NEW CASTLE — It would have been easy to expect a loss from the Ellwood City Lincoln High wrestling team.

After all, the Wolverines were coming off a tough defeat in the WPIAL playoffs to Mount Pleasant last week.

That heartbreak didn’t stop the young squad from getting right back on track in a victory against visiting Blackhawk, 50-18.

 “It was tough, but we got there,” said Wolverines coach Craig Alberts on his team’s playoff match. “It was a bit of a new experience for all of us. Against Blackhawk, we bounced back and won our fair share of matches. We were pretty consistent. We had a nice crowd for the evening, and it was nice to win at home.”

On senior night, Wolverines senior Trent Viccari started the contest with a 9-4 decision over Adam Clarkson in the 160-pound weight class. Josh Higby, another senior, won by forfeit in the 182-pound weight class.

  “Trent is a real hard worker and we’re glad he came out this year,” Alberts said.” We’ll definitely miss him next year. With Josh, he has always been there and consistent all year.”

 Ellwood (7-9 overall) has a chance to end the season with its first .500 record since the program was reintroduced two years ago.

 “We kind of just go one match at a time. Our whole staff is really proud of these boys,” Alberts said. “We’re happy about their performances for most of the year.”

Jordan Lemanski picked up a pin of Kris Zoretich in 40 seconds in the 120-pound weight class. Nicholas Carusone won a major decision over Ryan Detka in the 152-pound class, 12-3. In the 195-pound weight class, Brad Grinnen pinned Vance Shuler in 1:35. Josh Williams won in double overtime over Peter Ellefson in the 132-pound weight class, an 8-7 decision.





ELLWOOD CITY 50, BLACKHAWK 18

106 — Cameron McCowin (E) won by forfeit.

113 — Nicholas Ellefson (B) pinned Carter MacMurdo, 2:27.

120 — Jordan Lemanski (E) pinned Kris Zoretich, 0:40.

126 — Jake Braddock (B) pinned Bryan McCarthy, 3:17.

132 — Josh Williams (E) won in double overtime over Peter Ellefson, 8-7.

138 — David McCarthy (E) won by forfeit.

145 — Jarod Ahlgren (B) decision over Donnie Kerr, 4-3.

152 — Nicholas Carusone (E) major decision over Ryan Detka, 12-3.

160 — Trent Viccari (E) decision over Adam Clarkson, 9-4.

170 — J.T. Baldelli (E) major decision over David Early, 11-2.

182 — Josh Higby (E) won by forfeit.

195 — Brad Grinnen (E) pinned Vance Shuler, 1:35.

220 — Lamar Taft (B) decision over Mike Sinclair, 7-2.

285 — Josh Stewart (E) won by forfeit.



Laurel wrestlers fall to Summit Academy

Injuries continued to ravage the Laurel wrestling team more than its opponents.

The Spartans tallied four forfeits in a nonsection loss to visiting Summit Academy, 46-21.

“I’m more injury plagued than I have ever been,” Spartans coach Kevin Carmichael said. “Injuries are forfeiting us at the 132, 138, 160, 170, 182 and 285-pound weight classes. I’m trying to bump kids around and fit kids in. Mark Pizor wrestled at 170 pounds and he is a 152-pounder. I’m just trying to put a team together. When you’re forfeiting six weight classes because of injury, it’s tough.”

Laurel (1-6) has been with a full complement of wrestlers only once this season, winning its only Class AA Section 1-B match this season against a tough South Side Beaver team.

The Spartans continued to show well on the mat, winning three of the five weight classes in which forfeits were not involved. Harley Peterson registered a pin of Dylan Robuck in 3:54 in the 152-pound weight class. Shane King won via pinfall in the 160-pound weight class in 1:28 over Tyler Welsh. Rick Nail picked up a 4-1 decision over William McCallaugh in the 220-pound class.

“They know the individual run is coming up, so they’re still wanting to win. We embed that in them. There’s always a reason to win,” Carmichael said. “I’m proud of them. It would be very easy to sit back and give up when you’re watching your team fall left and right. Harley Peterson and Shane King are wrestling very well right now. I think they’ll do well in the individuals. Rick Nail has been wrestling at 285, but he finally made weight tonight.”

The Spartans have one more team competition, Thursday against Central Valley, before going to the individual section qualifiers for the WPIAL playoffs.

“I think the veterans have a chance to make it into the sections and make it to WPIAL,” Carmichael said. “I’d say everybody in the lineup has a chance of making it out of section. Wrestling in your weight class is a big thing. That plays out big.”



SUMMIT ACADEMY 46, LAUREL 21

106 — Ryan Glasser (L) won by forfeit.

113 — Double forfeit.

120 — Double forfeit.

126 — John Serrerra (S) decision over Justin Mayberry, 10-2.

132 — Travis McCullough (S) won by forfeit.

138 — Shawn Lowell (S) won by forfeit.

145 — Jose Madena (S) pinned Robert Campbell, 1:45.  

152 — Harley Peterson (L) pinned Dylan Robuck, 3:54.

160 — Shane King (L) pinned Tyler Welsh, 1:28.

170 — Mike Knowles (S) pinned Mark Pizor, 5:00.   

182 — Double forfeit.

195 — Luke Bostic (S) won by forfeit.

220 — Rick Nail (L) decision over William McCallaugh, 4-1.

285 — Ronnie Poindexter (S) won by forfeit.