BVA’s Brown captures state wrestling title
He defeated Cooper Roscosky of Kiski Area in the finals.
HERSHEY — Belle Vernon’s wrestling program finally has a state champion.
On the school’s sixth try, junior Elijah Brown achieved what five others previously had attempted.
Brown defeated Westmoreland County rival Cooper Roscosky of Kiski Area, 4-3, in the Class 3A 215-pound final Saturday at Giant Center.
Roscosky scored a takedown with two seconds left. It was the fifth consecutive win this season for Brown against Roscosky.
Brown (48-1), a Pitt commit, recorded a takedown 21 seconds into the match and then added an escape for a 4-0 lead.
Roscosky (41-8) took neutral to begin the third period, but Brown did a good job fending off the KA junior’s attack.
“It feels awesome to be Belle Vernon’s first state champion,” Brown said after an exhausting match. “Yeah, I put a lot of work into this. It’s super exciting.
“I knew I could win. Being the guys before gave me a lot of confidence going into the match, but there was definitely a lot of pressure.”
Brown said his height advantage is a big key in the matches because Roscosky has trouble scoring.
“He’s heavier than me, but he’s also a lot shorter, so I think keeping my distance is a big part of it.”
Brown said winning in Fargo this past year gave him the confidence going into the season.
Belle Vernon coach Bob Bove said he was happy to break the drought.
Roscosky said he did not capitalize on his chances.
“I felt I had a few shots in the match, but I hesitated and that is my fault,” Roscosky said.
Roscosky said he felt well enough to win and was pleased with overall performance.
“We have three of the top four wrestlers coming back,” Roscosky said. “Every one of us could have won. We’ll see if we change weight classes next year so we all can win.”
Central Catholic sophomore Roman Thompson placed third, and Ringgold senior Jake Conroy was fourth at 215.
Thomas Jefferson senior Maddox Shaw won his second PIAA title by defeating Connellsville senior Evan Petrovich, 4-2, at 152. Shaw got a takedown in the second period to build a 4-0 lead.
The Ohio State commit said he’s grateful to be able to win again.
“I said at the WPIALs that winning never gets old,” Shaw said. “It’s even more special at the state level. I feel Pennsylvania has the best wrestling in the country for a reason.
“Everybody is tough, and to do it two times is really special, and I can only thank God for that.”
Petrovich said he was pleased with how he wrestled even though he was fighting a cold.
Latrobe senior Luke Willochell finished as a PIAA runner-up for the second time in his career. He lost a 9-3 decision to Council Rock South senior Anthony Mutarelli in the 133 final. Willochell finished second in 2022 at 106 pounds to Nathan Desmond of Bethlehem Catholic.
“I did pretty good,” Willochell said. “I had a nice takedown in the finals match, but I gave up back points and that changed the outcome.
“I am happy with my finish. I really had a great career, and my 166 wins ties Luke Pletcher and Zack Zavatsky for most wins in school history.”
Zavatsky said Mutarelli used a sweep single to get the first takedown.
“I let my guard down on the edge, and he took advantage of it.”
Thomas Jefferson senior Bode Marlow finished second to State College senior and Penn State commit Asher Cunningham, 126.
The match was a lot closer than last week’s West Regional final, when Cunningham won 17-0.
Connellsville finished fourth a team and had a record five placewinners. Along with Petrovich, sophomore Kai Vielma placed third (139), sophomore Tommy Gretz (107) and Lonzy Vielma (160) placed sixth, and sophomore Nolan Rice (121) was eighth.
Latrobe and Kiski Area had three placewinners each. Sophomore Hunter Snyder (189) placed third, and senior Leo Joseph (121) was fourth for the Wildcats.
The Cavaliers’ other placewinners were freshman Mario Hutcherson (sixth at 172) and senior Mark Gray (seventh at 189).
Place winners
Second place: Latrobe senior Luke Willochell (133), Connellsville senior Evan Petrovich (152), Thomas Jefferson senior Bode Marlow (172) and Kiski Area junior Cooper Roscosky (215).
Third place: Peters Township sophomore Nicholas McGarrity (107), Butler junior Santino Sloboda (127), Indiana senior Nico Fanella (133), Connellsville sophomore Kai Vielma (139), Latrobe sophomore Hunter Snyder (189), Central Catholic sophomore Roman Thompson (215) and Thomas Jefferson senior Shepherd Turk (285) Fourth place: Latrobe senior Leo Joseph (121), Canon-McMillan junior Collier Hartman (133) and Ringgold senior Jake Conroy (215).
Fifth place: Trinity junior Dom Canali (127). Sixth place: Connellsville sophomore Tommy Gretz (107), Connellsville senior Lonzy Vielma (160) and Kiski Area freshman Mario Hutcherson (172).
Seventh place: Penn-Trafford junior Dylan Barrett (114), Baldwin senior Ramil Islamov (145), Kiski Area senior Mark Gray (189) and Armstrong junior Philup Rearick (285).
Eighth place: Connellsville sophomore Nolan Rice (121) and Montour junior Rook Smith (160).
