Welcome to the
NORTH ALLEGHENY SPORTS NETWORK

The Official Source of North Allegheny Sports
 

 Photo Courtesy of Kevin Wildrick

CANDIELLO CAPTURES FIFTH 
PLACE IN PIAA TOURNAMENT

Senior Andy Candiello closed out his career at NA 
with a pin of Billy Randt of West York in the
consolation finals at the PIAA Quad A Championships 
at the Giant Center in Hershey on Saturday night.
The victory was in the fifth place consolation match
after Candiello split a pair of matches earlier in the 
day.  In the third round consolation contest, Candiello
took a 6-3 decision over Justin Harrold of Kiski Area
to advance to the fourth round in the wrestlebacks.
In the fourth round match, Bo Candelaria of Middle-
town edged the Tiger senior, 3-2.

With the win, Candiello finished with a final record
of 37-9 in his senior year with a third place finish in
the WPIAL finals and the fifth place medal at states.
Candiello completed his NA career with a final mark
of 127-28.

Photo Gallery

CONGRATULATIONS, ANDY!!!

Click here to listen to WJPA's morning coverage!
Click here to to listen to WJPA's coverage of the consolation finals!

2009 PIAA INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
AAA Championship Finals

103 Connor Schram, Canon-McMillan dec. Austin Miller, Hempfield (D-3),
2-1 UTB

112 Jimmy Gulibon, Derry Area dec. Corey Keener, Blue Mountain, 12-5

119 Nico Megaludis, Franklin Regional dec. Anthony Marino, Bethlehem
Liberty, 8-4

125 Mitchell Port, Bellefonte dec. Zach Horan, Nazareth, 6-3

130 Steve Spearman, Erie McDowell dec. Tyler Buckman, Central Dauphin,
7-6

135 Josh Dziewa, Council Rock South dec. Shawn Greevy, Cumberland
Valley, 1:28

140 Josh Kindig, Blue Mountain dec. Lorenzo Thomas, Central Catholic,
8-3

145 Andrew Alton, Central Mountain tech. fall Aaron McKinney, West
Allegheny, 23-8, 5:46

152 Dylan Alton, Central Mountain dec. Shane Springer, LaSalle, 11-4

160 Marshall Peppelman, Central Dauphin fall Troy Reaghard, West
Allegheny, 3:02

171 Kenny Courts, Central Dauphin dec. Tristan Warner, Cumberland
Valley, 6-4

189 Jamie Callender, Council Rock North dec. Andre Petroski,
Springfield, 7-5 OT

215 Spencer Myers, Selinsgrove dec. Zachary Nye, East Pennsboro, 5-3

285 Evan Craig, Abington Heights fall Zach Corl, Central Mountain, 2:45

Third Place Consolations:
103 Jordan Conaway, New Oxford dec. Chris Vassar, Cedar Cliff, 3-1
112 C.J. Palmer, Delaware Valley dec. Dereck Enders, Big Spring, 3-1
119 Brandon Choate, Blue Mountain dec. Matt Harkins, Hatboro-Horsham,
3-1
125 Casey Kent, LaSalle dec. Jordan Glykas, Northampton, 5-4
130 Tyler Rauenzahn, Blue Mountain dec. Dan Neff, Solanco, 9-4
135 Nick Catalano, Canon-McMillan dec. Travis Shaffer, Derry Area, 8-6
140 Mark Hartenstine, Easton dec. Joseph Marino, Garnet Valley, 5-0
145 Bo Candelaria, Middletown dec. Ryan Krecker, Nazareth, 3-2
152 Austin Sommer, Northampton dec. Zack Shannon, Kiski Area, 5-2
160 J.M. Staudenmayer, Plymouth Whitemarsh dec. Colton Spade, Lewistown,
3-2
171 Jared Kay, Hazleton Area dec. Josh Popple, Wilkes-Barre Coughlin,
4-3
189 Antonio Giorgio, Warwick dec. Phil Sprenkle, Dallastown, 8-3
215 Nick Ruggear, Oxford dec. Joe Stolfi, Souderton, 9-4
285 Adam Lazenga, Bethel Park dec. Marcus Robbins, Norristown, 6-2

Fifth Place Consolations:
103 Anthony Cabrera, Bethlehem Liberty dec. Evan DiSora, Easton, 3-0
112 Thomas Traxler, Bellefonte dec. Paul Bewak, Hempfield (D-7), 5-2
119 Derrick Nelson, Waynesburg Central dec. Nick Bongard, Monsignor
Bonner, 3-1 OT
125 Cameron Throckmorton, Southwestern maj. dec. Scott Wolfinger,
Quakertown, 11-3
130 Mitchell Minotti, Easton dec. Jordan Toledo, Pleasant Valley, 4-0
135 Alex Pellicciotti, Boyertown dec. Jacob Chamberlain, Pleasant
Valley, 7-0
140 Brian Brill, Central Mountain dec. Matt Martoccio, Council Rock
South, 4-0
145 Andy Candiello, North Allegheny fall Billy Randt, West York, 1:33
152 Matt Hundenski, Hopewell fall Cameron Fine, Elizabeth Forward, 1:50
160 Wade Rivera, Parkland forfeit Pat LaBuz, Hazleton Area
171 Tyler Wilps, Chartiers Valley fall Robbie Fitzgerald, Downingtown
East, 4:53
189 Michael Pollard, Corry fall Kyle McWreath, Trinity (D-7), 4:45
215 Sean Sadosky, St. Marys dec. Taray Carey, Whitehall, 8-3
285 Caleb Baker, General McLane dec. Averee Robinson, Susquehanna
Township, 3-2

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

CANDIELLO STAYS ALIVE WITH VICTORY IN 
SECOND ROUND OF CONSOLATIONS

Senior Andy Candiello defeated Jake Kondrik of Corry,
7-4, in the second round of consolation matches
in the PIAA Class AAA Individual Championships at
the Giant Center in Hershey on Friday.  In the opening
round, Candiello lost a 23-9 major to Ryan Krecker
of Nazareth.  The Tiger senior came back to defeat
Tim Riley of Council Rock South, 12-6, in the first 
consolation round.

In today's third round, Candiello will take on Justin
Harold of Kiski Area with matches scheduled to 
begin at 8:00 am.  Third round consolations will be
followed immediately with the fourth round.
Consolation finals will be held tonight at the Giant
Center with the starting time set for 6:00 pm.
WJPA in Washington will broadcast the matches live
on the internet.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

CANDIELLO CAPTURES BRONZE
AT WPIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Senior Andy Candiello decisioned Jesse Swink of
Connellsville, 4-2, in the consolation round final at
the WPIAL/Southwest Regional Championships at
Canon-McMillan on Saturday.  Candiello earned a trip
to the PIAA championships at the Giant Center in 
Hershey next week.  Sophomore Jarred Lux
advanced to the consolation final but was defeated by
Ben Amrhein of North Hills, 7-3, to finish in fourth
place.

Candiello started his run at 145 with a 13-3 major over 
Mike Standish of Trinity.  In the next match, the Tiger
senior decisioned Zach Voytek of Greensburg Salem,
10-3.  Candiello followed with a 14-3 major over
Patrick Palmer of Albert Gallatin setting the stage for
his victory in the third place match.  Lux pinned 
Andrew Wood of Pine-Richland at the 2:21 mark to
advance in the consolation bracket.  Lux followed
with a pin of Brian Foy of Hopewell in just 56
seconds.  Next up was Scott Mohring of Greater
Latrobe who fell to the NA sophomore by a 7-2 score
before Lux was defeated in the 3rd place match in
the 160 pound weight class.

At 130, sophomore Kevin Monper decision Michael
Ardeno of Trinity, 8-6, in overtime before losing a 
tough 1-0 decision to Phil Kail of Bethel Park.  At 103.
sophomore Greg Gaus lost a 15-2 major to Conner
Schram of Canon-McMillan.  In the consolation 
bracket, Gaus was eliminated with a 10-0 loss to Willie
Bohince of Penn-Trafford.  At 152, Tyler Leitza of
Derry ended the season for freshman Alex DeCiantis
with an 8-0 major.  At 171, Josh Fleming of Shaler
pinned Kevin Clemens at the 2:29 mark to eliminate
the NA sophomore.  At 189, senior Seb Fischer lost a
tough 8-4 decision to DJ Martin of Plum.

Senior Andy Candiello was the only Tiger wrestler to
advance to the PIAA Championships next week.  The 
tournament is scheduled to begin on Thursday at 
the Giant Center in Hershey.

WPIAL/SOUTHWEST REGIONAL TOURNAMENT
Canon-McMillan High School
March 4-5-6, 2010

FINAL TEAM SCORE

RESULTS (NA only)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

GAUS ADVANCES TO WPIAL SEMIFINALS

Sophomore Greg Gaus was the only NA wrestler to
advance to the semifinals with a quarterfinal victory 
in the WPIAL/Southwest Regional tournament at
Canon-McMillan on Friday.  Gaus decisioned Russell
Losteter of South Allegheny, 7-5 in overtime.  
Gaus will face top seed Conner Schram of Canon-
McMillan in semifinal action in the 103 pount weight
class today.

Three Tigers were defeated in the quarterfinals.  At
145, senior Andy Candiello dropped a 10-7decision
to Jesse Swink of Connellsville.  Candiello will wrestle 
Mike Standish of Trinity in the consolation round.  At
160, Nick Bonaccorsi of Bethel Park took a 10-0 major
over sophomore Jarred Lux.  In today's consolation 
round, Lux will take on Andrew Wood of Pine-
Richland.  At 189, Kyle McWreath of Trinity edged 
senior Seb Fischer, 6-4 in overtime.  In today's
consolation round, Fischer will face DJ Martin of 
Plum.

Four Tigers advanced in the consolation round with 
wins on Friday.  At 125, sophomore Ryan Sippel 
decisioned Peter Craig of Hampton.  In today's 
second consolation round, Sippel will wrestle Dylan
Mogan of Bethel Park.  At 130, junior Kevin Monper
earned a 2-0 victory over Austin Wilding of Upper St.
Clair.  Today, Monper will take on Michael Ardeno of
Trinity.  At 152. freshman Alex DeCiantis decisioned
Jordan Roberts of Trinity, 9-3, to advance to the 
second round of consolations where he will meet
Tyler Leitza of Derry.  At 171, sophomore Kevin
Clemens won by forfeit to advance to a second round
consolation match against Josh Fleming of Shaler.

In the team score, NA is in seventh place with 34.5
points.  Host Canon-McMillan leads the field with 53.5.
Action is scheduled to get under way this morning
with the semifinals and second round consolation
matches at 10:30 am at Canon-McMillan.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

FOUR TIGERS ADVANCE IN WPIAL/
SOUTHWEST REGIONAL TOURNAMENT

Four Tigers were victorious in first round matches
on Thursday in the Class AAA/Southwest
Regional tournament at Canon-McMillan. 
Sophomore Greg Gaus at 103, senior Andy
Candiello at 145, sophomore Jarred Lux at 160,
and senior Seb Fischer at 189 all won first round
matches to advance to the quarterfinals.  Sophomore
Kevin Clemens won in the preliminary round before 
losing in his first round match.

At 103, Gaus pinned Lukas Etzal of Elizabeth Forward
at 1:42 to advance to the quarterfinals against 
Russell Losteter of South Allegheny.  At 145, Candiello 
took a 13-4 major over Erik Capra of McGuffey to
move on to the next round against Jesse Swink of
Connellsville.  At 160, Lux pinned Kyle Spangler of 
Hempfield and will face Nick Bonaccorsi of Bethel Park 
in the quarterfinals.  At 189, Fischer won by a 15-0
tech fall over Alex Campbell of host Canon-McMillan.
Fischer will take on Kyle McWreath of Trinity.

Sophomore Ryan Sippel dropped a 6-4 decision to Dante
DeCario of Derry in the first round.  Sippel will face Peter
Craig of Hampton in the consolation round.  At 130, 
junior Kevin Monper was edged by Heath Coles of
Norwin, 4-2, in overtime and will meet Austin Wilding
of Upper St. Clair in the wrestlebacks.  At 152, Alex
Teagarden needed over to defeat freshman Alex
DeCiantis, 8-6.  DeCiantis will wrestle Jordan Roberts of
Trinity in the consolation round.  Clemens was pinned by 
Perry Hills of Central Catholic at the 5:24 mark.  In the 
consolation round, Clemens will take on Jordan 
McKnight of Connellsville.

The quarterfinals and first round of the consolations are 
scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm this evening at Canon-
McMillan.  The semifinals and finals will be tomorrow.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

FOUR TIGERS WIN SECTION 
CHAMPIONSHIPS

Four Tiger wrestlers captured individual section 
crowns at the Section 3-AAA chapionships at Fox
Chapel High School on Saturday.  Sophomore Greg
Gaus at 103, sophomore Ryan Sippel at 125, senior
Andy Candiello at 145, and senior Seb Fischer at
189 won titles with five additional NA wrestlers
advancing to the WPIAL/Southwest Regional at 
Canon-McMillan High School next weekend.

Four Tigers won silver medals in the competition.  
Senior Nick Rodgers at 119, sophomore Kevin
Monper at 130, freshman Alex DeCiantis at 152,
and sophomore Jarred Lux at 160 all finished in 
second place to qualify for the WPIAL finals.  In
addition, sophomore Kevin Clemens finished in 
third place to also qualify for the next round.

The WPIAL/Southwest Regionals will be held at 
Canon-McMillan on Thursday, Friday and Saturday
with action scheduled to begin on Thursday at 
5:00 pm.

SECTION 3-AAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Fox Chapel High School
Saturday, February 27, 2010

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
103 - Greg Gaus, North Allegheny dec. Drew Walker, North Hills, 7-4.
112 - Zach Kocak, Hampton dec. Tyler Walker, North Hills, 3-1.
119 - Cameron Weber, North Hills dec. Nick Rodgers, North Allegheny, 2-1.
125 - Ryan Sippel, North Allegheny dec. Ross Orler, Pine-Richland, 8-2.
130 - Carson Brooks, Fox Chapel dec. Kevin Monper, North Allegheny, 2-1.
135 - Eric Tuck, Butler dec. Ryan Craig, Hampton, 2-0.
140 - Mike Crawford, Butler dec. Ryan Gibson, North Hills, 3-0.
145 - Andy Candiello, North Allegheny major dec. Nate Cully, Seneca Valley, 13-4.
152 - Dave DiBenedetto, Fox Chapel dec. Alex DeCiantis, North Allegheny, 5-1.
160 - Ben Amrhein, North Hills dec. Jarred Lux, North Allegheny, 6-5, 4OT.
171 - Cole Baxter, Butler major dec. Josh Fleming, Shaler, 13-3.
189 - Seb Fischer, North Allegheny pinned Jake Hart, Hampton, 4:36.
215 - T.J. McElwaine, North Hills dec. Chris White, Butler, 9-5.
285 - Jamal Conroy, Shaler pinned Connor Green, Hampton, 0:26.

THIRD-PLACE CONSOLATIONS
103 - Blake Caudill, Butler major dec. Jake Perri, Seneca Valley, 11-0.
112 - Nick Sutton, Butler by injury default over Luke Esswein, Pine-Richland, 0:00.
119 - Grayson Hixon, Knoch dec. Zach Reges, Butler, 6-3.
125 - Peter Craig, Hampton dec. Sam Molina, Fox Chapel, 7-1.
130 - Jason Hildum, Seneca Valley dec. Troy Zangaro, North Hills, 4-1.
135 - Nick Phillips, Seneca Valley dec. George Marsico, Fox Chapel, 6-2.
140 - Brian Estep, Hampton dec. Shane Bialowas, Fox Chapel, 6-1.
145 - Harrison Maxwell, Pine-Richland pinned Kevin Synan, Hampton, 2:26.
152 - Andrew Puciata, Avonworth dec. Jordan Brennan, Pine-Richland, 6-1.
160 - Matt Pribis, Butler dec. Andrew Wood, Pine-Richland, 6-1.
171 - Kevin Clemens, North Allegheny dec. Allen Turcinhodzic, North Hills, 6-4 3OT.
189 - Stefano Geary, Fox Chapel major dec. Ben Balish, Pine-Richland, 9-0.
215 - Jordan Shulman, Hampton dec. Dan Mahon, Fox Chapel, 3-1 3OT.
285 - Mike Dietrich, North Hills pinned Mitch DiPellegrini, Fox Chapel, 3:52.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS TOP WAYNESBURG BUT FALL TO
PENN-TRAFFORD IN QUARTERFINALS

The Tigers knocked off Waynesburg, 42-30, in the first round of the WPIAL Team Playoffs at Penn-Trafford High School on Tuesday night.  In the quarterfinals, however, the host Warriors eliminated NA with a 41-22 victory.  The loss dropped the Tiger record to 14-3 on the season.

In the first round match, senior Seb Fischer got the Tigers off to a quick 6-0 start with a pin of Bradley Smith at 215.  In the heavyweight match, senior Jacob Machi pinned Brandon Brumley at the 3:24 mark to increase the Tiger lead to 12-0.  At 103, sophomore Greg Gaus won by fall over Michael Heasley at the 2:09 mark to extend the margin to 18-0.  At 112, sophomore Mike Wanner needed only 34 seconds to pin Elijah Cathers as the NA lead went to 24-0.  Waynesburg's Derrrick Nelson ended the NA streak with a pin of senior Nick Rodgers at 119 to cut the margin to 24-6.  At 125, Zach McGinnis pinned Ryan Sippel at the 56 second mark of the first period to make the score 24-12.

At 130, junior Kevin Monper got the Tigers back on the winning track with a 3-0 decision over Jesse Perrots.  At 135, the Raiders' Tommy Henderson took a 6-0 decision over sophomore Anthony Peluso to cut the lead to 27-15.  At 140, Eric Jones decisioned the Tigers' Matt Wolf, 4-2, to edge the Raiders closer at 27-18.  At 145, senior Andy Candiello pinned John Remsing at the 4:48 mark to increase the Tiger lead to 33-18.  The Tigers won the next two matches to put away the victory.  At 152, freshman Alex DeCiantis captured a close 7-6 decision over Alex Teagarden.  At 160, sophomore Jarred Lux pinned Marcus Pizzi at 1:17 to give NA a 42-18 lead.  At 171, Jeremy Ellis won by injury default over sophomore Kevin Clemens, and at 189, Kyle Gray also won by injury default over senior Jake Smith.  The Tigers advanced to the quarterfinals with the 42-30 victory.

In the quarterfinals, the Tigers took on #3 ranked Warriors of Penn-Trafford, a 57-10 winner over Fox Chapel in the first round.  The match started at 285 with P-T's Zach Baker wrestling senior Jacob Machi who was filling in for the injured senior Alex Panormios.  After a scoreless first period, Baker took a 2-0 lead before pinning Machi at the 31 second mark of the second period.  The pin gave the Warriors the early 6-0 lead.  At 103, Willie Bohince edged Greg Gaus, 1-0, to extend the lead to 9-0.  At 112, Ryan Bohince pinned Mike Wanner at 5:01 to make it 15-0.  At 119, Nick Rodgers got the Tigers on the board with a 3-0 win over Tim Connelly.  At 125, Ryan Sipple took a major decision over Joey Fiasco with an 11-0 victory to cut the Warrior lead to 15-7. 

Penn-Trafford won the next three matches to extend the lead.  at 130, Andrew Skuta got a reversal and pin of Kevin Monper at the 1:45 mark to extend the margin to 21-7.  At 135, Casey Cameron won a 6-3 decision over Anthony Peluso and at 140, Nick Bergamasco captured a 15-3 major over Matt Wolf as the score went to 28-7.  At 145, Andy Candiello stopped the P-T run with a pin of Nate Evers at the 4:27 mark to cut the Warrior lead to 28-13.  At 152, Jake Matthews pinned Alex DeCiantis in 34 seconds to push the lead back to 34-13.  At 160, Trevor Gibson decisioned Jarred Lux, 5-1, to put the match out of reach for NA at 37-13.  A major decision by Christian Bosco of the Warriors over sophomore Nate Nachazel by a 13-1 score pushed the lead to 41-13.  At 189, Jake Smith pinned Zach Diable at 1:56, and at 215, Seb Fischer won a 3-2 decision over Matt Grupp to make the final score 41-22 as Penn-Trafford moved on to the semifinals.

The Tigers will host Hopewell on Friday night in the final dual match of the season.    Match time is scheduled for 6:00 pm at the Marshall Middle School Gym.  NA wrestlers will compete in the individual championships that are scheduled later in the month.

Click here to listen to the MSA broadcast of the NA-Waynesburg match!
Click here to listen to the MSA broadcast of the NA-Penn-Trafford match!

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 42  WAYNESBURG - 30

MATCH SUMMARY
PENN-TRAFFORD - 41  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 22

* - indicates starting weight

WPIAL CLASS AAA TEAM PLAYOFFS

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS CAPTURE SECTION CROWN
WITH 33-28 VICTORY OVER BUTLER

To listen to a replay of the Section Final, click here!
To listen to a replay of the Section Semifinal, click here!

The Tigers built an early lead and held on to defeat Butler, 33-28, in the championship match of the Section 3 Team Wrestling Championships at the Senior High gym on Wednesday night.  NA got pins from sophomore Mike Wanner at 112 and sophomore Jarred Lux at 160 as they posted a 33-13 lead before Butler rallied to make it close.  In the semifinals, NA rolled over Fox Chapel, 51-12.

Sophomore Greg Gaus got the Tigers off to a good start with a 12-4 major decision over Blake Caudill of the Tornado.  Gaus built a 5-0 lead after one period and increased the margin to 10-1 after two.  At 112, Wanner was able to pin Nick Sutton at 20 seconds of the second period to give NA a 10-0 lead.  At 119, senior Nick Rodgers dominated Brandon Bauer as he took an 18-3 tech fall.  Rodgers led 10-2 after one period and extended the margin to 15-3 after two.  At 125, sophomore Ryan Sippel shut out Zach Reges, 4-0, to add to the NA total as the lead went to 18-0.  After a scoreless first period at 130, junior Kevin Monper took a 5-0 lead after two periods against Butler's Zach Collins.  Monper added four more points in the third period to capture a 9-0 major.  With NA ahead 22-0, the referee penalized NA a team point early in the 135 pound match.  The Tornado's Cody Hartman was able to hold off a strong effort by sophomore Anthony Peluso to take a 6-3 victory, scoring two points on a late take down in the third period.  Butler was on the board but still trailed by a 21-3 margin.

At 140, Eric Tuck controlled junior Matt Wolf throughout the match but Wolf was able to avoid the fall in a 13-1 loss as Butler narrowed the lead to 21-7.  At 145, Butler forfeited the match to senior Andy Candiello as NA extended the lead to 27-7.  With the forfeit, Butler Coach Scott Stoner moved his remaining wrestlers up a weight class to try to get better matchups.  The move seemed to pay off as Mike Crawford was able to pine freshman Alex DeCiantis midway through the second period.  With the fall, Butler cut the NA lead to 27-13.  In a key match at 160, Lux took a 2-0 lead after an early take down in the first period.  Early in the second period, Dakoda Collins tied the match at 2-2.  Lux then reversed Collins and pinned him at the 32 second mark of the second period.  The win by Lux was the last NA victory of the match but gave NA a 33-13 advantage.

Butler won the remaining matches but could not make up the difference in points.  At 171 Matt Pribis was able to extend a 2-1 lead with three points in the third period as he took a 5-2 decision over sophomore Kevin Clemens.  With the score now at 33-16, Butler's Cole Baxter moved up to 189 to meet Seb Fischer.  In a tough contest pitting two of the top wrestlers in the WPIAL, Baxter edged Fischer, 3-2, to give the Tornado three more points and cut the lead to 33-19.  With only two matches left, however, the Tigers had clinched the match and the section title.  At 215, senior Jacob Machi battled Mike Scialabba tough before losing a 4-2 decision.  At 285, senior Alex Panormios suffered a leg injury early in the match and had to default to Chris White.  The final six points made the final score, 33-28.

It was a great effort by the Tigers against a good Butler team.  For his efforts at 160 in what proved to be the winning match, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Jarred Lux as the Outstanding Wrestler of the Match.  With the win, NA improved their record to 13-2 on the season.  The section crown marked the 10th straight year that the Tigers either won or shared the section title.

With the win, the Tigers qualified for the WPIAL Class AAA Team Championships set to begin next week.  NA will enter the tournament as the #1 team from Section 3.  The Tigers will meet Waynesburg at Penn-Trafford High School on Tuesday at 6:00 pm.  The winner will advance to the quarterfinals against the winner of the Penn-Trafford/Fox Chapel/Hopewell matches at 7:30 pm.

NORTH ALLEGHENY - 51  FOX CHAPEL - 12

In the semifinals, the Tigers decided the issue early building a 27-0 lead.  Senior Alex Panormios got NA off to a great start with a 4-1 victory over the Foxes' Tyler Lever as the match started at 285.  At 103, sophomore Greg Gaus pinned Jared Rice at the 1:28 mark to give the Tigers an early 9-0 advantage.  At 112, sophomore Mike Wanner followed with a pin of Justin Berk at the 1:39 mark.  At 119, senior Nick Rodgers made it three in a row with a first period fall at the 1:29 mark over Connor Whelan.  The NA lead went to 21-0.  At 125, sophomore Ryan Sippel decisioned Sam Molina, 5-0.  After a scoreless first period, Sippel picked up three points in the second period and added two more in the third.  At 130, junior Kevin Monper and Fox Chapel's Carson Brooks battled through two scoreless periods before Monper won it with a four-point third session.  The North Allegheny lead was now 27-0.

The Foxes finally broke through at 135 with Michael Dunn edging sophomore Anthony Peluso, 4-2.  At 140, Shan Bialowas needed a late take down to take a 5-3 win over junior Matt Wolf.  With NA leading, 27-6, senior Andy Candiello pinned George Marsico at the 1:06 mark of the second period to extend the NA advantage to 33-6.  At 152, freshman Alex DeCiantis used a great effort to take the Foxes' Dave DeBenedetto to overtime.  In the first extra period, DeCiantis got the takedown and the victory by a 5-3 score.  NA now led, 36-6, going into the 160 pound match.  Lux secured the Tiger victory with a quick pin over Bill Baldwin just 36 seconds into the match.  With the Tigers now leading, 42-6, it was just a matter of what the final score would be.  At 171, FC's Stefano Geary pinned sophomore Nathan Nachazel at 1:40 of the first period to make it a 42-12 score.  At 189, junior Jake Smith stepped in an earned a tough 4-3 victory over Anthony Brooks.  At 215, senior Jacob Machi pinned Dan Mahon at the 1:40 mark of the first period to complete the Tiger victory.  The 51-12 win in the semis sent the Tigers to the final against Butler.

For their efforts in the win, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Alex Panormios and Alex DeCiantis as co-winners of the Outstanding Wrestler award.

SECTION 3 TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
NORTH ALLEGHENY SENIOR HIGH
Wednesday, January 27, 2010

MATCH SUMMARY - SECTION FINAL
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 33  BUTLER - 28

MATCH SUMMARY - SECTION SEMIFINAL
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 51  FOX CHAPEL - 12

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS DOWN TWO OF THREE
OPPONENTS IN QUAD DUALS

The Tigers were successful in winning two of three matches in the NA Quad Duals on Saturday at the Senior High gym.  The Tigers knocked off Burrell, 35-29, and Mt. Lebanon, 55-4, before losing to Latrobe, 43-25. 

In addition, the NA Wrestling Boosters honored former North Allegheny PIAA champions.  Ten of the 18 former champs were in attendance and were honored before the collegiate match between Clarion University and the University of Pennsylvania on Saturday night.  The NA wrestlers combined to win 26 state titles.  Honored were four-time champion Ty Moore and three-time champions Mike DeAugustino and Ray Brinzer.  Teague Moore, a PIAA champion in 1995 returned as the coach of the Clarion team.  Also honored were Don Rodgers, Dave Rodgers, Dan Colpo, Jim Herbert, Jack Davis and Duane Holler.  Also returning was 2009 PIAA champion Joe Waltko who wrestled for Clarion in the match on Saturday night.

With the 2-1 record in the Duals, the NA record now stands at 11-2 on the season.  The Tigers will meet Fox Chapel in the semifinals on the Team Section Championships on Wednesday at the Senior High gym.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the match LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-match show at 5:45 pm.  Match time is scheduled for 6:00 pm.  The winner of the NA-Fox Chapel match will face the winner of the North Hills-Butler match for the title at 7:30 pm.

WPIAL SECTION 3 TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
North Allegheny Senior High gym
Wednesday, January 27

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS TAKE DOWN NORTH HILLS, 48-15,
TO WIN SECTION 3-B TITLE

To listen to a replay of the match, click here!

The Tigers jumped out to an early lead and dominated rival North Hills at the Senior High gym on Wednesday night with a 48-15 victory in the section finale.  Four Tiger pins led the way with sophomore Greg Gaus at 103, sophomore Mike Wanner at 112, freshman Alex DeCiantis at 152, and senior Seb Fischer at 189 all winning by falls.

The match opened at 130 with junior Kevin Monper picking up a forfeit victory to give NA the lead for good at 6-0.  At 135, Troy Zangaro broke a 2-2 tie in the third period and held off a late rally by sophomore Anthony Peluso to pick up a 5-4 decision to cut the Tiger lead to 6-3.  At 140, senior Dom Leschak took a 3-2 lead into the third period but the Indians' Ryan Gibson tied the score on an escape to send the match into overtime.  Leschak was able to outscore Gibson, 3-2, in the OT periods to win a 6-5 decision and increase the NA lead to 9-3.  At 145, senior Andy Candiello won by forfeit to make it a 15-3 Tiger advantage.

At 152, DeCiantis took a 4-0 lead after one period and was able to pin Steve Comer with 8.4 seconds remaining to increase the NA margin to 21-3.  In the match of the night at 160, sophomore Jarred Lux took down NH's Ben Amrhein seconds after the opening whistle to take a 2-0 lead after one period.  In the second period, Lux increased the lead to 5-0 before Amrhein earned an escape point.  The Indian wrestler picked up one more point in the third period, but Lux held on to earn a key 5-2 decision and give NA a commanding 24-3 lead.  At 171, sophomore Kevin Clemens built a 2-0 lead after two periods and held off Indian Alen Turcinhodzic for another 5-2 decision as the score went to 27-3.

At 189, Fischer dominated Ben Smith from the opening whistle building a 12-0 lead after one period.  With the NA senior ahead by a 14-0 score, Fischer completed the victory with a pin with 54 seconds left in the second period.  The rout was one as the score ballooned to 33-3.  At 215, the Indians' T.J. McElwaine was able to earn a pin over an aggressive Tiger senior Jacob Machi who stayed in the match until 1:19 remained in the third period.  At 285, NH's Mike Dietrich was able to edge senior Alex Panormios, 2-1, in overtime despite a great effort by the NA wrestler.  The Indians had cut the lead to 33-12.  At 103, Gaus restored order with a pin of Drew Walker with 11.4 remaining in the first period.  At 112, Wanner followed with another pin as he defeated Tyler Walker.  Wanner built a 4-2 lead after two periods and finished things with the fall at the 40 second mark of the third period.  With the two pins, the NA lead went to 48-12.  In the final match of the evening at 125, sophomore Ryan Sippel battled the Indians' Kraig Esswein on even terms through two periods.  The match tied at 2-2, Sippel took a 3-2 lead.  With 17 seconds remaining, Esswein pulled out the match with a reversal to take a 4-3 win.  In spite of the loss, the night belonged to NA as they took home the 48-15 victory.

With the win, the Tigers claimed the Section 3-B title as they finished with a 4-0 record.  The overall NA record improved to 9-1 on the season.  For his efforts against a tough NH wrestler, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Jarred Lux as the Outstanding Wrestler of the match.  With the victory, the Tigers also won the right to host the section team tournament next Wednesday night at the Senior High gym.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the semifinals and final.

Next up for NA will be the North Allegheny Quad Duals on Saturday.  The Tigers will wrestle three opponents beginning at 10:00 am at the Senior High gym when them meet Burrell.  NA will then face Mt. Lebanon at 12 noon and Latrobe at 2:00 pm.  In the evening, Clarion University will meet the University of Pennsylvania with the starting time set for 7:00 pm.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 58  NORTH HILLS - 15

* - Opening match

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WPIAL WRESTLING - 2009-10

The Tigers will compete again in the WPIAL in Class AAA along with 50 other teams.  Section competition will begin on December 16, 2009 and must be completed by January 20, 2010.  The section schedule consists of one section match on each of the five Wednesday dates. 

REGULAR SEASON MATCHES

If ties occur in a dual meet, the 2009-2010 NFHS Rules book criteria will be used to break the tie.  Each WPIAL section of 10 or 11 teams has been divided into two subsections of five or six teams.  The League schedule of 4 or 5 matches includes only matches versus other schools in the same subsection.  The PIAA reduction competitions from 24 to 22 and the shortened season by one week requires that section schedules are minimized to permit the PIAA individual and team tournament component of the season to be met.  The reduction in section matches will also allow schools greater flexibility in scheduling individual tournaments, dual meet tournaments, and exhibition dual meets.

SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT

On Wednesday, January 27, a one-day section championship tournament doubleheader will be held prior to the WPIAL team championship tournament.  At the section championship tournament, the first place finisher from each subsection will wrestle the second place team from the opposite subsection in the same section.  The two winners will then wrestle for the section championship.  The winner will be declared the section champion and will be presented the section plaque.  The defeated team will be the 2nd place finisher in the section.  The two defeated teams in the preliminary match will wrestle for the 3rd and 4th place in the section.  The top four finishers will advanced to the WPIAL Team Championship Tournament.

In the event of a two-way tie for first or second, head to head competitin will prevail.  A tie of three or more teams will be broken by comparing the head-to-head competition between the tie teams that may result in one or more teams demonstrating a higher cumulative total of victories.  If the three or more tied teams have identical records against each other, the FNHS tie breaking system (Rule 9-2-2) will be used to break the tie.

In 2009-10, the section championship tournament will be held at the site of the first place team in the "B" subsection.

WPIAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

The top four place finishers from the section championship tournament will advance to the WPIAL Team Championship tournament.  The team tournament will begin with necessary preliminary matches on Monday, February 1, 2010.  In Class AAA, the WPIAL will advance three teams to the PIAA Team Tournament.  The third place team will be determined in a consolation match between the defeated teams in the semifinal round of the tournament.

WPIAL INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The WPIAL Individual Championships will begin with a one-day sectional tournament.  The top  four place winners from each sectional tournament will advance to the WPIAL/Southwest Regional tournament from which three wrestlers will advance to the state tournament.  Wrestle-back competition will be included from the first round of Sectionals, WPIAL and Regional Championships.  Class AAA Sectionals will be held on Saturday, February 27.

WEIGHT CONTROL

The PIAA will again use the NFHS Weight Management Program (Rule 1-3-1) for the 2009-2010 wrestling season.  The Weight Certification Program has four major points of emphasis: (1) a wrestler may not go below 7% body fat for males and 12% body fat for females; (2) a wrestler must have a urine specific gravity of 1.025 or lower before they have a body fat assessment; (3) a wrestler may not lose more than 1.5% of his/her body weight per week; (4) the weight certification program will have a built in nutritional component.

Another important component for the Weight Certification Program will be the certification of Weight Certification Assessors.  Every school will need to have a certified assessor to perform the urinalysis and body fat measurements for the Optimal Performance Calculator.  All wrestlers must have their certified minimum wrestling weight class certified by an authorized medical examiner on the PIAA "Section 7: CIPPE Minimum Weight Classification" form.  This certification must be established NO EARLIER THAN six weeks prior to the first regular season contest of the winter sports season.

Senior high school wrestlers must be certified at only one of the following fourteen weight classifications:

103, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160, 171, 189, 215 and 285 lbs.

A two-pound growth allowance is authorized on or after January 15 for senior high wrestlers.

2009-10 WRESTLING ALIGNMENT
CLASS AAA - 51 TEAMS

Any questions or comments should be directed to Athletic Director Bob Bozzuto at:  bbozzuto@northallegheny.org