Historic season set to get underway for Centre County’s high school wrestling teams

Although the winter sports season officially got started on Nov. 17, the first wrestling competition for the year will be State College traveling to Mifflin County for a quad dual meet.

This season is a historic moment for Pennsylvania as this is the first year that girls wrestling is a PIAA sanctioned sport. For now, Bald Eagle Area, Philipsburg-Osceola and State College are the only schools that have a boys and girls team. The Red Raiders are in the works of getting a girls team off the ground, according to Bellefonte coach Mike Maney.

Centre County fans will also get to see a handful of competing wrestlers who plan on continuing their careers at the Division I level.

There will be a Laurel Highlands Conference tournament at the beginning of January at Tyrone, with Bald Eagle Area, Bellefonte, Penns Valley and Philipsburg-Osceola set to compete. It will give a glimpse into what the District 6 Class 2A Championships could look like at the end of February in Altoona.

Jan. 9 will be an eventful night in Wingate as the Lady Eagles and Lady Mounties will square off before the Eagles and Mounties tussle on the mat.

Of course, everything will culminate March 7-9 at the Giant Center in Hershey when both the boys and girls will compete for PIAA titles.

Below is a look at Centre County’s teams this year.

BOYS

Bald Eagle Area

The Eagles have the tall task of replacing four-time District 6 and three-time PIAA placewinner Coen Bainey.

However, they do have two of their PIAA medalists from last year in Lucas Fye and Caleb Close returning to the lineup. Close and Fye, who is a Lock Haven commit, have found themselves standing on the podium in Hershey for consecutive seasons.

Outside of those two, BEA will look to Cameron Dubbs, Mason Reese, Gage Gardner and Alex Surovec for leadership as all four of them were regional qualifiers last year. All four of those wrestlers, along with some others, are just now getting onto the mat — practices began Nov. 17 — after having a successful fall season on the gridiron.

Not only do the Eagles have proven wrestlers in their lineup, but they’ve got several new faces joining the mix to make them even more dangerous.

Fans are going to want to keep their eyes on guys like sophomore Caden Judice and freshmen Tanner Guenot and Dawson Lomison.

“We will have a busy December participating in very competitive tournaments — Dry Tech Duals, King of the Mountain and Trojan Wars,” BEA coach Ron Guenot said in a written statement to the CDT. “This will be our first year competing in the Laurel Highlands Conference. We are looking to continue on the success from last season.”

Bellefonte

A quick glance at the Red Raiders roster will show they are lacking in senior leadership, with only two seniors on the team — Grady Garrison makes a return to the team and fellow senior Jeff Barnyak joined this year.

Even though Bellefonte is young, a lot of their youth gained valuable varsity experience a year ago.

Ezra Swisher, Jackson Long and Wyatt Long were all freshmen last year on a squad that finished with an impressive 13-4 record. Those three, along with junior Noah Weaver, have stuck out to Maney.

Another characteristic that has stuck out to Maney about this young squad is their ability to be “coachable.”

“The overall makeup of the team is very young but thus far, the beginning practices are some of the better practices I have had in my tenure. The overall group has been working hard and seem to have the right mindset early in the season,” Maney said in a written statement. “The varsity team has the potential to start 9-10 freshman/sophomores. A concern is low numbers so we do not have a lot of depth. Some injuries were suffered in the fall sports season, so this had some effect on numbers.

“By the second half of the season, we are hoping to get to full strength, get wrestlers to their certified weights to put the best team on the mat and wrestling their best at the right time.”

Penns Valley

When anyone looks at the Rams’ roster, one thing will stick out.

They have a lot of seniors, which can be a blessing and a curse.

Penns Valley will be led by its three returning state qualifiers in Ty Watson, Colten Shunk and Jack Darlington. Watson, who has committed to wrestle at Penn State, was the lone wrestler of the trio to place at the PIAA Championships last year.

The Rams will have to replace just two starters from last year’s squad, which claimed the top spot for the District 6 Class 2A team playoffs.

However, they have a few newcomers, which includes Watson’s younger brother, Tripp, and another Fetterolf in Seth.

“With a new season brings many great opportunities. The goal remains the same in that we hope to help each wrestler become the best version of themselves,” Penns Valley coach Joel Brinker wrote. “We return a large number of wrestlers who have wrestled at the varsity level, which is always nice to have. All the newcomers are seasoned as well. Collectively, they have high goals and we look forward to helping them achieve their goals.”

Philipsburg-Osceola

The Mounties are in the complete opposite end of the spectrum compared to the Rams squad in terms of experience.

P-O is going to be a young team with a bulk of their lineup consisting of sophomores.

However, they have a trio of talented wrestlers in seniors Marcus Gable and Nate Fleck, and sophomore Caleb Hummel to lean on for leadership.

Gable has been consistently good for the past couple of seasons. Fleck really came onto the scene last year as did Hummel as a freshman.

There has been nothing but high praise for brothers Evan and Connor Eichenlaub, who anchored the offensive line for the Mounties’ football squad this past season. They’ll be joined by fellow sophomore Colton Chapman and freshmen Averi Gable and Connor Guenot.

“We are excited for the 23-24 season. Our lineup is going to be young, however, we have some very talented individuals. We have some individuals who have high goals this year,” wrote coach Justin Fye, who is in his third year leading the Mounties. “We have many first year starters who will make noise this year. As a team, our goal is to place in the top 10 in all individual tournaments, be in the finals of team tournaments, qualify and advance to the semifinals of team duals, and continue to get better each day.”

State College

Last year, the Little Lions looked like a mini Penn State squad, with five highly talented wrestlers anchoring their lineup.

The bad news? Not all five of those wrestlers returned. But three of those five are back in Pierson Manville, Nick Pavlechko and Asher Cunningham.

All of them have also committed to continuing their wrestling careers at the Division I level. Manville will go to Arizona State, Pavlechko is headed to Indiana and Cunningham will stay close to home and follow in older brother Hayden’s footsteps at Penn State.

Not only does State College have this trio, but they have a new assistant coach in Jason Nickal, the father of Nittany Lions great Bo Nickal. Jason Nickal has had success as a head coach in New Mexico, Texas and Kentucky.

“We have a strong group that will be led by Manville, Pavlechko, and Cunningham. Our underclassmen will be able to gain more experience and fight for starting positions,” Little Lions coach Ryan Cummins said in a written statement.

GIRLS

Bald Eagle Area

The Lady Eagles had quite the successful year in the final year as a club team.

After becoming the first Centre County team to have a girls’ program, they had a pair in Angie Grieb and Grace Crestani qualify for the state championships.

Grieb went on to finish fourth in her first season wrestling. Crestani made a return trip to the state championships for the third straight year.

Eden Eveleth and Cameron Corl-Alton are back for their third year in the sport. Two years ago as freshmen, Eveleth and Corl-Alton made the state championships in their first seasons of wrestling.

Now that the girls will compete at the PIAA Championships beside the boys in March at the Giant Center in Hershey, it’s quite possible to see these four young ladies there.

“We are excited to get our 2023-2024 season underway this year. This year’s roster includes many returning letterwinners,” coach Ron Guenot wrote. “We are looking to continue the success of the Girls team from last season.”

Philipsburg-Osceola

The Lady Mounties became the second team from Centre County to get started in January, and they’ll be led by senior Isabella Duvall.

She finished sixth in the state last year, and will look to improve upon that finish. Duvall is the younger sister of Malachi, who competed for both St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy and Penns Valley.

Duvall was the lone representative for P-O at last year’s championships, but could have some company this year. Freshman Charlotte Hunt, a two-time Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling state runner-up, has joined the squad.

“We are excited to be one of the first 100 PA schools to sanction girls wrestling,” wrote Lady Mounties coach Chris McCully, who is in his first official year of coaching. “We have a great core group of girls, who are tremendous workers inside and outside of the wrestling room.”

State College

In February, the Lady Little Lions became the third team to get underway in Centre County.

They have six girls on the team with Anna Lackey leading the way as the only one with wrestling experience, having competed on the boys team previously.

“Anna Lackey has played a key role on our team so far. She has the most experience wrestling and has been a great leader, helper and teacher to all the girls,” wrote Eshia Willingham, who is in her first year of coaching.

Lackey is just one of three upperclassmen on the squad with senior Kendall Thomas and fellow junior Christine Armstrong joining the fold.

Willingham is looking forward to the inaugural season for State College girls wrestling.

“We’re excited to see what Kendall Thomas puts on the mat this season. She has a background in Brazilian jiu jitsu and is very strong,” Willingham wrote. “All of our young ladies are excited, have been working very hard, and have been improving. Our biggest focus is conditioning and fundamentals. We will continue to focus heavily on those moving forward.”

Teams at a glance

BOYS

Bald Eagle Area

Head coach (years coaching overall, at school): Ron Guenot (18th, 8th)

Assistant coaches: Kyle Wallace, Eddie Hockenberry, Kyle Fluke, John Dubbs, Troy Guenot, Mike Cook, Hunter Guenot, Travis Stem, Chase Gardner, Brandon Maynard, Tim Tice, Dave Lomison

Last season’s record: 11-4

Last season’s accomplishments: District 6 Individual Tournament champions, 2nd at Southwest Regional, 3rd at District 6 Duals, 5th at My House Trojan Wars

Key losses: Coen Bainey, Jeff Pifer, Nate Fry, Hunter Ishler

Returning letterwinners (Name & class): Gavin Bennett, Sr.; Eric Clark, Sr.; Cameron Dubbs, Sr.; Lucas Fye, Sr.; Owen Johnson, Sr.; Shawn Knepp, Sr.; Mason Reese, Sr.; Caleb Close, Jr.; Gavin Guenot, Jr.; Alex Surovec, Jr.; Gage Gardner, Soph.; Connor Maney, Soph.; Liam Purcell, Soph.; Kayson Tice, Soph.

Key newcomers (Name & class): Elliot Fye, Sr.; Aaron McClusick, Sr.; Austin Moyle, Sr.; Hunter Davis, Jr.; Harrison Harter, Soph.; Caden Judice, Soph.; Oliver Long, Soph.; Nick McCulley, Soph.; Kyle Watson, Soph.; Micheal Wesley, Soph.; Tanner Guenot, Fr.; Wyatt Knepp, Fr.; Dawson Lomison, Fr.

Bellefonte

Head coach (years coaching overall, at school): Mike Maney (18th, 16th)

Assistant coaches: Mark Coppolo, Nate Alterio, Keith Taylor, Jeff Gardner, Ryan Smith

Last season’s record: 13-4

Last season’s accomplishments: 5th Mt. League, 5th District 6 Duals, District 6 4th

Key losses: Gage Long, Max Murray, Addison Shawley, Nash Irwin

Returning letterwinners (Name & class): Grady Garrison, Sr.; Cameron Garcia, Jr.; Colton Perryman, Jr.; Gavin DuFour, Soph.; Isaac Gall, Soph.; Jackson Long, Soph.; Wyatt Long, Soph.; Jack McHail, Soph.; Ezra Swisher, Soph.; Noah Weaver, Jr.

Key newcomers (Name & class): Jeff Barnyak, Sr.; Logan Rarrick, Soph.; Ian Valimont, Soph.; Luke Hockenberry, Fr.; Gavin Lucas, Fr.; Quinn Park, Fr.; Ben Rossman, Fr.; Kavin Smith-Kirk, Fr.

Penns Valley

Head coach (years coaching overall, at school): Joel Brinker (24th, 24th)

Assistant coaches: Mike Wise, Wayne Yearick, Colby Stover, Aaron Smith, Jaron Cunrod

Last season’s record: 12-3

Last season’s accomplishments: Qualified for D6 Team Duals, Team Champs at Meadville Tool City Tournament, Placed 3rd at D6 Individual Tournament, 3 wrestlers qualified for PIAA State Championships, 1 wrestler Placed at PIAA State Championships

Key losses: Chase Fleshman, David Martin, Kollin Brungart

Returning letterwinners (Name & class): Nick Cain, Sr.; Brandon Corl, Sr.; Jack Darlington, Sr.; Ethan Fetterolf, Sr.; Wyatt Homan, Sr.; Josh Lieb, Sr.; Colten Shunk, Sr.; Ty Watson, Sr.; , Landon Hess, Jr.; Max King, Jr.; Zack Rummel, Jr.; Heath Senator, Jr.; Ty Steiger, Jr.; Riley Winkelblech, Jr.; Sawyer Fetterolf, Soph.; Brayden Lisowski, Soph.; Conner Myers, Soph.

Key newcomers (Name & class): Joel Conklin, Soph.; Seth Fetterolf, Soph.; Robert Martin, Soph.; Shane Rimmey, Soph.; Caden Simco, Soph.; Erik Carlile, Fr.; Tripp Watson, Fr.

Philipsburg-Osceola

Head coach (years coaching overall, at school): Justin Fye (9th, 3rd)

Assistant coaches: Aaron Levonick, Brandon Anderson, Tim McCamley, Donny Clark, Tyler Anderson, Bub Lumadue

Last season’s record: 14-8

Last season’s accomplishments: 2nd Place at River Valley Duals, 2nd Place at Mountaineer Duals

Key losses: Ben Gustkey, Trevor Cort, and Dawson Snyder

Returning letterwinners (Name & class): Nate Fleck, Sr.; Marcus Gable, Sr.; Andrew Hensal, Sr.; Haydn Kephart, Sr.; Hunter Kephart, Jr.; Matt Rowles, Jr.; Ace Foster, Soph.; Caleb Hummel, Soph.

Key newcomers (Name & class): Ean Williams, Sr.; Mason Packer, Jr.; Aiden Anderson, Soph.; Colton Chapman, Soph.; Connor Eichenlaub, Soph.; Evan Eichenlaub, Soph.; Danny Glessnar, Soph.; Fischer White, Soph.; Averi Gable, Fr.; Connor Guenot, Fr.

State College

Head coach (years coaching overall, at school): Ryan Cummins (21st, 11th)

Assistant coaches: Bud Price, Jason Nickal

Last season’s record: 2-8

Last season’s accomplishments: 3rd in District 6 individual tournament, 2nd at PIAA Northwest Regional individual tournament, 4th in the PIAA individual tournament

Key losses: Hayden Cunningham, Carter Weaverling

Returning letterwinners (Name & class): Jacob Campbell, Sr.; Pierson Manville, Sr.; Nick Pavlechko, Sr.; Johnny Coates, Jr.; Asher Cunningham, Jr.; Mason Sanderson, Soph.; Izaiah Vasquez, Soph.

Key newcomers (Name & class): Xavier Zeruth, Jr.; Reagan Dillon, Fr.; James Whitbred, Fr.; Jon Whitbred, Fr.; Noah Young, Fr.

GIRLS

Bald Eagle Area

Head coach (years coaching overall, at school): Ron Guenot (18th, 8th)

Assistant coaches: Kyle Wallace, Eddie Hockenberry, Kyle Fluke, John Dubbs, Troy Guenot, Mike Cook, Hunter Guenot, Travis Stem, Chase Gardner, Brandon Maynard, Tim Tice, Dave Lomison

Last season’s record: 0-0

Last season’s accomplishments: Girls program got started, 2 state qualifiers

Key losses: None

Returning wrestlers (Name & class): Angie Grieb, Sr.; Cameron Corl-Alton, Jr.; Grace Crestani, Jr. ; Eden Eveleth, Jr.

Key newcomers (Name & class): Skylar Figard, Sr.

Philipsburg-Osceola

Head coach (years coaching overall, at school): Chris McCully (2nd, 1st)

Assistant coaches: Matt Bush, Josh Glessner, David Hunt, Sara McCully

Last season’s record: 0-0

Last season’s accomplishments: Girls program got started, 1 state qualifier, Won the Curwensville Girls tournament as a team

Key losses: Sarah Bock, Kate Yoder

Returning wrestlers (Name & class): Isabella Duvall, Sr.

Key newcomers (Name & class): Marley Duvall, Jr.; Daisy Glessner, Soph.; Halee Grubb, Soph.; Charlotte Hunt, Fr.

State College

Head coach (years coaching overall, at school): Eshia Willingham (1st, 1st)

Assistant coaches: Elisa Lackey

Last season’s record: 0-0

Last season’s accomplishments: Girls program got started

Key losses: None

Returning wrestlers (Name & class): Anna Lackey, Jr.

Key newcomers (Name & class): Kendall Thomas, Sr.; Christine Armstrong, Jr.; Isabelle Dubler, Fr.; Starlynn Emel-Rash, Fr.; Sophia Fomichev, Fr.