Seven PIAA qualifiers lead list of wrestling all-stars
Seven PIAA qualifiers spearhead the list of Almanac wrestling all-stars for 2016. State champion Mike Carr of South Fayette leads the roster as MVP (see related article) while runners-up Mike McAleavey from Peters Township and Nino Bonaccorsi from Bethel Park also comprise the rest of the star-studded roll.
A senior, McAleavey caps his career with an appearance this Saturday, March 26 in the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic. The prestigious event held at the University of Pittsburgh’s Fitzgerald Field House pits the best wrestlers in the region against the top grapplers around the nation. McAleavey will compete on the WPIAL All-Star squad. Action begins at 4 p.m.
McAleavey will battle Sam Hipple from Carmel. A senior, Hipple owns a 99-17 career record and finished sixth in the state of Indiana.
McAleavey, meanwhile, dominated the 220-pound weight class in the district. He compiled a 38-4 record this winter and advanced to the PIAA championship match, where he finished runner-up to Jacob Robb. The Armstrong wrestler will wrestle for the Pennsylvania team against the United States all-stars at 6 p.m. at the wrestling classic.
McAleavey, who was also the WPIAL runner-up, placing second to Robb, finished his career at Peters Township with a 93-43 overall record.
While Bonaccorsi still has another season of scholastic competition remaining, he already has surpassed the century mark for career victories. The junior is 108-20 overall. He also secured silver at the PIAA championships, dropping a tough decision, 6-4, to Michael Labriola of Bethlehem Catholic in the 170-pound final.
Bonaccorsi won section and district titles. In posting a 39-2 record this year, he also won the county championships and the Eastern Area title. He was a runner-up at Powerade.
“Nino is an extremely hard worker,” said BP coach Bob Stewart. “He always has a positive attitude when it comes to getting better and doing what it takes to succeed. Because of his strong work ethic, Nino will be successful in anything that he sets his mind to.”
Meanwhile, Eli Grape also has the mindset and work ethic to continue his progress into his senior year. The 195-pound Upper St. Clair junior posted a 35-5 record this winter, complete with an eighth-place showing at states. The WPIAL runner-up won the section and county titles in addition to winning the crown at the Steve DeAugustino Wrestling Classic. Grape, who owns a 94-22 overall record, is a three-time WPIAL qualifier and two-time section champion.
“Eli had a very strong season,” said USC coach Sean O’Rourke. “He repeated as a section champion, won the country title and returned to the medal podium in Hershey.”
Duo joins Carr
Two South Fayette seniors joined Mike Carr on the all-star list.
Shane Ging finished fourth in the district. A sectional runner-up at 138, he posted a 38-14 record in 2016 and finished his career with a 118-64 mark. “Shane competed in a very tough weight class and came within one win of the PIAA tournament,” said SF coach Rick Chaussard.
According to Chaussard, Ben Previte turned a “sub-par finish” last year into a PIAA berth this year. After capturing a section banner, Previte took third in the district and finished sixth in the regional to qualify for the state championships. He was 44-15 on the season and 99-47 in his career.
Big Macs gain four
Four Canon-McMillan wrestlers grabbed first-team honors on the all-star list. The foursome helped the Big Macs to a WPIAL runner-up showing in the team competition as well as a section banner.
A sophomore, Logan Macri posted a 40-8 record this winter. A PIAA qualifier, he also was a district runner-up and a section champion at 113.
A junior, Matt Oblock finished 39-10 on the year. He won a section title at 126 and qualified for the district and regional tournaments.
A sophomore, Tim Hritsko racked up a 20-8 record. He was the Section 4 runner-up at 132 pounds and a WPIAL qualifier.
A junior, Blaze Kansco managed a 33-10 record at 160 pounds. He took third in Section 4.
Macy is ROTY
In addition to holding down the 106-pound all-star spot, Zachary Macy earned Almanac Rookie of the Year honors. The Chartiers Valley freshman was a section finalist and district and regional qualifier as well as an all-county performer.
A Pennsylvania national freestyle and Greco-Roman team member, “he placed at or won everything and anything we competed in this season,” said CV mat boss Billy Evans. “He is the best there is.”
Kazalas shines
At the opposite spectrum of Macy is Joey Kazalas. The heavyweight grappler mounted a 36-9 record, complete with an appearance in the PIAA tournament. The Keystone Oaks senior picked up his 100th career victory in the state championships. Kazalas placed third in the WPIAL and fourth in the regional to gain his PIAA berth. He was the Section 3-AA champion.
Two complete list
Daniel Florentino from Peters Township and Dom Provenzano from Chartiers-Houston complete the Almanac wrestling all-star team.
A 120-pound junior, Florentino was 29-8 on the year while Provenzano finished 27-13. The 182-pound senior also earned a PIAA berth by finishing fifth in the regional. Provenzano was the WPIAL and Section 1-AA runner-up to state champion Greg Bulsak from South Park.