Best of Sports, Boys Wrestling: Chris Vargo, Bentworth

Bentworth’s Chris Vargo didn’t achieve his ultimate goal of winning the state championship, but the senior, who attended Charleroi and wrestled for the Bearcats as part of a co-op, won his fourth regional title and third WPIAL gold medal.

Vargo went 41-3 in his final high school season and finished with a career record of 133-12, including a 13-7 win over nationally ranked Jax Forrest of Bishop McCort in the PIAA Southwest Regional final in the 127-pound class.

The following week, Forrest defeated Vargo in the state finals.

Vargo represented Team Pennsylvania at the 50th Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic against JJ McComas of Stillwater, Oklahoma.

McComas defeated Vargo (127-0) 2-1 in the second overtime, helping the United States All-Stars to a 27-12 victory over Team Pennsylvania.

Vargo and McComas wrestled a scoreless first round before McComas scored a breakaway in the second round. Vargo escaped in the third round, taking the fight to a sudden victory.

After a scoreless minute in the sudden victory, Vargo ended up in last place in the first 30-second ride. McComas allowed no escape or turnaround, but received a delay warning.

McComas escaped with about 10 seconds left in his portion of the ride. Vargo pursued McComas and attempted the game-winning takedown at the last second, but McComas held on.

Vargo was the first wrestler from Bentworth or Charleroi to compete in the main event of the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic. His brother Jonathan competed in the WPIAL All-Stars at the 2019 Classic.

The win over Forrest was definitely the most significant victory of Vargo’s career, but he also turned in a strong performance in a 5-4 victory over Canon-McMillan’s Andrew Binni in the finals of the Tri-CADA tournament, avenging a loss to Binni the year before. Binni finished fourth in Class 3A at 127.

Vargo will continue his wrestling and academic career in Edinboro.

DEAR

Bodie Morgan, Senior, Trinity

Mason Kernan, Senior, Bethel Park

Andrew Binni, Senior, Canon-McMillan

Jake Conroy, Junior, Ringgold

Gaven Suica, Senior, Burgettstown

Jorden Williams, Senior, Chartiers-Houston

Bradeon Welsh, Junior, Fort Cherry

Nicholas McGarrity, freshman, Peters Township

Joey Baronick, Senior, Burgettstown

Vitali Daniels, Senior, Burgettstown

Ky Szewczyk, Senior, Waynesburg

Geno Calgaro, Senior, Canon-McMillan