Slinger secures runner-up honors
Five area wrestlers embark on their quest for PIAA glory this week as the state championships will be held March 8-10 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Josh Mollica summed up precisely the intention of the grappler.
“A state championship is what we want but I think getting on the podium would be success,” said the Upper St. Clair wrestling coach.
Jake Slinger represents the Panthers’ best shot. The junior finished runner-up during the WPIAL championships held March 2-3 at Canon-McMillan. He dropped a 6-3 decision to Ian Edenfield of Laurel Highlands in the 220-pound final.
“Jake had a great WPIAL,” Mollica said. “He wrestled well and put himself in a good spot for states. Obviously not the end goal we wanted,” Mollica added of the second-place showing, “but the bigger prize is in Hershey.”
Slinger will be making his second appearance in the state tournament. By virtue of this fourth-place finish in the WPIAL, he qualified for the PIAA finals as a sophomore. He went 2-2 last year and fell one match short of placing.
“Expectations for him this year at states are high,” Mollica said. “Some kids get caught up in the atmosphere and how big a stage it is there, but he was there last year so he knows what to expect.”
Luke Stout, likewise, knows the ropes. He will make his second straight appearance in the tournament.
The Mt. Lebanon sophomore finished fourth in the WPIAL after forfeiting his consolation match to Kiski’s Nick Delp for medical reasons.
Stout will be ready to wrestle in the PIAA tournament. The 160-pound grappler is “eager” to get back on the mat at the Giant Center, says his coach Marc Allemang.
“Luke is going to give it his all,” he said. “There is never any question about that. “He is one of the best in the state.”
Stout wrestles in one of the toughest weight classes and the WPIAL tournament has prepared him.
“We are really pleased to see him qualify because the WPIAL is very tough,” Allemang said. “There are so many good wrestlers in this area. For him to qualify as a freshman and as a sophomore is very exciting.”
Allemang is thrilled Stout’s labors are paying off.
“Luke works very hard,” he said. “I get to watch him wrestle and see how he trains every day. So if he can put three solid days together and be on his offense, I think he can do really well.”
Jason Montgomery of Bethel Park is another wrestler expected to do well. The senior is making another trip to the state finals. He finished third in the WPIAL after scoring a major decision against Jesse Quatse of Greensburg Salem, 10-2, in the consolation match.
“Jason’s goal was to be a WPIAL champion,” said BP mat boss Bob Stewart. “Obviously he fell a little short of that goal, but I was really proud of how he came back and won two dominating matches against two very tough kids.”
Montgomery is also making his second trip to Hershey. He finished seventh last year.
“I think that experience will definitely be a huge factor,” Stewart said. “Last year his goal was to just get on the podium and he did that. This year it’s to be on top of that podium.”
Chartiers Valley is sending two wrestlers to the PIAA tournament.
Shamil Zaynullaev placed third in the WPIAL. In the 195-pound consolation bout, he defeated Indiana’s Alex Donahue, 7-5.
“Shamil wrestled well, but honestly not to his capability,” said CV coach Bill Evans. “A WPIAL Championship was definitely within his grasp, but he didn’t manage his semifinal match very well. Hopefully this will motivate him to step it up at Hershey this week.”
Zach Marcy finished fourth. He dropped his 132-pound consolation match to Garrett Reinsfelder of Shaler, 7-1.
“Zachary made great adjustments,” Evans said. “And he really had to believe in himself — just have a short memory from the previous matchup, and get out there and wrestle.”
While expectations for Zaynullaev and Macy at states is difficult to predict, Evans anticipates excitement ahead.
“Everyone there is so good,” Evans said. “There are literally no easy matches.”