Mt. Lebanon grappler third at states
Mac Stout of Mt. Lebanon lost his bid for a state wrestling championship when he dropped a 9-6 decision to Nazareth’s Sonny Sasso in the semifinals of the PIAA Championships held at the Giant Center in Hershey.
“Throughout the year, Mac’s goal was to win a state title and he did everything he could to reach that goal,” said Lebo coach Marc Allemang.
Stout had shredded the competition since recovering from an elbow injury that required surgery in 2021. He had rolled to a 38-0 record and a third district and regional title before meeting his match in Sasso. The Northeast Regional champion sported a 46-0 record.
“Wrestling in the state of Pennsylvania is very tough,” said Allemang. “Just qualifying out of the WPIAL, which is the strongest region in the state, is a great accomplishment.”
To regroup after the loss to Sasso was an achievement as well. Stout rebounded and defeated Exeter’s Johnny Miller, 3-0, in the consolation bout to grab the bronze medal.
“While Mac did not reach his goal, he showed why he is so special when he battled back for a third-place finish, the next best medal that he could achieve at that point. Those closest to Mac know he was hurting in that moment,” Allemang said.
Stout put the hurt on Leadville’s Griffin Buzzell and Garnett Valley’s Sam DiTrolio in the opening matches in the 189-pound weight class. He won a major decision, 12-4, against Buzzell and a first-period technical fall, 18-2, against DiTrolio.
Stout finished his senior season with a 40-1 record. He had won three section, WPIAL and Southwestern Regional titles and numerous Outstanding Wrestler honors along the way.
”Mac is a special person and quality wrestler,” Allemang said. “We are extremely proud of him and his contributions to our program.
”Mac showed a lot of character and set an example by how bounced back from setbacks. The ability to handle adversity is a lesson that will serve him well long after wrestling is over.”Stout will continue his career at the University of Pittsburgh.
Trio competeThree other South Hills wrestlers gained experience at the PIAA Championships. Their participation will bode well into the future as all are underclassmen.
Darius McMillon had a strong showing at 113. A Peters Township freshman, he won his first-round match but succumbed to eventual champion, Zachary Jacaruso from Delaware Valley, 5-2, in the quarterfinals. He lost his third-round consolation match to finish 1-2 in the tournament and 30-5 on the year.
Brady Joling won his preliminary bout at 113 but lost his next two matches to end his state tournament trip at 1-2. A Chartiers Valley junior, he finished 33-15 on the season.
At 120, Mason Kernan went 0-2 in the 120-pound weight class. A Bethel Park sophomore, he was 38-5 overall this year.
The 48th Annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic will be held March 25 at the AHN Arena, located on the Peters Township High School campus in McMurray.
Action begins at 6 p.m. with the WPIAL all-stars battling a team of all-stars from Indiana.
At 8 p.m. Pennsylvania will take on the best wrestlers from around the country.
Mac Stout of Mt. Lebanon was named to the Pennsylvania squad. The Pitt recruit will face Rylan Rogers from Coeur d’Alene (Idaho) in the 195-pound bout. Rogers is a Michigan recruit.
Visit: www.nwcaonline.com/news-events/events/pittsburgh-classic-2022 for ticket information.