Feb 5, 2024 By Eleanor Bailey 4 min read

Ryan Walsh closes in on the pin during 215-pound action during the WPIAL Class AAA semifinals. Walsh’s fall coupled with a pin from Landon Hartman and a decision by Jaden Palombine gave Bethel Park a three-point lead before Trinity won the final bout and scored a 27-26 win on criteria to advance to the championship match. While the Hillers finished as runners-up, falling to Connellsville, 33-32, in the finals, the Black Hawks finished fourth after a 28-27 loss to Franklin Regional and failed to qualify for the PIAA tournament.

One point and one match dashed Bethel Park’s hopes for a wrestling championship as well as a trip to Hershey to participate in the PIAA team championships.

During the WPIAL Class AAA team championships held Feb. 3 at AHN Arena on the Peters Township High School campus, the Black Hawks lost to Trinity, 27-26, in the semifinals and to Franklin Regional, 28-27, in the consolation match to determine the last berth in the state tournament.

“It was a heartbreaking day not because of the losses but because of the amount of work this group has put in and being that close,” said BP coach Tyler Nauman. “It was anyone’s championship to win but things didn’t go our way.”

Connellsville captured the AAA title beating the Hillers, 33-32, in the finals, but a spot in the finals was there for the taking for the Hawks.

After back-to-back pins by Ryan Walsh at 215 and Landon Hartman at heavyweight coupled with a 5-2 decision from Jaden Palombine at 107, the Hawks led Trinity, 26-23, heading into the final bout. In fact, Pierce Reinhart came out strong, nearly scoring a fall in the first period and clinging to a 2-0 advantage heading into the third period of the final match at 114.

Jacob Wright, however, rebounded. His 5-2 decision gave the Hillers the match on criteria. Trinity won seven weight classes to BP’s six.

Seth Miller (127), Mason Kernan (139), and Ethan Higgins (152) had the Hawks other wins.

“After the Trinity loss we pulled them together and just let them know that it wasn’t over,” said Nauman. We had one match (individually and as a team) to get to where we wanted to be. Six to eight minutes each and that takes care of itself,” he added of the goal to gain a spot in the state tournament.

“For the most part they rebounded well but again things didn’t fall our way. In the end, it happens especially in a region as tough as the WPiAL,” Nauman added.

Though BP won seven matches against Franklin Regional, the Panthers produced three key falls, one to start the match and two back-to-back at 215 and 285.

Walsh (189) had a pin, Kernan produced a technical fall and Colton Fisher managed a major decision, 11-1, at 121 for the only bonus points for the Hawks. Fisher’s win came in the final bout but could not erase the Panthers’ five-point lead.

At minimum BP needed a tech fall to win because the Hawks held a 7-6 edge for victorious bouts.

“As a staff, we couldn’t be more proud of this group and team,” Nauman said. “They put in so much work, time and effort. Their sacrifices and work since last March is unmatched and I believe that showed even in our fourth-place finish.”

The showing was BP’s highest since winning a WPIAL championship in 2009. The Hawks were also section champions. They now prepare for individual competition beginning with the South Sectional to be held Feb. 24 at South Fayette. The top six placewinners advance to the Southwest Regional, which also doubles as the WPIAL championships, to be held March 1-2 at Canon-McMillan High School. The top four finishers in the regional advance to the PIAA championships to be held March 7-9 at the Giant Center in Hershey.

“We expect some great individual results and deep runs in the WPIAL and state tournaments for our individual part of the season,” Nauman said enthusiastically.