Feb 28, 2005 By Jim Downey 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – It was around this time a year ago Connellsville’s Steve Bell was just getting into his season, much later than he would’ve liked. A knee injury sidelined the then-junior, causing him to miss most of the regular season and a bit of the team’s playoff run.

Under the watchful eye of physical therapist (and assistant coach) Mark King, Bell rehabilitated himself to be ready for the individual portion of the schedule. Though not mounting the match numbers of many of his competitors, Bell had a great run at 119 pounds, winning a WPIAL silver medal and claiming a fourth-place finish in state competition.

“The knee was a problem last year. I changed my workout schedule,” said Bell, who opened his day at the pool before school instead of in the gym to rehab his injury. “I had to slow down, use more power.”

Bell pronounced his knee fit and ready, and the results bear him out. The senior helped the Falcons to their fifth WPIAL team title and first PIAA championship – the first for a WPIAL school – recently before taking on the best of Section 2-AAA Saturday for his third consecutive section title.

Bell recorded a technical fall over Albert Gallatin’s Brad Zitney at 125 pounds for his fourth trip to the district tournament. Bell finished second at 103 pounds as a freshman.

“I’m in a lot better shape. I’m not as stiff with the knee. I’m having no problems with it,” proclaimed Bell, who should be rewarded with one of the top seeds at 125 pounds. “Now, I’m using my strength and quickness.”

As for the upcoming WPIAL and PIAA tournaments, Bell said, “It’s not a different tournament. I still have to wrestle my best.”

Fast-forward to 2005 and another Falcon was beset with a season-delaying injury when Alan Porter, a promising sophomore at 189 pounds, was sidelined before the section season with a broken bone in his hand suffered at the Beast of the East tournament.

Like Bell, Porter returned late in the season with his opening action of 2005 coming in the PIAA Championships in Hershey. He came through in the title match with a key decision at 189.

Now, Porter is looking to continue to work his way into shape while still advancing through the brackets. He began his trek with the section crown at 189 pounds despite being seeded fourth because of a lack of section bouts.

“I’m not in the best shape, but I’m getting back in it,” Porter said. “Steve is a good friend and he inspired me. He’s a great team leader.

“I was trying to go out in the first period (in Saturday’s bouts) because of my shape. I guess the years of experience helped me out.”

As for any advice Bell offered the sophomore, he told Porter, “You can still do things to keep in shape. You have to keep a positive mindset. It’s a tough thing to go through, but he’s a tough kid.”

Coach Tom Dolde offered, “It was only (Porter’s) tenth match of the year. We threw him in at states for his first match back. He has to improve the things he does well this week, as do all the wrestlers.”

While Bell has a big bull’s-eye on his chest, Porter is hoping to slide under the radar for a while.

“They won’t know who I am. Maybe I can make a name for myself.”