Kiski Area’s wrestling team came into the 2017-18 season with hopes of improving on its bronze-medal performance a year ago at the PIAA Class 3A team tournament.
The Cavaliers (21-1) reached that goal with a 42-26 victory against Seneca Valley in the semifinals Thursday at Giant Center in Hershey, Pa. Noah Levett (138), Jack Blumer (152), Nick Delp (160), Troy Kuhn (220) and Isaac Reid (285) registered pins for Kiski Area. Dylan Chappel (113) and Ty Gross (170) had falls for Seneca Valley.
Kiski Area, the WPIAL champion, will have a chance to take it one step further in the title match at 1 p.m. Saturday against District 11 champ Bethlehem Catholic. The Cavaliers will make their second PIAA title appearance, and first since 2003. Bethlehem Catholic, a 33-26 semifinal winner against District 10 champ Erie Cathedral Prep, is in the finals for the sixth time in the past seven years.
Kiski Area earned its semifinal berth with a 40-21 win against defending PIAA champion Nazareth, the District 11 runner-up, in the quarterfinals. The Cavaliers won seven of the final nine bouts. Blumer (152), Delp (170), Danny Starr (220) and Reid (285) had pins for Kiski.
Seneca Valley, a WPIAL third-place finisher making its first PIAA appearance, advanced to the semifinals with a 36-26 win against District 1 runner-up Spring-Ford. Drew Vlasnik (138), Nick Montalbano (145), and John Siwiak (195) had pins for the Raiders.
Other matches
■ WPIAL runner-up Canon-McMillan (13-2) dropped to the consolation bracket after a 40-18 quarterfinal loss to Erie Cathedral Prep. The Big Macs held an 18-10 lead at the midway point, but Erie Prep won the remaining seven bouts.
After the loss, Canon-McMillan rebounded with a 62-9 domination of District 3 champion Cedar Cliff in the second round of consolations. The Big Macs won the first nine bouts and recorded six pins.
■ In Class 2A, WPIAL champion Burrell recorded two wins in the consolation bracket to stay alive. The Buccaneers registered 10 bout victories in a 54-15 romp of District 1 champion Faith Christian, 54-15.
Burrell then avenged a regular-season loss to District 9 champion Brookville. The Buccaneers rallied from a 27-20 deficit with victories in the final three bouts to pull out a 29-27 victory. Austin Mele’s win at 170 capped the comeback. Trent Valovchik (106) recorded a pin in both matches for Burrell.
■ WPIAL runner-up Derry (21-4) saw its dual meet season come to an end with a 36-30 loss against District 6 runner-up Huntingdon. The Trojans fell behind, 30-0, and could not recover. Colton McCallen (106), Ty Cymmerman (120) and Shawn Broadway (126) had pins for Derry.
■ Defending PIAA champion Reynolds will face Southern Columbia in the Class 2A title match.
First Published: February 10, 2018, 4:21 a.m.