It’s official: Central Mountain wrestlers Simcox to Penn, Walizer to Lock Haven

RecordStaffNovember 10, 2023Last Updated: November 10, 2023

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Griffin Walizer and Luke Simcox make their college picks official.

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – With family and coaches looking on, two standout seniors on the Central Mountain wrestling team on Thursday made their college choices official. Luke Simcox will be off to the University of Pennsylvania next year and teammate Griffin Walizer will attend Commonwealth University – Lock Haven; both signed their NCAA Division I commitment letters to finalize their college decisions.

From the left, assistant coach Dylan Caprio, mother Nikki Simcox, Luke Simcox, father Jesse Simcox, coach Biff Walizer.

Simcox, 42-4 a year ago, is a 2023 state champ to go with fifth place finishes in his freshman and sophomore years. Walizer, 38-12 last year, has earned fifth and eighth place finishes at states the last two years. Both said they would pursue degrees in business at their respective colleges.

Both said they looked for a standout season this winter for the Wildcat wrestlers, a veteran unit which also includes junior Dalton Perry who has first and third finishes at the PIAA tournament his first two seasons. Both Simcox and Walizer talked of achieving a PIAA team title this winter.

From the left, mother Marcie Walizer, sister Raigan Walizer, Griffin Walizer, father/coach Biff Walizer, sister Reese Walizer, assistant coach Dylan Caprio.

Per Walizer: “Senior year, it’s the last go at it, (I want to) get to the top of the podium. Team-wise we have a really strong team; I think it’s the strongest team we’ve had in a while. Every day in the wrestling room with these guys it’s hard to not get better with each other. We’ll look to place team wise at states and I look to be a state champion.”
And from Simcox: “Overall this is probably one of the best teams Central Mountain has ever seen. “I really think we have a really good shot at winning as a team, but we also have a lot of good individual wrestlers that can make another shot at a state title. This is the year we could have multiple state champions and also be team state champions, so I’m excited.”
Friday Nov. 17 is the first official practice date for PIAA schools. First Wildcat competition will be the Tom Best Memorial Top Hat Tournament at Williamsport High School Dec. 1 and 2.