Mar 7, 2017 4 min read

Competing in the state wrestling tournament is tough not only because of the strong opposition but also the intimidating atmosphere.

Overcoming these hurdles is difficult and that’s why coaches keep their fingers crossed that at least a few of their wrestlers advance. That allows for an extra layer of support and that can be the difference in leaving with a medal.

Four wrestlers from Canon-McMillan – Logan Macri (120), Matt Oblock (126), Gerrit Nijenhuis (152) and Brendan Furman (heavyweight) – and three from Waynesburg – Caleb Morris (132), Kyle Homet (170) and Colin McCracken (195) – will be part of the area group competing in the PIAA Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey Thursday. Class AA gets underway at 9 a.m. and Class AAA starts at 4 p.m.

Finals for Class AA are at 2 p.m. Saturday and Class AAA finals follow at 7 p.m.

The top eight wrestlers in each weight class earn a medal.

“There definitely is a lot of pressure when you are going up for your whole school,” said Morris, who left Canon-McMillan High School over the weekend with his second WPIAL title in three years. “If my teammates are doing well, it motivates me to push a little harder. If they lose, that also makes me push harder. We help each other. If we see someone struggling with something that’s our strong point, we’ll go over and help them out.”

The Giant Center seats 10,500. While the arena rarely gets that many people for this event, the state tournament could be the largest crowd to watch some of these wrestlers.

“It’s nice when we get to Hershey (with more than one wrestler),” said Waynesburg head coach Joe Throckmorton. “It’s really a culture shock if you haven’t been there, even though they have been to big tournaments before. We go to the Beast of the East and Powerade to prepare them for that. There is still nothing that compares to having your teammates and friends around you. It’s nice if you have guys who have been there before so they can tell them what to expect. It calms the pressure.”

By the time the state tournament begins, there is no time for practice. The three-day event tests your skills and your nerves.

“We have four kids going to states,” said Furman, who like Morris won a WPIAL title over the weekend. “The last few years, we had one or two. It builds a team (spirit). We don’t have the whole team but we have a lot of the team.”

Class AA wrestlers have a new postseason format this year that allowed wrestlers to have a week off before the state tournament. Wrestlers such as Dom Fundy of Beth-Center don’t like the delay.

“I’m going to get my body back in shape for the state tournament, but I like to wrestle week to week,” said Fundy. “I don’t like the time off. There is more time to think about it. I just want to get it over with.”

Gavin Teasdale will be the only wrestler from Jefferson-Morgan making the trip to Hershey. But the two-time undefeated state champion could probably compete without the coaches there and still come away with a gold medal. Such is his talent level. Teasdale takes a 118-0 career record into this tournament after having won PIAA championships at 106 and 113. He is up two weights from his sophomore season, settling in at 126.

“(Being undefeated) is definitely not in my mindset,” said Teasdale after winning his third region title. “I just want to wrestle to my potential, not get out of position or let the crowd get involved. I just want to be aware of everything.”

Teasdale is looking to become the school’s second four-time undefeated state champion, matching Cary Kolat’s accomplishment from 1989-92. Spencer Lee of Franklin Regional is going for his fourth state title, which would make him the 13th wrestler in PIAA history to do so. Teasdale is expected to be No. 14 next year.