Hang another banner: Falcons win section title with 51-15 win over Hempfield
CONNELLSVILLE ëƵ The Connellsville wrestling team took care of business Wednesday night in front of a large, loud home crowd with the Falcons cruising to a 51-15 victory in Section 4-AAA action against visiting Hempfield.
Connellsville (4-0, 9-2) didnëƵt lose a section match to secure yet another section crown. Hempfield (3-8) and Latrobe also earned berths into next weekëƵs Class AAA team playoffs.
ëƵItëƵs just the first step. You want to win WPIAL titles and state titles,ëƵ said Connellsville coach Bill Swink.
Connellsville now prepares for a run through the WPIAL team tournament..Swink explained it will be business as usual preparing for the playoffs.
ëƵItëƵs going to be energy, attitude and effort. ThatëƵs what itëƵs going to be. ItëƵs a continuation of what itëƵs been all season. ItëƵs a process,ëƵ said Swink, adding, ëƵEvery day you want to get better. ThatëƵs always the goal.ëƵ
The Falcons opened the match at 215 pounds with Chris Cook making quick work of his bout against Brayton Owen with a pin in 48 seconds.
Tyler Gallis received a forfeit at 285 pounds for a 12-0 lead.
The FalconsëƵ Tommy Gretz gave top-ranked Nico Kapusta all he wanted in the 107-pound bout with Kapusta fighting for an 8-5 decision.
ConnellsvilleëƵs Nolan Rice bumped up to 114 pounds against Nathan Caracciolo. Rice trailed 2-0 in the third period, but Caracciolo was hit with two stalling points to tie the match.
However, Carrocciolo scored three points right before the buzzer sounded for a 5-2 win.
ëƵI wanted Tommy to wrestle. Landon (Lynn) is out this week, so we moved Nolan up.
Tommy wrestled well. Nolan, I think heëƵs better than he showed today,ëƵ said Swink.
The FalconsëƵ Zach Franks responded with a first-period pin against Ty King at 121 pounds.
ConnellsvilleëƵs Chase Sparks fell behind in the first period and wasnëƵt able to recover in a 7-2 loss at 127 pounds to Jacob Halsted.
The FalconsëƵ Kai Vielma led his 133-pound bout 14-0 when he was finally able to get Brody Wilson on his back with just one second left in the second period for a 24-9 lead.
Julian Ruggieri secured a 6-3 decision at 139 pounds, and Evan Petrovich won his 145-pound bout with a pin at 2:22.
The SpartansëƵ Eli Carr stopped the point run at 152 pounds with his first-period pin against Carter Wilson.
ëƵTheir 52-pounder is pretty good. I thought Carter went out and battled him,ëƵ said Swink.
Connellsville closed out the win with pins from Lonzy Vielma (160) and Nick Rohal (172), and Cooper Lembo received a forfeit at 189 pounds.



