Connellsville’s King, Waynesburg’s Scott win state wrestling titles
HERSHEY – Connellsville’s Jarrod King won a Class AAA wrestling title last night by forfeit. Waynesburg’s Coleman Scott won his second straight title, and even though he had to actually wrestle, the gold medal came almost as easily as King’s.
Scott won a technical fall against Wissahickon’s Brad Canterbury, who could only be asking himself what he was doing on the same mat. He stayed on for 5:25 but by giving up 17 points in the process the match was stopped because of a technical fall.
Scott’s first title last year was followed by a leap into coach John Yates’ arms and a trip into the stands to find family and friends.
Last night the victory was followed by a couple of high-fives, a big smile and a feeling of satisfaction. Everyone, including Scott, knew he would win.
“I was ready to go,’ Scott said. “I had in my mind I was taking nothing less than a win when I came out here. That was my goal for season. Winning two state titles is unbelievable for me.’
It was harsh reality for Canterbury, who found himself down 5-0 after two minutes and 12-0 after two periods. Scott’s third and final five-point move enacted wrestling’s version of the mercy rule.
Scott was on the attack from the start, something he said he’s had to do all year long.
“I knew guys weren’t going to come at me like they did last year,’ Scott said. “I knew I had to attack.
“I became a lot more mat smart. I didn’t try stupid stuff when it meant something.
Coach John Yates agreed. “He’s really matured,’ Yates said about Scott. “He has confidence in his own ability, he doesn’t worry about the score. It’s taken him to the level where he’s at.
“You can only worry about what you can do and what Coleman can do is score a lot of points.’
So can King. He outscored his first three opponents by a 44-6 margin, or a 14-2 score each match.
He didn’t have to score any last night because Red Lion’s Jason Hollar opted to forfeit because of a sprained neck he suffered during yesterday’s semifinals against Shaler’s Taylor Letters.
There’s little doubt fans anticipated a rematch between King and Letters, since King beat Letters in the WPIAL finals. But Letters was called for an illegal slam against Hollar while leading 7-1. When Hollar was carried off the mat, Letters’ hopes for a finals berth went with him.
“I would have liked to have wrestled a match,’ King said after receiving his gold medal. “Still, a state championship feels good. Hopefully next year I’ll get another shot and get to wrestle that final match.’
King was still ready to go. “They told us he (Hollar) wasn’t going to wrestle but I thought there was still a possibility he might come out. So I still warmed up and did my running.
“I was hoping I would have a match against Taylor. I would have liked that,’ King said.
“It still feels just as good, I think. I think I proved it enough. I was dominant throughout the tourney. Beating Letters last week, nobody can say he was the better wrestler.’
King, 44-3, may well have company on the awards stand next year. Freshman Ashtin Primus at 119 placed fourth, losing twice to Cedar Cliff’s Jared Royer. Primus finished with an impressive 41-7 record.
Waynesburg’s Scott also had a partner on the medal stand as Mark Throckmorton placed fourth at 130 pounds.
Whitehall’s Jay Morrison defeated Throckmorton 10-2 in the third-place final.
Albert-Gallatin’s John Ptak also had a good tournament, placing fifth at 160 pounds.
Ptak lost a 9-8 nod to finalist Anthony Angeline in the semifinals. He beat Cumberland Valley’s Neil Bretz 8-2 for fifth place.
Including titles by Scott and King, the WPIAL claimed six of the 14 Class AAA titles in yet another impressive showing.
Laurel’s Brad Spencer completed a 36-0 season with a 4-1 win over Easton’s Brad Ciasulli at 103 pounds.
Ciasulli, a sophomore, is held in high regard not only in Pennsylvania but on the national scene as well.
Mark McKnight of Chartiers Valley used an overtime takedown to beat Shikellamy’s Mike Sees 6-4 in one of the better finals at 119.
Reading’s Charles Griffin prevented Cedar Cliff’s Tim Haas from winning back-to-back crowns with a 10-1 win at 125. Greensburg Salem’s Donnie Jones was victorious at 130 while Northampton’s Joey Ecklof won at 135, beating Penn Trafford’s Tom Picarsic in the finals.
Other champs were: Matt Kocher, State College, 140; Jeff Ecklof, Northampton, 145; Zac Fryling, North Penn, 160; Jake Herbert, North Allegheny, won his second straight at 171; Josh Haines, Northampton 189; Jon Opplinger, Northampton, 215; Tyler Rees, Northern, heavyweight.
Griffin won the Outstanding Wrestler award and Northampton won the team title.
Waynesburg placed fifth as a team.