Mars wrestling coach Don Cooley didn't have words of advice for David Pisarcik as he prepared for the Southwest Region Class AA Championship final Saturday — but he did show his appreciation.

"I told him before the finals 'Thank you.' And David said 'What for?' I told him 'For the year. It's been a fun run,'" said Cooley.

It certainly hasn't been for Pisarcik's opponents as he steamrolled his way to four victories in the 189-pound division in the Southwest Regionals at the Cambria War Memorial Friday and Saturday.

Pisarcik allowed just two points in the four matches, including a 4-0 blanking of top-seeded Matt Lepley of North Star in the championship final.

This came on the heels of winning the WPIAL crown last weekend at Charleroi High School.

Pisarcik (45-0), the only WPIAL wrestler still undefeated this season, will be joined at the PIAA Championships by teammate Pete King, who placed fourth in the 215-pound weight class.

David's peaking at the opportune time," said Cooley. "Peter the exact same thing. They're coming into their own at the right time."

King had made it to the semifinals, winning two matches on Friday before he became ill.

"He got the flu bad Friday night after his two matches," said Cooley, who forfeited King's next match against Highlands' Nathan Tomporoski.

"I thought he had a better chance of winning in the consolations and he did that," said Cooley.

King earned a pin, then lost to Luke Miller of Chartiers-Houston 3-2 in the consolation finals.

The top five wrestlers in Class AA advance to the state tournament, which will be held Thursday through Saturday at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Pisarcik, the No. 1 seed for the Southwest Region, will face Brad Stoudt (46-7) of Brandywine Heights, the No. 5 seed in the Southeast Region in the first round.

King (33-9), the No. 4 seed in the Southwest region, will face the Southeast Region's No. 1 seed in Northern Lehigh's Scott Snyder (42-0).

"There will be more pressure there because it's a big tournament," said Pisarcik. "I'll just take it one match at a time. Coach (Cooley) has been counting down … Four more. We've been counting down since eight."

WPIAL Class AAA Finals

Butler sophomore Ian McLaughlin was tantalizingly close in two matches, but just missed out on a trip to Hershey.

At the WPIAL championships at Norwin High School, McLaughlin had reached the semifinals, but lost to McGuffey's Matt Scherich 9-6.

McLaughlin led 6-4 into the third period, but Scherich got McLaughlin in a cradle and was able to pull out the match.

"It was very close," said Butler coach Scott Stoner. "Ian got in position, but just didn't get in control of the position."

McLaughlin then defeated Shaler's Jon Drzemiecki 8-2 to reach the consolation finals. McLaughlin was banged up during the match and needed some injury time, but shook it off to hold on to the win.

In the consolation final, McLaughlin lost to No. 1 seed Rudy Chelednik of Greensburg Central Catholic 1-0.

"Ian was right there within striking distance, but not enough to get by," said Stoner. "They awarded medals, but not a ticket to Hershey."

Butler's Rob Runyan won his second-round consolation match against Avonworth's Conrad Branchen, but then lost to Keystone Oak's Anthony Zanetta in the third-round consolations.

Heavyweight Marcus Hough lost in his consolation match to Hempfield's Steve Santia in the third-round consolations.

Northwest Region Finals

Slippery Rock senior Patrick Kearney (215 pounds) stood his ground in the Class AA tournament, but just missed qualifying for the PIAA championship with a fourth-place finish.

Kearney (24-9) lost to No. 1 seed and District 10 champion Jordan Cooke of Youngville 10-8 in overtime.

Kearney defeated Clarion's Anthony Driscoll 17-4, then Sharpsville's Phillip Catrucco 3-1 in overtime. Catrucco had defeated Kearney three times this season.

In the consolation final, however, Cooke defeated Kearney again, this time 5-4.

"He competed against the district champion and the section champion," said Rockets' coach Fred Powell. "He wrestled really well. He was only one point away from going to Hershey."

Ridgway 60, A-C Valley 40 —Joe Brennan scored 27 points to lead the Elkers to the win in this District 9 Class A boys basketball consolation final at Clarion University Saturday.Ridgway outscored the Falcons 21-5 in the final quarter to pull away. Sean Foust led A-C Valley with 14 points.Despite the loss, the Falcons (20-7) will advance to the PIAA playoffs, where they will face Blairsville (25-2) at 6 p.m. Friday at IUP.A-C VALLEY 40Sean Foust 3 6-8 14, Ted Marron 10-0 3, John Kaufman 2 0-0 6, Kyle McCall 1 1-2 3, Ryan Jackson 2 2-6 6, Sean Courson 0 0-0 0, Garrett Greathouse 2 2-2 6, Willie Thomas 0 0-00, Mark Hart 1 0-0 2. Totals: 12 11-18 40.RIDGWAY 60William Egger 0 0-0 0, Charles Bullock 1 0-1 2, Joseph Brennan 10 7-11 27, Kevin Close 0 0-0 0, Daniel Lindgren 6 2-4 14, Steven James 2 11-12 15, Steve Parish 1 0-0 2. Totals: 20 20-28 60.3-point goals:Faust 2, Kaufman 2, Marron

Knoch 2, Freeport 2 —Neal Donnelly tallied both goals for the Knights (11-4-1) while Greg Acre and Shane Donnelly had assists as the Knights wrapped up the season.

Montour 2, Knoch 1 —Chris Dowling scored unassisted to account for the Knights' (6-7-5) lone goal.