Canon-McMillan wrestling coach Chris Mary didn't make any excuses about his team's loss to Nazareth in the consolation semifinals at the Virginia Duals in January. He did, however, give credit to Nazareth for its 32-26 victory.

But when Canon-McMillan, the WPIAL Class AAA champion, opens the PIAA team tournament today at Giant Center in Hershey, the Big Macs will face Nazareth in one of the tournament's toughest opening matches. The match is scheduled for 8 p.m.

"They beat us," Mary said before his team departed for Hershey. "We were 100 percent, and they're a solid group with a couple stars.

"We lost some closes ones. But we're in better shape now, and we have some momentum. There also is a revenge factor. We're looking forward to another meeting."

Nazareth won eight of the 14 bouts in the first meeting, including five consecutive from 119 pounds to 140. Included in that stretch were three close Nazareth victories — Zach Horan over Solomon Chishko at 130, 3-2; Greg Noll over Dario Dobbins at 135, 2-0; and Ian Stout over Will Pihou at 140, 4-3.

Canon-McMillan also had three wrestlers win close matches: Mark Dami at 152, Alex Campbell at 215 and Cody Klempay at 285.

This is the second consecutive season Canon-McMillan has qualified for the state tournament. Last year, the Big Macs won only one of three matches.

"The team will be a little more familiar with the Giant Center this year," Mary said. "We've had some outstanding performances in the team tournament so far, and I'm anticipating we'll have more."

Since the tournament began in 1999, only two WPIAL teams — Connellsville (AAA) and Burrell (AA) — have won titles.

Latrobe is making its first trip to the team tournament, and coach Marc Billett said he's trying to treat the tournament like any other match.

The Wildcats open the tournament at 6 p.m. against District 10 champion Erie McDowell.

"We're familiar with them because we met some (of their wrestlers) at the King of the Mountain tournament," Billett said. "They are similar to us.

"I'm not worried about the wrestlers; they'll be fine. We're excited by it; we're not overwhelmed. Getting to the state tournament was one of the team goals."

Kiski Area is making its fourth trip to Hershey despite graduating half of its starting lineup from last season. The Cavaliers placed second in 2003.

"No one expected us to be back," Kiski Area sophomore Matt McCutcheon said. "But we're wrestling as a team, and we pull for each other. We're excited to be back."

Kiski Area, which defeated Brashear on Monday, will face District 1 champion Council Rock South at 6.

The Class AA tournament will begin at 2 p.m. Burrell, which has won five consecutive WPIAL titles, will face Pen Argyl in the opening round. Burrell lost to Pen Argyl, 39-27, in the consolation semifinals last year.

Chartiers-Houston, the WPIAL runner-up, is making its first trip to Hershey. The Bucs will face District 10 champion Reynolds at 4 p.m.

The quarterfinals are slated for Friday, and the semifinals and finals will be held Saturday.

Additional Information:

At a glance

PIAA team wrestling tournament

Giant Center, Hershey

Today through Saturday

CLASS AAA

• Defending champion: Central Dauphin (Harrisburg)

• Last WPIAL team to win title: Connellsville (2005)

• Schools with multiple titles: Easton (2001-04), Central Dauphin (2008-10)

• Top 2011 teams: Central Dauphin (District 3, 20-0), Canon-McMillan (WPIAL, 20-2), Easton (District 11, 19-1), Nazareth (District 11, 13-4), La Salle College (District 12, 19-1).

• Finals prediction: Central Dauphin over Easton.

CLASS AA

? Returning champion: Fort LeBoeuf.

?  Last WPIAL team to win: Burrell (2008)

?  Schools with multiple titles: Reynolds (2006, '07, '09), Wilson Area (2001-02)

• Top 2011 teams: Huntingdon (District 6, 19-0), Burrell (WPIAL, 20-0), Reynolds (District 10, 16-3), Bethlehem Catholic (District 11, 9-1).

• Finals prediction: Burrell over Bethlehem Catholic.

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