The Lady Macs have shining stars in the making
Girls wrestling is the fastest growing sport in the nation right now. To go along with the varsity girls success, the youth girls are also out showing what they’ve got. We first need to congratulate Bri’Ella Collins for defending her PJW State Championship to earn her second title in as many years. She secured this title on the heels of a second place outing at the Keystone State Championships. Not to be forgotten, we also need to congratulate Aleeya Dreshman for her PJW State Championship run this year! Aleeya push to the top of the PJW podium after securing third at the Keystone State Championships. While these two girls pulled down the most glorified of the medals awarded, they were by no means the only youth girls to secure podium placements at the state championships this past post-season.
Also securing medals for the youth girls at the PJW Championships were Isabella Bueno-Bistarkey in fourth place, Gianna Cafeo with fifth place, and Cora Studd with sixth place. Huge compliments to these girls for their accomplishments at this tournament. Also qualifying for the PJW State Championships but not placing were Anabelle Bauman, Noelle Miller, Addie Saussol, Farrah Henderson, Ella Saussol, and Abigail Bueno-Bistarkey.
Many of the mentioned girls also competed at the Keystone State Championships earlier in the post-season. Already mentioned was Bri’Ella Collins gathering second place. While she wasn’t able to defend her state title at this championship, this is still an amazing showing. Also with a second place performance was Isablella Bueno-Bistarkey. Others that gathered podium positions were Aleeya Dreshman in third, Noelle Miller in sixth, Gianna Cafeo and Abigail Bueno-Bistarkey in seventh, and Cora Studd in eighth. While not able to stand on the podium, Ella Saussol, Addie Saussol, and Brooke Valentic also wrestled and should be proud of the work they put into the sport.
How about our boys?!
While the girls racked up the medals and kudos, the boys worked their butts off to make appearances at these state championships as well. Parker Kolarcik, Cameron Longstreth, CJ Dreshman, Abel Stoffella, Carter Brett, Owen Smith and Grayson Koons all represented Canon-McMillan at the Keystone State Championships. Grayson, Owen, and CJ all fell out in the blood round. For the PJW State Championships, Grayson Koons, Axel Frederick, Nolan Valentic, Abel Stoffella, Carter Brett, Kyle Studd, Larenzo Gregory, Mason Haught, CJ Dreshman, Owen Smith, Victor Moreau, Parker Kolarcik, and Neil Kirby all qualified. While none were able to stand on the podium, making it to these tournaments is a great accomplishment.
Middle School Boys to Look For
While the youth boys did great work making their marks at the state tournaments, the middle school boys were able to claim hardware at both tournaments.
For the PJW State Championships, the middle school team was able to qualify nine of fifteen weight classes. Dakota Carmona, Gionno Gardner, and Mason Calgaro all placed fifth. Austin Smith and Owen Rush placed seventh while Lee Dreshmen placed eighth. Also qualifying but coming short of the podium were Aidan Finnigan, Bryce Collins, and Isaac Hrelec. Not to mention that Parker and Victor from the above group were on the middle school team.
As for the Keystone State Championships, the team didn’t place as well. Austin Smith took third, Dakota Carmona took fifth and Lee Dreshman took seventh. Others to qualify were Aidan Finnigan, Bryce Collins, Gionno Gardner, and Isaac Hrelec.
Off Season Notes
Andrew Binni was selected to represent the WPIAL at the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic where he closed his CM career with a 9 - 0 major decision. We will look to cheer him on for the US Naval Academy as next season rolls around. The girl’s team had many recognitions for being the first sanctioned state champions. Most recently, by Mayor David Rhome and the Canonsburg Borough Council.
Also, as with many sports, there isn’t always a true off-season. If our wrestlers aren’t engaging in other sports, many are continuing there wrestling actions in the freestyle and Greco-Roman disciplines. Some have already qualified for PA Freestyle and Greco-Roman State Championships. We’ll continue to check on those wrestlers to see how they do.