Fox Chapel Area High School’s gymnasiums soon will transform into the epicenter of high school wrestling as the 23rd annual Allegheny County High School Wrestling Championships begin on January 17. The two-day event draws sell-out crowds, nearly 100 volunteers, and the county’s most talented wrestlers, including several of Fox Chapel Area’s own medalists from last year’s tournament.
One of the event’s founders, former Foxes wrestling coach Ron Frank, anticipates a competition showcasing nearly 540 wrestlers, 37 teams, and the possibility of more than 1,000 individual matches. The county competition is one of the rare times in high school wrestling that fans attending have the opportunity to watch up to three matches at the same time in each of the school’s gymnasiums.
Foxes Feature Strong Roster
The Foxes enter the 2024-2025 tournament with a strong roster led by senior Landon Funk, a Seton Hill recruit and last year’s 114-lb. champion. Landon was the program’s first gold medalist in five years and aims for back-to back titles. After jumping two weight classes, he’s competing at 127 lbs. this season and is focused on his goal.
“It’s the hardest tournament in Allegheny County, and I’m going to have to go out and wrestle every match with the same intensity,” Landon says. “Winning it last year just gives me more motivation to go and win it again.”
Landon will be joined by senior Michael Worsen, another medalist from last year’s tournament, who now owns a season record of 11-3 record at 121 lbs.
Michael appreciates the uniqueness of the atmosphere at the home-based event.
“Some of the special things about this tournament are the energy that’s created, and that parents and wrestlers help set up everything,” Michael says. “Donations and help from the current and former wrestlers’ parents are also amazing to see. It’s also a place where we get to see all the wrestlers from throughout the county, and wrestle with kids we grew up with. That creates great bonds that make us better wrestlers and people, in general.”
For the Foxes, many of those bonds were forged early on when the students were in elementary school and their parents signed them up for Fox Chapel Youth Wrestling, largely led by Dustin Widdoss and Tim Carl. Now, among just the seniors and juniors, close to 20 wrestlers got their start because of the Franks’ and others youth efforts.
“It’s been impressive to see them grow, both as individuals and wrestlers,” adds Ron Frank, who is now a volunteer coach. “Our current success can very much be attributed to their longevity in the program.”
Returning Medalists and Up-and-Comers
This season, the team members are out to beat last year’s fifth-place finish and are hungry for more. During the regular season so far this year, the team has posted early wins against powerhouse Canon-McMillan and Greater Latrobe at the Hampton Dawg Duals. The Foxes also picked up wins against a very strong Armstrong team, Peters Township, Pine-Richland, and Gateway. As of Jan. 14, they hold an overall record of 8-2 and are undefeated in section competition.
“We’re looking forward to the competition at the championships,” says coach Michael Frank, the reigning Class 3A Section 5 Coach of the Year. “We have a strong group entered into the tournament again this season, and we’re expecting to compete at a high level. However, it will take everyone wrestling their best to get us up near the top of the team race again. Our team balance should help us to earn points up and down the lineup.”
In addition to Landon and Michael, the Foxes will rely upon five additional returning medalists: seniors Milo Chiu, D’Angelo Hamilton, and Jack Viti; and juniors Adam Haines and DJ Noel. The coaches also are looking for key contributions from seniors Youssef Abdelsalam, Caleb Shirk, and Sam Ummer, along with juniors Joey Geller and Calyx Kimbrough; sophomore Luke Montgomery, and freshman Jake Tavella.
Family Bonds
For Landon, this program is more than a sport; it’s a journey the wrestlers have shared with parents and teammates, who feel like family.
“There are a lot of us that have been in the program our whole life, and that’s what makes this team so special,” Landon explains. “It’s a great family bond. I’ve wrestled alongside just about every senior since I first started.”
Michael adds, “It really takes a lot of grit and time and effort to stick with wrestling for so long. I love being able to make these final memories with my high school team. If we keep each other’s heads up and fight like we have in the practice room, there’s no doubt in my mind we can do better than fifth place this time.”
Matches will begin at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17, progressing through the quarterfinals. The first day of the tournament typically ends around 6 p.m.
Saturday’s events kickoff at 10 a.m., with the semifinals and consolation finals going from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. After a break, the Parade of Champions and the championship matches will start at 4:30 p.m.
Attendees can enjoy homemade meals, sandwiches, snacks, and desserts throughout the events at the school’s concession stand and cafeteria.