Feb 1, 2017 3 min read

Two years ago, it was A.C. Headlee. This year, it’s Colin McCracken.

Waynesburg High School’s wrestling program has had a nice run of Division I wrestling prospects.

McCracken received a scholarship offer from Kent State Wednesday, which was national signing day. He considered Clarion, Cleveland State and was contacted by Pitt.

“The campus was amazing and the coaches were nice. I got along with the wrestlers,” said McCracken. “Kent State talked to me after Powerade (Christmas Wrestling Tournament) and offered a great package.”

Waynesburg head coach Joe Throckmorton said the Golden Flashes are getting a great wrestler.

“He’s a great individual,” Throckmorton said. “He’s a hard worker on his technique. He has improved immensely from his freshman year to his senior year. He comes from a great family.”

McCracken is a multi-sport athlete and some felt football might be an option.

“I know he had a little bit of interest early on because he made some teams,” Throckmorton said. “When you are able to go Division I in wrestling versus maybe a D-II or D-III in football was the decision he had to make.”

McCracken entered the state tournament as the third-place finisher in the regional tournament. He went 4-2 and finished in seventh place at 182 pounds after pinning Evan Morrill of Lower Dauphin in 21 seconds. He finished with a 39-12 record and was a member of the Observer-Reporter All-District Wrestling Team.

As a sophomore, McCracken came within one win of wrestling for the final qualifying spot to the PIAA Championship in Hershey.

“I think he has gotten better in every position,” Throckmorton said. “His top position is one of the best position for him. He was always decent on top but he just got better at it.”

McCracken said he was relieved he didn’t have to worry about recruiting any longer.

“I’m so relieved,” he said. “Now, I can concentrate on wrestling

Among others who have made commitments:

• Canon-McMillan’s Sabrina Bryan (Hofstra), Megan Virgin (Long Island), Maddi Manz (Waynesburg) and Aideen O’Donoghue (Pitt) for soccer, Rhamire Knight (Shippensburg) for football and Blaze Kansco (Seton Hill) for wrestling.

• Andrew Mercer (West Liberty), Isaiah Robinson (West Liberty) and Malik Mitchell (Duquesne) for football from Washington.

• Michael Fine (St. Francis, Pa.) and Jack Herron (Saint Vincent) from Belle Vernon for football.

• Devon Brown (Edinboro) for football and Hannah Greene (Cleveland State) for volleyball from Fort Cherry.

• Marc Gibson (California) for football from Monessen.

• Dremar Everette (Mercyhurst), Brian Burgess (Alderson-Broaddus), Errict Tedrow (Duquesne) and Sean Cole (Bethany) from Charleroi, all for football.

• South Fayette’s Drew Gedrys (Valparaiso), Alex Minford (Robert Morris) and Dan Trimbur (Cornell) for football, Jayna Fitipaldo (Illinois) and Katie Nelson (West Liberty) for soccer , Tristan Tinney (Seton Hill) for baseball, Aaron Pfeil (Lock Haven) for cross country, Amanda Oliver (Slippery Rock) for track, Allison Gates (Clarion) for track and cross country, Sara Jubas (James Madison) for softball.

• William Shaw (Alderson-Broaddus), Logan Stahl (Lenoire-Rhyne), T.J. Kpan (Seton Hill) and Drew Blon (Shippensburg) for football from Peters Township.

• Gage Ivory (Alderson-Broaddus) and Dalton Holt (Slippery Rock) for football from Ringgold.

• Cameron Rush (University of New Hampshire) of Avella who attends Bishop Canevin for football.