Haley Smarsh of Moon Area won a gold medal at the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships, defeating Shannon Logue, 17-6. Smarsh has medaled three consecutive years. Teammate Bryce Thomas and Montour's Kristen Walzer also earned medals, finishing seventh and third, respectively.
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.
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.
Saturday's WPIAL Girls Wrestling Championships at Mt. Lebanon High School will feature West Hills athletes Kristen Walzer and Haley Smarsh, both seeking to defend their titles. Class 2A and 3A boys tournaments will get underway Friday and continue Saturday. Carlynton, Montour and Moon wrestlers will partcipate.
Three West Hills wrestlers excelled at the WPIAL Class 3A Southern Section meet, with Cael Yanek and Liam Costa of Moon Area and Montour's Jacob Chacon winning their weight classes. Moon had a record 10 qualifiers for the upcoming WPIAL Championships. Four Montour wrestlers qualified in 3A as did one from Carlynton in the Class 2A event.