QV comes close to state tournament

The Quaker Valley wrestling team fell one win short of the PIAA championships.

The Quakers suffered a close 38-35 setback to Freedom on Saturday in the WPIAL AA team semifinals at Chartiers-Houston High School.

Then, Beth-Center dealt QV a 56-19 loss in the third-place match with the winner advancing to states.

The Quakers, the Section 2-AA champions, wrestle Beaver Area on Monday in a nonsection match at 7 p.m.

FEB 2, 2019

10:53 PM

Wrestling

WPIAL CLASS 2A TEAM PLAYOFFS

At Chartiers-Houston

Semifinals

Burrell 53, Beth-Center 15

106 - Shawn Szymanski, Burrell dec. Joseph Holmes, Beth-Center, 6-2.

113 - Nicholas Salerno, Burrell dec. Kyle McCollum, Beth-Center, 8-2.

120 - Jimmy Gwyer, Beth-Center dec. Trent Valovchik, Burrell, 5-0.

126 - Ian Oswalt, Burrell pinned Richard LaRosa, Beth-Center, 0:51.

132 - Bryan Gaul, Burrell pinned Trevor Pettit, Beth-Center, 0:49.

138 - Anthony Corrado, Burrell dec. Todd Fisher, Beth-Center, 6-0.

145 - Noah Linderman, Burrell major dec. Tyler Fisher, Beth-Center, 13-5.

152 - Dominic Holmes, Burrell major dec. Makiah Bayus, Beth-Center, 13-2.

160 - Austin Mele, Burrell pinned Jacob Housel, Beth-Center, 2:28.

170 - Daniel McCarthy, Burrell pinned Dylan Dingle, Beth-Center, 3:12.

182 - Richard Feroce, Burrell pinned J.J. Berish, Beth-Center, 1:08.

195 - Dominic Fundy, Beth-Center pinned Zach Rupert, Burrell, 1:35.

220 - Jacob Baker, Beth-Center pinned Jason Templar, Burrell, 0:34.

285 - Jacob Bell, Burrell win by forfeit.

Freedom 38, Quaker Valley 35

106 - Archer Eubanks, Quaker Valley win by forfeit.

113 - Timmy Cafrelli, Freedom pinned Cole White, Quaker Valley, 0:15.

120 - Justin Richey, Quaker Valley major dec. Joshua Pail, Freedom, 12-1.

126 - Thomas Young, Freedom pinned John Rafla, Quaker Valley, 1:26.

132 - Conner Redinger, Quaker Valley major dec. Z.J. Ward, Freedom, 11-1.

138 - Kenneth Duschek, Freedom tech. fall Austin Francic, Quaker Valley, 20-4.

145 - Jacob Pail, Freedom pinned Gino Angeletti, Quaker Valley, 1:14.

152 - John Rocco Kazalas, Quaker Valley win by forfeit.

160 - Trent Schultheis, Freedom pinned Mason Diemert, Quaker Valley, 5:29.

170 - Patrick Cutchember, Quaker Valley pinned Ethan Wolfe, Freedom, 1:34.

182 - Andrew Kalamasz, Freedom win by forfeit.

195 - Geoff Magin, Quaker Valley pinned James Happ, Freedom, 2:33.

220 - Bryson Miller, Freedom dec. Donovan Cutchember, Quaker Valley, 9-4.

285 - Bradley Fadeley, Quaker Valley dec. Fernando Franco, Freedom, 2-1 TB.

Championship

Burrell 54, Freedom 21

106 - Aaron Edwards, Burrell win by forfeit.

113 - Nicholas Salerno, Burrell pinned Timmy Cafrelli, Freedom, 3:36.

120 - Trent Valovchik, Burrell pinned Joshua Pail, Freedom, 2:28.

126 - Ian Oswalt, Burrell, dec. Z.J. Ward, Freedom, 4-2 SV.

132 - Bryan Gaul, Burrell pinned Thomas Young, Freedom, 0:53.

138 - Anthony Corrado, Burrell, dec. Kenneth Duschek, Freedom, 4-3 TB.

145 - Jacob Pail, Freedom pinned Noah Linderman, Burrell, 3:27.

152 - Trent Schultheis, Freedom pinned Dominic Holmes, Burrell, 0:40.

160 - Austin Mele, Burrell pinned Travis Kalamasz, Freedom, 1:25.

170 - Daniel McCarthy, Burrell pinned Ethan Wolfe, Freedom, 1:34.

182 - Richard Feroce, Burrell pinned Andrew Kalamasz, Freedom, 5:09.

195 - Bryson Miller, Freedom pinned Zach Rupert, Burrell, 0:55.

220 - Mason Slahtovsky, Burrell pinned Nick Wolfe, Freedom, 0:44.

285 - Fernando Franco, Freedom dec. Jacob Bell, Burrell, 3-1 SV.

Consolation

Beth-Center 56, Quaker Valley 19

106 - Joseph Holmes, Beth-Center pinned Archer Eubanks, Quaker Valley, 1:21.

113 - Kyle McCollum, Beth-Center tech. fall Cole White, Quaker Valley, 17-2.

120 - Jimmy Gwyer, Beth-Center dec. Justin Richey, Quaker Valley, 8-2.

126 - Richard LaRosa, Beth-Center pinned John Rafla, Quaker Valley, 0:37.

132 - Conner Redinger, Quaker Valley, win by forfeit.

138 - Trevor Pettit, Beth-Center pinned Austin Francic, Quaker Valley, 3:23.

145 - Todd Fisher, Beth-Center pinned Gino Angeletti, Quaker Valley, 3:31.

152 - John Rocco Kazalas, Quaker Valley pinned Makiah Bayus, Beth-Center, 1:47.

160 - Jacob Housel, Beth-Center pinned Mason Diemert, Quaker Valley, 1:16.

170 - Patrick Cutchember, Quaker Valley major dec. Dylan Dingle, Beth-Center, 10-1.

182 - J.J. Berish, Beth-Center win by forfeit.

195 - Dominic Fundy, Beth-Center pinned Geoff Magin, Quaker Valley, 2:56.

220 - Jacob Baker, Beth-Center def. Donovan Cutchember, Quaker Valley by injury default, 2:14.

285 - Bradley Fedeley, Quaker Valley dec. Evan Dreucci, Beth-Center, 4-3.

By: Doug Gulasy
Tuesday, January 29, 2019 | 1:09 PM

TEAM OF THE WEEK: Quaker Valley 

It took just three years for Quaker Valley to become a championship wrestling program. 

The Quakers, who fielded a program for the first time in 2016-17, last week captured their first section team title by taking down Keystone Oaks, 43-33, in the Section 2-AA championship match. 

Quaker Valley first knocked off second-ranked Freedom, 36-35, in the section semifinals, before getting pins by Conner Redinger, Gino Angeletti, JohnRocco Kazalas and Donovan Cutchember in the win over Keystone Oaks. The Quakers will wrestle Valley on Wednesday in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs. 

OTHER NOMINEES 

Burgettstown:  The Blue Devils won their first section title in nine years, overcoming a one-point deficit with three bouts remaining by getting pins from D.J. Slovick and Turner Lehman in a 39-34 win over Beth-Center. The team then finished third at Saturday’s Sharon Duals. 

Burrell:  The Bucs increased their section winning streak to 110 consecutive matches after sweeping Elizabeth Forward and Derry to claim the Section 3-AA title last week, their 16th straight section crown. Then the 12-time defending WPIAL Class AA champions tuned up for the postseason with a second-place finish at the annual Thomas Chevrolet tournament in Bedford, with four wrestlers claiming individual titles. 

Canon-McMillan:  The Big Macs continue to attack, winning an 18th consecutive section championship with a 42-25 win over Waynesburg in the Section 4-AAA finals. Pins by Jacob Gardner and Evan Miller helped Canon-Mac overcome an early deficit. 

Thomas Jefferson: The Jaguars followed their team title from the Allegheny County Tournament by claiming their first section championship in 33 years, edging Connellsville, 35-33, in the Section 2-AAA finals. Max Shaw, Dominic Serapiglia and Brendan Finnerty got pins. 

By Greg Macafee / gmacafee@timesonlilne.com

Posted Jan 23, 2019 at 10:10 PMUpdated Jan 23, 2019 at 10:12 PM

NEW SEWICKLEY TWP. – Quaker Valley High School started fielding a varsity wrestling team just three years ago. That team had a roster of 14 wrestlers and only three had winning records at the end of their inaugural season.

Although their success didn’t come right away, they knew hard work and determination pay off in the sport of wrestling. That showed on Wednesday evening at Freedom High School, where the Quakers captured their first ever Section 2-AA title by defeating Keystone Oaks in the championship match, 43-33.

“This is amazing. We started our high school program three years ago, and to see how much we’ve improved is exponential,” senior John Rocco Kazalas said. “It’s an amazing feeling. Just three years in not a lot of teams can say they have a section championship, so it’s awesome.”

Quaker Valley’s feat was in no way easy. In the semifinal, they were faced with the daunting task of taking down defending section champion Freedom, who was returning with three WPIAL Champions from last season. The Quakers did not back down.

The two teams went back and forth through the first five matches, until Quaker Valley’s Conner Redinger stepped onto the mat and pinned his opponent in just 38 seconds. The win gave the Quakers a nine-point lead. But Freedom did not go away.

Through the next few matches the Bulldogs slowly crept back into the match, and after Quaker Valley forfeited the 182-pound weight class, Freedom took a slight, 32-30, lead with two matches remaining. But Geoff Magin and Donovan Cutchember came up in the clutch for the Quakers.

At the 195-pound weight class, Magin pinned his opponent in 1:32 and with a 36-32 lead, Cutchember didn’t allow himself to get pinned and the Quaker walked away with the first-round upset victory.

“Freedom is an amazing program, and we knew that we were going to be nip and tuck with them,” Quaker Valley coach Mike Heinl said. “Geoff stepped up big, Mason Deimert stepped up big, Austin Francic wrestled Kenny Duschek and didn’t get pinned, if either of those guys get pinned, we lose. It was a total team effort tonight.”

With a major challenge behind them, Quaker Valley went into the championship match riding high. They fell behind 12-6 early then, for the second time of the night, Redinger came up with a big pin 35 seconds into his match. All of a sudden, the Quakers had a 16-12 lead and they never looked back.

Kazalas earned a second-round pin in his match and Donovan Cutchember earned a pin in his, and at the end of it all the Quakers were hoisting the sectional plaque in celebration.

“This means a lot to us,” Redinger said. “We’re setting a good example for these younger kids so hopefully they can carry it on.”

Although this may be a time for celebration at Quaker Valley High School, Heinl and his wrestlers are satisfied with just a section championship. They want more and they are willing to put in the work to get it.

“Last year we ended our season year and now I think our postseason is just beginning,” Kazalas said. “I think everyone is fired up to keep wrestling at the WPIAL Championships.”

Along with Quaker Valley, Keystone Oaks, Freedom, Laurel and Hopewell, who defeated Beaver 48-30 in the fifth place match, will all be advancing to the Class AA WPIAL Team Championships. Freedom defeated Laurel in the third place match on Wednesday, 59-12.

By: Shawn Annarelli
Friday, January 25, 2019 | 6:48 PM

PreviousNext

JohnRocco Kazalas has set the standard for success in Quaker Valley’s 3-year-old wrestling program, but the team’s youngest athletes might raise the bar in time.

Wrestlers such as sophomore Conner Redinger and freshman Patrick Cutchember seem poised to rewrite the record books long after Kazalas finishes his high school career.

Kazalas won his second straight Allegheny County Tournament championship and led the Quakers to seventh place out of 37 teams Jan. 19. It was a five-spot improvement from last season.

Quaker Valley coach Mike Heinl wished his team hadn’t been plagued with injuries.

“Can you imagine if we had Geoff Magin and Austin Dohl in the lineup with everyone else?” Heinl said. “We’d have made an even greater run.”

Redinger won at 106 pounds last season but was pinned at 132 to place second this season. Cutchember lost 10-6 in the 160 finals, which made it the first time Quaker Valley had at least three wrestlers in the last round.

“I’ve noticed who Patrick likes to practice with,” Heinl said. “Guess who? JohnRocco. They push one another and work hard. I’m happy for him. He deserves it. He’s a fun wrestler to watch. He leads us with 13 pins. He’s young and excited to do sections and WPIALs, and he wants to go to Hershey.”

Cutchember also called Redinger and senior Geoff Magin key contributors to his success.

The drills against Kazalas, Redinger and Magin — each has qualified for PIAA competition in previous seasons — have paid off.

“I try to go 100 percent in practice and in matches,” Cutchember said. “Even if I’m down by a lot of points, I’ll try everything to have a big comeback to get a win. I feel like I can pull anything out. Even if I’m losing, I just keep going with the mindset that I can find a way to win every time.”

Freshmen Archer Eubanks, Mason Diemert and Justin Richey were also praised by Heinl, who expects Richey to develop into a leader.

Richey lost to Shaler’s Ryan Sullivan, the defending PIAA champion at 126 pounds, at the Allegheny County Tournament.

“I told Justin I’d lean on him next year and the year after,” Heinl said. “He’s probably one of the top three technical wrestlers on our team. He knows all the right moves, and he’s wrestling at 120 pounds, which he isn’t built for yet. He’s knowledgeable, and so I think he’ll be special in the next few years.”

Kazalas, Magin, Redinger and Cutchember could have deep postseason runs this season, but the program’s youngest wrestlers might earn more than individual accolades in the future.

“I think (the freshmen class) is not only our biggest, but maybe our most talented one,” Kazalas said. “To be state champions is the goal for the team, and I know we might not get that this year. I’m just being realistic, but that’s definitely a goal I could see the coaches having for our underclassmen when they’re upperclassmen.”

Kazalas is right. Heinl hopes the underclassmen follow in his top wrestler’s footsteps and collectively take the program a few steps further.

The Allegheny County Tournament showed the team is headed in the right direction.

“I think we can compete against anyone,” Heinl said. “We’re excited for sections, but we’re not satisfied with a section championship or a county championship. We want to build a state championship program, and until we do, I guess we won’t be satisfied.”

Section tournament

Last Wednesday, the Quakers captured their first Section 2-AA title. Redinger, Gino Angeletti, Kazalas and Donovan Cutchember had pins as No. 8-ranked Quaker Valley (12-5) defeated Keystone Oaks, 43-33, in the finals. The Quakers defeated No. 2-ranked Freedom (6-2), 36-35, in the semifinal round.

Quaker Valley earned the No. 3 seed for the WPIAL Class AA tournament. They were scheduled to host Valley in the opening round Wednesday, after deadline for this edition.

By Greg Macafee / gmacafee@timesonline.com

Posted Jan 21, 2019 at 8:04 PMUpdated Jan 21, 2019 at 10:00 PM

LEETSDALE — Throughout his senior season, Quaker Valley’s John Rocco Kazalas has been a dominant force on the mat for the Quakers.

He’s only lost twice, both times against formidable opponents in St Joseph’s Academy’s Caleb Dowling and Brayden Roberts from Parkersburg South. But over the weekend, Kazalas kept his solid senior year rolling by capturing the 145-pound weight class at the Allegheny County Tournament at Fox Chapel High School.

“It was a great feeling, and it was great for the team,” Kazalas said. “Last year we only had two finalists, and this year we had three so it was really good. I just wanted to go out there and approach it like any other match.”

For his efforts, Kazalas has been named this week’s Beaver County Times Boys Athlete of the Week.

Kazalas went on a tear this weekend. In his only match on Friday, he pinned Justin Metzmaier from Bethel Park in 1:06. In his first match on Saturday, he pinned Jack O’Conner from Taylor Allderdice in 44 seconds, earning a trip to the semifinals.

The Quaker Valley senior said he felt confident heading into the tournament because of the season he was having, but still approached his first matches the same way.

“I just tried to go in there and keep my offense up, and that’s what came out of it,” Kazalas said.

His semifinal and championship matches pitted him against familiar opponents who he has seen several times in his high school career. During his sophomore season, a year in which he placed 6th at states, Kazalas defeated Brashear’s Joe Mwete twice, once by a 17-1 technical fall and the second by a 10-2 decision.

But this weekend, almost two years later, Mwete entered the match with only one loss on the season, and Kazalas handed him his second, claiming a 18-2 technical fall victory and earning a spot in the championship match.

His championship opponent presented a similar scenario. Kazalas had faced off with Mount Lebanon’s Jackson Gray at the Moon Duals in December and won by a pin in 4:54, but he still knew there were a few things he needed to work on in case he faced off with him again.

“We had wrestled each many other times so we kind of knew each other’s styles,” Kazalas said. “So, there were some positions that I needed to work on or improve on getting out of so that I could score.”

Although it wasn’t as quick this time around, that hard work and improvement paid off as Kazalas took home the championship honors with a 6-3 victory.

To go along with an Allegheny County tournament title, Kazalas became the first wrestler in Quaker Valley history to sign with a Division I program when he committed to Binghamton University earlier this month.

“Hopefully that will inspire a couple more kids, seeing that it’s already been done,” Kazalas said. “They can keep pursuing it and hopefully we’ll have more guys go D-1 in the future even after I’m gone.”

And with his college decision out of the way, the future Bearcat is excited to keep his season rolling. After not placing at regionals as a junior in the 132-pound weight class last season, Kazalas bumped up to the 145 pounds, which he believes has helped him a lot this season.

“I feel really strong, really fresh going into every match, and I am really excited to just keep it moving,” Kazalas said.

By: Shawn Annarelli
Friday, January 11, 2019 | 8:24 PM

JohnRocco Kazalas enters every wrestling match with an unwavering confidence.

But announcing his commitment to a Division I school? He didn’t want to draw attention to himself, so he would only tell family, teammates and coaches until it was made public.

Binghamton announced Monday that Kazalas committed to its wrestling program, which makes him the first Quaker Valley wrestler to earn a Division I scholarship.

Kazalas, the Class AA No. 1-ranked wrestler at 145 pounds with a 15-2 record, has been sure for nearly three months that Binghamton would be his school.

“It feels great. I went on a visit there (in October), and I almost had my heart set after my first visit there,” Kazalas said. “It’s the place I’m supposed to be at. It was always my first choice.”

Quaker Valley assistant coach Garrett Frey knew Kazalas had Division I talent more than a year ago when he began to mentor the rising star.

“I always knew he was capable, and I think he’ll do well,” Frey said. “He’s right at home in Division I, and he’ll embrace the challenge. I don’t think he’d be as happy at a lower level, just because it wouldn’t be as much of a challenge.”

Kazalas said he wouldn’t have reached Division I without the help of coaches like Frey and teammates like George Magin, Conner Redinger and Patrick Cutchember, a trio of practice partners who present unique size and technical challenges in every drill.

Frey also likes to push wrestlers to their limit, one that Kazalas hit in the early fall during a workout at One More Period where he is an instructor for the wrestling club.

Kazalas called the 90-minute practice with another wrestler the “hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

“I was pretty broken mentally and physically, and I’m not ashamed to admit that,” Kazalas said. “I was pretty much nearly in tears, but I’ll never have a match that can compare to that. If I’m ever in a tough match, I can always look back to that practice and know I can make it through anything else.”

The workout was a “defining moment,” for Kazalas, Frey said.

“I felt bad, but I knew he needed it,” Frey said. “I think he used to conserve his energy, not because he was out of shape but because I don’t think he trusted his conditioning as much. I wanted him to know he could go through an insanely difficult practice, and that if he can do that, he can give everything he has for six minutes.”

Kazalas hopes he has paved the way for more Quaker Valley wrestlers to compete at the Division I level.

Magin, Redinger, Patrick Cutchember and his brother Donovan have the combination of talent and work ethic to be Division I wrestlers, Kalazas said.

“For JohnRocco to break the ice for us and to be the first (in Division I) is huge,” Frey said. “It’s something for those freshmen, sophomores and middle school kids to see what he did and feel they can do it, too. He’s leading the way for the future of the program for kids that look up to him, Geoff and Conner. They want to be like them.”

Kazalas was also the first Quaker Valley wrestler to win 100 career matches.

If his dreams play out, he also might be the first Quaker to win a state championship.

“I’m extremely excited to go to Binghamton, because I love it up there,” Kazalas said. “I can’t wait to compete at the Division I level, but, at the same time, I’m not thinking about college. My priority is my next match. I’m only focused on winning that.”

By: Shawn Annarelli
Monday, January 7, 2019 | 6:24 PM

Conner Redinger

School: Quaker Valley

Sport: Wrestling

Class: Sophomore

Claim to fame: Conner Redinger has been red hot in WPIAL wrestling since last season when he was a freshman.

With a 51-6 career record, the sophomore hopes to win a state title in 2019. Redinger recently won his second Ed Drsicoll MAC tournament title by beating four opponents in a 16-team field.

What does it mean to you to win the MAC tournament again?

This means a lot, especially being the first two-timer for the school since the program is only in its third year. This feels pretty good.

You’re wrestling up a few weight classes compared to last year. Has that been more challenging for you?

I’m adjusting to the strength of these kids. Last year, I was a lot stronger and a little bit bigger than some of the kids I wrestled. This year, I’m wrestling kids who are more my size, so it’s gotten tough and I’ve just got to keep improving.

Senior Geoff Magin said he’s pretty sure all you ever think about is wrestling. How true of a statement is that?

My mind does tend to wander in school, and I’ll start to think about wrestling and what I’ll do at practice today, which I think can be good. If that doesn’t happen a little bit, then that shows you’re not truly committed.

How much have seniors like Geoff Magin and JohnRocco Kazalas meant to your growth?

They’ve meant a lot for me, and they’ve done a lot for me. They are always pushing me to get better in practice. They also push me to be a better person and to get better with grades in school, so I’ve benefited all-around from being around them.

You were third in the state last season. What would it mean to you to win a state championship?

I’d like to wrestle at 132 and to win a state title; that would be the greatest thing ever. That would be something for younger kids to look up to, and I want to be great. I want to put this school’s wrestling on the map. It would show that nothing is impossible.

Who do you look up to in wrestling?

(Penn State’s) Jason Nolf. I love watching him wrestle. I get a lot of my moves from watching him. He’s so calm no matter what happens.

Congratulations to Patrick Cutchember!!

Finishes in 4th place in 182 weight class at the MAC Championship 1-5-19!

Congrats to John Rocco Kazalas for achieving his 100th career victory!!!

By: Shawn Annarelli
Saturday, December 8, 2018 | 1:18 AM

Quaker Valley wrestling could be on the verge of a breakout year in the program’s third season as a school sport, but the foundation for a top-notch varsity team can be traced further back.

More than 40 wrestlers attended the Quaker Valley Wrestling Association’s first youth practice in 2012, among them JohnRocco Kazalas, a senior who is the program’s all-time wins leader with 94 victories.

“We have a great youth program and support from everyone, which is awesome,” Quaker Valley second-year coach Mike Heinl said. “I watched when it started and the amount of excitement around it. Now, here I am coaching, and I couldn’t be happier.”

The youth wrestlers won the Western Athletic Wrestling Association Conference championship against 21 teams in their inaugural season. Those who have stuck with the sport believe they also can win the program’s first section championship.

“The season is long, and barring injuries and illnesses, I believe we have a good lineup top to bottom,” Heinl said. “We have to overcome some inexperience, but we can wrestle with just about anybody.”

Senior Geoff Magin will be a third-year captain with Kazalas.

They want to be state champions in their respective classes.

“They are two of the most well-rounded, polite, hardworking, dedicated, determined student-athletes I’ve ever come across,” Heinl said. “What separates them is their commitment to the sport. These kids wrestled from April 1st until now and didn’t miss a practice.”

Conner Redinger also will be a PIAA champion hopeful entering the season.

Wrestling at 106, he placed third in PIAA competition as a freshman. He won several state championships as a youth.

“Even though he’s one of the youngest on the team, Conner still shows me stuff every single day,” Magin said. “His mind is crazy. He’s thinking up new moves all the time.I think wrestling is all he thinks about. Having so many wrestlers all obsessed with wrestling means we all have the same goals and expectations for ourselves, which makes all of us get better.”

Heinl expects all of his starters to qualify for the WPIAL tournament. He would be satisfied if six wrestlers qualified for the PIAA competition.

Senior Bradley Fadeley won 21 of 39 matches in 2017. Junior Austin Dohl grew up wrestling in Germany but has adapted well to folkstyle wrestling, and junior Austin Francic has been the team’s most improved wrestler in the offseason.

Newcomers include freshmen Archer Eubanks and Justin Richie.

“They should have an immediate impact,” Heinl said. “I don’t know if they’ll do as well as Conner as freshmen, but they should do well for us. They’ll be fun to watch this year.”

The Quakers also welcomed Fox Chapel transfers Donovan and Patrick Cutchember, who has won state titles as a youth wrestler.

With more returning wrestlers like Paige Lenhardt, one of the top female wrestlers in Pennsylvania, it’s the most well-rounded team Quaker Valley has had, according to Kazalas.

“This is definitely the first year we’re definitely going to put out a full lineup,” Kazalas said. “Everyone will be ready to compete. We’re in a really good position, and this will be our best season so far. We don’t want to go in hoping to have a good match. We want to go into matches wanting to win and win big.”

By: Michael Love
Thursday, December 27, 2018 | 9:48 AM

The seeds in all 14 weight classes for Friday and Saturday’s Powerade Tournament at Canon McMillan High School have been released, and Quaker Valley has a pair of wrestlers in the top eight of their respective weight classes.

Sophomore Conner Redinger, a bronze medalist at states last season, is the fifth seed at 132 pounds.

Senior Geoff Magin, a 2018 PIAA qualifier, is seeded eighth at 170.

QV is one of 52 teams in the Powerade field. Wrestling begins Friday at 8:15 a.m. with pigtail matches and the rounds of 32 and 16.

QV girls face Deer Lakes again

The Quaker Valley girls basketball team will compete at the St. Joseph holiday tournament over the next two days.

The Quakers (3-3) will play Deer Lakes (5-1) in the semifinals Thursday at 3 p.m. QV fell to the Lancers 47-25 at the Deer Lakes tournament Dec. 8

The host Spartans will play Riverview at 6:30 p.m.

The championship and consolation games will be Friday.

Undefeated QV boys gearing up for Sto-Rox

The Quaker Valley boys basketball team will put its undefeated record on the line starting Friday when it plays at the West Allegheny tournament.

The Quakers (6-0) will face Sto-Rox (4-3) at 3:30 p.m., and West Allegheny (2-5) meets Ambridge (5-3) at 6:30.

QV, No. 1 in the Trib HSSN WPIAL 4A rankings, is averaging 61.8 points a game. It only is surrendering 42.8 points a contest, the best in 4A.

By: Michael Love
Wednesday, December 12, 2018 | 2:54 PM

The Quaker Valley wrestling team, fresh off five matches at the Hampton Dawg Duals, continues the early-season portion of its schedule Wednesday evening with its Class AA Section 2-2B opener against Carlynton at Quaker Valley High School.

The varsity match is to begin at 7:30.

The Quakers hope to make it back to the WPIAL team playoffs after earning a spot in the field last season.

Quaker Valley won three of its five matches at Hampton on Saturday. It edged Mt. Pleasant 35-33 and topped Ligonier Valley 52-27 and Yough 57-15

The Quakers suffered a close loss to District 10’s General McLane 38-32, and fell to the host Talbots 42-18.

John Rocco Kazalas and Conner Redinger each went 4-0 to lead QV, while Austin Dohl, Geoff Magin and Bradley Fadeley each finished with 4-1 marks.

Sewickley Academy hockey in the hunt

Despite a shutout loss to Varsity A power West Allegheny on Monday, the Sewickley Academy hockey team still is in heart of its division standings.

The Panthers were stymied by the Indians, 10-0, and it put them at an even 5-5 through 10 games. West Allegheny upped its record in the North Division to 9-1, one game back of undefeated Montour at 10-0.

Meadville is 8-2, followed by North Hills at 6-4, and Sewickley Academy is one game behind in fifth.

The Panthers have just one game left in December – Monday’s matchup against Deer Lakes – before turning the calendar to January.

Sewickley Academy is averaging 4.1 points scored per game, fourth out of the 10 teams in the division.

QV bowling ready to roll

The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Bowling League’s 2018-19 season is in full swing, and Quaker Valley hopes to have a successful campaign in the West Division against the likes of Avonworth, Hampton, Moon, Nazareth Prep and North Hills.

The Quakers are slated to bowl against Hampton on Wednesday at Pines Plaza Lanes in Perrysville.

The QV boys hope to qualify for the WPIBL team championship tournament for the second year in a row.

The top two finishing teams from each of the nine boys and nine girls sections will punch tickets to the WPIBL team finals the week of Feb. 13.

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MLove_Trib.

By Mike Bires 
@mikebires

Posted Dec 9, 2018 at 5:47 PMUpdated Dec 9, 2018 at 5:47 PM

With wrestling season upon us, let’s take a look at each team in the area:

AMBRIDGE

Coach: Ron Wilson Jr., ninth season.

Section: Class 3A, Section 4, Sub-Section A.

The Bridgers return seven starters: Hunter Thompson 120/126, sr.; Daniel Yetsick, 132/138, jr.; Navon Locust, 138/145, sr.; Jacob Dunlap, 152, sr.; Conner Dugan, 160, jr.; Jacob Traupman, 195/220; jr.; Domenick Simpson, 220, so.

Yetsick, a junior who’s on pace to surpass 100 career wins, seeks his first state tournament appearance.

With seven returning starters and four newcomers, Ambridge will be able to field close to a full lineup for its matches.

BEAVER

Coach: Matt Hundenski, second season.

Section: Class 2A, Section 2, Sub-Section A.

Nine starters are back from a team helped the Bobcats make the WPIAL team tournament for the first time ever: John Hall, 106, jr.; Dominic Reagan, 120, sr.; Alec Coulter, 132, jr.; Brady Earhart, 138, so.; Mark Ramer, 285, so.; Caleb Duncan, 160, jr.; George Peroni, 170, jr.; Justin Singleton, 195, sr.; Mark Ramer, 285, so.

“After getting our feet wet last year in the playoffs, this year our expectations are to compete for a section championship, and make some noise in playoffs,” Hundenski said. “With many guys returning, I think they will be able to lead this team to reaching our goals. Our numbers continue to grow, and I believe everyone is on the same mission to having a great and successful year.”

Regional qualifiers last year, Reagan, Earhart and Peroni hope to make it to Hershey this year for the state finals.

BLACKHAWK

Coach: Ed Braddock, ninth season.

Section: Class 2A, Section 2, Sub-Section A.

The Cougars return five starters from a team that went 4-4 last year: Jamie Cambron, 113, sr.; Zander Mckeel, 138, jr.; Josh Butcher, 170, jr.; Damon Paliwoda, 182, sr.; Elijah Hicks, 195, jr.

“We have several new wrestlers this year,” Braddock said. “Inexperience is a concern, however, many of them are athletic and show a lot of promise.”

CENTRAL VALLEY

Coach: Kevin Mroz, third season.

Section: Class 2A, Section 2, Sub-Section A.

The Warriors have eight wrestlers on their roster: Ambrose Boni, 106, fr.; Logan Hersey, 126, jr.; Zachary Bundy, 132, fr.; Donovan Hersey, 145, sr.; Elijah Cottage, 170, fr.; Isaac Johnsen, 170, jr.; Nate Stiteler, 182, jr.; Tyler Frank, 195, fr.

ELLWOOD CITY

Coach: Craig Alberts, seventh season.

Section: Class 2A, Section 2, Sub-Section A.

The Wolverines have five wrestlers on their roster including three returning starters: Jake Alberts, 113, jr.; Donavin Chambers, 138, jr.; and Austin Walley, 182, so.

Alberts, Chambers and Walley each won over 30 matches last year and could surpass 100 career wins by the time they graduate. With a 73-31 career record, Chambers may be able to surpass 100 this season. Chambers qualified for the states last year.

FREEDOM

Coach: Jim Covert, 12th season.

Section: Class 2A, Section 2, Sub-Section A.

The Bulldogs return a strong cast of wrestlers from a team that advanced to the semifinals of the WPIAL team tournament. Among 11 returning lettermen are three WPIAL champs: Trent Schultheis, 145, so.; Jake Pail, 152, sr.; and Bryson Miller, 195, sr.

Senior ZJ Ward (126) was a WPIAL champ in 2016 as a freshman.

Other returning lettermen are: Josh Ackerman, 113, so.; Thomas Young, 126/132, so.; Kenny Duschac, 138, so.; Ethan Wolfe, 170, so.; Andrew Kalamasz, 182, sr.; Nick Wolfe, 220, sr.; and Fernando Franco, 285, jr.

Last year, Ward, Duschac, Schultheis and Miller made it to states.

“I have a lot of high level guys coming back,” Covert said.

HOPEWELL

Coach: Jason Martsolf, 11th season.

Section: Class 2A, Section 2, Sub-Section B.

With Hopewell dropping down from 3A to 2A this year, the Viking expect to improve on last year’s 4-13 team record.

Seven lettermen return: Gianni Bertucci, 120, jr.; Ryan Lynn, 126, so.; Jacob Ealy, 138, sr.; Tanner Dobbins, 170, so; Matt Bumgardner, 195, sr.; Connor Forrest, 220, sr.; and Jacob Forrest, 285, so.

Ealy, who plans to attend Pitt-Johnstown, was a fifth-place finisher last year at the 3A PIAA tournament at 126. Connor Forrest made it to the states at 220.

Jake Longerman (145, sr.), Alex Obeldobel (152, jr.), Isaiah Towler (170, jr.) and Brain Ware (160, sr.) return to the sport after taking some time off.

MOON

Coach: Mike Muraco, third season.

Section: Class 3A, Section 4, Sub-Section B.

The Tigers return eight starters from a 13-7 squad that qualified for the 3A team tournament for the second straight year: Tyler Diggins, 106, so.; CJ Trimber, 113, so.; Mitch McCoy, 120, sr.; Will Thomas, 138, sr.; Michael Bates, 152, jr.; Dalton Dobyns, 182, so.; Christian Tanner, 195, sr.; and Sennaca Hamney, 285, so.

“Young team that competes and is committed to building a program,” Muraco said.

QUAKER VALLEY

Coach: Mike Heinl, second season.

Section: Class 2A, Section 2, Sub-Section B.

The Quakers return eight starters from a team that finished 10-9 and qualified for the WPIAL team tournament. One of them is Conner Reddinger, who’s wrestling at 138 pounds this year. Last year as a freshman, Reddinger racked up plenty of milestones, including a WPIAL championship, a first-place finish at the Southwest Regional and a third-place finish at states in the 106 weight class.

Other returning starters are: Sam Owen, 113, jr.; Austin Francic, 145, jr.; Paige Lenhardt, 145, jr.; John Rocco Kazalas, 152, sr.; Austin Dohl-Pantaleo, 160, jr.; Geoff Magin, 182, sr.; and Bradley Fadeley, 285, sr.

The Quakers advanced six wrestlers to the SW Regional with two of them — Reddinger and Magin — qualifying for PIAAs.

“Looking forward to competing this year with a full lineup barring any injuries,” Heinl said. “We have a lot of returning success year, and we hope to use that to propel us forward as the season continues.”

SOUTH SIDE

Coach: Jerry McCoy, ninth season.

Section: Class 2A, Section 2, Sub-Section B.

South Side had two seniors who won WPIAL titles last year, Joe Demor at 145 and Bishop McCoy at 285. Might the Rams have another this year?

Seniors Anthony Navarra (152) and David Locke (182) were Southwest Regional qualifiers last year.

Ajay Cooper returns to wrestling after a year off. He was a section champ in 2017 at 160.