Gabe Lilly Claims Championship In Class AA Wrestling Sectionals

Gabe Lilly claimed the crown in the 160-pound weight class at the Class AA sectionals held Saturday at Keystone Oaks High School.

Forty-four teams competed.

Lilly pinned both of his opponents in the semifinals and finals and his championship match victory helped him reach 100 career victories. Lilly opened up the afternoon with a technical fall victory over Aaryn Edwards (Carlynton). Lilly pinned Carmine Battaglia (Beaver County Christian) at 1:24 in the championship.

Derek Allen (114 pounds) and Logan Shriver (121 pounds) were each under the weather according to their coach but Allen still took 2nd place while Shriver was able to place 4th in their respective weight classes.

Allen now has five more wins to hit 100.

“Kids were a bit under the weather this weekend we had the flu hit us pretty hard,” said coach John Fleming. “Gabe did fantastic with two pins and a tech fall win. He needs two more falls to pass the most pins in a year which was set by Austin Walley so he’s in some pretty big company.”

Brayden McClure (107 pounds) took 3rd Place and, along with Cameron Cirelli (145 pounds), each wrestled their best weekend of the year according to Fleming.

“Cameron wrestled really well this weekend as well although he didn’t qualify he won 2 matches in only his second year he did really well and showed a step up in wrestling maturity,” added Fleming.

Next week the Ellwood City Wrestling team will be wrestling at the WPIAL Class 2A Championships at Chartiers Valley High School with the four placed winners – Lilly, Allen, Shriver, and McClure – advancing.

“Some very tough competition and we are looking forward to peaking at the right time,” concludes Fleming.