Teasdale goes out in style
PITTSBURGH — Jefferson-MorganĢƵ Gavin Teasdale made sure his last high school match was his best in defeating Patrick Glory of Delbarton, New Jersey, 5-4, in the 126-pound weight class in the final bout of the 44th Annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic at the University of PittsburghĢƵ Fitzgerald Field House.
The senior and Penn State University recruit avenged an earlier setback to Glory at FloWrestlingĢƵ WhoĢƵ No. 1 event on Oct. 8 in scoring a takedown with six seconds remaining for the win at 126 pounds. Teasdale defeated Glory in the Powerade Christmas Tournament finals his freshman and sophomore years. Glory came into the bout ranked No. 1 in the country at 126 by FloWrestling. Teasdale was ranked No. 9.
The United States All-Stars edged Team Pennsylvania, 23-21.
In the preliminary match, Team Iowa defeated Team WPIAL, which included five area wrestlers, 36-6.
Teasdale was awarded the Outstanding Wrestling Award for Team Pennsylvania. He was also awarded the PIAA Wrestler of the Year prior to the main event featuring the Pennsylvania All-Stars against Team USA.
Even so, Teasdale is always looking to improve.
“I try to avoid getting my ankles up as much as possible when I come out the back,” Teasdale said. “That is what me and my coaches work on. I knew if I could stick with my offense, it would be better than his. The key is to wrestle your style. It really came down to who wanted the match more. We were both tired.”
“It is about mental toughness. It was a great final match. You are going to lose some, but the whole goal of sports is to get better. You can’t get any better than the support here.”
Teasdale is not known for showing his emotions, but raised his arms after the final buzzer sounded.
“It was a pretty nice way to finish my career,” Teasdale said. “I was happy to come away with the victory. I am excited to get into freestyle wrestling this summer, and then going to Penn State and wrestling at Rec Hall.”
Glory is headed to Princeton, and the two could meet again at the next level.
“There is a good chance I could wrestle him (Glory) again in college,” Teasdale said. “We are developing quite the rivalry.”
Teasdale came out aggressive and got in on his shot early in the first period, but Glory hung on to avoid giving up the takedown. Teasdale kept the pressure up and secured a takedown with 33 seconds remaining in the first. Glory almost scored a reversal but Teasdale gathered himself and just allowed an escape with three seconds left in the first.
Glory deferred choice to Teasdale in the second, and after the four-time state champion escaped, Glory tied the bout at 3-3 when he scored a takedown with 27 seconds remaining in the second.
Glory escaped for a 4-3 lead with 1:48 left in the third, but Teasdale had the answer.
Waynesburg CentralĢƵ Caleb Morris (148-33) dropped an 8-4 decision to Fort DodgeĢƵ Drew Bennett (153-8) at 126 pounds to open up action in the preliminary bout featuring Team WPIAL and Team Iowa. Bennett is a one-time state champion. Morris, who is undecided on his college of choice, is a two-time WPIAL champion. Bennett scored four takedowns and allowed four escapes.
“You always want to be on top all the time, and thatĢƵ why we’re wrestlers,” Waynesburg Central coach Joe Throckmorton said. “There are bumps along the way. You never know when you’re going to peak. We have been fortunate to have guys in the Classic eight or nine years in a row. It is always an honor to be picked for the team, whether you win or lose.”
West Virginia University head wrestling coach Sammie Henson was inducted into the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic Hall of Fame on Saturday evening. Henson competed in the 1989 Classic. He is a two-time NCAA champion for Clemson University and was a 1998 World Champion and 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist. HensonĢƵ sons, Jackson and Wyatt, wrestled for Waynesburg Central this year. Jackson, a senior, was a state qualifier, and Wyatt, a freshman, finished fifth at the state tournament. Jackson will wrestle for his dad at WVU next year.
The 2018 Southwestern Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame inducted four new members in Larry Hall, Colin Johnston, Nico Megaludis and Merle Tournay.


