The top two wrestling programs in the WPIAL in this decade will square off for the Class AAA title at 7 p.m. today at Gateway High School. Connellsville Area (23-3), the returning champion and five-time champion, battles two-time winner Kiski Area (22-1). This is the fourth time the two longtime rivals will meet for the title. Connellsville won 25-24 in 2000 and 33-15 in 2001, and Kiski Area won 34-22 in 2003. Kiski, a two-time winner, also won in 1997, while Connellsville's other titles came in 1992, 1994 and 2004. Earlier this season, Kiski, ranked No. 1 in the Tribune-Review Coaches' Poll in Class AAA, defeated No. 2 Connellsville 28-26. Kiski coach Chuck Tursky said a lot has changed since that match. The Cavaliers reached the finals by holding off Canon-McMillan 27-23, while the Falcons needed an overtime win by Josh Brewer (215 pounds) to edge Waynesburg 27-25. "It's going to be close, back-and-forth," Tursky said. "We'll have to wrestle a little bit better at a couple of weights against Connellsville, or we won't beat them." Tursky said beating Connellsville will be determined by coaching moves and who wants it more. During the regular-season meet, not only did they have 14 varsity bouts, they had 17 junior varsity bouts. Both have more than 40 wrestlers in the room, which amazes coaches around the WPIAL. "That's a testament to both programs," Tursky said. "They have a great program and so do we. It's great that we have so many kids in the room." Tursky said he'll rely on Eric Jeffries (125 pounds), Tyler Oravec (130), A.J. Milanak (135), Zach McKendree (140) and Quinten Taraszewski (189) to carry them. The Falcons will counter with Steve Bell (125), Ashtin Primus (130), Zach Snyder (135), Josh Martin (145) and Jason Doppelheuer (171). When it comes to the team tournament, no team is better than Connellsville. The Falcons have qualified for every tournament since the WPIAL started it in 1979. This is the 12th time the Falcons have reached the finals, and they've been in the semifinals 18 times in 27 years. Connellsville coach Tommy Dolde said Kiski will be tough to beat. "Kiski has improved since they defeated us," Dolde said. Dolde said he wasn't pleased with his team's preparation in the semifinals. He held a long team meeting after the match and talked to them about their focus. "There were things I had some issues with in our preparation," Dolde said. "You need to prepare the same way every time. We didn't do that against Waynesburg. We need to focus more. Preparation is everything." No matter which team wins tonight, both have qualified for the expanded PIAA Team Tournament. The loser, however, will wrestle Tuesday at Pine-Richland against Pittsburgh City League champion Brashear.

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