Chartiers Valley duo capture section wrestling titles
Brady Joling wraps up a victory for Chartiers Valley during a dual meet earlier this season. Joling was one of five Colts to place at sectionals and advance to the regional championships.
CC Beatty works on putting his opponent in a cradle. Beatty secured runner-up honors in the section and was one of five Chartiers Valley grapplers to advance to the regionals.
Josh Sarasnick and Dylan Evans led a parade of Chartiers Valley wrestlers to the podium during the Section 4-AAA championships held Feb. 25 at the AHN Arena in Peters Township.
Evans and Sarasnick won section titles. They were among five CV wrestlers to qualify for the WPIAL/Southwest Regional tournament held March 4-5 at Canon-McMillan.
Sarasnick decisioned Eli Makel of Waynesburg, 7-3, to capture the 215-pound title.
“Josh had an outstanding tournament,” said CV coach Bill Evans. “What really impressed us was his level of composure.”
Sarasnick defeated Peters Township’s Phillip Nave by decision and Upper St. Clair’s Andrew Pirnat by fall to reach the finals.
”Nave is solid. So that is a great win for Josh in itself but his final victory was much more impressive,” Evans said.
During dual meet competition earlier in the year, Sarasnick lost to Makel, 12-0.
“That was a wakeup call,” Evans said of the defeat. “The match was a turning point for Josh. A few other tough matches in late December and January really tested his resolve, too.
“Josh came into February with a great mentality. He is having fun, but he is still focused. He is is relaxed and composed, but can turn it on and be explosive and gritty when he needs to be. He and Coach Reaghard developed a plan of attack for the final match, and Josh trusted the plan and executed very well.”
Evans won the 152-pound weight class. He pinned Owen Loughran of Central Catholic in 55 seconds and won by technical fall against Waynesburg’s Daniel Huffman to reach the finals. He won by injury default over USC’s Ben Cedar in the championship match.
“Dylan did a nice job to get through his tournament quickly and efficiently,” Evans said.
Noting that Cedar has struggled all season with an inflamed leg injury that has required several emergency surgeries, Evans empathized.
“The USC coaching staff and the family made the best decision possible for their athlete to put him in the best position to be successful at the regional,” he said. “We wish Ben the best. Hopefully, he has a speedy recovery.”
CC Beatty was the 160-pound runner-up. He lost in overtime, 3-1, to Trinity Bodie Morgan in the finals after having scored pins in his opening tournament bouts.
“CC had a solid tournament with two falls and a tough overtime loss to a really good opponent in the finals,” Evans said. “There are a few things we would like to do differently in his match to change the result, but in the long run I think it might be good for him.
“CC always comes back stronger after a tough loss. So, I think that this minor setback might be the spark that helps him get into the right mindset for the regionals.”
Brady Joling took third at 113. He rebounded after losing, 5-2, to Brandon Dami from Canon-McMillan.
Evans took responsibility for the one mistake that proved the difference in that match. With the match tied, 0-0, Brady made a move recommended by Evans and ended up giving up four points.
“I need to just let Brady be Brady,” Evans said. “He is extremely mentally tough. The WPIAL tournament is as mentally tough as it is physically. Brady has ice water in his veins so I am looking forward to seeing him continue to compete.”
Anthony Trout finished fifth at 145 to complete CV’s successful showing.
“Anthony showed a lot of grit and toughness. He did a really great job of battling back,” Evans said. “He has had some struggles with the injury bug this season. So to see him tough through and place is a great example for our team.”
The top finishers at the regional advance to the PIAA tournament to be held March 10-12 at the Giant Center in Hershey.