Julian Bertucci’s black headgear wouldn’t snap into place. The Burrell 145-pound senior looked toward the bleachers and caught the blue-and-white set teammate Jacob Stewart tossed him.
Bertucci, who is the top seed, battled through the wardrobe malfunction to pin Beaver County Christian’s Cole Stroupe and then knocked off Ligonier Valley’s Carter Bizup to reach the semifinals during the WPIAL Class 2A individual wrestling championships Friday night at Chartiers Valley High School.
“It didn’t fit me at all,” Bertucci said. “I was like ‘OK, I’m done wearing this headgear.’ Let’s pin this kid and get off the mat.”
For Bertucci’s second match, he used the backup pair of headgear he brought with him.
Bertucci, who is 37-4 this season and 147-50 in his career, is seeking his first WPIAL crown. He lost in the 139-pound final last season to McGuffey’s Lucas Barr.
The semifinals will be at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, and the finals will follow at 3 p.m. Bertucci wants to make the most of his last opportunity.
“I’ve been on the grind no matter what,” Bertucci said. “I wasn’t happy with my results last year. I was second in WPIALs, and I went to states and didn’t do as well as I wanted to. If I’m going to win it, my final year is the year to do it.”
Derry, which won the Class 2A dual team championship, had a tournament-best nine wrestlers reach the semifinals. McGuffey had the second-most wrestlers reach the semifinals, sending five through.
Barr leads the Highlanders contingent, which also includes Clayton Ealy (127 pounds), Emmett Wolfe (145), Victor Bonus (152) and Aaron Supler (172).
Burrell and Elizabeth Forward had four each.
Cam Baker (127 pounds), Jacob Stewart (139) and Ben Catullo (172) also made the semifinals for the Buccaneers.
Trojans freshman Will McNeal, the second seed at 145, is 35-13 with a pair of one-point losses to Bertucci.
McNeal and Bertucci met in the section finals — a 2-1 double-overtime win for Bertucci — and at the WPIAL team championship, where Bertucci prevailed 1-0.
McNeal reached the semifinals with a technical fall victory over Brownsville’s Kody Gates and a win over Burgettstown’s Brady Rightweiser.
“I’m grateful that I had matches with tough kids early so I know how to wrestle them,” McNeal said. “And I’m experienced. I’ve wrestled 50 matches this season. It’s good to get the experience, and whenever I get to the final test I’ll be ready.”
Mason Keesecker (107), Patrick Bulger (114), Mason Horwat (172) and Brady Brown (189) were seeded No. 1 and advanced for Derry. Camden Olson (133), Michael McNeal (139) Blasko (145) and Ewan Olson (160) also advanced to the semifinals.
Bulger, a freshman, improved to 38-9 on the season.
“There’s not too much pressure,” Bulger said. “I expect all of us to do very well. We want to have a ton of champions and high places for everyone. I’m confident in myself and my teammates.”
Bulger advanced with two technical falls. He beat West Greene’ Jacob Rizor, 19-1, and followed that up with a 15-0 win over Avella’s Dustin Mace.
“I just want to have as many bonus points as possible,” Bulger said. “Honestly, I want to end every match quickly. I don’t want to take anyone to the third period. I just want to win.”