Wiercioch opened the tournament with a second-period pin of Connellsville's Mike Aumer in the preliminary round, then scored a 9-0 victory against Canon-McMillan's Colin Ryan in the round of 32. Both opponents were varsity starters last year.
Then came a pair of one-point decisions against seeded wrestlers. Wiercioch posted a 6-5 victory against West Allegheny's Aaron McKinney, the No. 6 seed, in the round of 16, then defeated Rich Eva of Christiansburg, Va., the No. 3 seed, 3-2, in the quarterfinals.
Eva was a Virginia state champion last season.
In the semifinals, Wiercioch faced Burrell's
Travis McKillop, a two-time PIAA qualifier and one-time place-winner who was seeded No. 2. Wiercioch walked away with a 2-0 victory.
"I had high expectations but not this high," Wiercioch said. "After the semifinals, I was pretty confident I would win the tournament."
His opponent in the title match was
Pierce Harger, a senior from Cincinnati's Moeller High who placed third in the Ohio state championships last year. Harger was seeded first and had not given up a takedown in four previous bouts.
"I wasn't nervous at all, just a little excited," Wiercioch said.
After a scoreless first period against Harger, Wiercioch gave up an escape with 48 seconds left in the second period. Harger rode Wiercioch with a half-Nelson for most of the third period and nearly turned him. But Wiercioch didn't panic.
When Harger left his legs exposed, Wiercioch took advantage and scored a reversal with 12 seconds left to pull out the victory.