIAA championship tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Kiski Area's Jack Blumer winces while grappling with Muhlenberg's Stefahn Mayo during a first round bout in the 152 pound weight class for class 3A wrestling during the PIAA championship tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Canon-McMillan's Logan Macri wrestles Spring Ford's Brandon Meredith in the 120 pound weight class first round bout in class 3A during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Franklin Regional's Colton Camacho (left) faces off against Nazareth's Ryan O'Grady in neutral for a first round both in the 132 pound weight class for class 3A wrestling during the PIAA championship tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey. Camacho netted his 100th career win in the bout.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Hempfield's Ty Linsenbigler faces Downingtown West's Nick Lilley in neutral position for a 138 pound weight class preliminary match in class 3A during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Seneca Valley's Louis Newell struggles against Cathedral Prep's Paniro Johnson in the 120 pound weight class first round bout in the 3A class during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Canon-McMillan's Tim Hritsko eyes his opponent, Hollidaysburg's Nathan Swartz, while trying to avoid a hold in the 138 pound weight class preliminary match in class 3A during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Franklin Regional's Carter Dibert battles across the mat with Council Rock South's Kyle Waterman in the 106 weight class bout in the first round of class 3A matches during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Hempfield's Luke Kemerer tries to find an offensive opportunity against Chambersburg's Drake Brenize in the preliminary round of the 152 pound weight class for the 3A class matches during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Greensburg Salem's Jesse Quatse battles against Owen J. Roberts' Jason Zollers in the 170 weight class bout for the 3A individual matches during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Mt. Lebanon's Luke Stout battles W.C. Henderson's Ray Martin for the preliminary round of the 160 pound weight class in the class 3A individual matches during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Hempfield's Isaiah Vance grapples in neutral with Governor Mifflin's Jordan Espinosa in the preliminary round of the 285 pound weight class in the class 3A individual matches during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Greater Latrobe's Brady Sherback maintains an offensive position on Meadville's Vincent Rinella in the 106 pound class 3A bout during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Hempfield's Kyle Burkholder is presented as the winner by officials after the 113 pound class 3A bout during the PIAA championship wrestling tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
HERSHEY — After Latrobe sophomore Gabe Willochell won his preliminary-round match Thursday at the PIAA Class AAA wrestling championships, his coach Mike Ciotti predicted his first-round match would be a good one.
Ciotti nailed it, and so did Willochell.
He along with Hempfield junior Kyle Burkholder (113) pulled off two if the biggest upsets in the first round of the tournament at the Giant Center. Both defeated No. 2-seeded wrestlers.
Willochell (34-6) trailed DuBois sophomore Ed Scott, 4-0, late in the second period of his 126-pound bout, but his funky style keeps him alive in matches.
“When I'm down, I go for big moves,” Willochell said. “I don't know what it is, but he was hanging on my leg and somehow I caught him on his back.”
The two-point reversal and three-point nearfall with 12 seconds left in the period gave him a 5-4 lead. An escape in the third period gave him a 6-4 victory.
“He has great feel for things,” Ciotti said. “I knew it would be a great match.”
Willochell said he and Scott practice together at times at Young Guns, so he was familiar with his style. Scott was a placewinner at Fargo nationals last year. Willochell defeated Owen J. Roberts sophomore Connor Quinn, 5-3, to begin the day.
“I just wrestle and, when I get into a scramble, I keep my hips up,” Willochell said. “When he was up 4-0 in the second period, I didn't panic.”
Willochell will face Downingtown East junior Lukas Richie in the quarterfinals, which begin at 2:15 p.m. Friday.
Burkholder (37-4) used an escape and takedown in the second period to defeat Manheim Central sophomore Will Betancourt, 3-1. It was Betancourt's first loss of the season.
“It was pretty exciting beating him,” Burkholder said. “He's good on his feet so I knew if I could get out it would be good for me to stay ahead.
“The win boosts my confidence a lot. I knew I could win if I wrestled my style.”
Burkholder will face Council Rock North sophomore Luke Lucerne in the quarterfinals.
Also advancing to the quarterfinals were Norwin sophomore Kurtis Phipps (37-0), who pinned Emmaus senior Peyton Brown at 106; Franklin Regional junior Colton Camacho, who earned his 100th career win by escaping a 4-3 scare from Nazareth senior Ryan O'Grady at 132; Penn-Trafford senior Job Chishko, who pinned Methacton sophomore Roman Moser at 145; and Belle Vernon's duo of Zach Hartman, who won 13-0 against Dallastown junior Jarrett Feeney at 160, and junior Scott Joll, who blanked Pottsville senior Cole Painter, 5-0.
Phipps will face Coatesville sophomore Brennan McBride in the quarterfinals.
“I'm glad it's someone I've never wrestled,” Phipps said. “I like wrestling different kids around the state.
“I felt good today. Last year, I got the experience of being here. I scored in all three positions and got a good sweat going.”
Camacho (38-2) will face Cedar Cliff junior Michael Cassidy, and Chishko (35-7) gets the second seed, DuBois senior Kolby Ho.
Kiski Area had a fantastic first day, going a perfect 5 for 5. Advancing were senior Noah Levett (138), junior Cam Connor (145), sophomore Jack Blumer (152), Nick Delp (160) and heavyweight Isaac Reid.
Things started well for Hempfield as all four wrestlers won their preliminary-round matches. But only Burkholder advanced to the quarterfinals. Freshman Ty Linsenbigler (138), senior Luke Kemerer (152) and freshman heavyweight Isaiah Vance lost and dropped into the consolation rounds.
Also dropping into the consolation round were Latrobe senor Brady Sherback (106), Franklin Regional freshman Carter Dibert (106), Penn-Trafford junior Nick Coy (132) and Greensburg Salem senior Jesse Quatse (170).
All three Fayette County wrestlers — Albert Gallatin senior Tim Wallace (170), Connellsville senior Nate Ansell (195) and Laurel Highlands senior Ian Edenfield (220) — collected wins.
Thirty-four of 56 WPIAL wrestlers advanced to the quarterfinals.
