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TOM ELLING’S WRESTLING MAT-TERS: March Matness

A lot of action over the past weekend. LHU won the EWL for just their second time. The 1997 edition of that team also took the championship. Taking first for the 2018 Bald Eagles were Ronnie Perry (149), Alex Klucker (157), and Corey Hazel (184) took individual EWL titles, while Chance Marsteller (165) and Thomas Haines (285) placed second. Kyle Shoop also qualified for the NCAA Division I Championships in Cleveland on March 15-16-17. The six NCAA qualifiers ties for the most for the Bald Eagles since the six they had in 2005. The three individual EWL champions are the most since the Bald Eagles also had three in 2001. LHU scored 81.5 teams points; Rider was second with 72.5; Edinboro took 3rd with 72. Some familiar names form that 1997 team include Cary Kolat, Terry Showalter, Mike Rogers, Brian Leitzell, Mike Guerin, Mike Kusick, and Neil Barnes.

Over a few ridges, the Nittany Lions qualified nine (9). Jason Nolf medically forfeited afte winning his first two. PSU officials assured the fans that it was precautionary in order to rest him until the big event in two weeks. State finished to Ohio State for the second year in a row. Zain Retherford (149), Mark Hall (184), and Bo Nickal won Big Ten titles. Shakur Rasheed (197) was a runner-up, as was Vincenzo Joseph (165). Nick Lee (141) and Nick Nevills (285) came back through the consolations to place third. With a healthy Nolf, Penn State should vie for another NCAA Team title.

Added info: Zain Retherford broke Kerry McCoy’s consecutive win streak capturing his 89th in the Big Ten finals. Retherford was also named the Big Ten wrestler of the year. Keeping the awards to PA, Spencer Lee (now at Iowa), the Franklin Regional phenom, was named Freshman of the Year.Ì

The High School Version

As expected, Cathedral Prep (Erie) took the team title scoring 189 points. But District 6 made out quite nicely with Mifflin County (125.5), Central Mountain (122.5), Bald Eagle Area (107.5), and Philipsburg-Osceola (80) rounding out the top five.

Bald Eagle Area had two NW AAA Regional Champions in Seth Koleno (138) and Gage McClenahan (152). Garrett Rigg was a runner-up at 145. Central Mountain again showed great team balance but had no champions. However, Johnny Shreffler (113) and Seth Andrus (132) finished second. Coming back for thirds and a trip to Hershey were Logan Long (145), Tanner Weaver (170), and Mahlik Houtz (220). The Northwest Regional showcased several outstanding underclassmen. Mifflin County’s Trey Kibe is the grandson of former Lewistown High administrator Jim Schnell. Jim also served as the D6 soccer chair for many seasons.

Of note is that both BEA and P.O. will both go to Class AA next season. Johnstown and Juniata move to AAA. In discussion with PIAA officials, I was informed that the NW AAA Region is still viable.

Jersey Shore’s Hunter O’Connor placed 2nd at 182 in NE AA Regional and will represent the Bulldogs at the PIAAs.

The 81st PIAA State Wrestling Championships will get underway with Class AA starting Thursday morning at 9 AM. Class AAA will start at 4 PM.

Overtime

PA Junior Wrestling

Championships

Central Mountain’s Luke Simcox placed 3rd in the state, avenging a loss to Easton Toth who had beaten Luke Area II Championships. Also placing for Central Mountain was Nick Miller (187). Miller was 7th.

Many of you know the name DeAugustino. Both Gus and Steve were outlanding wrestlers for Lock Haven State. Gus was an NCAA Champion. Both has storied high school coaching careers. Well, the late Gus’ grandson John (son of Mark) won a Florida State 1A-126 state title for Zephyr Hills Christian Academy. Oh, his father Mark was also his coach. His final win was No. 200 in his illustrious career.

Sweet for one of PA’s premier wrestling families. Three generations of state champions.

The passing of HaroldÏJoe” Geise will leave a void in the ÏTop Athletic Supporter” club. Joe and wife Betty were two of the finest sports fans in the area. I worked with Joe during his tenure as a wrestling booster. His son Steve (a local physician) wrested for me and placed 3rd in the PIAAs. Steve also went on to star at tailback for the Nittany Lions. I will miss that big smile.

Bob Siar, who started the Brookville wrestling program, then made Shaler (WPIAL) a state wrestling power, passed away last week. He had been ill the past several years. Bob was 85 years old.

Brian Murphy, who officiated the Cornell dual meet at LHU, has been selected to do the Division I NCAAs at Cleveland State. Brian wrestled at Cambria Heights. His parents Harry and Sandy (Wisor) Murphy are Lock Haven State grads.

Congratulations and good luck wishes to Bryce Hanley. The CM wrestling alum will be traveling to Texas to the NCWA championships at the Allen Event Center. Bryce has cut to 235 and wrestles at the Penn State- DuBois Campus.

In case you weren’t aware, the Regional Tournament physician this year was Dr. John Sefter. John was a state wrestling champ for State College (and Ron Pifer). He was also an NCAA runner-up for Johnny Johnston at Princeton. Dr. Sefter was eager to assist when former tournament physician Thane Turner moved to the New England area.

Stevan Micic, the Big Ten champion at 133 for Michigan, defeated Luke Pletcher (Ohio State), 7-4. The Micic family are good friends with former Bobcat John Reeves and wife Sherryl, now living in Indiana (not far from Chicago). Pletcher also has some local ties as former Lock Haven Elementary coach (who coached a young John Reeves) was PletcherÌs coach at Latrobe High in the WPIAL. While still another week away, the NCAAs are sure to produce some fireworks. Local wrestling expert Horse Overdorf will be trying to recoup a friendly wager and tells us Spencer Lee will stand atop the podium at 125. He also offers some advice to Shakur Rasheed-ÏDon’t give Ohio State’s Moore an overhook.” My college workout partner Jerry (3X NCAA A-A) was unavailable for comment.

Did anyone notice the assistant coach for Illinois?

He is none other than former Penn State National Champ Jereny Hunter. Jeremy also collected a few titles when he wrestled at McGuffey High in WPIAL at our own Lock Haven Classic (now known as King of the Mountain).

The Wildcat Wrestling Boosters held a very successful PigTen event at the Redeye Center this past Sunday. Credit goes out to all of those who assisted and/or attended. Mike Porter is the very active president of the club. Congratulations to the Wildcats for another thrilling season. It has been a pleasure to broadcast your matches this past year.

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