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Dec 18, 2025 By Jonathan Guth 5 min read

YORK RUN — Fayette County has seen its fair share of solid wrestling throughout the area over the years, but due to a decrease in participation and other challenges, the dual meets have dwindled and several teams have focused on individual attention.

Albert Gallatin and Laurel Highlands have faced adversity, as the Colonials have been on the wrong end of team matches and the Mustangs had several years without a high school team, but if Wednesday’s non-section bout at Albert Gallatin High School is any indication, there is light at the end of the tunnel for both programs.

Albert Gallatin showed that it has an edge on Laurel Highlands in a 68-6 victory, but veteran coach Duane Dupont, who was the head coach for the Mustangs in the 1990s, has witnessed the highs and lows over his 33 years of coaching.

“We are starting to get those guys coming through the feeder system now, so we have some kids with experience but we are still fairly young,” Dupont said. “We had two seniors out there tonight, and we have quite a few freshmen and sophomores, which is good for the future, but now we are starting to see some of the benefits from our elementary and middle school programs. It is starting to come back around where we are getting a lot more kids at the high school level.

“I commend Laurel Highlands. They have come a long way in the few years that they have got their program back. They have a lot of numbers, a lot of middle school kids and quite a few high school kids, and it’s good to see. I am happy for them.”

Laurel Highlands coach Jimmy Harris, who wrestled for the Mustangs, has already seen progress from last season, and although LH will still be competing as an independent during team competitions, Harris looks forward to getting back into the WPIAL next year.

“The numbers are looking up, but our most experienced wrestlers are in their second year, so we just have to keep working one minute at a time,” Harris said. “The youth league looks really nice. We are battling and learning just as much as the next guy. The important thing is that they show up daily and want to build upon the foundation that is laid in front of them. We also look for that in the junior high kids.”

The Colonials’ Greyson Morris, who won by fall in 55 seconds at 114 pounds, is off to a strong start as a freshman. He has an 11-4 record and placed fourth at the Chartiers-Houston Invitational on Dec. 6. Morris lost his first match of the tournament, but won six straight before dropping his bronze-medal bout.

Teammate Roman Smith, who earned a 15-0 technical fall in 1:01 at 189 against the Mustangs, placed sixth in the Chartiers-Houston Invitational and sits at 8-5 on the young season.

AG senior Nick Hillyard recorded a 19-4 technical fall in 1:45 at 172.

The Colonials’ Wyatt Wilson earned a fall in 1:39 at 160, which put a smile on Dupont’s face.

“I was happy for my 160-pounder,” Dupont said. “That was his first varsity match, and he came away with a victory. He did a couple of nice things there. Overall, I am pretty pleased with how we wrestled.”

The dual meet started at 285, and Colin Rockwell got the home team off on the right foot with a technical fall in 2:53 for a 5-0 lead.

Gavin Morris won by forfeit at 107 to push Albert Gallatin’s advantage to 11-0 before Morris’ fall at 114 extended the lead to 17-0.

AG’s Alex Kinsley (121) won by forfeit before Bryce Kelley (127) and Reese Williams (133) earned back-to-back pins in the first period.

Julius Poole won by technical fall, 19-4, in 1:31 at 139 and Clayton Bolinger followed with a fall in 3:09 at 145.

Jordan Toth (152) shouldered his opponent in 4:18 before Wilson, Hillyard and Smith took care of business.

The Mustangs’ Marion Jones is new to the sport, but Harris likes what he brings to the table as an athlete, and believes there is potential.

Jones won by fall in 30 seconds at 215.

“He was out a little bit last year and was unsure, so this is technically his first year, but he is very athletic,” Harris said.

The Colonials will head back to the wrestling room in preparation for the Southmoreland Holiday Classic on Dec. 29 and 30 before participating in the TriCADA tournament on Jan. 2 and 3 at West Greene Junior/Senior High School.

Albert Gallatin opens Section 8-3A action on Jan. 7 when it hosts Latrobe at 7 p.m.

“That’s a lot of wrestling, but that’s what we are here for,” Dupont said. “The wrestling in Southwestern Pennsylvania is incredible. If you are not going to put the work in, then you won’t have very much success in this sport.”

Laurel Highlands will wrestle Yough on Monday at 7 p.m. before taking part in the Southmoreland Holiday Classic and the TriCADA tournament.

“We are trying to get a full schedule this season for our kids,” Harris.