Larger text
Smaller text
Kiski Area wrestlers improve to 13-0 with win over Class AA No. 2 Burrell
• West Allegheny’s Lach comes through in quarterfinal win over EF
• Peters Township’s Perich shuts out Latrobe in quarterfinals
• Hempfield headed to semifinals after topping Shaler
• Canon-McMillan wrestling coach stepping down
By George Guido
Published: Friday, January 18, 2013, 11:28 p.m.
Updated: Saturday, January 19, 2013
Kiski Area, No. 2 in the Trib Total Media Class AAA wrestling rankings, remained undefeated with a 55-6 victory over rival Burrell, the No. 2-ranked team in Class AA.
The Cavaliers jumped to a quick start and rolled to the victory to improve to 13-0 before a packed house at Burrell.
The Bucs, who will begin their quest for a seventh straight WPIAL championship, fell to 7-4.
“It's always a fun rivalry, back and forth,” Kiski Area coach Chuck Tursky said. “The crowd is great. You see some people from Burrell, Kiski and other places, and having this match is great for the (wrestling) community.”
Steve Edwards defeated Garrett Fitzsimmons at 138 pounds and Corey Klems edged Chad Kuhn, 3-1, at 170 on a late takedown for Burrell's only victories.
“I just think Kiski is a very strong squad,” Bucs coach Bud Sines said. “I can't say enough about how solid their squad is.”
Dakota DesLauriers, Damon Greenwald, J.R. Andrejcik and Phil Marra did not wrestle for Burrell.
“Towards the end of the season, you have to get guys healthy for the playoffs, which is a brawl.” Tursky said.
“I understand what coach Sines is doing, and it's good coaching. Maybe we could have this one next year before Christmas.”
Victories by Jake York (106), Ryan Hardaway (120) and Jake Ardellitz (132), coupled with Burrell forfeits at 113 and 126, put Kiski Area in front, 22-0.
Kiski Area, in the WPIAL team playoffs for the 24th consecutive season, will host a four-team sectional Wednesday. The Cavaliers will wrestle Greensburg Salem and Franklin Regional will battle Latrobe on an adjacent mat at 6 p.m.
Burrell will begin the section playoffs Wednesday at South Allegheny. The Bucs will wrestle Avonworth, and Kittanning will take on South Allegheny, both at 6 p.m.
The winners at Kiski Area and South Allegheny will wrestle for section honors at 7:30. The losing squads will engage in consolation matches.
Kiski Area's Matt McCutcheon extended his record on the season to 24-0 with a first-period pin over Corey Arabia at 195.
In the most captivating bout of the night at 285 pounds, Shane Kuhn edged Allan Beattie, 2-0, on a late reversal.
Last Saturday at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association heavyweight finals, Kuhn pinned the Burrell junior.
“That was old-fashioned wrestling when you start out at 106 and you end at heavyweight,” Sines said. “It was quite a match.”
George Guido is a freelance writer.
Most Popular Wrestling
You must be signed in to add comments
To comment, click the Sign in or sign up at the very top of this page.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.
