Haley Smarsh from Moon Area advanced to the finals of the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships, being the only West Hills wrestler to reach a championship match. Competing Saturday for the gold, she previously secured victories in the quarterfinals and semifinals. Still competing for medals are Moon's Bryce Thomas and Montour's Kristen Walzer.
Four of West Hills' five wrestlers advanced in the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships, with Kristen Walzer and Haley Smarsh winning in the girls division. Moon's Bryce Thomas also progressed in the championship bracket while Liam Costa and Cael Yanek dropped to consolation bracket action.
Five West Hills wrestlers qualified for the PIAA Individual Championships following regional tournaments. Notable performances include Montour's Kristen Walzer, Moon's Haley Smarsh and Moon's Cael Yanek, who all clinched gold in their weight classes. The PIAA championships are scheduled from March 5-7 in Hershey.
At the WPIAL Swimming Championships, West Hills swimmers Mimi Chamberlain, Noah Pickett, and Evey Fahnestock earned medals. Chamberlain secured second in the 100-yard breaststroke, Pickett fifth in the 500 freestyle and Fahnestock improved to sixth in the 100 breaststroke.
Two Cornell High School swimmers medaled at the WPIAL Swimming Championships, with Noah Pickett finishing second in the 100 butterfly and Mimi Chamberlain fifth in the 200 individual medley. Other notable performances came from swimmers from Carlynton and Moon.
More than two dozen competitors will represent the West Hills at the WPIAL Swimming Championships Thursday and Friday, Feb. 26-27, at the University of Pittsburgh's Trees Pool. Cornell, Carlynton, Moon and Montour will be represented, with Carlynton Evey Fahnestock and Cornell's Mimi Chamberlain and Noah Pickett looking to medal again.
Three West Hills high school wrestlers won gold at the WPIAL championships: Kristen Walzer of Montour, and Haley Smarsh, and Cael Yanek, both from Moon. Others included Liam Costa, who placed second, and three others who finished third or fourth, all advancing to the PIAA Regionals.