It's consecutive titles for the Shady Side Academy wrestling team.

Shady Side opened the season with five victories in a row at the Derry Dual tournament, which was held Dec. 1. The Indians capped the tournament with a 48-26 win against Derry Area.

"Derry was the defending WPIAL Class AA runner-up," Shady Side Academy coach Tim Giel said. "That win means even more to me because it was the 250th of my coaching career."

Giel opened his 25th season at Shady Side with a 245-157 record. The five victories moves him to 17th on WPIAL's career victory list.

Shady Side continued its excellent start at last weekend's Chartiers-Houston tournament. The Indians had seven wrestlers finish among the top four in their weight class, including four finalists and three champions, to claim the team title.

"It's a very underrated tournament," Giel said. "Albert Gallatin, Chartiers Valley and West Allegheny were Class AAA playoff teams last season. South Side Beaver and Keystone Oaks were Class AA playoff qualifiers. Winning a tournament with this much talent is a significant accomplishment."

Geoff Alexander, Dane Johnson and Matthew Cunningham won titles for Shady Side, while teammate Frank Martellotti finished second.

Alexander claimed the 103-pound title with a 12-2 win against Kittanning's Keith Cornman. Johnson, a returning PIAA Class AA champion, posted a 2-0 win against South Side Beaver's David Demor in the 125-pound final.

"Geoff is real smart," Giel said. "He doesn't have a go to move. He takes what the opponent gives him and uses that to his advantage."

Cunningham won the 152-pound title with a 5-0 win against Beth-Center's Chris Stay. Martellotti, a returning PIAA champion, was beaten 7-4 in the 119-pound title by a former PIAA champion, John Prezzia of South Side Beaver.

"I'm not sure whether Frank [Martellotti] and Dane [Johnson] are moving down," Giel said. "I'm leaving it up to them."

Also placing for Shady Side were Phillip Elias, third at 103; Dave Brown, fourth at 160, and Kurt Brendel, third at 171.

Hempfield dominated the 12-team Hampton Dawg Duals, which were held this past weekend. The Spartans won all six matches with the smallest margin of victory by 40 points. Hempfield posted a 58-12 win against Hopewell in the title match.

Fox Chapel placed third with a 5-1 record, including a 39-23 victory against Highlands in the consolation final. The Foxes only loss was to Hempfield, 58-18. Joe Johnson (130 pounds) and Justin Mahon (152) recorded victories in all six bouts for the Foxes.

"It was a very competitive tournament," Fox Chapel coach Ron Frank said. "It's great for the kids to get in six matches in one weekend this early in the season."

Highlands finished fourth with a 4-2 record. The Golden Rams only other loss was to Hopewell, 37-30.

Hampton placed fifth in the two-day tournament with a 4-2 record, while Pine-Richland finished sixth. The Talbots posted a 40-44 win against the Rams in the consolation for fifth place.

"Hempfield was head and shoulders above everybody," Hampton coach Joe Bursick said. "Our only two losses were to Hopewell and Highlands. I'm pleased with our overall performance."

Joe Raimondi (215) had a 6-0 record for the Talbots, while Jack Hodil (135) and Jared Steinmetz (130) were both 5-1.

Ross Orler (103) led Pine-Richland with a 6-0 record, which included five pins. Sam Brehm (140) was 3-0 for the Rams, while Steve Fawcett (152) was 5-1.

"We have a young team," said Pine-Richland's rookie coach David Fiore. "We only have six seniors and 15 sophomores. Things are coming together, slow and steady."