WEXFORD — Hampton coach Joe Bursick didn’t get to choose which weight class began the Talbots’ Section 3-AAA semifinal wrestling match against Butler Wednesday night at North Allegheny High School.

But he might as well have.

The match began at 145 pounds, the Talbots (11-2) won the first three bouts, opened up a 40-3 lead and wound up with a 40-30 victory.

“I would have chosen 138 or 145 to start at, for sure,” Bursick said. “We’re strong right through those middle weights.

“It gave us a nice jump early.”

Hampton was able to build its insurmountable lead by getting a 3-2 decision over the Golden Tornado’s Zach Weaver (18-6) at 182 pounds and an unexpected forfeiture at 220. Hampton’s Patrick Keyser scored a pin at 106 pounds as well.

“Those were all points I didn’t see us getting,” Bursick said. “No way do we figure on being up 40-3 at any point in this match.”

“We didn’t hold ourselves in there when we had the opportunities to,” Butler coach Scott Stoner said. “We knew we would pull in some big points in the lighter weights, but we didn’t keep it close enough.”

The Tornado won the dual’s final five matches — three via pin, one by forfeit — to make the final score respectable.

Butler (10-3) then took advantage of four forfeitures to defeat Central Catholic, 42-24, to finish third in the section team event. North Allegheny defeated Central 59-10, then dominated Hampton, 54-12, to claim the section team title.

Weaver fell behind Hampon’s Justin Aippersbach 3-0 in their 182-pound match, scored a reversal with 30 seconds left, but could not score afterward. The Tornado forfeited at 220 pounds because one of their wrestlers failed to make proper weight to be eligible for that match.

“We just didn’t have any fire tonight,” Stoner said. “We didn’t compete hard. When we had to stay off our back to avoid getting pinned or giving up major points, we didn’t.

“I coach because I believe in our kids and I feel like I can make a difference. It’s frustrating ... I didn’t see us compete at a level that I can even assess.”

On a positive note for Butler, Korey Caudill (20-4) won a pair of matches at 126 pounds to become the first Tornado wrestler to hit the 20-win plateau this season.

Cody Houston (19-6) recorded his 15th pin of the season at 132, tying Weaver for the team lead.

“Cody has been our brightest star so far this year,” Stoner said. “His effort has been consistent and he brings it every night after not getting on the mat last year.”

Butler 170-pounder Ryan Hannon won two decisions — the latter 2-1 in overtime at 182 pounds vs. Central — to improve to 18-2 on the year.

The Tornado return to action Saturday at the Chartiers Valley Duals and will compete in the WPIAL team tournament Tuesday against an opponent to be determined.

Section 3-AAA Semifinal

Hampton 40, Butler 30

(Match started at 145 pounds)

106-Patrick Keyster (H) pinned Max Stalnalker, 1:52; 113-Connor Foust (B) pinned Alex Orkawitz, 1:20; 120-Blake Caudill (B) pinned John Keyser, 3:55; 126-Korey Caudill (B) dec. Andrew Siford, 7-4; 132-Cody Houston (B) pinned Joe Lehman, 2:39; 138-Xavier Bennett (B) by forfeit; 145-Kevin Synan (H) dec. Jeremiah Bortmas, 11-0; 152-Zach Kocak (H) dec. David Slomers, 12-7; 160-Colin Siford (H) pinned Will Bortmas, 2:43; 170-Ryan Hannon (B) dec. Tyler Huber, 4-0; 182-Justin Aippersbach (H) dec. Zach Weaver, 3-2; 195-Jake Hart (H) pinned Alex White, 2:53; 220-Ryan Claggett (H) by forfeit; Hwt.-Noah Shulman (H) pinned Damian Wheeler, 3:45

Third-Place Match

Butler 42, Central Catholic 24

(Match started at 152 pounds)

106-Max Ztalnaker (B) by forfeit; 113-Connor Foust (B) by foreit; 120-Joseph Vinmcenzo (CC) dec. Blake Caudill, 5-0; 126-Korey Caudill (B) pinned Jayson Dean, 1:03; 132-Cody Houston (B) by forfeit; 138-Justin Alexander (CC) dec. Xavier Bennett, 6-1; 145-Chris Nuss (CC) dec. Jeremiah Bortmas, 8-2; 152-Kyle Coniker (CC) pinned Josh Boozel, 3:23; 160-John Cole (CC) dec. Zach Raible, 4-3; 170-Will Bortmas (B) by forfeit; 182-JRyan Hannon (B)_ dec. Sam Fallon, 2-1 in OT; 195-Zach Weaver (B) by forfeit; 220-Alex White (B) dec. Adisa Branch, 3-1; Hwt.-Zach DeLuca (CC) pinned Damian Wheeler, 5:33