Wrestling season kicks into high gear
With the holiday season officially behind us, many a local fan’s favorite time of the year is here: scholastic wrestling season.
Whether high school or college, the action on the mats is officially in full swing. Here are a few things that I am looking forward to as the season slowly moves on to the Giant Center in Hershey, as well as the sites for the various collegiate championships.
Two years ago, I got to make my professional debut at the PIAA state championships. As talent-filled as that event was, I am eagerly awaiting my first trip to the Powerade Christmas Tournament this week. I will get to work with some of the best wrestling announcers in this part of the country as a part of the Greenesports.net contingency.
Four years ago at the event, Cody Wiercioch and Chance Marsteller squared off in what some are calling the greatest high school bout in recent history. The epic bout more than lived up to the hype, as Marsteller pulled out the 170-pound title by 3-2 final score in ultimate tie-breaker.
Unfortunately, neither super talent was able to parlay their high school greatness into collegiate success as Marsteller’s issues with substance abuse and a difficult weight ended his career at Oklahoma State and then Lock Haven before it even got off the ground. Wiercioch saw some success at the University of Pittsburgh, but was unable to finish out his time with the Panthers.
This year had the potential to provide a contest that would have put the Wiercioch/Marsteller clash to shame. Unfortunately the two participants’ have decided to deny the crowd maybe the most hyped match since Gulibon vs. Megaludis during the 125-pound finals of the 2011 Westmoreland County Coaches Association Tournament.
A few weeks ago, there was the possibility of Jefferson-Morgan junior Gavin Teasdale facing Franklin Regional senior Spencer Lee for the 126-pound crown. For those of you who may not be aware, this would not only be perhaps the biggest high school showdown in American history, but one that draws the eyes of the world’s wrestling media.
The two have combined for five state titles and zero losses, as well as multiple world titles. Unfortunately, in a bit of news that disappointed many a fan, Teasdale and Lee announced that they have zero interest in facing each other outside the training room at the Young Guns Club. The J-M standout plans on moving down to 120 pounds for the event.
The two future Iowa Hawkeyes not only cost those in attendance a once-in-a-lifetime viewing opportunity, but if the tournament organizers wanted to, they could name their price on tickets. While some may see this as a bit underhanded, it would only make too much business sense not to do so.
But now, this becomes a moot point. It may also signify that this clash of titans will never happen while the two are in high school, if ever, outside of the Iowa practice room. However, internet rumors have started to circulate that Cale Sanderson has not given up on Teasdale, which could keep hope alive of the two finally meeting in live competition.
Moving up to the college level, Waynesburg University got a huge boost to its lineup as former Waynesburg Central standout Shaun Wilson has joined the Yellow Jackets for the second half of the 2016-17 campaign. Wilson ended his Raider career by placing fifth in last year’s PIAA AAA championships.
Not only does he bring one of the slickest duck unders around to the table, but he immediately becomes one of the Jackets’ top competitors. Wilson also fills one of the Orange and Black’s two regularly forfeited weight classes at 149 pounds.
Head coach Ron Headlee made a second addition to the team for the second half of the year with former Peters Township grappler Mitch Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald is a transfer from Pitt-Johnstown and adds further depth at 197 pounds.
Headlee and his coaching staff are hoping to add at least one more name to their roster early in January. Keep an eye on waynesburgsports.com for any further news regarding the Yellow Jackets.
Speaking of transfers, former West Greene PIAA AA Southwest Regional qualifier Connor Main is now sporting the red and black of Waynesburg Central. Main and returning AAA state qualifier Colin McCracken create a lot of scoring opportunities for the Raiders to go along with the team’s talented light weights.
WCHS will need all the help it can get, as Canon-Mac appears to be fully restocked with its typical cache of talent and ready to do all it can to keep the Raiders from a section title and more.