Knoch’s Owen Layhew nearly makes history with silver at WPIAL Class 2A wrestling championships
Summit Academy's Rocco Zugai (127 pounds) wrestles Jefferson Morgan's James Dulaney during the fourth consolation round in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Summit Academy 139-pounder Lance Zylstra gator rolls North Catholic's Angelo Amelio in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Knoch's Owen Layhew wrestles Elizabeth Forward's Lucas Boyer in the 145-pound championship match at the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
North Catholic 139-pounder Angelo Amelio wrestles Derry's Brett Klim for fifth place for fifth place in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
North Catholic's 114-pounder Victor Wagner wrestles Valley's Raydn Thomas for fifth place in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Knoch's Owen Layhew has his hand raised after a win at 145 pounds as he competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Summit Academy's Rocco Zugai (127 pounds) wrestles Jefferson Morgan's James Dulaney during the fourth consolation round in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Summit Academy 139-pounder Lance Zylstra gator rolls North Catholic's Angelo Amelio in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Owen Layhew wrestles Elizabeth Forward's Lucas Boyer in the 145-pound championship match at the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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North Catholic 139-pounder Angelo Amelio wrestles Derry's Brett Klim for fifth place for fifth place in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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North Catholic's 114-pounder Victor Wagner wrestles Valley's Raydn Thomas for fifth place in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Owen Layhew has his hand raised after a win at 145 pounds as he competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
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Wrestlers from Knoch, North Catholic, and Summit Academy competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Owen Layhew was on the verge of making history — and still is.
Bidding to become Knoch’s first-ever WPIAL wrestling champion during Saturday’s Class 2A individual championships at Chartiers Valley High School, the junior 145-pounder dropped a 7-0 decision to Elizabeth Forward sophomore Lucas Boyer in their title bout.
“I knew he’d be a tough opponent, but I didn’t have enough confidence in my shots against him,” Layhew said. “I hesitated too much. I should have been more aggressive.”
Knights coach J.B. Orris agreed, but said: “Yeah, he needed to take more shots in that match, but that gives us homework to do for the regional.”
Layhew (32-6) is Knoch’s only wrestler to get through to the PIAA Western Regional Tournament, which runs Friday and Saturday at Altoona High School. He became the second Knoch wrestler — joining Eli Reese — to ever reach a WPIAL final.
Knoch's Owen Layhew wrestles Elizabeth Forward's Lucas Boyer in the 145-pound championship match at the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
The top seven placers from the regional advance to the PIAA Boys Wrestling Individual Championships the following weekend in Hershey.
“Owen is a well-rounded wrestler, and we’re just going one match at a time at this point,” Orris said. “I think he’s got a very good chance in his next match.”
Layhew also has a very good chance to become the first 100-win wrestler in Knoch history. His career record entering the regional is 78-30.
“That’s been my goal since I was a freshman,” the three-time WPIAL qualifier said. “To be the first to get to 100. ... It would mean the world to me.”
Layhew pinned Burrell’s Cadyn Crawford in 2:55 of their quarterfinal match Friday night. He then decisioned Valley’s Antonio Perkins 7-3 in the semifinals. Boyer is 33-3 on the season.
Layhew won one match at the WPIAL championships last year. He lost both of his WPIAL matches his freshman season.
“He works hard, and he’s very coachable,” Orris said. “Owen keeps getting better and better.”
Orris was Layhew’s club wrestling coach when the latter was a youth on the mats.
“I learned so much from him back then,” Layhew said. “When (Orris) moved into the district and became our coach, I was thrilled.”
Knoch's Owen Layhew has his hand raised after a win at 145 pounds as he competed in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Trojans take another step
North Catholic coach Darin Lyles was pretty happy himself over the performance of his team Saturday. Three Trojans — freshman Mark Pierro (32-9) at 107 pounds, sophomore Vic Wagner (32-8) at 114 and junior Antonio Amelio (30-10) at 139 — got through to the regional meet.
Wagner and Amelio placed fifth, while Pierro placed seventh. The top eight wrestlers in each weight class advanced.
“We only got one guy through to regionals last year, so this is a bit of a breakthrough for us,” Lyles said.
Lyles restarted the North Catholic wrestling program n 2019 with one participant. Two years later, the Trojans had eight wrestlers and competed in dual meets but did not win a WPIAL match. North Catholic had 12 wrestlers this season.
“Things are a lot different now,” the coach said. “We finished this (WPIAL) tournament strong, with all three of our guys winning in that last round. Angelo’s fifth-place match was probably his best match of the season.”
Amelio decisioned Derry’s Brett Kim 4-1 in that fifth-place bout. Wagner pinned Radyn Thomas of Valley in 35 seconds during their fifth-place match, while Pierro nipped South Park’s Jake Guzek 2-0 for seventh place.
North Catholic 139-pounder Angelo Amelio wrestles Derry's Brett Klim for fifth place for fifth place in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Wrestling Individual Championships held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Chartiers Valley High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle
Summit Academy’s Zugai claims 3rd
Summit Academy sophomore Rocco Zugai (25-4) placed third at 127 pounds, pinning Derry’s Giovanni Beatrice 37 seconds into their consolation final match.
