While Anthony Zanetta of Keystone Oaks clinched the biggest prize, grabbing a gold medal at the state tournament and thus securing him the top spot on the Almanac Wrestling All-Star team, the other seasoned veterans, by virtue of their finishes, also garnered slots on the unit.

For Colin Johnston from Canon-McMillan and Dan Utchel of Chartiers Valley, their mantra this season surely was so close, yet so far. For both ended sensational scholastic careers just beyond the grasp of the gold.

Johnston earned a bronze medal to his collection of state honors. He was a gold medalist as a sophomore and a silver winner as a junior. This year, the 135-pound grappler defeated Crestwood junior Jake O'Hara, 3-0, in the consolation match after he had lost to Indian Valley senior Adam Will, 2-1, in overtime in the semifinals.

Johnston takes his talents to West Virginia University this autumn.

Meanwhile, Utchel claimed state runner-up honors at 215 after succumbing to Manheim Central's Jordan Enck, 5-2, in the PIAA Class AAA finals. Utchel was a sixth-place finisher as a junior.

A two-time WPIAL and Southwest Regional champion, Utchel posted a 39-4 record this winter. The mark included three thrilling, one-point wins over sophomore sensation Michael Hull from Canon-McMillan in league action as well as section and WPIAL tournament matches.

Utchel, who was a standout on the football field, is undecided regarding his college plans. On the mats, Utchel finished his scholastic career with a 106-26 record and an appearance in the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic.

Utchel was not the only strong man at CV. Between 160 to 215 the Colts dominated the competition. Even at heavyweight they were a force with Eric Kush but junior Sam Brownlee from Canon-McMillan edged out that junior for the spot on the all-star unit.

Though Kush finished seventh in the state, Brownlee could not complete his tournament activity due to illness. He suffered bronchitis throughout the post-season but finished as the section champion and the district runner-up. In head-to-head competition, Brownlee edged Kush in league and in section tournament. Brownlee was the Section 5 champion. He finished 37-6 on the season while Kush posted a 35-9 mark. He was 82-27 in his career.

Meanwhile, Tyler and Matt Wilps as well as Mike Meglen dominated at 160, 189 and 171 respectively.

Matt Wilps earned the bronze medals at 189 in the state tournament. He was the WPIAL runner-up, losing in the championship match, 3-1, in overtime. Wilps also was the section champion.

As a senior, he posted a 41-5 mark. He compiled a 109-26 career record.

While Tyler Wilps posted a 30-11 mark, Meglen finished 26-15 overall. A sophomore, Wilps owns a 50-26 career record. A senior, Meglen posted a 26-15 mark this winter, complete with a section runner-up showing. He completed his career at 92-33.

Thanks to a blend of veterans and newcomers, Canon-McMillan again dominated Section 5-AAA and advanced deep to the final four in the WPIAL team tournament.

Chris Pihiou represented the wisdom experience while Nick Catalano represented the enthusiasm of youth.

A senior, Pihiou posted a 29-6 record. The 130-pound grappler was a district and regional qualifier. He was the section runner-up.

A freshman, Catalano rolled up a 36-7 record at 119. A section champion and a PIAA qualifier, he finished as the WPIAL/Southwest Regional runner-up.

Bethel Park was another club experiencing a banner year. The Black Hawks won their first-ever section title and they claimed a pair of all-state medal winners.

Mike Ganley and Nick Bonaccorsi spearheaded the success along with Rob Heuler and Anthony Bonaccorsi.

A junior, Ganley secured sixth place at states. The 145-pound grappler was the section and the WPIAL/Southwest Regional runner-up. He posted a 36-8 record this season.

A freshman, Nick Bonaccorsi claimed Rookie of the Year laurels. The 152-pound grappler compiled a 35-9 slate. A section champion, he went on to finish third in the district and regional tournament. He ended up eighth in the state.

Meanwhile, Heuler finished 21-5 in his first varsity season of wrestling at 103 pounds.

A junior, Anthony Bonaccorsi posted a 23-10 mark at 125 pounds this winter. For his career, he is 85-31.

At Mt. Lebanon, wrestling is back as evidenced by two Blue Devils securing spots on the all-star list.

At 140 is Andrew Buda. The senior compiled a 26-7 record.

At 152, Greg Perri, who is of the Perri lineage, racked up a 27-9 record. He, too, is a senior.