Burrell High School’s wrestlers got a pop-up parade Wednesday afternoon as they left town.
The grapplers were starting their bus trip to the state championships in Hershey.
The repeat WPIAL champs didn’t leave quietly.
It was lights and sirens all the way through town.
A brief Facebook announcement at 3:30 p.m. urging support for the title-winning team got the attention of the three fire departments that protect the communities in the school district. In all, they sent six fire trucks.
Some residents wanted to send the students and staff well wishes, too.
About 5 p.m., Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 from Kinloch and No. 3 at Leechburg Road sent three engines and a rescue truck to lead the way. Upper Burrell volunteer firefighters sent two trucks, one that serves as a pumper and ladder truck and also its brush truck, said Lower Burrell VFC Assistant Chief Brennan Sites.
Lower Burrell Mayor Richard Callender said the wrestlers and staff were escorted from the high school to Tarentum Bridge Road.
“They just won their 13 consecutive WPIAL championship (on Saturday) and they are heading to states again,” he said, saying how proud area residents are of the students and program.
Callender said there were at least 50 residents who stood along Leechburg Road to greet the wrestlers.
“Even in the rain,” he said.
Burrell High wrestlers have won 15 WPIAL titles in the school’s history.
Burrell starts the state championship tournament with a match at 4 p.m. Thursday against District 3 runner-up Newport. The champions will be crowned Saturday.
Chuck Biedka is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Chuck at 724-226-4711, cbiedka@tribweb.com or via Twitter @ChuckBiedka.
