By: Ray Fisher 
Sunday, December 1, 2024 | 11:01 AM

The Quaker Valley wrestling program keeps winning — and growing.

“This is the biggest roster we’ve had in program history with 24 wrestlers,” QV coach Austin Heinl said.

The leaders of the pack are the returning starters, which consist of seniors Jack Diemert (160 pounds), Marcus Richey (172) and Sebastian Juarez-Safran (285), juniors Bruce Anderchak (114), Eoin Parnell (121) and Matt Danna (145) and sophomores Trey Dunlap (160) and Aris Haniotes (189).

Diemert posted a 30-15 record with 15 falls last season and owns a 75-45 career mark with 40 career falls. He improved from 17-16 as a freshman to 28-14 as a sophomore, then hit the 30-win plateau as a junior.

“Our team expectation is to win the WPIAL,” Diemert said. “My personal goal is to hit 100 (career) wins this year.”

Anderchak was 40-8 with 15 pins in 2023-24 after establishing himself with a 31-13 record as a freshman. Over two years, he is 71-21 with 25 pins.

“First up, team goals for this season are to improve every week as a whole,” Anderchak said. “We have a record number of wrestlers on our varsity team. Most of us have spent the offseason at team lifts, and it’s crucial for all of us to continue to work as hard as possible so we can make each other very competitive. We will have a lot of depth and competition in the room.

“If we are able to stick together and stay committed, then I believe we will have a very good chance to win the WPIAL 2A championship and get our first-ever team win in Hershey at the PIAA championships.”

Anderchak won a section title last winter, was a WPIAL runner-up and placed sixth at regionals. He finished second in the section and fourth in the WPIAL as a freshman.

“I’m looking to improve my performance every single day,” Anderchak said, “and I am working on trying to become more of a vocal leader in the (wrestling) room so I can do everything I can to help my teammates succeed, too.

“Ultimately, my goal is to make it back to the state championships at 114 pounds in March while staying focused on developing the right habits to earn a spot on a college team. I love the sport.”

Richey racked up a 35-12 record with 24 falls last season and is 55-28 (with 32 falls) for his career. He won a section championship last year and secured eighth place in the WPIAL tournament.

“I think Quaker Valley has the wrestlers this year to capture our second WPIAL championship like we did my freshman year. That is our goal,” Richey said. “However, we also know there is some strong competition out there and we will need to work hard each day to make it happen.”

Richey is looking forward to generating a banner senior year on the mats.

“I made some strides last year,” he said, “making it to regionals for the second time and putting up 35 wins. I am working harder this year and have the goal of being a state placer.”

Danna, a West Allegheny transfer, finished 38-11 with 19 pins last season. He captured a section title and placed sixth at the regional tournament.

“My expectations are for everyone to compete in their individual role that will lead to overall success for the team.” Danna said. “Our team motto is ‘intent.’ We are using that word to come together as a team to create goals we intend to accomplish. We really want to win a WPIAL team title, so having a strong team connection and bond will help us strive to do that.

“My personal goal is to focus on one competition at a time that will eventually help me progress through the season. Practicing having confidence not only in myself, but also in my abilities on the wrestling mat, is essential for me. One goal in particular that I want to achieve this year is qualifying and placing at states.”

Haniotes worked his way to a 24-14 mark with 16 falls in 2023-24 and finished fourth in the section.

Three top newcomers at QV include sophomore Harper Sipes (139) and freshmen Brennan Breisinger (215) and Brendan Fitzgerald (127).

“We expect our team to work hard, have fun, excel in the classroom and succeed on the wrestling mat,” said Heinl, QV’s third-year coach. “We expect to be a Top 4 team in the WPIAL again.”

In addition to the 24 grapplers competing at QV, there are four freshman girls in the program — Cordelia Grabiak, Madison Jodikinos, Beatrix Miller and Natalie Minnock.

The Quakers were undefeated in Section 3-2A last season, placed 15th at the Southwest Class 2A Regional and advanced to the PIAA championships at Giant Center in Hershey.

QV earned first place in its section with a 6-0 record and was followed by Montour (5-1), Avonworth (4-2), Carlynton (2-4), Keystone Oaks (2-4), South Allegheny (2-4) and South Park (0-6).

Over the past five years, QV has won five section titles, advanced to the PIAA tournament five times and reeled in the WPIAL championship in 2021-22. The Quakers were WPIAL runners-up in 2019-20, 2020-21, 2022-23 and 2023-24.

QV was 15-6 in Heinl’s first year of coaching, giving him a 28-9 record in two years.

The Quakers have been moved into the four-team Section 6 this season along with Avonworth, Carlynton and Keystone Oaks.

By: Ray Fisher 
Sunday, December 15, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Quaker Valley secured fifth place at the season-opening Chartiers-Houston wrestling tournament held on the weekend of Dec. 6-7.

QV coach Austin Heinl believes it was a good learning experience for his team, but he has loftier expectations for the Quakers in 2024-25.

“I think the Chartiers-Houston tournament was a great first test to start the season,” Heinl said. “I’m happy with what we learned from competing this weekend. Fifth place in a tough field is good, but I believe our guys can achieve a higher level of success as the season continues.”

Bethel Park won the tournament with a 206.5-point total, followed by Butler (188.5), North Hills (153), Freedom (150) and Quaker Valley (143). Rounding out the top 10 were Shaler (142.5), Mt. Lebanon (138.5), Peters Township (126), Beth-Center (121) and Plum (109.5).

QV junior Matt Danna (145 pounds) and freshman Brennan Breisinger (215) took first place.

For Danna, practice paid off in his first taste of tournament competition this season.

“The key for me winning the championship was to stay focused on my technique and conditioning and to believe in what I’ve been working on in practice,” he said. ”My strength is having a positive mindset before and throughout a match, which is vital for me to compete at my absolute best.

“Wrestling demands composure, so staying calm under pressure can lead to ways to capitalize on opportunities during a match.”

Danna hopes to develop a winning rhythm during the winter months.

“My personal expectation for this season is to wrestle my hardest whoever I go against so it becomes the standard for me,” he said. “I think that this will elevate my wrestling, which will help me when facing some of the best kids in the state.

“I hope to demonstrate my leadership abilities to some of the young guys on the team so they know if you are putting in good effort throughout the season, you will get some good results. This will benefit the team in achieving our goals.”

Breisinger believes his diligence in the offseason helped propel him to his early title.

“A big part of winning my first varsity championship was the work and dedication I put in this offseason,” he said, “and the coaches that have worked with me and taken my wrestling to the next level. I’m very grateful to have that support group around me to contribute to my success.

“My goal for this season is to qualify for states as a freshman, which I am feeling confident in. I’m planning on setting higher expectations for myself next year.”

Breisinger indicated that his speed and cardio at 215 pounds are big bonuses for him on the mat.

“I am able to wrestle for the full six minutes, which is a big part for me considering I’m (usually) wrestling bigger and stronger kids,” he said.

Danna won a 9-0 major decision against Hampton’s Dustin Kerr in the championship round to rack up a 5-0 record in the tournament.

Breisinger won by a technical fall against Bethel Park’s Hunter Goelz, 19-4 at the 5:11 mark, to finish 4-0.

“Matt and Brennan both made statements,” Heinl said. “Both dominated their respective brackets from start to finish; neither of them gave up a takedown.

“I was happy with both of their offensive pressure and hand fighting. I’m excited to see what they and the rest of our wrestlers can do the rest of the season.”

Bruce Anderchak, a junior, and Marcus Richey, a senior, earned runner-up medals at 114 and 172 for the Quakers. Both won three matches to reach the championship round.

“Bruce and Marcus also had strong performances to make the finals,” Heinl said. “Both lost to tough wrestlers in the finals, but both needed hard-fought victories to reach that point, so that’s exciting to see them coming out on top in those types of matches.

“These experiences will help all of them when it comes time for the postseason.”

Another individual highlight for QV was the performance of sophomore Noah Fardo at 215 pounds. Fardo won three of his five matches; all three were by fall.

“Brennan Breisinger, Tommy Minnock, Jack Bednarski, Brendan Fitzgerald and Noah Fardo all achieved their first varsity wins,” Heinl said.

Minnock (152), Bednarski (139) and Fitzgerald (127) are freshmen.

QV senior Jack Diemert (160) and sophomore Trey Dunlap (160) also captured three wins in the tournament while junior Eoin Parnell (121) won twice.

Danna and Breisinger shared their thoughts about the Quakers’ initial appearance of 2024-25.

“I believe everyone on the team performed well for it being the first tournament of the season,” Danna said. “The tournament gave us an idea of what we need to work on to progress to the next event. The newcomers wrestled hard and enjoyed their first high school tournament.

“I would like to give thanks to the support Quaker Valley wrestling receives from the community and sponsors.”

Breisinger said, “I’m happy with the team’s performance. We finished fifth overall and second out of the Class 2A teams. We have a young team and great potential for the year.”

By: Ray Fisher 
Sunday, January 5, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Quaker Valley was led by juniors Bruce Anderchak and Matthew Danna at the Panther Holiday Wrestling Classic held mid-December at Mount Aloysius.

QV placed second among WPIAL teams and 13th overall with a 102 overall point total. Hill School (160), Hickory (155), McGuffey (149.5), Penns Valley (145.5) and Corry (138.5) were the top five finishers.

“I think we had an overall good experience at the tournament,” QV coach Austin Heinl said. “It’s a great team bonding experience traveling and competing against teams you’re not used to seeing.

“This tournament does give us a similar feel of a bigger competition stage. We see a lot of the teams that are in our region. There are also a ton of teams from all over the state. Getting to wrestle teams that you aren’t used to seeing simulates those types of matches deep in the postseason.”

Anderchak and Danna captured third place at 114 and 145 pounds to end the tournament with 9-2 and 11-1 records, respectively.

“Bruce and Matt both wrestled well,” Heinl said. “Both fell short in the semifinals to wrestlers they’ve lost to before. I’m proud how they both bounced back to win two straight matches to both end the day in third place.

“That’s something we emphasize when at a tournament — to always win the last match of the day. It’s good practice for the end of the year.”

Anderchak and Danna were complemented in the scoring column by senior Marcus Richey, who took sixth place at 172 to go to 8-4 on the year.

“Marcus also had a great tournament,” Heinl said, “improving to sixth place this year from a seventh-place finish last year.”

Other leading competitors for the Quakers included senior Jack Diemert (160), sophomores Trey Dunlap (160) and Noah Fardo (215) and freshman Brennan Breisinger (215). Diemert and Breisinger both boosted their 2024-25 win total to seven.

“Trey Dunlap, Jack Diemert and Brennan Breisinger all lost in the blood round,” Heinl said. “Making it to that point and getting that experience will help them throughout the season.”

QV freshmen Brendan Fitzgerald (127) and Jack Bednarski (139), junior Eoin Parnell (121) and seniors Grant Castaldo (114) and Sebastian Juarez-Safran (285) also made it to the tournament’s consolations.

“We had a lot of our younger and inexperienced wrestlers compete in the junior varsity tournament,” Heinl said. “A lot of our guys gained valuable experience there.

“Sawyer Stelzig won his first two wrestling matches ever in his life that weekend. He started last season with no experience. He lost every match. He stayed consistent with practice all year and in the offseason. His performance was one of the ones I was most proud of that weekend.”

QV competed in two holiday tournaments in December, traveling to Hickory for the Rande Stottlemyer Memorial Duals and to the Highlands Sports Complex for the Wheeling Park Duals.

Anderchak and Danna led the way for the Quakers with 7-0 records at Wheeling Park and 3-0 marks at Hickory.

Diemert and Richey also won all three of their bouts at the Stottlemyer Memorial.

QV was ranked fourth in Class 2A behind Burrell, Derry and McGuffey in the Trib HSSN high school wrestling rankings.

QV grapplers were ranked among the top three in the individual weight classes: Anderchak, first at 114; Breisinger, second at 215; and Danna, third at 145.

Danna (22-1), Anderchak (20-2), Richey (18-5), Diemert (16-5), Breisinger (13-5), Dunlap (12-9) and Fardo (10-6) all kicked off the new year with double-digit wins.

By: Paul Schofield 
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 | 6:01 AM

Team rankings

Class 2A

1. Burrell (2-0) 1

2. Derry (12-2) 2

3. McGuffey (8-2) 3

4. Quaker Valley (7-4) 4

5. Laurel (13-2) 5

6. Bentworth (5-4) 6

7. Burgettstown (6-2) 7

8. Frazier (4-4) 8

9. Freedom (2-0) 9

10. Highlands (8-4) 10

Teams to watch: Avella (4-4), Greensburg Salem (5-2), Hopewell (2-0), Jefferson-Morgan (6-3), Southmoreland (4-5) and South Park (6-10).

Individual rankings

Class 2A

107: 1. Rocco DeCario (11-3), fr., Derry; 2. Angelo Boni (10-4), jr., Central Valley; 2. Kayden Braun (9-2), so., Freedom; 3. Brayden Hanning (12-1), fr., Jefferson-Morgan; (PA 1: Chase Karenbauer, fr., Grove City).

114: 1. Bruce Anderchak (20-2), jr., Quaker Valley; 2. Preston Bubash (7-1), fr., Elizabeth Forward; 3. Javeon Chambers (10-2), jr. Highlands; 4. Logan Ketzel (13-2), so., Laurel. (PA 1: Freddy Bachmann, fr. Faith Christian).

121: 1. Tucker Main (13-4), so., McGuffey; 2. Auston Kosanovic (8-1), jr., Avonworth; 3. Carter Thomas (9-3), so., Burrell; 4. Noah Collins (8-2), jr., West Greene. (PA 1: Joe Bachmann, so. Faith Christian).

127: 1. Cam Baker (6-3), jr., Burrell; 2. Antonio Boni (13-0), jr., Central Valley; 2. Dylan Bateman (13-5), fr., Derry; 4. Archer Brua (10-5), so., Laurel. (PA 1: Gauge Botero, sr., Faith Christian).

133: 1. Anthony Mucci (17-4), sr., Derry; 2. Drake McClure (18-2), so., Bentworth; 3. Mason Wright (14-5), jr., Beth-Center; 4. Emmett Wolfe (15-1), jr., McGuffey. (PA 1: Jax Forrest, jr., Bishop McCort).

139: 1. Lucas Barr (16-0), jr., McGuffey; 2. Giovanni Beatrice (9-0), sr., Derry; 3. Jacob Stewart (5-2), jr., Burrell; 4. Kaiden Millward (11-4), so., Freedom. (PA 1: Brandt Harer, jr., Montgomery).

145: 1. Julian Bertucci (8-5), jr., Burrell; 2. Aiden Buford (11-1), sr., Highlands; 3. Matthews Danna (22-1), jr., Quaker Valley; 4. Brett Klim (12-5), sr., Derry. (PA 1: Bo Bassett, jr., Bishop McCort).

152: 1. Jonah Erdely, jr., Frazier (18-0); 2. Luke Boyer (6-1), so., Elizabeth Forward; 3. Calio Zanella (5-2), sr., Burrell; 4. Ryder Goe (9-4), sr., South Side. (PA 1: Max Stein, sr., Faith Christian).

160: 1. Owen Ivcic (19-2), jr., Bentworth; 2. Mason Horwat (15-3), so., Derry; 3. Ryan Celaschi (16-3), sr., Frazier; 4. Stephen Predajna (10-4), so., Mt. Pleasant. (PA 1: Reagan Milheim, jr., Warrior Run).

172: 1. Jackson Angelo (17-0), jr., Frazier; 2. Isaac Lacinski (11-4), sr., Burrell; 3. Landon Delara (18-3). sr., Southmoreland; 4. Ewan Olson (15-3), jr., Derry; 4. (PA 1: Melvin Miller, so. Bishop McCort).

189: 1. Braedon Welsh (10-0), sr., Fort Cherry; 2. Brady Brown (14-3), so., Derry; 3. Slayton Williams (12-3), sr., South Side; 4. Jake Mundorff (17-2), Ligonier Valley, so.. (PA 1: Adam Waters, jr., Faith Christian).

215: 1. Luke Boylan (6-6), sr., Burrell; 2. Brennan Breisinger (13-5), fr., Quaker Valley; 3. Kaden Shannon (13-7), jr., Southmoreland; 4. Kolton Carlson (14-1), jr., Laurel. (PA 1: Austin Johnson, sr., Muncy).

285: 1. Colin Whyte (16-2), jr., West Greene; 2. Landon Heath (17-4), jr., Jefferson-Morgan; 3. Henry Barbisch (9-4), sr., Carlynton; 4. Casey Wilson (14-1), jr., Laurel. (PA 1: Mark Effendian, jr., Faith Christian).

*PA 1 denotes PaPower Wrestling No. 1.