Official Press Release from the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic
Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic 2022 Date Announcement Press Release 1 v1 12-10-2021.pdf
The Steel City is known for having great sports teams and the Rose Bowl of Wrestling the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic. For the second time Indiana has been invited to participate and take on the WPIAL. A team of 12 seniors will face off with a team from Pennsylvania on March 25th in Pittsburgh. This is a first-class event from start to finish with a banquet on Thursday night and team activities planned for during the day on Friday. As coach Trent McCormick said after the event in 2016, “Our wrestlers were treated like royalty leading up to the dual.”
As organizer of this once again I am extremely excited to take another group of Indiana hammers to this event. The organizers are some of the best people in the sport and profits from the event go to charity. The kids are treated great with a nice banquet on Thursday evening with team announcements along with a guest speaker. On Friday plans are being worked out for a team activity. The last time we were there we had a boat ride and lunch along the river and got to see the city of Pittsburgh.
Our seniors this year are loaded from top to bottom. We will have matches in 12 weights that we are working together with the PWC committee to align in the best way possible. Pennsylvania high schools currently utilize 13 weights with the major differences from 170 on up.
Last time out we lost the WPIAL beat us 27-18 winning 7 matches by two points or less! I think it’s time we roll into Pittsburgh looking to dominate and come away with a big win in hostile territory. That was on top of having to make a couple last minute replacements due to injuries the week of the event.
In the main event Indiana is 8-1 with wins from greats like Alex and Jason Tsirtsis, Stevan Micic, Blake Mauer and more! This year both Jesse Mendez and Zeke Seltzer are likely both on the short list for an invitation to wrestle for Team USA in the event.
Once tickets are on sale I will post information on the website. The last time we brought a big contingent and the PWC committee was extremely impressed with how well we traveled. I told them we want to fill up half the gym and make it a home match this time!
Stay up to date with Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic information on social media and their website. Web site is www.papowerwrestling.com/pittsburgh-wrestling-classic/
Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PWrClassic and Twitter @PWrClassic
2016 Indiana vs. WPIAL
WPIAL 27, Indiana 18
113: Aaron Burkett (WPIAL) dec. Geoffrey Davis (Indiana), 2-0 OT.
120: Ethan McCoy (WPIAL) dec. Drew Hildebrandt (Indiana), 7-4.
126: Chris Eddins (WPIAL) dec. Gaige Torres (Indiana), 6-3.
132: Mike Heinl (WPIAL) dec. Owen Doster (Indiana), 6-4.
138: Shaun Wilson (WPIAL) dec. Evan Eldred (Indiana), 8-4.
145: Damon Greenwald (WPIAL) dec. Jordan Vaughn (Indiana), 5-4.
152: Steven Lawrence (Indiana) FALL Derek Verkleeren (WPIAL).
160: Mitch Hartman (WPIAL) dec. Cael McCormick (Indiana), 2-1.
170: Drew Hughes (Indiana) FALL Anthony Welsh (WPIAL), :33.
182: Blake Rypel (Indiana) dec. Milton Kobaly (WPIAL), 10-5.
195: Jake Kleimola (Indiana) dec. Drew Phipps (WPIAL), 4-3.
220: Mike McAleavey (WPIAL) dec. Nick Fox (Indiana), 2-1.
285: Hayden Rice (WPIAL) dec. Sean Galligar (Indiana), 2-1.
Past Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic participants and their results
2016 285- Shawn Streck (USA) vs. Jacob Beistel (PA), 8-4.
2016 132- Luke Pletcher (PA) tech fall Owen Doster (USA), 23-8.
2016 160- Drew Hughes (USA) dec. Jake Wentzel (PA), 6-0.
*Hughes won the Turning Point award for winning the match that sealed the dual for Team USA
2014 126 - Stevan Micic Hanover Central, Indiana MD Zeke Moisey, Bethlehem Catholic 13-4
*Micic was selected as the Outstanding Wrestler for Team USA
2012 113- Jarred Brooks Warsaw, Indiana DEC Billy Rappo, Council Rock South 8-5
2021 145- Jason Tsirtsis Crown Point, Indiana MD Zach Beitz, Juniata 13-4
2004 140- Alex Tsirtsis Griffith, Indiana DEC Isaiah Britton, Loyalsock 6-4
2004 171- Blake Maurer Mater Dei, Indiana DEC Kurt Brenner, Freedom 8-6
1998 130- Steven Bradley, Beech Grove, Indiana, DEC. Mark Conley, Dennington, 5-3
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