Waynesburg Central crowns 5 champs at TriCADA Tournament
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Waynesburg Central’s Trey Howard lifts Ringgold’s Jacob Duncan for a mat return during their championship bout in the 145-pound weight class on Saturday in the TriCADA Tournament at Trinity High School.
Waynesburg Central's Nate Stephenson finishes a takedown attempt on Beth-Center's Todd Fisher during their finals bout in the 138-pound weight class on Saturday in the TriCADA Tournament at Trinity High School. Stephenson won one of the Raiders' five titles with a 10-5 decision.
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Jefferson-Morgan’s Alex Lange applies a headlock on Ringgold’s Trent Gerard during their quarterfinal bout in the 152-pound weight class on Friday in the TriCADA Tournament at Trinity High School. Lange pinned Gerard in 3:54 to advance to the semifinals.
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Waynesburg Central’s Hunter Shriver throws legs in on Trinity’s Hunter Hickle during their quarterfinal bout in the 113-pound weight class on Friday in the TriCADA Tournament at Trinity High School.
WASHINGTON — Waynesburg Central was 5-for-5 in the championship finals on Saturday in the Tri-County Athletic Director’s Association (TriCADA) Tournament at Trinity High School.
The Raiders’ Cole Homet (120), Nate Stephenson (138), Trey Howard (145), Luca Augustine (152) and Colby Morris (160) won titles.
Waynesburg Central finished second in the team standings to Canon-McMillan with 206 points. The Big Macs had 274½ points to win their sixth team title, the most since the tournament began in 2006.
The host team was third with 157 points. The Raiders were seeking their third straight TriCADA team title and fifth overall.
Morris won his 100th career match with a 5-2 decision over Peters Township’s Coltin Jezioro.
“I really wasn’t thinking about 100 wins or counting it down,” Morris said. “I was just waiting for it, I guess. I just came in and wanted to wrestle. Trey Howard just got 100 wins at Beast of the East.
“Sadly, this is my first time winning this tournament. I want to do something with my career. I knew I had to watch for his ankle picks, and I think hand fighting helped me with my shots. I am really proud of our team.”
Homet, a freshman who took sixth at the Powerade Tournament, earned an 8-5 decision over Canon-McMillan’s Jacob Gardner in the finals at 120 pounds.
“It was a pretty physical and intense match out there but that’s wrestling,” Homet said. “We have a pretty good rivalry with Canon-McMillan. He was pretty tough to score on, but I was working on finishing my shots after Powerade. I was looking forward to the match. I could have wrestled better, but I always feel I could wrestle better. I hope to be able to come back next year and defend my title.”
Stephenson won a 10-5 decision over Beth-Center’s Todd Fisher for the gold.
“It feels really good to come out and win this title,” Stephenson said. “I had a torn shoulder last year and didn’t wrestle here. It feels good to win this as a sophomore and gives me confidence moving forward this season. We have a match against Connellsville on Tuesday and another tournament next Friday and Saturday.”
Howard, who placed fifth earlier this season at Beast of the East, decisioned Ringgold’s Jacob Duncan, 8-4, for the gold.
“I thought it was a decent match, but my conditioning needs to get a little bit better,” Howard said. “I was third as a freshman at this tournament, won it as a sophomore and I didn’t finish last year because I got hurt. It was nice to get my second title at this tournament.”
Augustine, a sophomore who didn’t get into the starting lineup until late in the season last year, made the most of his first trip to the TriCADA Tournament with a 5-3 decision over Peters Township’s Donovan McMillon.
“It doesn’t matter if I win or lose because I know I am going to get better,” Augustine said. “I will see him (McMillon) again at WPIALs and it will be a dogfight.”
Beth-Center’s Jacob Baker won the championship at 220 pounds with a pin over Canon-McMillan’s Alec Hendal in 24 seconds.
“I got a snap down pretty much off the whistle and was able to get him on his back and get the pin,” Baker said. “Alec (Hendal) is a good kid. I was second last year so it is great to win this.
“I think practicing with Dominic Fundy has helped me out a lot. He is a good practice partner. My goal this year is to place at states. I know it is a high goal, but you’ve got to go for something.”
Bentworth’s Jon Vargo was the runner-up at 195 and the Rams’ Tairen Bundy finished second at 106.
The Raiders’ Hunter Shriver (fourth at 113), Colton Stoneking (sixth at 126), Darnell Johnson (fourth at 170), Noah Tustin (fifth at 182), Ryan Howard (fourth at 220) and Spencer Lesinski (sixth at 285) placed in the top six.
Albert Gallatin’s Bryson Kite (sixth at 106), Hunter Milligan (third at 160), Malik Kirby (sixth at 182) and Shawn Loring (sixth at 220) all medaled.
The Bulldogs’ Joey Holmes (third at 106), Kyle McCollum (fifth at 113), Jimmy Gwyer (third at 120) and Trevor Pettit (third at 132) finished in the top six.
Jefferson-Morgan’s Alex Lange (sixth at 152) and Jonathan Wolfe (fifth at 195) earned top-six medals.
West Greene’s Kolin Walker finished in third place at 182. The Bearcats’ Owen Petrisek was fifth at 160. Ringgold’s Anthony Romasco placed fifth at 126.