February 26, 2024 4:45 am
Cody Bellinger is going back to the Chicago Cubs, agreeing to an $80 million, three-year contract, according to a person familiar with the deal. The slugger can opt out of the deal after each of the first two years. The person confirmed the agreement to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it was pending a physical. Bellinger’s return would be a big win for the Cubs, who waited into spring training as the center fielder explored his options in free agency. He hit a career-best .307 with 26 homers, 97 RBIs and 20 steals in 130 games for Chicago in 2023.
February 26, 2024 4:44 am
VALLARTA, Mexico (AP) — Jake Knapp has won the Mexico Open, and it wasn’t easy until the end. Knapp had a four-shot lead going into the final round. That was cut in half in three holes and gone after seven holes. But the 29-year-old rookie from UCLA never lost the lead. He hit only two fairways and leaned on a short game that carried him to a 71. He won by two shots over Sami Valimaki. The victory gives Knapp a spot in the Masters and the PGA Championship. He also gets into the remaining five signature events with a $20 million purse.
February 25, 2024 1:20 am
The individual wrestling series got underway Saturday for area 3A wrestlers at the Sectional tournaments. Most large-school teams in the area took part in the Southern Sectional at South Fayette. Ringgold was placed in the Eastern Sectional at Norwin. The top six finishers in each weightclass advance to next week’s WPIAL 3A Championships at Canon-McMillan. We’ll have start-to-finish coverage of the WPIAL 3A Wrestling Championships and the PIAA West Regional Girls Tournament on the WJPA Sports Network with free audio on WJPA-AM (1450) and online at wjpa.com. We’ll also provide video coverage of the championship finals through the WPIAL partnership with FloWrestling and NFHS Network.
Trinity and Ringgold advanced nine wrestlers each. Peters Township and Waynesburg have seven qualifiers while Canon-McMillan will have five wrestlers in next weeks action. Trinity won four individual championships. Canon-McMillan and Waynesburg won two each, Peters Township one.
3A Southern Sectional Championships
107 Nicholas McGarrity (Peters Township) DEC Jonathan Emma (Mt. Lebanon), 11-4
114 Caiden Harbert (West Allegheny) DEC Ejiro Montoya (Mt. Lebanon), 1-0
121 Dom Canali (Trinity) DEC Collier Hartman (Canon-McMillan), 7-0
127 Andrew Binni (Canon-McMillan) DEC Ky Szewczyk (Waynesburg), 8-3
133 Mason Kernan (Bethel Park) DEC Ramil Islamov (Baldwin), 1-0
139 Blake Reihner (Trinity) F Ryder Joseph (Canon-McMillan), 1:35
145 Ethan Higgins (Bethel Park) DEC TJ Allison (Trinity), 3-2 TB2
152 Nick Jones (West Allegheny) DEC Luke Dunlap (South Fayette), 3-2
160 Keith Mincin (Baldwin) DEC Michael Lawrence (Chartiers Valley), 3-1 SV
172 Bode Morgan (Trinity) MD Parker Nave (Peters Township), 11-0
189 Robbie Allison (Trinity) FOR Jake Stephenson (Waynesburg), 0-0
215 Geno Calgaro (Canon-McMillan) F Landon Hartman (Bethel Park), 2:30
285 Roan Tustin (Waynesburg) DEC Michael Albert (Upper St. Clair), 6-4
Third place
107 Bryce Thomas (Moon) DEC Cade Stern (West Allegheny), 3-0
114 Brock Dennision (South Fayette) MD Jake Wright (Trinity), 8-0
121 Cael Yanek (Moon) MD Evan Sala (Mt. Lebanon), 9-1
127 Owen Klodowski (Baldwin) DEC AJ Snatchko (West Allegheny), 6-4
133 Logan Connolly (Chartiers Valley) DEC Logan Slovick (West Allegheny), 6-5
139 A.J. McGarrity (Peters Township) DEC Peter Leventis (South Fayette), 7-6
145 Cole Gibbons (Mt. Lebanon) DEC Liam Costa (Moon), 7-4
152 Ian Bucheli (Bethel Park) DEC Daniel Huffman (Waynesburg), 7-4
160 Cordan McDonnell (Bethel Park) DEC Brock Evans (Waynesburg), 3-1
172 Lachin Islamov (Baldwin) DEC AJ Tomaino (Bethel Park), 12-7
189 Nick Pruchnitzky (Chartiers Valley) TF Caleb Bebout (Peters Township), 21-6 4:24
215 Tyler Glover (Chartiers Valley) DEC Ronan Gibbons (Upper St. Clair), 6-5
285 Ben Lloyd (Mt. Lebanon) DEC Zack Stromock (Peters Township), 2-0
Fifth Place
107 Mickey Horne (Trinity) M FOR Mike Schoeb (Baldwin)
114 Floyd Huff (Waynesburg) F Jason Alex (Baldwin), 4:29
121 Colton Fisher (Bethel Park) DEC Issac Meyers (Peters Township), 2-0
127 Jonny Baiano (South Fayette) DEC Seth Miller (Bethel Park), 9-6
133 Joey Maritato (Moon) F Luke Rush (Waynesburg), 4:00
139 Aden Stout (Bethel Park) DEC Elijah Thomas (Moon), 6-2
145 Talan Mizenko (South Fayette) DEC Chris Cibrone (Peters Township), 3-1
152 Mario Del Rosario (Baldwin) F Zack Regotti (Moon), 4:19
160 Michael Olszewski (Moon) M FOR Cael Nicollela (Trinity)
172 Brayden Collins (Canon-McMillan) DEC Cameron Simon (West Allegheny), 8-1
189 Hunter Goelz (Bethel Park) DEC Bekzod Sharifov (Moon), 7-2
215 Roemiere Washington (Moon) F Adam Watson (Trinity), 2:52
285 Cam Danna (West Allegheny) F Michael Gibson (Bethel Park), 4:04
3A Eastern Sectional Results (Ringgold wrestlers)
Championships
133 Kai Vielma (Connellsville) F Braydon Campbell (Ringgold), 1:32
215 Juliano Marion (Franklin Regional) DEC Jake Conroy (Ringgold), 4-2
Third Place
114 Evan Tolliver (Ringgold) DEC Zachary Franks (Connellsville), 7-6
145 Luke Ankney (Franklin Regional) DEC Cristian Lowther (Ringgold), 5-3 SV
160 Ewan Olson (West Mifflin) DEC Jack Duncan (Ringgold), 6-2
Fifth Place
121 Nathan Klingensmith (Norwin) F Nico Bove (Ringgold), 1:52
152 Ethan Cartwright (Franklin Regional) MD Tanner Shawl (Ringgold), 10-2
189 Owen Conroy (Ringgold) F Jacen Wright (Penn Hills), 4:23
285 Elisua Daugherty (Franklin Regional) DEC Jay Holmes (Ringgold), 5-1
February 25, 2024 1:05 am
History was written Saturday at the WPIAL 2A Individual Wrestling Championships. Rune Lawrence of Frazier pinned Colin Whyte of West Greene in 53 seconds, earning his fourth individual title. Lawrence becomes the 32nd four-time WPIAL champion all-time. Two weeks from now, he’ll have the opportunity to win a fourth consecutive PIAA title, something that’s only happened 13 times previous. WPIAL/PIAA 4-Time Champions Chris Vargo, Bentworth, won a third WPIAL title, using a takedown and nearfall in the second period to take control. Rudy Brown, Burgettstown, scored a pair of takedowns in the third period of his championship match to earn his first gold medal. Derry won three titles including two by freshmen. Mason Horwat by a decision and Brady Brown pinning Bentworth’s Vitali Daniels who settles for a third-straight runner-up finish. Burrell and Central Valley each claimed two championships. The top eight finishers advance to next weekend’s PIAA Southwest AA Regional at Altoona High School. We’ll have start-to-finish coverage on the WJPA Sports Network with free audio online at wjpa.com.
2024 WPIAL 2A Individual Championships
107 Cam Baker (Burrell) DEC Bruce Anderchak (Quaker Valley), 4-2
114 Anthony Mucci (Derry) DEC Jorden Williams (Chartiers-Houston), 3-2
121 Antonio Boni (Central Valley) DEC Mason Wright (Beth Center), 8-1
127 Chris Vargo (Bentworth) DEC Nico Fanella (Indiana), 7-2
133 Jack Kazalas (Quaker Valley) DEC Parker Sentipal (Burgettstown), 8-5
139 Cooper Hornack (Burrell) DEC Gaven Suica (Burgettstown), 3-1 SV
145 Mason Horwat (Derry) DEC Rook Smith (Montour), 5-1
152 Rudy Brown (Burgettstown) DEC Damon Michaels (Elizabeth Forward), 5-2
160 Isaiah Pisano (Hopewell) DEC Ryan Celaschi (Frazier), 5-3
172 Elijah Brown (Belle Vernon) DEC Braedon Welsh (Fort Cherry), 1-0
189 Brady Brown (Derry) F Vitali Daniels (Bentworth), 3:07
215 Rune Lawrence (Frazier) F Colin Whyte (West Greene), 0:53
285 Brenan Morgan (Central Valley) DEC Dylan Pitzer (Mt. Pleasant), 8-4
Third place
107 Javeon Chambers (Highlands) DEC Tucker Main (McGuffey), 2-0 SV
114 Drake McClure (Bentworth) DEC Auston Kosanovic (Avonworth), 6-0
121 Emmett Wolfe (McGuffey) DEF Luca Rosa (Burrell)
127 Lucas Barr (McGuffey) MD Don Lindsey (Central Valley), 11-0
133 Tyler Clark (Frazier) DEC Carter Putt (Indiana), 3-0
139 Aiden Burford (Highlands) DEC Giovanni Weightman (Belle Vernon), 8-6
145 Kole Doppelheuer (Belle Vernon) DEC Owen Ivcic (Bentworth), 5-2
152 Greg Shaulis (Mt. Pleasant) DEC Kyren Veasley (Highlands), 8-4
160 Chase Frameli (Jefferson Morgan) DEC Will Turner (Indiana), 5-0
172 Charles Perkins (Valley) DEC Dominic Fanella (Indiana), 4-1
189 Jackson Angelo (Frazier) DEC Jacob Layhue (Beth Center), 6-2
215 Luke Boylan (Burrell) F Adam McAnany (Jefferson Morgan), 4:33
285 Joseph Baronick (Burgettstown) F Henry Barbisch (Carlynton), 3:21
Fifth Place
107 Victor Wagner (North Catholic) DEC Darius Simmons (Burgettstown), 8-3
114 Carter Thomas (Burrell) F Noah Collins (West Greene), 2:02
121 Giovanni Beatrice (Derry) DEC Shawn Robertson (Fort Cherry), 7-2
127 Julian Bertucci (Burrell) DEC Dylan Slovick (Burgettstown), 3-2
133 Dustin Kerr (Hampton) DEC Anthony Orlandini (Montour), 8-4
139 Lucas Boyer (Elizabeth Forward) DEF Matthew Danna (Quaker Valley)
145 Gabe Lilly (Ellwood City) DEF Jamison Poklembo (Mt. Pleasant)
152 Ben Catullo (Burrell) TF Alex Wylly (Riverview), 15-0 3:32
160 Stephen Predajna (Mt. Pleasant) F Gavyn McCray (Freedom), 1:23
172 Brayden Taggart (Bentworth) DEF Isaac Lacinski (Burrell)
189 Anthony Salvini (Fort Cherry) DEC Austin Hoffman (Belle Vernon), 5-1
215 James Standish (Albert Gallatin) DEC Kaden Shannon (Southmoreland), 5-2
285 Mason Sisler (Jefferson Morgan) DEF Joe Wilson (Washington), 0-0 0:05
Seventh Place
107 Angelo Boni (Central Valley) DEC Archer Brua (Laurel), 5-2
114 Logan Ketzel (Laurel) DEC Alex Medlen (Beth Center), 8-1
121 Anthony Esposito (Montour) DEC Daniel Smith (Burgettstown), 4-2
127 Brett Klim (Derry) DEC Jeremy Wagner (Keystone Oaks), 3-1
133 Jake Stewart (Burrell) DEC Seth Burns (West Greene), 8-1
139 Joseph Longhi (Mt. Pleasant) MD Ryder Goe (South Side), 11-2
145 Jack Diemert (Quaker Valley) DEC Calio Zanella (Burrell), 5-1
152 Alan Danner (Hampton) DEC Marcus Richey (Quaker Valley), 8-2
160 Landen Conroy (Albert Gallatin) DEC Landon Delara (Southmoreland), 8-2
172 Noah Layhue (Beth Center) DEC Jake Mundorff (Ligonier Valley), 4-2
189 Slayton Williams (South Side) DEC Kolton Carlson (Laurel), 6-3
215 Malachi Peak (Beth Center) DEC Alex Dusch (Montour), 1-0
285 Casey Wilson (Laurel) DEC Jake Govern (Southmoreland), 5-2
February 24, 2024 12:02 am
The WPIAL 2A Wrestling Championship opened Friday afternoon at Chartiers Valley and on the WJPA Sports Network. The top six finishers in the three sectional tournaments battle for eight spots in next week’s PIAA Southwest Regional. Burgettstown leads area teams with 10 qualifiers out of the Southern Sectional. McGuffey is sending 8 wrestlers, Beth-Center, Fort Cherry and Jeff-Morgan six each, Bentworth five, West Greene four and Chartiers-Houston and Wash High two each. We’ll bring you live, start-to-finish coverage on WJPA-AM (1450) and online. We’ll also partner with NFHS Network for a Championship Finals video feed. Listen/Watch Here
Meanwhile, the area’s 3A wrestlers begin their trek toward state championships Saturday with the Southern Sectional tournament at South Fayette. Canon-McMillan, Peters Township, Trinity, Waynesburg, South Fayette and West Allegheny will be among the teams in the field, looking to advance to next week’s WPIAL 3A Championships. We’ll bring you live coverage online in partnership with GreeneSports Listen/Watch Here
February 25, 2024 6:20 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Blake Hinson scored 22 points and Jaland Lowe scored 18 points and Pittsburgh took control in the second half and beat Virginia Tech 79-64. Sean Pedulla scored 26 points for Virginia Tech. The Panthers took the lead for good when Guillermo Diaz Graham’s layup ended a 42-all tie with 15:50 left. The basket started a 16-0 run that concluded with Diaz Graham burying a 3-pointer with 11:51 remaining.
February 25, 2024 6:26 am
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — It took eight years but Jen Pawol made the leap from the minors to a major league game spring training contest when she umpired the Grapefruit League opener between the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of The Palm Beaches on Saturday. Pawol’s spring training debut marked the first time since 2007 that a woman umpired a major league spring training game, last done by Ria Cortesio. With a ponytail coming out of her ballcap, Pawol was stationed at third base.
February 24, 2024 12:01 am
Fort Cherry used its tenacious defense and balanced scoring to beat Bishop Canevin Friday night. Alan Tarolli had 16 points to lead the Rangers. Jack Katzmiller scored 13 while Blake Sweder added 12. Fort Cherry scored the first five points of the game and never trailed, earning a trip to Tuesday’s 2A boys semifinals against #1 Aliquippa. South Fayette took control of its 5A girls game against Trinity late in the first quarter, eventually crushing the Hillers with a 22-3 run. The defending WPIAL champion Lions cruised through the second half to clinch a state playoff berth and a date with #2 McKeesport in Tuesday’s semifinals. Trinity will play Indiana Monday in the first round of the state qualifier consolation bracket. Canon-McMillan’s season came to an end with a loss to #2 Central Catholic. Only the top three 6A boys teams reach the state playoffs.
We’ll have semifinal games for Peters Township girls Monday and Fort Cherry boys Tuesday on the WJPA Sports Network. Our audio stream is free to all. The video, when possible, will be streamed through WPIAL partner NFHS Network (subscription required, links provided). For WPIAL brackets, CLICK HERE.
Friday, Feb. 23
Quarterfinals
2A Boys #4 Fort Cherry 59, #5 Bishop Canevin 44 Listen/Watch Here
5A Girls #6 South Fayette 53, #3 Trinity 39 Listen/Watch Here
6A Boys #2 Central Catholic 53, #7 Canon-McMillan 27
Consolation Round I
2A Girls Rochester 69, Fort Cherry 39 (Fort Cherry to play Tuesday for 7th place)
1A Boys Monessen,64, West Greene 44 (Monessen to play Tuesday for 5th place, West Greene eliminated)
Saturday, Feb. 24
Consolation Round I
1A Girls Monessen 34, West Greene 30 (Monessen to play Wednesday for 5th place. West Greene eliminated)
Monday, Feb. 26
WPIAL Semifinals
6A Girls #2 Peters Township vs. #3 North Allegheny, 5:45 pm at Mt. Lebanon, WJPA-FM (95.3) Listen/Watch Here
Consolation Round I
5A Girls Trinity vs. Indiana, 6:45 pm at Trinity, WJPA-AM (1450) Listen/Watch Here (winner clinches PIAA berth)
Tuesday, Feb. 27
WPIAL 7th place
2A Girls Fort Cherry vs. Winchester-Thurston, 5:45 pm at Chartiers Valley, WJPA-AM (1450) Listen/Watch Here
WPIAL Semifinals
2A Boys #4 Fort Cherry vs. #1 Aliquippa, 7:45 pm at Chartiers Valley, WJPA-FM (95.3) Listen/Watch Here
February 24, 2024 3:44 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers released veteran center Mason Cole to create nearly $5 million in salary-cap space. Cole had one year left on the three-year, $15.75 million deal he signed in 2022. He had issues snapping in shotgun formation and clearly would have cost more than the Steelers were willing to pay him in 2024. Now they will head into free agency and the NFL draft looking for a starter at the position. Cole started all 34 regular-season games for Pittsburgh over the last two seasons. He was scheduled to count $6.27 million against the cap.
February 24, 2024 3:49 am
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL’s salary cap for 2024 will be $255.4 million, up a record $30.6 million from last year. The cap number has gone from $198.2 million in 2020 to $182.5 million in 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic. It increased to $208.2 million in 2022 and $224.8 million last year. Teams are heading into next week’s NFL combine and preparing for the free agency period to open March 13 with an opportunity to spend more freely. The increased cap total could impact how teams use the franchise tag. The 15-day window to apply the tag to impending free agents began on Feb. 20.
