Mt. Lebanon wrestler wins third county title
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Ejiro Montoya is one of Mt. Lebanon’s top returning wrestlers. The junior started the season on a positive note earning runner-up honors at the Eastern Area Tournament.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mt. Lebanon’s Mac Stout was named the Outstanding Wrestler during the Allegheny County Championships and was presented with his award by tournament director Ron Frank.
Mt. Lebanon’s Mac Stout wastes little time wrestling up victories.
“There is definitely a sense of urgency when Mac wrestles,” said Lebo coach Marc Allemang.
Allemang said Stout is on an opponent’s legs in the first five seconds of a match. If the takedown ends up transitioning into his foe being on his back then Stout is going to get the fall.
The strategy worked during the Allegheny County Championships held Jan. 14-15 at Fox Chapel.
Stout pinned his first three opponents in 164 seconds. He buried Shawn Solomon from Brasher in 67 seconds, Tyler Bender of Highlands in 43 and Henry Orlandini from Montour in 54 to set up a showdown with Patrick Cutchember from Quaker Valley in the 189-pound final.
The encounter was the third meeting between the pair in 28 days. Stout beat Cutchember during the Moon Duals held Dec. 18 and in the quarterfinals of the Powerade Tournament held at the end of December. Stout went on to win his first Powerade Title.
In the showcase bout at the Allegheny County Championships, Stout dispatched Cutchember, 11-3.
“Mac could have scored more but it is hard to wrestle someone several times in a row,” said Allemang.
“Mac has done a really nice job of just wrestling his match and regardless of what his opponent’s game plan may be to try to throw him off his match he always seem to remain focused on scoring points and wrestling hard no matter what.”
Since an elbow injury cut short his junior season, Stout is making up for lost time. This winter, he collected his 100th career victory, the Powerade championship and now his third county title.
“As the season progresses I have been really trying to focus just on making the most of every opportunity to compete and have fun while doing it,” Stout said.
“I’m pleased to be a three-time champion but this is just another stepping stone for me.”
Stout is focused on winning another WPIAL title and he longs for a PIAA championship. He was a state runner-up as a sophomore.
“Mac is wrestling well,” Allemang said. “I think what you are seeing is a kid who is focused on wrestling every match as hard as he can. He’s been dominant, having fun and taking advantage of all his opportunities.”
Stout was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. It was a distinction that his older brothers Kellan and Luke secured before they captured state titles their senior years.
Stout said he was pleased to win the award but added that he was most pleased to perform well alongside his teammates, especially Ejiro Montoya and Nick Busalacchi. Both were place winners.
“It was fun,” Stout said. “Our 106 and 152-pound wrestlers had great tournaments too. So to succeed alongside my teammates made it that much better.”
Montoya reached the semifinals at 106 but narrowly lost to Rylen Campbell of Plum, 3-2, to drop into the consolation match. Montoya fell to Giavonie Schipani of North Hills in 49 seconds and finished fourth.
A sophomore, Montoya missed last season and is still navigating his first varsity campaign, Allemang said.
“I have been very pleased with his work ethic and confidence,” he added. “He wrestles with a lot of energy and passion for the sport. He wants to win.”
Allemang predicts a bright future for Montoya.
“He talks about being good, but he also backs that talk up with how he wrestles every day in the room,” he said. “I know we will continue to see him improve over the remainder of this season and over the next few years.”
Nick Busalacchi earned a spot on the podium. He finished eighth in the 152-pound weight class.
The Blue Devils finished 14th in the team standings with a 90.5 score. North Allegheny won the team title with 222.5 points and two champions.
The Blue Devils were without the services of Louie Pietragallo at the county championships. The senior tore his ACL during the Moon Duals and was lost for the season.
Pietragallo, who was a key member on Lebo’s WPIAL and state championship football squad, posted a 17-9 record as a junior. He finished first in the sub-sectional and took third during the Section 4 championships last year.
“Not having Louie in the line up is tough,” Allemang said. “He had big goals for himself this year.
“There is no substitute for the experience and work ethic he brings to the room. We are filling some weights that were left often by injuries and people not rejoining the team this year but these openings lead to opportunities for new guys to step up.”