So it comes as no surprise that the grapplers that grabbed all the glitter spearhead The Almanac’s All-Star team.

Lone state champion Jesse Byerly earned the top distinction as the Most Valuable Grappler. (See related story above).

Joining the Keystone Oaks’ senior on the all-star list are teammates Anthony Zanetta and Myles Caragein. Both advanced to the PIAA state tournament.

Zanetta won a section title as well as a WPIAL and regional championship. He was 29-4 this season.

CM tops list

With six wrestlers, Canon-Mc-Millan tops the all-star list. The Big Macs two grapplers who finished as state runners-up.

Colin Johnston compiled a 37-3 record to improve his career mark to 122-8.

The junior captured his third WPIAL and Southwest Regional title before losing his bid to win a second consecutive state championship.

“Colin had another outstanding year,” said CM coach Chris Mary. “Just to get back there at that level of competition is quite an accomplishment.

“There is a lot of pressure to repeat and it was a tough, tough loss for Colin but he is such a determined kid. I am sure that he’ll do everything in his power to put himself into position to win at that level next year.”

For Matt Ryan, there is no next year. The senior graduates this June and takes his talents to Virginia Tech.

Yet, for the second year in a row, a PIAA state title eluded Ryan.

A four-year starter, he posted a 134-29 career record of which 38 victories were accumulated this season against only three defeats.

“Matt had a fine career and we just came back from Detroit where we watched the NCAA championships and I told Matt that we’d see him out there next year. It was good for him to see and watch those guys. I think it will give him incentive. I think he can be very good.”

Stephen Stopyra, Jurdon Maier and Mike Eberly all had very good senior years for the Big Macs.

At 130, Stopyra compiled a 22-12 mark. He placed third in section and advanced to the district and regional tournament. Currently, West Liberty College is interested in his talents.

“Stephen has a good year for us,” said Mary. “He was a late bloomer but he worked real hard and got better and better each year. He was such a hard worker that he became a captain of this team.”

Wherever Mary put him in a dual meet, Maier typically anchored a CM victory. He picked up key playoff wins that enabled the Big Macs to reach the WPIAL team finals a year ago.

CM again won a section title and advanced in the WPIAL team tournament, thanks to Ma-ier’s timely wins. Bound for West Liberty College, he posted a 29-7 record this winter.

“Jurdon really had a good career for us,” Mary said. “He won a lot of dual meets for us and he beat a lot of good kids. He was a fine high school wrestler.”

Eberly also closed out a “great career” for the Big Macs, compiling a 26-8 record his senior season. A two-time section champion, the 152pound grappler will attend Clarion University.

“Mike’s a tough, tough kid,” said Mary. “He’s a talented kid who I think can take it to the next level.”

At 135, Chris Pihiou completes the CM corps of all-stars. He posted a 27-9 record that included a section runner-up title.

“Chris had a super year. He’s just a junior so he’ll be determined to come back and be real competitive in his last season.”

Utchel leads CV

Dan Utchel headlines the list of all-stars from Chartiers Valley.

The junior captured a section title, finished as the WPIAL and Southwestern champion. Utchel placed sixth in the PIAA state tournament.

Utchel, who also excels in football, finished the season at 37-8.

Sean Lubin garnered Rookie of the Year honors as well as a spot on the all-star list at 103. The freshman won the section title. After finishing 2-2 in the Southwestern Regional tournament, Lubin completed his 30-8 season.

Corey O’Keefe sealed the 171-pound slot.

The senior captured a section title but fell short of advancing to states when he posted a 3-2 record in the regional.

O’Keefe finished 32-7 for the year.

Miller excels for CH

Luke Miller completed a real strong senior season as well as a career at Chartiers-Houston by bringing home a fourth-place medal during the PIAA championships.

He was 38-5 this season and 122-37 for his career.

Two star for Lebo

Stan Kochanek and Mike Lewandowski complete the list from Mt. Lebanon.

A junior, Kochanek won a section title at 119 pounds. He posted a 28-11 record overall. A two-sport athlete, Kochanek is a diver for the swim team.