Riverview wrestler Tamburro makes program history, reaches WPIAL final

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, February 17, 2018 | 4:24 PM

Riverview senior Christian Tamburro has an opportunity to accomplish something that hasn't happened in the Raiders wrestling program in 30 years.

Tamburro won his first three matches Saturday at the WPIAL Class AA championships at Canon-McMillan High School. That put him in the 160-pound final against Burrell senior Shaun Gates.

It is the first time a Riverview wrestler is competing for a WPIAL title since Tim Brady did so as a senior in 1988. Brady finished second at 126 that season.

Dave Ciafre is the last to win a WPIAL championship. He won his second WPIAL crown as a senior in 1985. Lance Phaturos, also a senior in 1985, placed second that year after winning a WPIAL title the year before.

Tamburro and Gates' title bout is a rematch from Friday's Section 3-AA finals won by Gates by pin at 2 minutes, 23 seconds.

On Saturday, Tamburro (21-8) started with a pin of Ellwood City sophomore Braden Strohecker.

He then beat No. 3 seed Gannon Lenhart from Derry, 5-4, in the quarterfinals and topped South Fayette junior Michael Dedi, 5-1, in the semifinals. Dedi edged No. 2 seed Jaeden Gordon from Central Valley, 6-5, in the quarterfinals.

Tamburro also clinched a spot in next weekend's Southwest Regional tournament at IUP. He is the first Riverview wrestler to compete at regionals since Josh Parker (182 pounds) in 2016.

Josh Dezort came close to the WPIAL finals as a senior in 2008. He reached the AA semifinals at 171 before finishing third overall and clinching a spot at regionals.

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

Tags: Riverview