WPIAL team wrestling brackets released

The WPIAL released its wrestling team brackets last week, with Burrell garnering the best seed among Westmoreland County squads. The Buccaneers received the No. 3 seed in Class 2A, pitting host Burrell against Knoch on Wednesday. If the Buccaneers advance, they will battle either Central Valley or Laurel immediately after. Also in Class 2A, Mount Pleasant Area was seeded eighth, as the Vikings will battle No. 9 Montour Wednesday at Burgettstown High School. In preliminary round matches at Carlynton High School on Monday, Valley will battle Jefferson-Morgan, with the winner advancing to battle No. 2 Quaker Valley on Wednesday, while Southmoreland will square off against Carlynton, with the victorious team advancing to meet top-seeded Burgettstown on Wednesday. In Class 3A, six Westmoreland County squads made the field, topped by Greater Latrobe, which was seeded seventh. The Wildcats will battle No. 10 Norwin on Wednesday at Canon-McMillan High School. Also on Wednesday, Hempfield Area, which is seeded No. 11, will grapple with sixth-seeded Trinity at Butler Area High School, while No. 13 Franklin Regional will match up against host Connellsville Area, the fourth seed. In preliminary round action on Monday, Kiski Area will host Penn-Trafford, with the winner advancing to meet second-seeded Canon-McMillan on Wednesday.

Mount Pleasant girls, FR boys wins WCCA swimming competition

The Mount Pleasant Area girls and the Franklin Regional boys reigned supreme in the Westmoreland County Coaches Association swimming and diving championships on Saturday. In the competition held at Derry Area High School, the Vikings girls produced a team score of 362 points, eclipsing second-place Greater Latrobe, which totaled 304. Lily King led the way for the Vikings, as she took first place in the 100 and 200 freestyles, as well as 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay. On the boys side, the Panthers secured gold with a score of 298, edging Kiski Area, which scored 285. In propelling FR to the win, Aiden Bunker won the 200 IM, and Holden Thomas took first in the 100 backstroke. Additionally, Greater Latrobe’s Hannah Polosky and Derry Area’s Jake Hauser captured the diving championships on Friday.

GCC boys remain atop standings

With approximately two weeks remaining in WPIAL basketball section play, the Greensburg Central Catholic boys are in first place in their section. The Centurions are 8-1 in Class 2A Section 3, holding a two-game lead over Serra Catholic. Last week, the Centurions prevailed 83-73 at Serra Catholic, and followed with a 58-52 home triumph against Leechburg. Against the Eagles, Tyree Turner led the way with 24 points, while Franco Alvarez scored 23. Three days later against the Blue Devils, Turner notched a team-high 18 points, Samir Crosby netted 14 points, and Jaydin Canady contributed 13 points. GCC has won eight consecutive section games after dropping a contest at Riverview on Dec. 16. Additionally, Monessen is tied for first in Class 1A Section 2, as the Greyhounds boast a 5-1 mark, which equals Geibel Catholic.

PT’s Solomon tabbed as PIHL Player of Month

Penn-Trafford senior Xavier Solomon was recently announced as the PIHL Class AA Player of the Month for December. Solomon netted five goals and two assists in a pair of games during the month, including a hat trick against South Fayette. His play was crucial in the Warriors defeating the Lions 6-3, which remains the only regulation loss for South Fayette, as well as a 5-3 triumph against Franklin Regional. Solomon paces PT with 16 goals and 24 points this season.

Hempfield’s Meyer receives coaching honor

Suzannah Meyer, Hempfield Area’s competitive spirit coach, was one of six WPIAL coaches recognized last week with regional honors. Meyer garnered the NFHS Section 2 Coach of the Year Award for her sport. Section 2 spans several other states and districts, including Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, Washington DC, and West Virginia. Meyer guided the Spartans to WPIAL and PIAA gold, and the team finished third and fourth in national competitions in Orlando, Florida.

SHU baseball tops polls; softball ranks second

The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) unveiled its baseball and softball preseason polls last week, and Seton Hill University is highly regarded in both sports. Griffins baseball topped the West Division for the third year in a row, while softball was projected to finish in second in the West. The baseball team received four of eight first-place votes, while Mercyhurst University was ranked second, and Gannon University, which received three first-place votes, was projected third. Millersville topped the polls in the East Division. Seton Hill, which went 33-19-1 last year, including 15-13 in conference, opens its season against the University of Findley on Feb. 18. Meanwhile, the softball team received three first-place votes, but ranked behind Mercyhurst atop the West Division. The Lakers garnered four votes for first, while third-place California University of Pennsylvania received a pair of votes. Conversely, Shippensburg topped the list in the East Division. Last year, the Griffins went 42-12, including 12-4 in the PSAC, and reached the NCAA DII National Championships. SHU begins its 2023 ledger on the road against UNC Pembroke on Feb. 11.