Mt. Lebanon wrestler wins second WPIAL title
Kellan Stout added to his wrestling legacy during the WPIAL/Southwest Regional Tournament held at Penn Hills High School. By winning the 182-pound title, the senior became the first champion from Mt. Lebanon since Kurt Angle won the heavyweight crown in 1987. Stout also is the school’s first four-time place winner. He scaled the ladder, finishing fourth as a freshman, third as a sophomore and second as a junior.
“We are very proud of Kellan and all he has accomplished so far while wrestling at Mt. Lebanon, including his most recent WPIAL championship,” said Lebo coach Bill Lewis. “He put together a nice tournament and we were impressed with his poise and focus on his goal.”
After claiming the district and regional crowns by injury default (1:37) against Belle Vernon’s Milton Kobaly in the finals, Stout is now prepared to make a stand at the PIAA championships. He received a first-round bye and will face the winner between Kyle Sult and Derek Spachman in his first match set for 4 p.m. March 5 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
“Kellan seems to be on a mission and peaking at the right time,” said Lewis. “Technically, he is looking sharp. He really pushed the action at the WPIAL tournament. He was offensive-minded and aggressive in his attacks. We feel confident that he is ready physically and mentally for Hershey and excited to get to Chocolate Town.”
Last year’s PIAA tournament ended on a sour note for Stout. He lost in the finals, 7-1, to Zack Zavatsky from Greater Latrobe and had to settle for silver.
“Kellan really wanted to be a state champ last year and the moment he stepped off the podium, he was focused on getting better and improving for this tournament. Kellan made the most of it in the off-season, dedicating more time on the mats and competing than he had in the past. He really seemed to take his work ethic and commitment up a notch throughout the season,” Lewis said.
“Kellan has been doing a nice job of taking everything one step at a time. He hasn’t looked past anyone and realizes that you get atop that podium by taking it one match at a time. Anything can happen and you have to be prepared for the unexpected. He seems ready to do that.”
Carr golden
Mike Carr claimed his second straight Southwest Regional Class AA championship. The South Fayette senior defeated Tom Opdenhoff from Central Cambria, 8-2, in the 138-pound final. He is now qualified for the PIAA Class AA tournament set for March 5-7 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
“This feels good,” Carr said, but noted he is more concerned about states. “I am taking it one match a time.”
Carr’s teammate, JJ Walker, likewise is following the same strategy. He finished as the regional runner-up in the 160-pound weight class. By ultimate tiebreaker, he dropped a 3-2 decision to Bryce Fochtman from Berlin-Brothersvalley in the championship bout.
“It was a tough situation,” said Walker. “The last 30 seconds decided who won. I’ve just got to hold him down. That’s my first (UTB) this year,” Walker added.
Shane Ging and Brett Beltz will join Carr and Walker at states. Ging finished sixth at 132 and Beltz finished third at 182.
Dunn secures silver
Paul Dunn captured a silver medal during the WPIAL AAA wrestling championships held at Penn Hills High School. The Bethel Park senior succumbed to Franklin Regional’s Josh Shields, 17-7, in the finals.
“Paul had a good tournament,” said BP mat boss Bob Stewart. “Obviously he wanted to win gold, but fell short. Josh (Shields) is a great wrestler. He’s ranked second in the country for a reason.”
Despite the defeat, Dunn is preparing for a possible rematch. He and Shields are among the District 7 qualifiers for the PIAA championships at the Giant Center.
Before heading to Hershey, Dunn worked hard in the room, said Stewart. Should a showdown take place, Dunn will watch the video tape of his WPIAL match and try to make some changes so that there is a different outcome, Stewart added.
“Hopefully, Paul gets a chance to wrestle Josh again. This time for a state gold,” Stewart said.
He cautioned though, “You have to take it one match at a time at this tournament. So, the focus is on his first-round match,” Stewart said.
Dunn wrestles Noah Stewart from Mifflin County in his PIAA opener set for 4 p.m. March 5.
Nino Bonaccorsi joins Dunn in Hershey. He finished fourth in the 152-pound weight class. Bonaccorsi battles Bob Endy from St. Joseph’s Prep in his first PIAA match.
“Nino had a good (WPIA) tournament,” said Stewart. “He beat some quality kids. He lost a tough one in the consolation finals, but he still wrestled well. I know he will also be ready to make his mark in Hershey.”
Four more qualify
Four additional area wrestlers gained berths in the PIAA AAA tournament.
Eli Grape from Upper St. Clair took third during the WPIAL championships at 195. He will wrestle Gavin Caroff from Quakertown in his first-round match March 5 in Hershey. Grape’s teammate Brooks Wilding finished fourth at 170. The senior faces General McLane’s Ethan Laird in the PIAA opener.
Canon-McMillan advanced two grapplers to Hershey. Micah Kusturiss earned a bronze medal at 145 while Logan Macri followed with a fourth place at 106. Kusturiss wrestles Alex Klucker from East Pennsboro while Macri squares off against Cumberland Valley’s William Kaldes in first-round matches.