Latrobe's Willochell captures fourth WCCA wrestling title

Franklin Regional wins team championship; Four Derry Area wrestlers claim gold

Sat Jan 11, 2025 - 9:13PM

Westmoreland Sports Network Westmoreland Sports Network
Greater Latrobe's Luke Willochell pinned Franklin Regional's Chase Smith to claim his fourth WCCA wrestling championship. (Photo by www.westernpasports.com)Greater Latrobe's Luke Willochell pinned Franklin Regional's Chase Smith to claim his fourth WCCA wrestling championship. (Photo by www.westernpasports.com)

Last Updated: Wed Jan 15, 2025 - 1:48AM

Greater Latrobe senior grappler Luke Willochell cemented his spot in history over the weekend, as he notched his fourth title at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association (WCCA) Wrestling Tournament at Greensburg Salem High School.

Willochell took first place in the 133-pound bracket, becoming the 14th wrestler to notch four WCCA titles. In the final, Willochell pinned Franklin Regional’s Chase Smith in the third period.

Despite that outcome, the Panthers won the team competition, as FR compiled 247.5 points, well ahead of runner-up Kiski Area, which amassed 210.5 points. Burrell placed in third with 181.5 points followed by Derry Area (179.5) and Norwin (162) to round out the top five.

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A pair of Panthers won individual titles, as Beau Fennick prevailed at 107 pounds, while Max Firestine took first at 145.

Moreover, Derry Area produced a quartet of champions – Anthony Mucci (127), Mason Horwat (152), Ewan Olson (160), and Brady Brown (189). Greater Latrobe’s Leo Joseph won the 121-pound bracket, joining Willochell atop the medal stand, while Kiski Area also produced a duo of champs with Mario Hutcherson at 172 and Ryder Ekas at 285.

Other champions included Penn-Trafford’s Dylan Barrett at 114 pounds, Julian Bertucci of Burrell at 139, and Belle Vernon Area’s Elijah Brown at 215. Mucci, Horwat, and Joseph notched their second WCCA crowns.

71st WCCA Wrestling Finals

107: Beau Fennick (Franklin Regional) TF Rocco Decario (Derry Area), 17-0 3:34

114: Dylan Barrett (Penn Trafford) MD Coleton Klipa (Norwin), 16-3

121: Leo Joseph (Latrobe) F Luke Desantis (Penn Trafford), 1:47

127: Anthony Mucci (Derry Area) DEC Cam Baker (Burrell), 6-3

133: Luke Willochell (Latrobe) F Chase Smith (Franklin Regional), 4:59

139: Julian Bertucci (Burrell) DEC Deydon Soto (Bell Vernon), 1-0

145: Max Firestine (Franklin Regional) DEC Gage Mamie (Norwin), 4-0

152: Mason Horwat (Derry Area) MD Kole Doppelheuer (Bell Vernon), 13-2

160: Ewan Olson (Derry Area) DEC Jack White (Norwin), 6-1

172: Mario Hutcherson (Kiski Area) MD Isaac Lacinski (Burrell), 13-4

189: Brady Brown (Derry Area) DEC Mark Gray (Kiski Area), 9-4

215: Elijah Brown (Bell Vernon) DEC Cooper Roscosky (Kiski Area), 4-0

285: Ryder Ekas (Kiski Area) F Marco Scarton (Latrobe), 2:24