Wrestling championships season is underway and the Bobcat wrestlers are pinning medal hopes in their sights.

The first round of WPIAL wrestling matches took place for the guys’ team February 17 at Keystone Oaks High School. This match consisted of every team in the Bobcats’ northern WPIAL section, so Beaver Area wrestlers were facing opponents from schools like Quaker Valley, Blackhawk, and Freedom.

Freshman Dylan Ferricks competed in the 114 pound weight class at this championship. He started the tournament in winning fashion by beating a Keystone Oaks opponent in the Championship Quarterfinal by technical fall. Ferricks then battled for a spot in the final but unfortunately was pinned by a Quaker Valley wrestler in the semifinal. A consolation match win landed Ferricks in an impressive third place in his weight class.

Seniors Nick Thompson and Aaron Miller also found success at the WPIAL North Section match. Thompson defeated opponents from Central Valley and Avonworth to take home a bronze medal. Miller found more success in his weight class as he defeated the first two opponents he faced from Freedom Area and Avonworth. These wins landed him a spot in the Championship Final, where he ultimately fell to a wrestler from South Side Beaver to earn second place.

Other Beaver Area wrestlers at the match who managed wins were sophomores Colton Robinson and Anthony Kosmal. Both won their initial matches before being defeated in the quarterfinals.

After the section match, the Bobcats looked forward to the WPIAL Wrestling Championship match. Only Miller, Thompson, and Ferricks qualified to this match. Despite the encouraging section results, all three wrestlers fell to their first round opponents.

The day was not over though as, again, all three wrestlers bounced back and won their consolation first round match against opponents from Valley, Jefferson Morgan, and South Allegheny.

These victories qualified Thompson, Miller, and Ferricks for Day 2 of the WPIAL championship match. All three wrestlers eventually fell in the second round of consolations.

Although not the result the wrestlers hoped for, three male wrestlers making the WPIAL championship is a big feat for a growing program at Beaver Area.

On the girls side, junior Emmaleah Cunningham has continued her impressive run this season.

February 17, Cunningham competed in the WPIAL championship as well.

The first round she faced off against a North Allegheny wrestler. After a quick 2 minute match, Cunningham pinned her opponent to move her on to the Championship Quarterfinals.

After a long quarterfinal match, Cunningham unfortunately fell to her opponent from Canon-McMillan by pin.

Despite this loss, Cunningham won her next two matches against opponents from Butler and Seneca Valley to place her into the consolation semifinals.

Cunningham eventually won by technical fall against a Plum opponent to end up in fifth place for her weight class.

Cunningham will now wrestle at the West Regional March 2 as a qualifier to the PIAA Girls Championship match.