Mar 11, 2019 3 min read

It was one of those pleasant surprises in sports, like when the running back scores a touchdown then sprints to the sidelines and proposes to his cheerleader girlfriend.

Or when that serviceman is secretly brought home from the war zone and sneaks behind his family at a baseball game.

The surprise that took place Saturday night in Hershey might not have been as dramatic as those first two examples but it certainly was amazing.

Gerrit Nijenhuis, the 170-pound junior from Canon-McMillan High School, put on a dazzling display at the PIAA Class AAA Wrestling Championship inside the Giant Center in Hershey.

He totally dominated Edmond Ruth, a two-time state champion from Susquehanna Township, 8-3, in a final performance that was so impressive that Nijenhuis was named Outstanding Wrestler for Class AAA.

Depending on what list you’re reading, Nijenhuis became either the 43rd or 45th state champion from Canonsburg and Canon-McMillan. The tournament program makes him the 43rd but the list has been called into question.

Either way, Nijenhuis stunned the crowd with his performance. He slammed into Ruth’s midsection seven seconds into the bout, took him down, ran the half and dragged Ruth over the resilite mat for the remainder of the two minutes, beating the spirit out of the senior.

A four-point move at the end of the second period brought another roar from the crowd and stretched Nijenhuis’ lead to 7-0 after two periods.

Ruth was no ordinary finalist. He won the 170-pound title in Class AA last year and 152-pound gold medal as a sophomore. He came into the match against Nijenhuis riding a 105-bout winning streak.

Meanwhile, Nijenhuis came into the tournament with his first District 7 title and a healing left knee. It was a seesaw season for him in some big bouts.

In the Powerade finals, a frustrated Nijenhuis took exception to a late push to the mat by Carter Starocci of Erie Cathedral Prep at 182 pounds. Nijenhuis jumped up and the two wrestlers nearly came to blows before being separated. Nijenhuis suffered a 5-2 loss, his first defeat of the season.

In the WPIAL Team Tournament, Nijenhuis lost a 2-1 decision to Max Shaw of Thomas Jefferson. He moved up to wrestle Shaw and was giving up nearly 25 pounds. Worse, he seemed to aggravate his knee injury, hobbling off the mat at match’s end and unable to put any pressure on his left leg.

A bye week in the individual postseason did wonders for the knee and he began wrestling without the brace and support tape. His first bout in Hershey, an 8-2 decision over Anthony Hinson of Spring Grove, left him frustrated and angry with his wrestling.

The next day, he looked strong in winning a 10-2 major decision over Caden Wright of Emmaus. In Saturday morning’s semifinals, Nijenhuis took control early in an 8-1 decision of Max Hale of Downingtown West.

Nijenhuis entered the bout with Ruth as the underdog but didn’t mind.

“I try to block out all that noise,” he said. “I don’t let people get into my head.”

Nijenhuis is the third C-M wrestler to win a state title in as many years. He returns next season to defend his title and there will be one difference.

He won’t surprise anyone if he wins.