County champs crowned in 71st WCCA Wrestling Tournament

Three wrestlers captured their third WCCA Wrestling championship Saturday

Sun Jan 07, 2024 - 8:58PM

Dan Flickinger Dan Flickinger
Greater Latrobe's Luke Willochell pins Penn-Trafford's Luke DeSantis to earn his third WCCA title and 100th career victory. (Photo by www.westernpasports.com)Greater Latrobe's Luke Willochell pins Penn-Trafford's Luke DeSantis to earn his third WCCA title and 100th career victory. (Photo by www.westernpasports.com)

Last Updated: Sun Jan 07, 2024 - 9:15PM

The 71st edition of the Westmoreland County Coaches Association Wrestling Tournament didn't disappoint as 14 wrestlers were crowned champions on Saturday at Greensburg Salem.

Three wrestlers claimed their third title in Greater Latrobe's Luke Willochell, Eli Carr of Hempfield Area and Franklin Regional's Juliano Marion.

Willochell pinned Penn-Trafford's Luke DeSantis in the 121 pound final and in doing so also earned his 100th career victory. With a victory next year, Willochell would become only the second Wildcats wrestler to win four county championships.

WATCH WCCA FINALS BROADCAST

Carr, a senior, edged Mount Pleasant's Jamison Poklembo by a 1-0 decision to take the title at 152. His previous wins came at 132 and 139. Marion, also a senior, scored a 9-0 major decision over Kiski Area's Abrahm Taylor in the 215 pound bout.

Derry Area freshman Mason Horwat took a first step to becoming a four-time champion by defeating Belle Vernon's Kole Doppelheur by an 8-5 decision at 145 pounds.

Mount Pleasant sophomore Dylan Pitzer had a dominant tournament, registering four pins in 1:41 in the 285 pound weight class. He secured a fall against Southmoreland's Jacob Govern in only 27 seconds in the finals.

Greater Latrobe won its third straight team title finishing with 189 points. Franklin Regional was not too far behind finishing with 180.5 points. The Panthers were followed by Burrell (156.5), Mount Pleasant (154) and Kiski Area (140) to round out the top five.

Norwin chose not to participate in the tournament.

71st WCCA Wrestling Finals

107: Cam Baker (Burrell) DEC Nico Kapusta (Hempfield), 5-4

114: Anthony Mucci (Derry Area) DEC Leo Joseph (Greater Latrobe), 8-4

121: Luke Willochell (Greater Latrobe) F Luke Desantis (Penn Trafford), 1:33

127: Tyler Kapusta (Franklin Regional) F Chase Smith (Franklin Regional), 3:49

133: Jacob Braun (Greater Latrobe) DEC Jake Stewart (Burrell), 7-0

139: Giovanni Weightman (Belle Vernon) MD Cohen Buccicone (Franklin Regional), 12-4

145: Mason Horwat (Derry Area) DEC Kole Doppelheuer (Belle Vernon), 8-5

152: Eli Carr (Hempfield) DEC Jamison Poklembo (Mount Pleasant), 1-0

160: Stephen Predajna (Mount Pleasant) DEC Bradan Bronson (Greater Latrobe), 5-0

172: Hunter Snyder (Greater Latrobe) DEC Chucky Perkins (Valley), 12-8

189: Cooper Roscosky (Kiski Area) DEC Tasso Whipple (Penn Trafford), 7-3

215: Juliano Marion (Franklin Regional) MD Abrahm Taylor (Kiski Area), 9-0

285: Dylan Pitzer (Mount Pleasant) F Jacob Govern (Southmoreland), 0:27