| Article from Almanac Jan. 9, 2008 |
Bethel Park wrestlers in search of the missing piece.
Enter the Bethel Park High School gymnasium. Banners clutter the walls.
Notice anything missing?
Well, the wrestlers do. And, they have decided to do something about that this season. At 5-0 in Section 4-AAA and 8-1 overall, they are half way toward hoisting their own standard within that hallowed hall.
"In our wrestling room, we talk about 'the quest for the banner' and we mark off the matches," said first-year mat boss Bob Stewart, himself a product of the school's wrestling tradition having graduated in 1999.
"Our goal is to win the section title. We've never won a championship here. In the history of the program, it's never been done before. These guys want to get that goal and set themselves apart."
So far this season, the Black Hawks have distinguished themselves beyond the boundaries of Bethel Park. They are ranked among the top seven teams in the WPIAL.
"It's good to see Bethel's name there," said Stewart, who wrestled two years at Waynesburg College. "The ranking puts us on the map. It's good for us and motivates us but it also makes us a target. Teams will be gunning for us."
McGuffey is the next opponent that has the Black Hawks in its sights as BP hosts the Highlanders Jan. 9. Central Catholic follows on Saturday, Jan. 12 and, of course, the Black Hawks make a trip to Upper St. Clair on Jan. 23.
"They all have good teams and in this league there are no clear cut favorites. The USC match could determine the outcome of this section and what better way to end the regular season than with your rival."
BP opened league action in the best manner, pulling out a 35-30 triumph against perennial power Waynesburg, which is currently 11-1 overall. Martin Sams sealed the victory with a final-second, 5-4, decision at 135.
The Black Hawks followed with wins over Ringgold, 38-24, West Mifflin, 52-25, Thomas Jefferson, 63-6, and Peters Township, 61-15. In between, BP flexed its muscles at the Steve DeAugustino Classic held over the holidays at West Mifflin.
BP finished runner-up to Bermudian Springs, 263-170.5.
Adam Lazenga logged a title while Anthony Bonaccorsi, Rico Borz and Mike Ganley secured runner-up laurels. Phil Kail and Nick Bonaccorsi placed third while Rob Heuler and Jake Ricciuti finished fifth and Josh Ricciuti secured sixth.
"(At West Mifflin) we wrestled well as a team," said Stewart. "We had a couple of kids, who lost in their semifinal matches, come back and do well enough to become placewinners. Consolation matches are so tough to comeback from after a loss in the semifinals. Those who placed for us and those who won consolation matches were certainly as important as they accounted for a lot of points."
Capturing a championship counted for much as Lazenga edged John Kazalas from Keystone Oaks, 4-2, to claim the 215-pound weight class. Though a sophomore, Lazenga is a seasoned veteran. This winter, he is undefeated at 12-0.
"Adam has a great work ethic. He's a real hard worker," Stewart said.
Lazenga's labors have resulted in a Top 5 ranking in the WPIAL. Last year, he advanced to the district tournament and won two matches. This season, expectations are high.
"We hope he places high and gets to states," Stewart said. "Because he's gained a lot of great experience from last season, this year the goal is to go to states."
Stewart has that objective for other wrestlers on his youthful club. The Black Hawks boast just three seniors: Borz, Anthony Scarillo (171) and heavyweight Dan Buckley.
Borz is one of three BP grapplers with 11 victories. A team captain, he should close out his career with over 100 victories.
Though he only started wrestling in the eighth grade, Borz is the veteran on the team says Stewart and he is successful because of his quickness and his speed. Of the past WPIAL qualifier, Stewart said, "Rico is very quick and fast. Those two skills play to his advantage. Plus, he's a quick learner.
"He's one of our leaders and we expect big things from him this year."
So far the Black Hawks have gotten big gains out of cousins Nick and Anthony Bonaccorsi.
A freshman, Nick Bonaccorsi wrestles at 152. He was 12-2 after the PT triumph, having lost twice to a past state placewinner. Bonaccorsi is one of three newcomers on the club. The other freshmen are: Heuler, who is 9-6 at 103; and Kail, who is 11-3 at 119.
A junior, Anthony Bonaccorsi wrestles at 125. He is 9-3 overall with two of his losses coming to Sam Sherlock of West Mifflin.
"Anthony is one of the top wrestlers in the area. He and Nick come from a family with great (wrestling) bloodlines," Stewart said.
"Anthony's speed and technique are his strengths. Plus, he is intense in practices. His moves are smooth. He's a very fluid wrestler."
Once on top, Ganley proves as graceful. At 145, he is 11-2 overall. He reached the finals at West Mifflin only to be edged, 3-2, by Devin O'Brien of Bermudian Springs.
"Mike's a good rider," said Stewart. "He doesn't let many opponents escape.
With the Riccuiti twins, Jake at 160 and Josh at 140, as well as Jim Karam, another junior, at 189, the Black Hawks are not letting many opponents escape defeat this season.
"We're still a young team," Stewart explained. "Yet, we are real happy with how the season is progressing. I'm proud of the boys. They have wrestled hard and I'm happy to see the success they are experiencing. They have really done well.
"I think Waynesburg set the tone. That gave us a boost and built our confidence. We'd like to continue winning and get into the tournament as a team and as individuals go to states."
BP may be limited in its advancement in the WPIAL team tournament because the team lacks a bona fide 112-pound grappler.
"It's definitely a disadvantage," said Stewart. "It's hard to make up six points. It's difficult going into a match knowing that right off the bat you are down 6-0."
Once the team tournament is over and the individual matches commence with section wrestle-offs, BP goes to bat on its other goal of advancing as many grapplers to Hershey. In the past BP has taken only one wrestler in one season to the PIAA championships.
"The goal is to get as many as we can to states. I don't think BP has ever sent more than one guy in one year before. We're hoping that changes this season," said Stewart. "I think we have some guys who can wrestle up with the top guys in the WPIAL and make it to Hershey."
| Article from Post Gazette Jan. 28. 2008 |
Bethel Banner Season.
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The gymnasium at Bethel Park High School is decorated with banners that recognize the postseason achievements of its athletic teams. None of the banners are for wrestling.
That will soon change.
"We're finally getting our first banner after 41 years," Bethel Park coach Bob Stewart said. "I'm so excited. I can't wait to see it hanging from the rafters."
The Black Hawks' wrestling team earned its first banner by claiming the Section 4-AAA title with a 9-0 record.
"I'm not even sure if [the athletic department] has a ceremony or if they just put it up," said Stewart, a Bethel Park alumni in his first season as head coach. "I'll have to ask my athletic director."
Bethel Park (12-1 overall) is one of 16 teams entered in the WPIAL Class AAA team tournament that begins tomorrow with first-round and quarterfinal action. The Black Hawks are seeded seventh, despite finishing first in the section.
Bethel Park will face No. 10 seed Albert Gallatin (13-5) in the first round at 6 p.m. tomorrow at Canon-McMillan. The No. 2-seeded Big Macs will meet No. 15 seed Ringgold (13-5) in another first-round match at the same time. The winners face off at 8 p.m. in the quarterfinals.
"We've reached our goal of winning a section title," Stewart said. "Our next goal is to win in the first round."
Bethel Park has made six previous team tournament appearances and has yet to make it past the round of 16. "We've won a couple pigtail matches, but never in the first round."
Canon-McMillan is one of four sites for tomorrow's opening rounds. The four winners advance to Thursday's semifinals. Hempfield, Connellsville and Kiski Area are the other sites. Hempfield is the defending WPIAL champion.
The WPIAL Class AA tournament begins tonight with a pigtail match between Chartiers-Houston and Highlands. The winner advances to Wednesday's quarterfinals at Burrell, home of the defending WPIAL Class AA champions.
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