Local wrestlers ready for WPIAL 3A championships

By DAN PALM

MVI Sports

Twenty-five wrestlers from four local schools will descend on Canon-McMillan High School today trying to earn a trip to the PIAA state championships in Hershey next weekend. But a few have their sights set higher, looking to win a Class 3A WPIAL Championship.

Belle Vernon Area sophomore Cole Weightman is the No. 2 seed at 220 pounds with senior Brendan Finnerty of Thomas Jefferson slotted third at 160.

Weightman (25-1) wrestled all season at a 195 but moved to 220 last weekend and won his first section championship.

“Cole went up to go for gold and we feel real good about his chances,” said first-year BVA coach Bob Bove. “No disrespect to anyone there because there are good kids at every weight and we have to go wrestle. (This) is the best wrestling state in the country and the WPIAL is the best region in the state. He would have to earn the title at either weight so there is no ground-breaking reason.”

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