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After having its first two matches of the season canceled, the Connellsville wrestling team had a lot of pent-up energy to release, and Belle Vernon was the team that felt the Falcons' wrath in the season opener Wednesday.

The Falcons (1-0) won all 14 bouts and didn't trail for a single second in the entire match during a 76-0 victory over the Leopards (0-1) in Section 2-AAA (A).

"They were so hungry," Connellsville coach Tommy Dolde said. "The kids were chomping at the bit and they were ready to get out on the mat. It was tough having to cancel our first two matches, but I think they looked good with their conditioning and that's a good sign."

Connellsville (1-0) looked strong, but most of the wrestlers were not forced to compete for a full six minutes.

Ryan Williams (125 pounds), Keith McKeel (135), Jesse Swink (145), Mike Aumer (152), Ethan Saylor (171), Nate Gaffney (215) and Travis Miller (heavyweight) all recorded a pin in their first match of the season.

"They all looked like they are in shape and they looked good," Dolde said.

The win was extra special for Connellsville wrestlers Ethan Kenney (103), Nick Beneke (112) and Tyler Steele (119). All three were competing in their first varsity match and all three scored their first varsity victory.

"It was good," Kenney said after he won on a second-period injury default over Nathan Russo. "I was nervous, but I felt good when it was over."

Beneke won by forfeit before Steele scored a 9-0 major decision over Cody Rubin.

"I was a little nervous before the match, but once I started wrestling, I wasn't nervous anymore," Steele said.

Other winners for Connellsville included Stetson Keedy (140) with a technical fall, Jordan McKnight (160) with a major decision, Zack Fike with a decision (189) and Jerry Cramer (130) with a forfeit.

Despite being blanked on the scoreboard, Belle Vernon coach Jack Jolley focused on his team's willingness to compete against a quality opponent.

"They are a team that will probably be one of the teams to beat in the WPIAL," Jolley said. "Our kids worked hard and most of them showed up to wrestle. When you are a young squad, that's what you have to work for, and we'll build from there."

During the course of the match, each team was hit with an injury.

Connellsville's McKeel wrestled into the third period before pinning Dominick Mavrikas, but in the process, McKeel hurt his collarbone and, according to Dolde, could miss several weeks of action.

Belle Vernon's Russo appeared to injure his left shoulder in the second period against Kenney. Russo couldn't continue, giving Kenney the injury default win.

Connellsville will compete in the Beast of the East Tournament on Saturday and Sunday at the University of Delaware. Belle Vernon's next match is at home against Uniontown on Wednesday.

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