Mt. Lebanon wrestler wins WPIAL title
Cole Gibbons captured a district championship during the WPIAL Class 3A tournament held Feb. 20-21 at Canon-McMillan High School.
A Mt. Lebanon senior, Gibbons defeated Jack White from Norwin, 4-2, in the 160-pound finals to capture the title.
“It was a surreal experience winning the WPIAL championship,’ Gibbons said. “I have been dreaming of that since I was a kid. To finally accomplish this goal is crazy.”
Lebo head coach Tyler Daffinee concurred that a WPIAL title was a long-term objective.
“Cole has been focused on this goal for four years,” he said. “With all the work he has put in he certainly earned this. There are no easy matches at WPIAL’s but he has been focused on controlling the match and capitalizing when he gets his shots.”
Indeed, the road to the title was not easy for Gibbons.
After recording a tech fall against Tyler Bollinger from Kiski Area in the first round, he edged Canon-McMillan’s Mason Calgaro, 4-2, in the quarterfinals. Gibbons scored a 4-1 sudden victory against West Mifflin’s Cooper Dietz to advance to the finals.
“All of my matches were nail biters but I found a way to win,” Gibbons said.
Gibbons said there really wasn’t a secret to his success. Just diligence and discipline.
“I have been training nonstop everyday to be the best in the WPIAL,” he said. “All the hard work is paying off.”
In Class 3A boys’, the top seven wrestlers from each weight class advanced to the PIAA Class 3A West Regional held Feb. 27-28 at Canon-McMillan High School. The top five wrestlers from each weight class advanced to the PIAA individual championships set for March 5-7 at the GIANT Center in Hershey.
Evan Sala joined Gibbons at regionals. He finished fifth at 127.
“Evan has what it takes to make it to states,” Daffinee said. “He is working hard to tie all the pieces together.”
Among the other area wrestlers that joined Gibbons and Sala at the regional were:
Nicholas McGarrity from Peters Township; sixth at 114
Peter Leventis from South Fayette, seventh at 138
Ian Bucheli and Colton Fisher from Bethel Park. Bucheli finished fifth at 145 while Fisher took seventh at 152
Michael Lawrence from Chartiers Valley; sixth at 172.
Although he did not advance out of the WPIAL, Derek Worstell from Upper St. Clair achieved a personal milestone. He entered the Century Club, recording his 100th career victory. The senior competed in the 152-pound weight class.