Wrestling News & Views – Tom Elling

As far as high school wrestling in PA, it all comes down to this weekend. Since 1938, the PIAA has provided the stage for outstanding wrestlers from across the state to challenge themselves by facing the best from other areas of the Commonwealth. Clearfield’s Sam Harry was the very first to win a PIAA state title. There were fewer than 30 schools represented back then. No classification was needed. The bracket was an 8-man design with just the champions from Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, and 11.

Team scores would be a long time in the future. Many of those competitors laid the foundation for what has evolved into today’s wrestling landscape. Canonsburg’s George Custer became a local legend as he wrestled collegiately at Lock Haven State Teachers’ College, coached at Bald Eagle-Nittany, and officiated at every level. He was also semi-humorously noted for offering his whistle to a fan who was berating a ‘call’ and even clearing an entire front row at Thomas Field House for their jeers. Roland Scandle of Shamokin has a great-nephew now leading that school as head coach (Jarrod Scandle). Dick DiBatista of Lower Merion (then Penn) established himself as one of the best officials in the nation. Henry ‘Hank’ Blake of DuBois initiated the sport at Lock Haven STC. So many others made important contributions that it would take at least a few columns to recognize them all.

Also worth noting, Canon McMillan’s Valerie Solorio (100) won the first-ever gold medal in the inaugural Girls’ Championships last year (2024). Bob Enders (Susquehanna Twp) and Angelo Marino (Canon McMillan) were the first to win Class AA and AAA titles (98 lbs) in 1974.

Fast forward to this weekend’s championships held in Hershey at the vast Giant Center. There are two boys’ classifications, and last year a girls’ state championship was incorporated. It is practically non-stop wrestling. The brackets are now a bloated twenty. All sessions are available for viewing or following via Flo Wrestling. Unless one is a relative or a school has multiple competitors, there is little reason to go to the expense of spending 3-4 days in Hershey. A quick review of the declining in-person attendance solidifies that premise. Add to the mix that the Big Ten Championships will also take place this weekend, and you don’t need a crystal ball to see the continued decline. There is no easy answer to the quagmire, but wrestling will survive, and many more names will be added to the incredible lore of PIAA and Pennsylvania wrestling.

Followers can find the complete pairings for the PIAAs on my Facebook page or follow along on Flo Arena. I’m sure the tireless Joe Walker will be issuing reports on TheRecord-Online.com as the tournament progresses.

Highlighting the Girls’ Tournament

(Limiting my coverage due to space—and having just had cataract surgery last week, ha ha—here goes):

106: Eden Eveleth, Bald Eagle Area; C-1: Jenna Houseknecht, Montgomery

118: Lillian Rumsey, Williamsport

124: Emily Murphy, Montgomery

130: Zoe Furman, Montgomery; Aubrey Rebuck, Shikellamy

136: Charlotte Hunt, Philipsburg-Osceola; Briella Walk, Montgomery; Karissa Springer, Selinsgrove

142: Austynn Falls, Central Mountain

155: Makayla Taylor, Clearfield

170: Kendall Wagner, Central Mountain

190: Grace Crestani, Bald Eagle Area

Wagner and Crestani were 8th placers last year. Rumsey was 4th.

Local Boys’ Standouts

Dalton Perry (Central Mountain) will be vying for his fourth medal. He was a state champ as a 9th grader, 3rd as a sophomore, and 2nd last season. BEA’s Caleb Close is also working toward his fourth PIAA medal.

Other BEA competitors:

Caden Judice – a runner-up and former Louisiana state champ seeking his second PIAA medal

Tanner Guenot – placed 5th last year and looking to climb higher on the podium

Dawson Lomison – keeps improving and will be making his first appearance on the mats at Hershey

Central Mountain’s Aiden Kunes will be making his second trip to Chocolate World and hopes to give the Wildcats another podium finish.

Bellefonte had a solid Regional and will be sending 152-pounder Ezra Swisher to compete.

District 6 fared well in its first trip to the WPIAL with five champions crowned. They also had five teams in the top ten team finishers, and adding former NW Region’s DuBois, one more. Thomas Jefferson took the title, followed by Connellsville.

In AA, team-wise at the SW AA Regional, Bishop McCort ran away with the title; BEA took 4th, Penns Valley 6th, and Huntingdon and United tied for 10th.

Overtime

Kraig Nellis informs us that U.S. Steel has returned as the presenting sponsor of the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic. The 51st Classic is Saturday, March 29, 2025, at AHN Arena at Peters Township High School. (More details on my Tom’s Wrestling Page on Facebook).

Lloyd Rhoades, a good friend and dedicated wrestling advocate, was recognized by PA Junior Wrestling with its “2025 PJW Adult Recognition Award.” He has worked tirelessly for the sport, earning previous honors including:

D6 Man-of-the-Year (2002)

PA Chapter of the NWHoF Inductee (2013)

D6 PWCA Hall of Fame Inductee (2015)

Lloyd currently serves the PA Chapter (NWHoF) as treasurer and chief business officer. No one works harder for the betterment of our sport than Lloyd.

Nazareth state champ Sammy Sasso has officially retired from competition. Sasso was the victim of a car hijacking and shooting that left him severely injured. His comeback attempt was a challenge beyond imagination. Expect to hear great things from him in the future. He was Dave Crowell-trained—so he had a leg up from the start.

Shikellamy’s Steve Williams deserves recognition for his dedication to wrestling. He broadcasts, writes, photographs, and promotes the sport, always in a positive manner. I call him “Dr. Death” (after a former pro wrestler of the same name), and the name has stuck in PA wrestling circles. Keep up the great work, Steve!

PJ Duke, who will join Dalton Perry of Central Mountain as a Penn State recruit, won his 4th New York state title at 170 lbs. He dominated his competition and earned the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler Award.

LHU great Chance Marsteller recently won gold at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series and was named USA Wrestling’s Athlete of the Week. Keep it going, Chance!

In Memoriam

Sadly, our wrestling world lost a few more:

Mike Allen – an outstanding NCAA referee known for his ability to control matches with an unintrusive presence.

Les Turner – my Mo Valley coach who introduced me to wrestling. He was my mentor, idol, and friend.

Lou Prato – known for his work in Penn State football history and his push for the Beaver Stadium Museum.

RIP, gentlemen. Your contributions to wrestling and beyond will not be forgotten.