2018-2019 Varsity Wrestling
No team summary for this season.
2018-19 Progressland Wrestling All-Stars announced
Updated on 06/10/2022
For the second season in a row, nine Progressland wrestlers made the trip to the PIAA Championships in Hershey.
Curwensville’s Blake Passarelli, Glendale’s Brock McMillen, Moshannon Valley’s Jon Dale and West Branch’s Derek Yingling all got back to Chocolatetown after making it in previous seasons, while Clearfield’s Mark McGonigal, Glendale’s Suds Dubler and Cory Johnston, Philiipsburg-Osceola’s Chase Chapman and Hunter Weitoish and West Branch’s Tyler Denochick all enjoyed inaugural trips.
Denochick and Johnston medaled for the first time, while Yingling earned his third PIAA prize. And McMillen followed up a runner-up finish in 2018 with a state title this season, which earned him the Jim Butler Memorial Outstanding Wrestler Award.
In addition to the postseason success that those nine had at PIAAs, there were plenty of other wrestlers that added accomplishments at the district level and several teams put up winning dual meet records.
Clearfield was 10-7 in dual meet action and won the District 4-9 Class AAA title. Glendale was 16-6, P-O was 10-7 and West Branch went 18-5.
So there were plenty of deserving athletes to choose from for this year’s Progressland High School Wrestling All-Star team.
The Vikings lead the way with five wrestlers on the first team and the Coach of the Year in Billy Dubler.
West Branch and P-O put three on the first team, while Mo Valley nabbed two first-team selections. Clearfield and Curwensville round out the team with one selection each.
A wrestler was eligible at any weight he wrestled at during the season. Postseason performance, regular season results, head-to-head matchups, strength of schedule and coaches comments all factored into the decision-making for the team.
Outstanding Wrestler: Brock McMillen, sophomore, Glendale — After a phenomenal freshman campaign that saw him rack up 41 wins and runner-up finishes at the District 6 Class 2A, Southwest Regional Class 2A and PIAA Class 2A Tournaments, McMillen’s mission was simple, reach the pinnacle as a sophomore.
He did just that, going 44-1, while winning every tournament he entered. He took first at both the Panther Classic and Fred Bell Tournaments and won gold at districts, regionals and states.
McMillen’s only loss came to Everett’s Garrett Cornell, who was fifth in the state at 132. After McMillen’s early-season dual meet loss to the bigger Cornell, he reeled off 38 straight victories. His 44 wins and 6 technical falls are tops in Progressland, while his 22 pins are third to teammates Dubler and Johnston.
McMillen goes into his junior season with a career record of 84-5, needing just 16 wins to become just the second Glendale wrestler to reach 100.
Coach of the Year: Billy Dubler, Glendale — The head of the Viking program picks up his second consecutive Coach of the Year award after leading his team to heights never seen in school history.
Glendale put together a 16-6 dual meet record and finished fourth at the District 6 team dual tournament a year after picking up its first even win in the team tourney. The Vikings were fifth at the District 6 tournament, fifth at Southwest regionals and 11th in the state.
Glendale added a Fred Bell Tournament title to its collection and was also ninth at the season-opening Panther Classic.
The Vikings had three district champions for the first time in program history and sent three to PIAAs for the first time ever, bringing home two medals, including the first-ever state championship.
106 pounds: Suds Dubler, freshman, Glendale — One of three freshman and the first of nine new faces on the Progressland All-Star team, Dubler made his mark early and often in his inaugural varsity season.
Dubler placed second in the Panther Classic, falling to North Allegheny’s Dylan Coy for his only regular-season loss. He then went on a 32-bout winning streak before losing in the semifinals of Southwest Regionals to Chestnut Ridge’s Kai Burkett, the eventual fifth-place finisher at states.
The Viking freshman won a District title at 106 and was third at regionals before going 2-2 at PIAAs. Of Dubler’s four losses this season, three came to eventual state medal winners.
Dubler’s 41 wins was third most in Progressland, while his 25 pins was tops and is believed to be a Glendale single-season record. He was also tied for second in the area for most technical falls with three.
113 pounds: Garret Misiura, sophomore, Glendale — Part of a murderer’s row of sorts for Glendale, Misiura (30-10) teamed with Dubler and McMillen to make life miserable for opposing teams’ lightweights. After starting out the season with two losses in his first five bouts, Misiura won 22 of his next 27 regular-season bouts and then exceeded his fifth seeds at districts, by placing fourth.
Misiura went on to win two bouts and regionals and came one away from advancing to PIAAs. He also nabbed a fourth-place finish at the Fred Bell Tournament.
His 30 wins has him tied with three other wrestlers for sixth most in Progressland and his 16 falls is also good for a sixth-place tie in that category. Misiura is 51-23 going into his junior campaign.
120 pounds: — Austin Foster, Freshman: Philipsburg-Osceola — The Mountie freshman got out out to fast start in his first varsity action, winning seven of his first eight bouts. He went 3-2 in both the Conestoga Valley Tournament and rugged Ultimate Warrior Tournament, just missing placing in both.
Foster placed sixth at the District class 2A tourney, earning a berth at Southwest Regionals in the process. He ended his season with 20 wins, scoring pins in 14 (12 pins, 2 tech) of those bouts.
126 pounds: Tyler Denochick, Senior: West Branch — After putting together three solid and consistent seasons as an underclassmen, the Warrior senior put it all together in his last postseason.
With records of 25-9, 25-10 and 26-10 and sixth-, fifth- and fourth-place finishes in the District 6 Tournament, Denochick had certainly put together a good foundation heading into his senior year. But after another fourth-place medal at districts, Denochick reached another level down the stretch, placing third at Southwest Regionals and 7th at PIAAs to cement his status as an all-time Warrior great.
Denochick avenged a pair of district losses to Forest Hills’ Byron Daubert by beating the Ranger 4-3 at regionals to reach the third-place both where he took down Freedom’s Z. J. Ward 8-2. He then went 3-2 at states to earn his medal.
His 35 wins are fifth most in the area and his 20 pins are fourth-best. Denochick ends his career with a record of 111-39.
132 pounds: Blake Passarelli, senior, Curwensville — With his selection, Passarelli becomes a four-time Progressland first-team All-Star. He was a four-time PIAA qualifier and placed eighth as a junior, but fell short of the podium in his last trip to Hershey.
But Passarelli became the Golden Tide’s first-ever four-time state qualifier by picking up three consecutive wins in the 126-pound consolation bracket at Northwest Regionals before finishing fourth. Passarelli also grabbed a second-place finish at districts after falling to eventual PIAA placewinner Anthony Glasl (fifth) by 3-2 Ultimate Tiebreaker.
Passarelli was 27-10 in his senior season with 12 falls and 3 major decisions. His 10 wins and 3 majors were both tied for tenth most in Progressland. Passarelli ends his four-year run at Curwensville with a record of 115-36.
138 pounds: Chase Chapman, junior, Philipsburg-Osceola — After missing nearly three weeks of the season due to an injury, Chapman came back better than ever on his way to a PIAA berth.
He placed second at the Ultimate Warrior Tournament at 132, his only loss coming in the finals to Greater Latrobe’s Gabe Willochell, the eventual class AAA fourth-placer at PIAAs. Chapman went on to take third at the D-6 Class 2A tourney and then turned the Southwest Regional tourney upside down with his pin of returning PIAA bronze medalist Conner Reddinger in the quarterinals. He then took out Cornell 8-6 in the semis before falling to Bedford’s Kaden Cassidy in the finals.
Chapman went 1-2 at PIAAs and ended his season with a record of 27-9. His 27 wins are tied for tenth most, while his 3 tech falls are tied for second. Chapman has 75 wins going into his senior season.
2018-2019 Altoona Mirror Wrestling All-Stars
Updated on 06/10/2022
By Todd Irwin, Altoona Mirror
It was a banner 2018-19 for many wrestlers and some teams in the Mirror coverage area, particularly for Glendale sophomore Brock McMillen and Chestnut Ridge senior Jared McGill.
It was a golden year for McMillen and McGill.
Spurred on by hard losses in the previous year’s PIAA Class 2A Championships, they won state titles at 126 and 170 pounds, respectively.
Because of their super years, McGill and McMillen, who combined to go 83-1, have been named Co-Wrestlers of the Year on the 36th annual Mirror All-Star Team.
McGill’s coach, Greg Lazor, has been named the Mirror’s Coach of the Year for the sixth time in the last eight years. Lazor, who shockingly announced his resignation on Monday, guided the Lions to a 16-1 record and a third-place finish at the PIAA Duals.
McMillen, who was a state runner-up at 113 as a freshman, became Glendale’s first state champion when he beat Bishop McDevitt’s Chase Shields, 3-2, in the finals. McMillen (43-1 this season, 84-5 in his career) won his first District 6 and Southwest Regional titles to get to the state tournament.
McGill, who got upset and finished third last season, breezed to his state title with three technical falls and an 8-2 decision over McGuffey’s Christian Clutter in the finals. A four-time District 5 champion and two-time Southwest Regional champ, McGill finished with a record of 40-0.
The Lions have become a dynasty in District 5 under Lazor, winning eight straight district team titles at the individual tournament and seven straight District 5 Duals titles. Lazor, who went 203-48 in 11 seasons, was named District 5 Coach of the Year eight straight years.
More on the Wrestlers of the Year and the Coach of the Year in the following pages of the Mirror.
The first, second and honorable mention teams follow the order of the Mirror rankings, with some exceptions at deep weights like 170 and 220, where there are two first-teams, respectively. There are also two first-teamers at 113. The deepest weight is 220, where there were five state qualifiers and six wrestlers on the three teams.
106 pounds: Kai Burkett, Chestnut Ridge: Burkett had a heck of a sophomore season, going 35-6 with 18 pins and three technical falls. Burkett captured his second District 5 title and finished second at the Southwest Regional, where he won his semifinal showdown against Glendale’s Suds Dubler, 7-3, before losing to South Park’s unbeaten Joey Fischer, 4-3, in the finals.
He made the semifinals and placed fifth in his first appearance at the PIAA Class 2A Championships. A Mirror second-teamer last year, Burkett is 66-15 in two years.
113 pounds: Nathan Holderbaum, Chestnut Ridge: Holderbaum shined in the postseason, especially in a fourth-place finish at the state tournament after placing fifth at the Southwest Regional. He won his first three bouts at Hershey, including two by fall, to make the semifinals, where he lost to Forest Hills’ eventual champion Jackson Arrington, 6-1. The Ridge junior won a District 5 title and went 31-13 with 19 pins. He’s 60-27 in two years as a starter.
113 pounds: Hunter Walk, Tyrone: Walk went 31-13 with 15 pins and two technical falls as a sophomore. He placed third at the District 6 Tournament and fourth at the Southwest Regional to qualify for his first state tournament, where he went 1-2.
120 pounds: Roland Mills, Huntingdon: It was a breakout junior season for Mills, who went 31-12 with 13 pins and four major decisions. He finished fifth at the District 6 Tournament and was 2-2 at the Southwest Regional.
132 pounds: Kaden Cassidy, Bedford: After sitting out most of last season at Chestnut Ridge with a thumb injury, Cassidy went 36-2 with 15 technical falls and seven pins. He won a District 5 Tournament title, beating Everett’s Garret Cornell, captured his second Southwest Regional title with a 15-0 technical fall over Philipsburg-Osceola’s Chase Chapman.
Cassidy made the state semifinals, where he lost to Saucon Valley’s eventual champ Josh Jones, beat Cornell for the third time in overtime in the consolation semifinals, and finished third despite tearing his meniscus. He also finished third as a freshman at Bishop McCort.
138 pounds: Alex Richner, Moshannon Valley: The Black Knight junior makes the first team for the second time, with the first time coming as a freshman. Richner went 23-11 with nine pins wrestling between 132 and 145 and placed fifth at districts. He went 2-2 at the Southwest Regional, including a win over Northern Bedford’s Ian Sherlock, ranked No. 1 by the Mirror. Richner is 80-31 in three years.
145 pounds: Logan Marko, Central: The Scarlet Dragon senior is on the first team for the first time after going 28-13 with 11 pins wrestling between 145 and 170. Marko, who had 88 career wins, placed fourth at 145 at the District 6 Tournament and went 2-2 at the Southwest Regional, coming up a win shy of making the medal round.
152 pounds: Hunter Weitoish, Philipsburg-Osceola: Weitoish went 30-11 with eight pins in his sophomore season after jumping from 126 as a freshman. Wrestling with an ankle injury in the postseason, he placed fourth at the District 6 Tournament and fifth at the Southwest Regional, avenging a district loss to Moshannon Valley’s fellow first-teamer Jon Dale, 5-3, in the fifth-place bout. Weitoish went 2-2 at his first state tournament.
152 pounds: Jon Dale, Moshannon Valley: Dale is on the first team for the first time in his four-year career after going 30-10 with 16 pins. The Black Knight senior finished third at the District 6 Tournament for his third district medal and placed sixth at the Southwest Regional to qualify for his second state tournament. Dale went 118-37 in his career.
160 pounds: Cole Sossong, Portage: The Mustang senior had quite a senior season, going 43-8 with 18 pins and eight major decisions. Sossong finished second at the District 6 Tournament for the second straight year, and he placed for the fourth time. He finished third at the Southwest Regional, lost his first bout in Hershey, won three straight consolation bouts and took sixth at states. The school career leader in wins, Sossong went 137-34.
170 pounds: Derek Brown, Penn Cambria: Brown returns to the first team after going 38-5 with 22 pins as a senior, won his first District 6 title and finished third at the Southwest Regional, with his loss coming to McGuffey’s second-ranked Christian Clutter, 3-1, in the semifinals.
Brown, who battled a knee injury from football, made the state tournament semifinals, where he lost to Clutter, 3-2. He rebounded with two pins to take third place after placing sixth last season. Brown, who will wrestle at Clarion University, went 131-38 in his career.
182 pounds: Mason McCready, Hollidaysburg: McCready returns to the first team after going 31-7 with 15 pins, three technical falls and six major decisions. McCready won his second District 6 3A Tournament title and finished second at the Northwest Regional to qualify for his second state tournament. He went 2-2 in Hershey, coming up a win shy of earning his second medal.
The Bucknell University recruit went 103-45 in his career.
195 pounds: Damon Lemin, Tussey Mountain: Lemin, who was 17-13 last season, went 29-9 with 15 pins as a senior. He finished second at the District 5 Tournament, and he was a runner-up at the Southwest Regional, beating Bentworth’s returning regional champion John Vargo, 3-1, in the semifinals to make the finals. Lemin went 1-2 at the PIAA Championships.
220 pounds: Cory Johnston, Glendale: Only a junior, Johnston went 43-7 with 24 pins and was the last of three Vikings to win a District 6 title. He finished third at the Southwest Regional to qualify for his first state tournament, where he lost his first bout and won four straight consolations, including an avenging win over Hopewell’s Connor Forrest, and placed sixth. Johnston was 12-4 last season and is 72-20 in his career.
220 pounds: Duane Knisely, Chestnut Ridge: Also only a junior, Knisely went 35-8 with 21 pins, placed fifth at the prestigious Powerade Tournament and won a District 5 title. Knisely finished second at the Southwest Regional, losing by a point, 3-2, to Derry Area’s two-time state runner-up Dominic DeLuca in the finals. Knisely, who was 15-21 two years ago and is 78-42 in his career, went 1-2 at the state tournament.
285 pounds: Nate Simmers, Altoona: Simmers is on the first team for the first time as a senior after going 22-5 with 13 pins at 220 and 285. He moved up to 285 again for the postseason, won his second District 6 title and finished second at the Northwest Regional, dropping a 1-0 decision to Cathedral Prep’s eventual state champ Kawaun DeBoe in the finals. Simmers went 98-37 in his career.
Glendale's Brock McMillen wins school's first state title
Updated on 06/10/2022
Golden Boy: Glendale's Brock McMillen wins school's first state title
HERSHEY — Historic.
There’s no better word to describe what Glendale sophomore Brock McMillen accomplished this weekend at the PIAA Class AA Wrestling Championships, as he got the proverbial “monkey off the program’s back” by becoming the Vikings’ first state champion.
McMillen captured that historic gold medal with a hard-fought 3-2 victory in the 126-pound finals Saturday afternoon against Bishop McDevitt senior Chase Shields.
The feat was years in the making for McMillen, who has enjoyed success at all levels of wrestling. He made it his mission to become the school’s first gold medalist when he reached the varsity a year ago as a freshman.
And, the wrestler known for racking up bonus-point victories accomplished that mission by winning three straight 3-2 matches in Hershey. McMillen scored an escape in the third period for the deciding point in all three wins in the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.
None were bigger than the one against Shields.
After a scoreless first period in the finals, Shields escaped 10 seconds into the second period to take a 1-0 lead. McMillen then went to work and got in deep on a shot, scoring a takedown with 1:20 left in the period.
Shields escaped again just before the midway point of the period to even things at 2-2 before the pair battled on their feet the remainder of the period.
McMillen chose bottom in the third and needed just 19 seconds to get out from under the Crusader. The Viking held off Shields on his feet from there with the match ending with the two in a tie-up on the edge of the mat.
When the buzzer sounded, McMillen pumped his fists in the air and ran over and jumped into the arms of head coach Billy Dubler, who was a sixth-place medalist for the Vikings back in 1997.
“It was emotional for me. It felt real good after last year,” said McMillen. “Being there (finals) again and winning this time felt great. I usually don’t get too emotional, but after what I went through last year it felt really good to win.”
Although not his usual style, McMillen was happy with pulling out the trio of close victories to strike gold.
“I never like the score to be real close and like to score a lot of points,” said McMillen. “But, sometimes you have to see what’s there, and if nothing is there, just hold off the other guy coming at you until you can score.
“I thought I wrestled pretty well in the finals. I knew what he had coming, so I tried to defend it as much as I could. I didn’t get as many attacks as I would have liked, but I finished the one off.”
Dubler couldn’t have been more proud of his sophomore.
“It’s awesome,” said Dubler. “He’s the first one in our school history, and it couldn’t happen to a better kid. Brock knows how to win and has always been a winner since he was 8 years old. He won a PJW title and now a state title in high school.
“He’s just a student of the game. We were back at the hotel (Friday night) watching him (Shields) in his three matches on Flo. Brock is a coach’s dream. You want all 14 of your wrestlers doing that. Hopefully they can take some notes and see what this guy is doing.”
McMillen’s victory also denied Shields a state title he was desperately seeking to end his career. Shields, a four-time state medalist with a career record of 144-24, finished his career with three straight silver medals after placing sixth as a freshman.
As for McMillen, the historical aspect of his victory and what it means wasn’t lost by the Viking.
“It means a lot,” he said. “I live in a small town, a small area, so it feels good to be the first state champ there.
“I really appreciate all the support from my school and the community. It’s awesome what they’ve done for me, and I just want to thank them along with family and friends and my coaches — John (Strittmatter), Jody (Strittmatter) and Billy Dubler.”
McMillen wasn’t the only Viking to land on the podium Saturday, though as junior Cory Johnston went 4-3 on the weekend to place sixth at 220 pounds. It marked just the second time Glendale had two medalists in the same year, with the first coming in 1985.
That year Tom Ross and Jim Orichosky each placed fifth at 167 and the old unlimited division, respectively. Ross was a state runner-up the following year at 185, as he and McMillen are the only Glendale wrestlers to ever reach the state finals. They are also the only two-time state medalists in school history.
Johnston, who lost his opening bout Thursday, made an impressive run through the consolation bracket _ capturing four straight wins before losing the consy semifinals Friday night to land in the fifth-place match. He had two pins and a major decision during that pin.
Johnston fell in his fifth-place bout to Wilson’s Kolby Flank, 9-3, Saturday afternoon but still came away with his first medal by placing sixth.
Flank hit a big five-point move in the final 10 seconds of the first period to go up 5-0, and the Viking was never able to recover from there. Johnston scored three escapes in the match, two in the third period.
“It was pretty special to come in for the first time and get a medal,” said Johnston. “I was just pleased to have the opportunity to wrestle in here and I gave it my all and was able to end up on the podium.
“I went hard in the match before the blood round and then in the blood round (to guarantee himself a medal) and gave everything I had.
“Next year I want to be a state champ. That’s been my goal every since I was a little kid, and I’m glad I was here with Brock to wrestle with him and watch his achieve his goal of becoming a state champ.”
“Coming back from injury last year and placing fifth at districts to make regionals was a nice stepping stone for him (Johnston),” said Dubler. “Then, he put in more work in the offseason and he had better luck with no injuries in football and here he is.
“I knew he was one of the top guys in the state, and he wants to be a state champion next year. After placing sixth as a junior, he’s on the right track. Everything he’s doing is the right stuff, he just has to stay consistent.”
After qualifying five wrestlers to states the past two season and coming away with three medals — including gold and silver by McMillen — Dubler is excited about putting the Glendale program back on the map at the state level even if some still haven’t heard of Glendale.
“It’s funny, one of fans asked Coach Dudurich if we dropped down from Class AAA,” said Dubler. “We were like, ‘if there was a single A we wouldn’t even be that.’ We got to be one of smaller schools in the state for what we’re doing.
“We’re getting the most out of the kids and definitely back on the map, and I think people are going to hear from us for a while. All the guys who were down here this year are coming back, and all their teammates are still working hard now.
“We shouldn’t be satisfied though. There’s no reason we shouldn’t be in that team title hunt (in future). It going to take a lot of work, but if the guys commit and put in the time, it’s doable.”
McMillen, McGill, Cassidy triumph
Updated on 06/10/2022
INDIANA — Chestnut Ridge’s Jared McGill entered the Southwest Regional Tournament ranked No. 1 by PA Power Wrestling at 170 pounds.
McGill then went out Saturday at IUP’s Ed Fry Arena at the Kovalchick Convention Center & Athletic Complex and proved why he was the top-ranked guy at the weight.
McGill went 4-0 with two technical falls, a pin and captured his second regional title with an 8-2 decision over McGuffey’s second-ranked Christian Clutter in the finals.
McGill needed overtime against Clutter to win at Powerade, but he built a 5-0 lead after two period with two takedowns and an escape. He added a takedown and a stalling point to raise his record to 36-0.
“He did great,” Ridge coach Greg Lazor said. “He really improved on his hand fighting and his motion with Clutter. He just wrestled a lot smarter.”
Two other area wrestlers captured titles, and 24 area wrestlers in all qualified for the PIAA Championships.
Bedford’s Kaden Cassidy claimed the 132-pound title — the second regional title of his career — with an impressive 15-0 technical fall over Philipsburg-Osceola’s Chase Chapman, the Cinderella of the tournament who knocked off Everett’s Garret Cornell in overtime in the semifinals.
Glendale sophomore Brock McMillen earned his first regional title with a 6-4 win over Derry Area’s Tyler Cymmerman in the 126-pound finals.
Three other area wrestlers finished second in Ridge’s Kai Burkett at 106 and Duane Knisely at 220 and Tussey Mountain’s Damon Lemin at 195.
Burkett, who won his semifinal showdown against Glendale’s Suds Dubler, 7-3, dropped a 4-3 decision to South Park’s returning regional runner-up Joey Fischer.
“He had a real tough kid,” Lazor said. “He had a real nice scramble at the end, was real close to some points. He did not get the takedown, but he was right in the match. Overall, he did a good job, and we saw some things we can work on for the next two weeks.”
“I thought Suds did a great job in the semis,” Glendale coach Billy Dubler said. “I think at the start of the match, he was feeling the guy out a little too much instead of getting into his offense. He chose bottom, and he got tilted twice, but he started fighting back. I think the next time they wrestle Suds is going to do a better job. Burkett is a heck of a wrestler.”
Dubler came back to finish third, as did teammate Cory Johnston (220).
Knisely reached the finals with a 4-3 win over Hopewell’s Connor Forest, but he lost a hard-fought 3-2 decision to Derry Area’s top-ranked Dominic DeLuca in the finals.
“He gave the kid all he wanted,” Lazor said. “He took an ill-advised shot in the first period and gave up two points with 10 seconds to go in the first period. I wish we could have those 15 seconds back.”
Ridge advanced four to states, including fifth-placer Nathan Holderbaum (113). The Lions finished in second place in the team standings with 93.5 points. Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy won the team title with 140.5 points.
“We always leave this place elated at one point and broken hearted for others at another point,” Lazor said. “It’s just one of those tournaments where some reach their dreams, and other dreams are dashed. It’s always a crazy tournament.”
Lemin knocked off Bentworth’s John Vargo, 3-1, in the semis before getting pinned by Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy’s Kolby Franklin in 2:14 in the finals.
Penn Cambria advanced three to Hershey in third-placer Derek Brown (170) and sixth-placers Chase Proudfit (126) and J.C. Smychynsky (182).
“The last two years, we’re seven for seven,” Penn Cambria coach Todd Niebauer said. “We took four guys last year (to regionals) and got them all out. We took three this year and got them all out.”
Also advancing were Everett’s Cornell (fifth) and Shane Clark (fourth, 220), P-O’s Hunter Weitoish (fifth, 152), Moshannon Valley’s Jon Dale (sixth, 152), Tyrone’s Hunter Walk (fourth, 113), Bellwood-Antis’ Trentin Whaley (sixth, 195), Portage’s Cole Sossong (third, 160), Central Cambria’s John Croft (fifth, 220), Cambria Heights’ Seth Link (fourth, 160), Northern Bedford’s Austin Mowry (fifth, 170), Huntingdon’s Myles Baney (sixth, 170).
Cassidy dominated from the top position against Chapman, tilting him numerous times and getting the technical fall in 5:12. Cassidy’s first regional title came two years ago for Bishop McCort.
“I thought he got better as the weekend went on,” Bedford coach Joel Easter said. “In the finals, the Philipsburg guy was on a roll and he mowed through the bracket. But I think that was Kaden’s first complete match. Overall, I think that was the best match he’s wrestled this year.”
Chapman, who pinned Quaker Valley’s sixth-ranked Conner Redinger in the quarterfinals, took Cornell down in OT to win, 8-6, in the semis.
“He wrestled really well,” P-O coach Brad Pataky said. “He wrestled a very, very smart match (against Cornell). He beat Cornell in all of the positions that he needed to. It’s the best he’s wrestled, and he understands what he’s capable of doing.”
McMillen, a returning regional runner-up, was Glendale’s first regional champion since 1986.
“He just wrestled great,” Coach Dubler said. “He was scoring takedowns, scoring reversals and scoring points from the top position. He was wrestling confident. He’s a trailblazer for us.”
TEAM KEY
A–Avella; AVON–Avonworth; BEA–Bald Eagle Area; BE–Beaver; B–Bedford; BA–Bellwood-Antis; BENT–Bentworth; BB–Berlin Brothersvalley; BC–Beth-Center; BM–Bishop McCort; BL–Blairsville; BURG–Burgettstown; BURR–Burrell; CH–Cambria Heights; CAR–Carlynton; C–Central; CC-Central Cambria; CV–Central Valley; CHART–Chartiers Houston; CR–Chestnut Ridge; CK–Claysburg-Kimmel; DA–Derry Area; EF–Elizabeth Forward; E–Everett; EC–Elwood City; FC–Fort Cherry; FH–Forest Hills; FRA–Frazier; FA–Freedom Area; G–Glendale; GC–Greensburg Central; HIGH–Highlands; HOPE–Hopewell; H–Huntingdon; JM–Jefferson Morgan; KO–Keystone Oaks; L–Laurel; LV–Ligonier Valley; MC–Marion Center; MCG–McGuffey; M–Meyersdale; MV–Moshannon Valley; MP–Mount Pleasant; MU–Mount Union; NB–Northern Bedford; NS–North Star; PO–Philipsburg-Osceola; PC–Penn Cambria; PV–Penns Valley; P–Portage; QV–Quaker Valley; R–Richland; SJ–St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy; S–Somerset; SH–Southern Huntingdon; SOUTH–Southmoreland; SP–South Park; SSB–South Side Beaver; TM–Tussey Mountain; T–Tyrone; V–Valley; W–Washington; WB–West Branch; WG–West Greene; WH–Westmont Hilltop; Y–Yough
TOP 20 TEAM STANDINGS
1. Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy 140.5; 2. Chestnut Ridge 93.5; 3. Forest Hills 79; 4. Freedom Area 77.5; 5. Glendale 66; 6. Mount Pleasant 60; 7. Burrell and Derry Area 56; 9. Quaker Valley 52.5; 10. Westmont Hilltop 44; 11. Penns Valley 39.5; 12. Ellwood City and North Star 39; 14. Penn Cambria and Mount Union 36; 16. Hopewell 35; 17. Everett and West Branch 33; 19. Bedford and Burgettstown 32.
SEMIFINALS
106–Fischer, SP, dec. Toth, FH, 9-4; Burkett, CR, dec. Dubler, G, 7-3; 113–Michaels, EF, dec. Gilham, BEA, 3-1; Arrington, FH, tech. fall N. Holderbaum, CR, 16-1, 4:39; 120–Oswalt, BURR, dec. Shunk, PV, 7-2; Ohl, SJ, pinned Gwyer, BC, 4:27; 126–McMillen, G, dec. Denochick, WB, 8-4; Cymmerman, DA, dec. Proudfit, PC, 2-1 TB; 132–Chapman, PO, dec. Cornell, E, 8-6 OT; Cassidy, B, dec. Witmer, SJ, 3-2; 138–Ealy, HOPE, tech. fall DuVall, PV, 15-0, 4:12; Gibson, FH, maj. dec. Corrado, BURR, 15-5; 145–Dowling, SJ, maj. dec. Kemper, BURG, 15-3; Pugh, BBV, dec. Kazalas, QV, 4-3.
152–Schultheis, FA, dec. Rothrock, SJ, 5-0; Holbay, WH, dec. Supanick, NS, 6-2; 160–Lawrence, FRA, won by medical forfeit over Mele, BURR; Stoltzfus, SJ, maj. dec. Sabol, R, 9-1; 170–McGill, CR, pinned Hutcherson, V, 2:42; Clutter, MCG, dec. Brown, PC, 3-1; 182–Walley, EC, dec. Yingling, WB, 10-6; PItzer, MP, pinned Miller, FA, 4:51; 195–Lemin, TM, dec. Vargo, BENT, 3-1; Franklin, SJ, dec. Tremain, NS, 3-0; 220–DeLuca, DA, dec. Croft, CC, 3-0; Knisely, CR, dec. Forrest, HOPE, 4-3; 285–Winfield, SH, dec. Beatty, MC, 4-2; Ryan, MU, dec. Stephens, M, 7-2.
CONSOLATION SEMIFINALS
106–Toth, FH, dec. Geibig, MP, 7-2; Dubler, G, maj. dec. Beatty, MU, 13-2; 113–Gilham, BEA, dec. Yagle, MCG, 4-2; Walk, T, dec. N. Holderbaum, CR, 7-4; 120–Teeter, MP, dec. Shunk, PV, 6-5; Gwyer, BC, dec. Giedroc, BEA, 7-0; 126–Denochick, WB, dec. Daubert, FH, 4-3; Ward, FA, dec. Proudfit, PC, 6-4; 132–Chambers, EC, dec. Cornell, E, 3-2; Witmer, SJ, maj. dec. Redinger, QV, 10-0; 138–DuVall, PV, dec. Dushek, FA, 1-0; Kelly, WH, dec. Corrado, BURR, 3-2; 145–Kemper, BURG, dec. Pail, FA, 5-2; Kazalas, QV, maj. dec. Krug, FH, 8-0.
152–Rothrock, SJ, dec. Weitoish, PO, 5-0; Supanick, NS, pinned Dale, MV, :30; 160–Link, CH, won by medical forfeit over Mele, BURR; Sossong, P, maj. dec. Sabol, R, 10-2; 170–Hutcherson, V, dec. Mowry, NB, 7-4; Brown, PC, pinned Baney, H, :59; 182–Henigin, BL, dec. Yingling, WB, 6-3; Miller, FA, maj. dec. Smychynsky, PC, 11-0; 195–Magin, QV, dec. Vargo, BENT, 4-2; Tremain, NS, maj. dec. Whaley, BA, 10-1; 220–Johnston, G, dec. Croft, CC, 5-0; Clark, E, dec. Forrest, HOPE, 1-0; 285–Stephens, M, dec. Kemper, BURG, 6-4; Comedy, W, dec. Beatty, MC, 6-1 TB.
FIFTH PLACE
106–Geibig, MP, dec. Beatty, MU, 4-2; 113–N. Holderbaum, CR, pinned Yagle, MCG, 3:49; 120–Shunk, PV, tech. fall Giedroc, BEA, 16-0, 3:51; 126–Daubert, FH, dec. Proudfit, PC, 4-2; 132–Cornell, E, pinned Redinger, QV, 2:44; 138–Dushek, FA, dec. Corrado, BURR, 3-2 UTB; 145–Pail, FA, dec. Krug, FH, 5-2.
152–Weitoish, PO, dec. Dale, MV, 5-3; 160–Sabol, R, won by medical forfeit over Mele, BURR; 170–Mowry, NB, dec. Baney, H, 8-2; 182–Yingling, WB, dec. Smychynsky, PC, 6-1; 195–Vargo, BENT, pinned Whaley, BA, 4:41; 220–Croft, CC, dec. Forrest, HOPE, 3-0; 285–Kemper, BURG, dec. Beatty, MC, 15-8.
THIRD PLACE
106–Dubler, G, dec. Toth, FH, 5-0; 113–Gilham, BEA, dec. Walk, T, 5-1; 120–Teeter, MP, dec. Gwyer, BC, 3-1; 126–Denochick, WB, dec. Ward, FA, 8-2; 132–Witmer, SJ, maj. dec. Chambers, EC, 8-0; 138–Kelly, WH, dec. DuVall, PV, 6-3; 145–Kazalas, WV, dec. Kemper, BURG, 4-2.
152–Rothrock, SJ, dec. Supanick, NS, 4-3; 160–Sossong, P, dec. Link, CH, 8-3; 170–Brown, PC, dec. Hutcherson, V, 6-1; 182–Miller, FA, pinned Henigin, BL, 3:38; 195–Tremain, NS, dec. Magin, QV, 6-3; 220–Johnston, G, dec. Clark, E, 6-0; 285–Stephens, M, dec. Comedy, W, 4-1.
CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS
106–Fischer, SP, dec. Burkett, CR, 4-3; 113–Michaels, EF, dec. Arrington, FH, 6-1; 120–Oswalt, BURR, maj. dec. Ohl, SJ, 17-3; 126–McMillen, G, dec. Cymmerman, DA, 6-4; 132–Cassidy, B, tech. fall Chapman, PO, 15-0, 5:12; 138–Ealy, HOPE, dec. Gibson, FH, 11-5; 145–Dowling, SJ, maj. dec. Pugh, BBV, 14-6.
152–Schultheis, FA, dec. Holbay, WH, 5-0; 160–Lawrence, FRA, dec. Stoltzfus, SJ, 8-2; 170–McGill, CR, dec. Clutter, MCG, 8-2; 182–Pitzer, MP, dec. Walley, EC, 9-6; 195–Franklin, SJ, pinned Lemin, TM, 2:14; 220–DeLuca, DA, dec. Knisely, CR, 3-2; 285–Ryan, MU, dec. Winfield, SH, 4-2.
Suds, McMillen, Johnston all prevail in the finals for the Vikings
Updated on 06/10/2022
http://www.altoonamirror.com/sports/local-sports/2019/02/suds-mcmillen-johnston-all-prevail-in-the-finals-for-the-vikings/
District 6 Wrestling Information
Updated on 06/10/2022
District 6 Wrestling Duals (Tuesday) Information:
1) Glendale will face the winner of the Marion Center/West
Branch match.
2) Marion Center vs West Branch match is at 6:00.
3) PIAA Prices: Adults- $6.00. Students- $3.00.
4) This is a playoff match. No student athletic passes will be
accepted.
5) Doors to the gym will not be open until 5:15.
More information will be posted once it is received from District 6.
Altoona Mirror Athlete of the Week: Brock McMillen
Updated on 06/10/2022
Name: Brock McMillen
School: Glendale
Age: 16
Grade: Sophomore
Sport: Wrestling
Athlete of the week achievement: McMillen won the 126-pound title at the 45-team Panther Holiday Classic Saturday with a 5-4 victory over returning Class 3A state placewinner Matt Sarbo of Altoona.
Season update: McMillen is 6-0 for the Vikings.
Coach Billy Dubler’s quote: “Brock is a team leader, and he practices harder than anyone and does all the extra things. He’s a team player and as a sophomore those qualities are rare. Brock is wrestling beyond his years and is great to have on the team.”
Favorite teacher: Mr. Hunter
Favorite subject: Math
Favorite movie: “Facing the Giants”
Favorite food: Wings
Favorite song: “Lose Yourself” by Eminem
Outside interests: Hunting and fishing
Favorite professional team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Favorite college team: Iowa
Pro athlete most admired: Jason Nolf
Best athlete I ever competed against: Mount Union’s Josh Boozel
Most influential person on my athletic career: John and Jody Strittmatter and Billy Dubler
Proudest athletic achievement: Runner-up at states at 113 pounds last year
How I got my start in wrestling: Saw it when I was 8 and wanted to try it
Future goal: “Continue to improve every day.”
Glendale wrestling team aiming high this season
Updated on 06/10/2022
FLINTON — The Glendale wrestling team took a big step last year, finishing the season with a dual meet record of 11-11, while placing sixth at the District 6 Class AA Tournament, where it qualified five for Southwest Regionals.
And with 10 letterwinners back, led by regional qualifiers Seth Dudurich, Cory Johnston and Tristan Rutter and headlined by Brock McMillen, who placed second in the state at 113 pounds as a freshman, the Vikings are poised for bigger and better things in the 2018-19 season.
“Brock had a state runner-up finish, which tied a Glendale record, and he’s just getting started,” fifth-year head coach Billy Dubler said. “Four of last year’s five regional qualifiers are back and we will look to them to lead this young team to new heights.”
Joining McMillen and juniors Dudurich, Johnston and Rutter as returning letterrwinners are senior Brent Kuhn, junior Kyle Jasper and sophomores Cameron Fyock, Logan Keith, Garrett Misiura and Baine Seilhammer.
“These guys are a great group of talented young men,” Dubler said. “They are extremely hard workers and deserve what they get.”
Also on the 16-person roster are seniors Ben Kasaback and Chris Shomo, junior Dustin Hockenberry, sophomores Boston Bloom and Winter Storm and a pair of freshman in Solomon (Suds) Dubler and Evan Duclo, who look to make an immediate impact.
“Starting us off at 106 is electric freshman Solomon Dubler. He has a ton of wrestling experience over the years and has paid his dues,” said coach Dubler. “He has many PJW State medals (2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 6th) and he is a multiple-time freestyle and greco state champion. He is fun to watch and we expect big things from him right out of the gate.
“We have another freshman at 120 in Evan Duclo. Evan had a really good junior high season last year. He has great practice partners and Evan is going to be a different wrestler at the end of the season. Evan works really hard and is in great condition.”
Sandwiched between the freshman will be Misiura, who won 20 matches as a freshman and made the ICC All-Star team.
McMillen, who went 41-4 as a freshman last season, picked up second-place finishes in the District 6, Southwest Regional and PIAA Tournament, falling to eventual state champion Josh Boozel (Mount Union) each time, is looking for an even better season as a sophomore.
“Brock brings next-level wrestling to this team,” Dubler said. “He is the total package. If there is a wrestling award out there, he’s already won it. Brock expects to be a state champion this year and we hope he drags as many Vikings as possible with him on his trail to Hershey in March.”
Seilhammer will eventually fill the spot at 132 after the 2-pound weight allowance following Christmas break.
Rutter, who was the District 6 runner-up last season at 138 and missed making the PIAA Tournament by one match, looks to compete at 138 again this season.
“Tristan is bigger, stronger, and more explosive than he’s ever been,” Dubler said. “We will push him hard to make states this year. Tristan is going to have a big year.”
Newcomer Bloom will slot in at 145, followed by Kuhn at 152/160.
“We will get Brent the best possible matchups so he is battle tested to make a postseason run,” Dubler said. “Brent was an ICC All-Star last season and has worked just as hard or harder than anybody this offseason. Brent earned his way to being one of the leaders of this young team.”
Kasaback could fill a spot in the lineup anywhere from 160 to 182, depending on where he is needed in a particular match, while Fyock will also fit in that part of the lineup once he recovers from injury.
Dudurich is back to compete at 195 after finishing fourth at districts and qualifying for regionals last season.
“Seth is more upbeat about this wrestling season as I’ve ever seen him,” Dubler said. “Seth is thinking about making the drop to 182 pounds for the postseason but wherever Seth lands he will be a handful for anyone. Seth is a bull.”
Johnston, who missed much of his sophomore season before making a nice postseason run is back at 220, hoping to put together a full junior campaign.
“Cory missed the beginning of last season with a knee surgery and never really got on track until he made a nice district run to 5th place from the 16th seed,” Dubler said. “Cory is the perfect example of why seeds don’t matter at the tournament. I cant wait to see what Cory can do with a whole season under his belt. He and Seth have been moving like lightweights at practice.”
Jasper is back to anchor the team at heavyweight.
“Kyle missed the postseason last year but has improved a great deal under the guidance of coach Kody Ness,” Dubler said. “Kyle has put in a lot of work in the offseason. He is so much stronger than last year. Kyle seems more focused this year and it’s exciting to see.”
Keith (220-285) and Shomo (285) along with lightweights Hockenberry and Storm provide the Vikings with crucial depth in case of injury.
“They give our team depth and flexibility,” Dubler said. “To have more success in duals we need wrestlers like Winter, Dustin, Logan, and Chris.”
With all the returning talent, the Vikings have aimed high with their goals this season.
“We want to win the ICC,” Dubler said. “We want to finish in the top 2 at the District duals and take our team to Hershey. We want to bring home a team trophy at the D6 Tournament.
“Led by ICC All-Stars and postseason heroes Garret Misiura, Brock McMillen, Tristan Rutter, Brent Kuhn, Seth Dudurich, and Cory Johnston we can wrestle with anybody. We need to be committed and wrestle great to achieve these goals.
“Our staff will do our best to keep these guys motivated while having as much fun as possible. Our biggest challenge will be to bring our less experienced guys up to the level of our All Stars which I see steps already taken towards this in the practice room.”
Glendale opens its season Dec. 13 at Tussey Mountain.
Roster
Seniors
Ben Kasaback, *Brent Kuhn, Chris Shomo.
Juniors
*Seth Dudurich, Dustin Hockenberry, *Kyle Jasper, *Cory Johnston, *Tristan Rutter.
Sophomores
Boston Bloom, *Cameron Fyock, *Logan Keith, *Brock McMillen, *Garrett Misiura, *Baine Seilhammer, Winter Storm.
Freshmen
Solomon Dubler, Evan Duclo.
*Returning letterwinners
Schedule
December
13—at Tussey Mountain. 14/15—at Penn Cambria Tournament, TBA. 18—Everett. 20—at Juniata Valley.
January
3—at Moshannon Valley, 4 p.m. 5—at Juniata Duals, 9 a.m. 8—Mount Union. 10—at Claysburg-Kimmel. 15—at Southern Huntingdon. 17—Bellwood-Antis. 19—at Claysburg-Kimmel Duals, 9 a.m. 22—Northern Bedford.26—at Fred Bell Tournament (Grove City), 9 a.m.
February
7—West Branch.
Matches begin at 7 p.m. unless noted.