Bethel Park pushing hard on the wrestling mats
Notice: Undefined variable: article_ad_placement3 in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/single.php on line 128
The Bethel Park wrestlers have such a busy December, they have little time for Christmas shopping.
The Black Hawks opened the 2023-24 campaign competing in the Dry Tech Duals at Greenville High School. In a single day on Dec. 9, they won four matches; thumping Girard, 60-12, Erie McDowell, 68-6, Meadville, 41-16, and Tyrone, 57-14, and dropped one decision, 39-24, to Bald Eagle.
Bethel Park also competed in the King of the Mountain Tournament held Dec. 15-16 at Central Mountain High School before embarking on section dual meet competition at 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at Peters Township.
The Black Hawks will spend the holidays in Canonsburg competing in the prestigious Powerade Tournament from Dec. 29-30 at Canon-McMillan High School.
Two more rivalry matches to start the new year Jan. 3 at home against Upper St. Clair and Jan. 10 at Mt. Lebanon will ready the Black Hawks for their showdown with the Big Macs. Bethel Park hosts Canon-McMillan at 7 p.m. Jan. 17. The Big Macs are the defending WPIAL 3A champions.
“Canon-McMillan,” predicted Tyler Nauman will be the toughest opponent. However, the Black Hawks look to finish top 4 in the WPIAL this season added the second-year coach. Bethel Park also anticipates advancing “multiple individuals” to Hershey for the PIAA championships set for March 7-9.
Bethel Park returns four key veterans including standout Mason Kernan. After racking up a 5-0 record in the Dry Tech Duals, Kernan was 10 wins away from entering the Century Club. He sported a 90-14 overall record. A senior, Kernan was 33-5 overall last winter with a section title and sixth-place showing in the regionals. The 139-pound grappler is a West Virginia University recruit.
Ryan Walsh has returned to the mats after missing last season to an injury. He was a 30-plus match winner as a freshman and a bronze medalist in the section. A junior, Walsh is a standout pitcher and has committed to play baseball at Virginia Tech.
Senior Landon Hartman sported a 26-7 record last winner while junior Etahn Higgins posted a 25-13 mark.
Nauman expects freshmen Pierce Reinhart, Caleb Crawford, Colton Fisher and Ian Buchelli to make an immediate impact in the line-up. All were junior high state qualifiers with Reinhart being a state medalist.
The Black Hawks will also rely upon: Jaden Palombine, Seth Miller, Aiden Bench, Aden Stout, Jonah Stearman, Dheyaa Danyan, Maksim Miller, AJ Tomaino, Hunter Goelz, Mikey Gibson, Pierce Reinhart, Lucas Fowler, Tanner Kareis, Bruce Greco, Umid Mamed, Cordan McDonnell, Michael Baburkin, Zach Mingo, Diyor Islomov, Mike Nelson, Rael Majetich, Ali Yasin and Shayel Monger.
“Overall we have depth this season and a hard-working group looking to grow day in and day out and compete,” Nauman said. “By continuing to train and grow each day, support and push one another on and off mat daily, we intend to achieve our goals. We are working on being as tough as we can, securing bonus points and wrestling every match the same.”
While consistency is key, Nauman has learned to adapt to his style and tailor his coaching skills to each grappler.
“Every individual/wrestler is different and you have to stay consistent but coach each differently to what they respond best. Keep it light and fun while pushing hard,” he said.