Canon-McMillan High School Wrestling

Gunning for Gold: 90 Years of Canon-McMillan Wrestling

Gunning for Gold: 90 Years of Canon-McMillan Wrestling

Canon-McMillan High School has dominated in the sport of wrestling for over 90 years. A brief history of the program reveals that the team is one of the most historic in the nation. CM holds the record dual meet wins in the state with 1,075, among other records. State champs and NCAA champs alike have wrestled in the practice room at the Canonsburg, PA high school since the days that R.J. O'Connell started the intramural program. Canon Mac's 90th season is officially over, and we're looking back on our history.

PIAA State Tournament Recap

PIAA State Tournament Recap

The Big Macs put on one final performance of the season at the PIAA State Tournament. The team brought three wrestlers and placed two of them. After four years in pursuit of a State title, Logan Macri accomplished his goal by plowing through the 120 lb. weight class. With the finals win, Logan became CM's 44th State Champion. Gerrit Nijenhuis also made his way onto the podium with a bronze medal. Though he lost in the semifinals on a controversial call, Gerrit wrestled back for 3rd at 160 lbs. CM’s final wrestler, Tim Hritsko wrestled for his first time in the Individual State tournament and earned two wins before falling in the bloodround to go to placing. While Tim did not place, his points accumulated with his teammates earned the team a respectable 5th place team finish with 53.5 points behind Kiski (60 pts), Bethlehem Catholic (68.5 pts), Cathedral Prep (72 pts), and Nazareth (87 pts). Below are the match-by-match scores, as found on FloArena:

Mat Madness 2018: And Your Winner. . .

Mat Madness 2018: And Your Winner. . .

After two weeks of voting, Mat Madness 2018 is completed. 64 of the best wrestlers in Canonsburg and Canon-McMillan wrestling have been narrowed down to just 1 champion. With a record 246 votes throughout the tournament, the champion of Mat Madness 2018 is. . . Mark Angle!

The Boards: Present Victory, Eternal Glory

The Boards: Present Victory, Eternal Glory

Roaring crowds, shining gold medals, thrilling emotions, and a flood of congratulations make a victory in the present a feeling unlike any other. But what happens after the fact? Does a win stay forever rooted in a particular gym only to be remembered by those who witnessed the act? Maybe not in today’s society with live streaming, photographs, and videos that can be saved and rewatched for years to come. However, the moments from the 1930’s may be hard to come by.

Mat Madness 2018: Division Finals

Mat Madness 2018: Division Finals

Mat Madness continues to stun fans with more upsets. It was apparently clear-cut for the Blue Age to host the #1 and #2 wrestlers in the finals, but the other three divisions were not so straightforward. #3 Manuel Pihakis edged out NCAA All-American Elias George to advance to the Gunners Division Finals. On the opposite side of the bracket, #6 Bruce Cridge advanced with a second upset against NCAA Champion; however, he now faces the wrestler with the most votes in the tournament thus far, Mark Angle. And in the final division, #4 Johnston pulled out a close victory over the only #1 seed not to advance, Solomon Chishko.

Mat Madness 2018: Round 2

Mat Madness 2018: Round 2

Thanks to all of those who participated in Round 1 of Mat Madness 2018. Last round there were some tight matches and three upsets: #9 Darrel Patterson over #8 Tony Compeggie (Gunners), #9 Nick Catalano over #8 Cody Klempay (Modern), and #11 Kyle Deliere over #6 Brendan Furman (Modern).

Section 4 AAA Recap

Section 4 AAA Recap

The Big Macs didn’t disappoint in the Section 4 AAA Championships this weekend, qualifying 10 wrestlers for the WPIAL tournament next weekend at Canon-McMillan High School starting Friday (3/2). The team ended with the most 1st place finishes in the tournament (5) over Waynesburg (3). Logan Macri earned his 3rd straight section title, while Nijenhuis earned his 2nd championship. Below are the results from the championship and consolation matches

Big Macs Take 4th at PIAA Team State Tournament

Big Macs Take 4th at PIAA Team State Tournament

Canon-McMillan started the 2017-2018 season ranked 4th in the WPIAL, but ended it by placing 4th at the PIAA team state tournament. The squad racked up 6 regular season wins, including a big upset against Kiski Area. The Big Macs earned 2 more wins by smashing through the Section tournament to win the program’s 17th straight title. The boys made it all the way to the WPIAL finals before they dropped their first loss to rival Kiski Area in another tight match.

CM Claims Silver in WPIAL Team Tournament

CM Claims Silver in WPIAL Team Tournament

This was perhaps one of the craziest WPIAL tournaments in recent memory. After blasting through Upper St. Clair (51-21) and Hampton (62-3) in the first two rounds, CM was poised to face Hempfield in the semifinals.

Alumni Spotlight: Angelo Broglia

Alumni Spotlight: Angelo Broglia

Last week we highlighted Mike Hull, an athlete that had successes in a sport other than wrestling after high school. This week, we’re taking a similar approach by giving the Alumni Spotlight to Angelo Broglia.

CM Wins 17th Straight Section Title

CM Wins 17th Straight Section Title

The Big Macs won gold in the Section Tournament on Wednesday. CM dominated Moon (59-15) to advance to another Section championship. To win their 17th straight title, CM beat Waynesburg in spectacular fashion, 36-18.

Wrestler of the Week: Giomar Ramos

Wrestler of the Week: Giomar Ramos

CM wrestling fans have been treated to bios of the 106, 113, 120, 126, 138, 145, and 160 lb. weight classes in our Wrestler of the Week series. But, where are the heavier weights? Well, this week we move up to the biggest weight class that there is with this week’s Wrestler of the Week, Giomar Ramos.

Alumni Spotlight: Mike Hull

Alumni Spotlight: Mike Hull

So far in this series, we’ve highlighted past CM wrestlers who have become college coaches and Division I wrestlers. Taking a slightly different approach this week, the Alumni Association is removing our headgears and picking up helmets as we tackle 2010 CM graduate, Mike Hull.

Wrestler of the Week: Michael Binni

Wrestler of the Week: Michael Binni

The Big Macs celebrated Senior Night last Wednesday with their last home dual meet of the year. The seniors helped push the team to a 62-12 victory against Central Catholic, so we would like to spotlight one of these 12th graders.

Wrestler of the Week: Tanner Rohaley

Wrestler of the Week: Tanner Rohaley

This past weekend the Big Macs wrestled in the Tri-County Wrestling Tournament (TRICADA). With ten boys wrestling, the Big Macs took second place behind Waynesburg, and they came away with three champions: Jimmy Baxter (106), Gerrit Nijenhuis (160), and Tanner Rohaley (145). For his first high school tournament win, we’re crowning Tanner as our Wrestler of the Week.

Mid-Season Canon-McMillan Wrestling Updates (CCNS, JH, HS, College)

Mid-Season Canon-McMillan Wrestling Updates (CCNS, JH, HS, College)

The new year has come, so it's time to check in on all that has happened in Canon-McMillan wrestling so far this 2017-2018 season. Let's check in on the College, High School, Junior High, and Coaching world of wrestling. 

Wrestler of the Week: Tim Hritsko

Wrestler of the Week: Tim Hritsko

The Wrestler of the Week series has been on holiday hiatus, but we’re back with another edition. This past weekend the Big Macs took 8th place at the Powerade tournament, and three wrestlers placed, including Logan Macri (1st), Gerrit Nijenhuis (3rd), and this week’s WotW, Tim Hritsko (6th). When Tim battled back through the consolation bracket by beating two state champs from MD and VA, Tim stood smiling on the podium with his first Powerade medal.

The 12 Days of Chris-mas

The 12 Days of Chris-mas

Welcome to the 12 Days of Chris-mas! Former Canon-McMillan High School head wrestling coach fills us in on the stories of his time. Join us for all 12 days where he talks about his wrestling & coaching career, controversial matches, keys to success, and family holiday traditions. Mary Chris-mas!