Butler clinches playoff spot with win over Shaler

By DEREK PYDA Eagle Staff Writer

January 14, 2005 Last Updated: February 01, 2005 03:58 PM High School

BUTLER TWP - Though his team had a chance to win with two matches remaining, Shaler wrestling coach Rick LaFerriere said the outcome had been decided long before that.

"We lost the match at 119," he said of Ian McLaughlin's pin of Shaler's Jon Drezmiecki. "Jon took the kid down a few times but ends up getting pinned.

"That whole thing was at least … a nine-point swing," added LaFerriere.

It was one of four pins the Golden Tornado managed in a 42-24 win Thursday night, clinching a WPIAL Class AAA team playoff spot in the process.

The Titans (9-6, 3-3) had pulled to within 19-15 via Butler's forfeit at 112 pounds before the 119 matchup.

Drezmiecki tallied two takedowns within the first 1:03 of the bout, but the next 19 seconds saw McLaughlin turn the tables with a reversal and subsequent pin.

"Ian has been around wrestling a long time," said Butler coach Scott Stoner. "He's got a lot of raw ability, but he just got lazy, getting taken down twice in the first period.

"He lost to the same kid a few times back in elementary, but I really wasn't worried that he'd lose this match," said Stoner. "I was just frustrated he put himself in that position."

With two bouts to go, Butler led 33-24 and sent Tom Hollerman out to battle Andy Sibenac at 145.

Sibenac led 7-1 after two minutes, but Hollerman took control in the second period with a takedown and a total of six back points.

Leading 9-7 with one period left, Hollerman held off his opponent for a 12-9 victory, clinching the team win for Butler (10-2, 6-1).

"At the beginning of his match, Tom put himself in some bad positions and he wasn't real aggressive on defense," said Stoner.

"Then in the second period, Tom picked up two big sets of back points," he added.

Also picking up pins for Butler were Josh Coburn (152), Ryan Eck (189) and Marcus Hough (275).

Coburn's triumph came in just 33 seconds over Chris Sample, while Eck took just 39 seconds to beat Matt Frissora.

"We just gave up too many points tonight to a good team," said LaFerriere.

Butler's win clinches at least a third-place finish in the section.

"If Pine-Richland beats (North Allegheny) and we finish with a win over P-R (Jan. 26), that should make it a three-way tie for first place, unless there is some kind of tie-breaker I'm not aware of - and I can't remember the last time there was a three-way tie at the top," Stoner said.

"Right now we are just focused on winning our remaining dual matches," he added

Butler has made two schedule changes.

The Golden Tornado will host McKeesport at 7 p.m. Tuesday while the Feb. 3 home match with Greensburg Central Catholic has been canceled.

Butler 42, Shaler 24

103 pounds -

Lou Cervi (S) dec. Rob Runyan, 9-5

112 -

Lee Todoro (S) won by forfeit

119 -

Ian McLaughlin (B) pinned Jon Drezmiecki, 1:22

125 -

Decker Hubbs (B) dec. Kyle Stagel, 6-4