Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week
Name: Gavin Teasdale
School: Jefferson-Morgan
Class: Freshman
Sport: Wrestling
Weight class: 106
Teasdale’s week: Teasdale became the first PIAA Class AA wrestling champion at Jefferson-Morgan in 20 years Saturday when he won a 4-2 decision over Aaron Burkett of Chestnut Ridge in the 106-pound finals.
Teasdale completed a 46-0 season and is on a pace that would make him a four-time undefeated PIAA champion. The last J-M wrestler to accomplish that feat was Cary Kolat, who won four titles and compiled a 137-0 record.
Teasdale began the tournament with a pin in 24 seconds of Jules Hicklin of Sharon in the first round. He had a dicey quarterfinal bout – even got put on his back for the first time – but racked up a 12-10 overtime decision against Jaret Lane of Southern Columbia. Teasdale breezed through the semifinals, registering a 9-1 decision over Jalin Hankerson of Boiling Springs.
“This is one-fourth of the way done,” he said. “I still have a lot more to go in my high school career.”
His win over Burkett was the third of the season. The two met in the Southwest Region finals and the finals of the Bedford Tournament.
Rare air: Teasdale is one of a small group of wrestlers who have a chance to win four PIAA titles. It’s only been done 12 times in PIAA history.
Last season, Chance Marsteller of Kennard-Dale and Thomas Haines of Solanco became the Nos. 11 and 12 wrestlers to accomplish the feat. Marsteller completed his career with a 166-0-0 record, becoming only the fifth wrestler since the tournament began in 1938 to win four titles and finish without a loss.
James Conklin of Waynesburg was the first, going 70-0-1 from 1940-43, and Kolat amassed his record from 1989-92.
“He has one title under his belt,” said J-M head coach Mike Lesko. “I want him to blaze his own path. He has a good shot to be remembered by a lot of people.”
On this pace, Teasdale would leave Jefferson-Morgan as the winningest wrestler in school history.
“My goals are set for the future,” said Teasdale. “I want to wrestle good next season. I’ll work on all three positions to improve.”
Compiled by Joe Tuscano