Butler shapes up as threat to win section, WPIAL titles in Class AAA wrestling

Thursday, December 03, 2009

By Ken Wunderley, Tri-State Sports & News Service

John Heller/Post-Gazette

Butler Area wrestling coach Scott Stoner has the number 17 in mind as the high school season approaches.

"We've wrestled North Allegheny 17 times since our program was started in 1991," Stoner said. "North Allegheny has won all 17 matches. We're hoping to end that streak this year."

Stoner could get his wish. Butler enters the season as the favorite to win the Section 3-AAA championship. The Golden Tornado has all but three starters back from last year's squad, which qualified for the WPIAL Class AAA team tournament and finished with a 23-6 record.

"I've never had that many kids back," Stoner said. "Most of the kids in our lineup this year will have significant varsity experience. With that in mind, we are already practicing at a high level. We're definitely excited about the season."

Butler has eight starters returning who registered 20 or more victories last season, including WPIAL champion and PIAA fifth-place finisher Cole Baxter (45-2 at 145 pounds).

"The great success Cole had last year has really helped the program," Stoner said. "The kids saw every day in practice how hard he worked and how much he accomplished. His work ethic has made his teammates work just as hard."

The other Butler wrestlers who had 20 or more wins are Zach Reges (23-19 at 112), Eric Tuck (29-13 at 119), Cody Hartman (29-12 at 130), Dillon Weston (23-11 at 135), Mike Crawford (29-11 at 140), Dakoda Collins (28-15 at 160) and Chris White (30-14 at 189).

"Our feeder system has been the key to our success," Stoner said. "Donnie Geibel has done a great job with the junior high. He has a 55-10 record in four seasons. And he loves working with the junior high. He thinks it's the most important job in the world."