Quaker Valley wrestlers show postseason mettle in section tournament

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, February 25, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Quaker Valley coach Austin Heinl was thrilled if not ecstatic with his team’s performance at the WPIAL Class 2A Northern Sectional wrestling tournament.

Five QV grapplers advanced to the championship round of the tournament held Feb. 17 at Keystone Oaks.

“I am happy with how we did. We had four section champs and 10 WPIAL qualifiers,” Heinl said. “This might be the best we’ve done at the section championships.

“Our goal is to keep getting better and perform our best. If we do that, we should be able to take most of our guys through to the regional tournament.”

Super sophomore Bruce Anderchak gained a portion of the spotlight for the Quakers by pinning Central Valley’s Angelo Boni in 29 seconds in the 107-pound championship bout. Anderchak improved to 33-2.

“Bruce had a small bracket, but he took care of business regardless,” Heinl said. “His mindset and preparation are the same for every match. That consistency is a big component of his success.”

QV sophomore Matt Danna (139) and junior Marcus Richey (152) won via major decision against Montour’s Ilim Abzaroz, 9-0, and Freedom’s Ryan Kredel, 13-4.

“Marcus won a section title and joins his brothers as section champs,” Heinl said. “Matt won the section title in his first year competing with the varsity.”

In two other matchups, senior Jack Kazalas defeated Montour’s Anthony Orlandini, 8-3, to win the 133-pound title while Isaac Maccaglia, another senior, finished as the runner-up at 114.

Kazalas also earned his share of the limelight by winning three matches to give him 142 career victories and surpassing Patrick Cutchember’s school-record 141 career-win total.

“It feels pretty exciting,” Kazalas said, “but I’m just thankful for my coaches and teammates always pushing me to get better, and with that, the wins would come.

“My goals for the rest of the season are to get better each week and ultimately be on the podium in Hershey.”

QV sophomore Eoin Parnell and freshman Aris Haniotes placed fourth at sectionals at 121 and 189; senior Chase Kretzler ended up fifth at 215.

Junior Jack Diemert and freshman Trey Dunlap also reeled in the sixth-place spots at 145 and 172 for the Quakers.

“We had a lot of guys break through to WPIALs in their first time at sections,” Heinl said. “Trey Dunlap and Aris Haniotes qualified as freshman in heavier weight classes.

“Eoin Parnell finished fourth, improving from last year’s section tournament. We had a lot of guys show improvement from last season.”

Earlier this season, Anderchak won 20 matches in a row before suffering a 3-0 defeat to Tanner Guenot of District 6 Bald Eagle Area in the PIAA team tournament pigtail round.

Anderchak was 31-2 following his match with Guenot.

As of Feb. 19, three other wrestlers with at least 30 wins for QV were Kazalas, 36-3 at 133, Danna, 34-6 at 145, and Richey, 33-7 at 160.

Three individuals closing in on 30 victories were Diemert (27-11), Maccaglia (26-12) and Haniotes (24-12).

Other double-digit winners for the Quakers, who ended up 13-3 overall this season, include Kretzler, sophomore Kris Brown (189), junior Grant Castaldo (121) and senior John McHenry (127).

The 2023-24 high school wrestling season is winding down quickly.

The Southwest Regional will be held March 1-2 at Altoona. The PIAA finals will take place March 7-9 at Giant Center in Hershey.

Tags: Quaker Valley