Chartiers Valley beats Hampton, but falls to Hempfield at WPIAL team tournament
A coin toss doesn’t win a wrestling match, but it can play a critical role in victory.
Just ask Chartiers Valley.
The Colts made the right call and went on to defeat Hampton 48-27 to advance to the Round of 16 in the WPIAL Class AAA team tournament.
“Had they won the toss,” CV head coach Bill Evans said of Hampton, “the end result could have been much different.”
Instead, the Colts were able to force the key match-ups that they needed to come away with the victory.
“The team wrestled very well against a very tough squad,” Evans said. “I couldn’t be more proud of our team.”
The Colts picked up five falls when Brady Joling (106), Dylan Evans (132), Cody Trout (138), Christopher Beatty (145) and Hoji Sultanov (152) pinned their opponents.
While Ashton Sadowski (113) and Gavin Novak (120) won by forfeits, Murat Zaynullaev and Donovan O’Malley won key decisions at 182 and 195.
“Everyone knew that they would have to fulfill a particular role,” Evans said. “Some had matches in which we knew we were favored and we needed to get bonus points. Others had tougher opponents in which we needed them to go out there and compete hard. In both instances, our wrestlers went out there and did their jobs.”
In their next round, Hempfield proved too tough for the Colts. The Spartans defeated CV 56-15.
“Those guys aren’t ranked seventh in the PIAA for nothing,” Evans said of Hempfield.
While Dylan Evans won by decision, 11-4, against Hepmfield’s Lucas Kapusta, CV’s Trout and Zynullaev pinned their respective opponents: Van Payton in 3:40 and Coby Stepanick in 3:27.
“Again, I couldn’t be more proud of this team,” Evans said. “They define heart, grit and fortitude.
“These young men don’t back down from anyone. They faced a better opponent, but they didn’t waiver. They are truly great representatives of the hard-working families of our school district.”
CV had a third-place showing in the Allegheny County championships, and despite reaching the round of 16 in the WPIAL team tournament, Evans said he learned a lot about the heart of his wrestlers.
“I didn’t think that was possible in defeat, but this team is special,” he said. “They went out and competed. They scratched and clawed, even in the face of adversity in many matches.
“Winning is sometimes easy … but to lose with this much heart, fight and mettle shows me that we have a special group here. I learned a lot about this team, and what it is to be truly proud of my athletes.”