Franklin Regional builds off runner-up finish at WCCA tournament

This was a big week for the Franklin Regional wrestling team.

The No. 1 ranked Panthers (13-0, 3-0) had a first-place showdown in Section 9-3A with No. 2 Norwin.

The WPIAL wrestling committee also is set to announce the pairings for the 2026 Class 3A and 2A team tournament.

Franklin Regional is the returning champion.

Panthers coach Matt Lebe said he was hoping for the return of sophomore Beau Fennick, who has missed much of the season with an undisclosed injury.

Lebe said he hoped Fennick would be back for the postseason but he weighed in to wrestle at 114 pounds against Penn-Trafford on Jan. 15. He received a forfeit. Fennick (38-9) finished third in the WPIAL at 107 pounds.

“Beau makes us a lot stronger,” Lebe said. “Getting him back is huge for the stretch run.”

The Panthers defeated Penn-Trafford, 50-14, to clinch their berth in the WPIAL playoffs and set up the section showdown with the Knights.

Franklin Regional earlier this month placed second in the 73^rd Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association tournament with 209 points, just behind Norwin (231).

The Panthers had three champions: junior Chase Smith (139 pounds), sophomore Max Firestine (145) and junior Michael Ruane (152).

Smith defeated Burrell’s Jacob Stewart, 5-4; Firestone edged Norwin’s Nathan Klingensmith, 4-1 in overtime; and Ruane toppled Norwin’s Noah Curran, 11-3. It was Firestine’s second title.

The Panthers now have 56 county champions in program history.

“We had some good battles in the counties against them,” Ruane said. “We were disappointed that we did not defend our team title. So we are looking forward to the dual meet.”

Junior Ethan Cartwright (172) placed second at the WCCA tournament.

Sophomore John Montgomery (285) finished third and junior Titus Colangelo (121) placed fourth.

Junior Cohen Buccicone (133) and senior Jordan Perks (160) placed fifth while sophomore Connor Visnick (114) and junior Evan McManis (189) placed sixth.

“We wrestled well,” Lebe said. “Not having Beau probably cost us 20 points. But we had others who did a good job.

“The match against Norwin is going to be a great one. It is going to come down to matchups. We have work to do to prepare for the match. Both teams will be ready to battle. It is going to a fun match.”

There is a good chance the winner will be seeded No. 1 in the upcoming WPIAL tournament.

Both teams have qualified for the team tournament. Both were PIAA qualifiers in 2025 with Franklin Regional defeating Norwin in the PIAA second round.