By: Ray Fisher Saturday, December 7, 2024 | 11:01 AM Chaz Palla | TribLive During the Allegheny County Wrestling Championship at Fox Chapel High School on January 21, 2014, Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins faces Thomas Jefferson’s Maddox Shaw (top) in the 145-pound match. Last season, Bethel Park’s wrestling squad reached the WPIAL semifinals, achieving a […]
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Saturday, December 7, 2024 | 11:01 AM
Chaz Palla | TribLive
During the Allegheny County Wrestling Championship at Fox Chapel High School on January 21, 2014, Bethel Park’s Ethan Higgins faces Thomas Jefferson’s Maddox Shaw (top) in the 145-pound match.
Last season, Bethel Park’s wrestling squad reached the WPIAL semifinals, achieving a notable 19-3 record.
The Black Hawks secured fourth place in Class 3A in the final Trib HSSN rankings after triumphing over North Hills, 39-15, and North Allegheny, 26-19, in the initial two rounds of the WPIAL tournament.
In the semifinal, Trinity narrowly defeated the Black Hawks 27-26, as did Franklin Regional, who won 28-27 in the third-place consolation match.
Coach Tyler Nauman is aiming for similar success—and even improved outcomes—this season.
“Our goal is to clinch our section title and aim for a Top 3 finish in the WPIAL as a team,” Nauman remarked, “and on an individual level, we’re striving to qualify many wrestlers for states.”
Nauman has a committed group of wrestlers, including 11 starters returning.
Seniors Ethan Higgins (145 or 152 pounds), Seth Miller (133), Michael Gibson (285), Ryan Walsh (189/215), Hunter Goelz (189/215), Aden Stout (139), Maksim Miller (160), and Jaden Palombine (114/121), as well as sophomores Pierce Reinhart (121), Colton Fisher (127), and Ian Buchelli (145/152), will reprise their roles.
“We will only have three or four freshmen or sophomores new to the lineup,” said Nauman. “Additionally, we’ve brought in Ryan ‘Goose’ Gossett as an assistant coach.”
Higgins had a 34-10 record with 13 pins last season and holds an overall career record of 83-41. He captured a section championship and finished fifth in the district.
The 2023-24 season commenced with Higgins winning seven of his initial eight matches, followed by a seven-match winning streak, capping it with 15 consecutive victories and 16 wins out of 18 matches.
“I anticipate our team will be competitive against any opponent we face,” Higgins stated. “We will perform as well as last year, if not better, and I have full faith in my teammates that they will prevail.
“My personal goal remains the same—to win and dominate in every match I compete in and secure a PIAA state medal.”
Miller recorded 32 wins with 11 pins in the 2023-24 season. He emerged victorious in eight out of his first 10 matches and won eight of nine contests in February, finishing the season by winning three of his last four matchups.
“I believe our team has what it takes to compete at a high level again this year, similar to last year,” Miller expressed. “We are a strong team with significant potential, both collectively and individually. I believe we can push through the WPIALs and have a solid chance to reach states and go far. My teammates are dedicated both in and out of the wrestling room.
“My personal ambition is to qualify for states and compete there. Our region is particularly challenging, but I trust that the effort I invested in the offseason will help me achieve that.”
Among last year’s double-digit winners for the Black Hawks were Stout, who went 26-11 with 10 pins, Palombine (22-11), Fisher (20 wins), Goelz (19), Bucheli (18), and Gibson (16).
This season, Bethel Park will compete within an all South Hills Section 3-3A alongside Baldwin, Mt. Lebanon, Peters Township, and Upper St. Clair.
Last year, the Black Hawks clinched the section championship with a perfect 5-0 record.
Tags: Bethel Park
