Somerset County Wrestling All-Stars named at annual banquet
SOMERSET -- Somerset's Rowan Holmes has put together an impressive two seasons on the mats for the Golden Eagles.
Holmes won District 5 Class 2A gold at 189 pounds, besting his runner-up finish from a year ago. He finished second at the Southwest Regional, bettering his fifth in 2022. The sensational sophomore went on to finish fourth at the PIAA 2A Wrestling Championships, ending the year with a 35-6 mark.
Taking the podium Somerset's Holmes finishes 4th at PIAA 2A wrestling championships
For the second straight year, Holmes was selected Somerset County Outstanding Wrestler, and named the Nick Roberts Outstanding Wrestler Award recipient at the annual banquet on Sunday at Oakhurst Grille & Event Center.
"This feels really good," said Holmes of the honors. "It was a big season. I matured and got more experience at the varsity level this year."
Top county honors Somerset's Holmes named Most Outstanding Wrestler at All-County banquet
The Nick Roberts Outstanding Wrestler Award was created in 2022 by The Shop co-owner Taylor Cahill, in honor of the late North Star standout, who won three PIAA and one NCAA Division II championship.
Gavin Teasdale, who captured four PIAA wrestling championships and currently works at The Shop, presented the award.
Holmes also earned the Codispoti-Maslak Most Falls Award with 26 pins this season. Somerset sophomore Zane Hagans brought home the Walter “Pip” Jarosick Fastest Fall Award for a 6-second victory.
With all of the success he has already showcased in two seasons, Holmes is already setting a lofty goal for next year.
"I am looking forward to next year to see what I can do," he said. "It is a goal for sure to win a state championship."
Holmes, along with Berlin Brothersvalley seniors Grant Mathias, who surpassed 100 career wins, and Landon Ulderich, as well as North Star senior Thanyal Miller, were state qualifiers this season.
Berlin Brothersvalley went 3-0 against county opponents while Somerset finished 2-0. The two teams were tabbed co-champions for the second straight season. Both teams had five all-stars and an honorable mention.
Somerset County Wrestling All-Stars
Berlin Brothersvalley: Trace Hay, so., 24-19 record; Grant Fisher, jr., 22-14; Grant Mathias, sr., 39-9; Landon Ulderich, sr., 34-15; Braden Durst, fr., 30-11
Conemaugh Township: Tristen Hawkins, jr., 35-8; Ryan Thomas, sr., 24-13; Colten Huffman, jr., 21-14, Ryan Krassnoski, sr., 20-16
Meyersdale: Sam Deist, jr., 18-11
North Star: Thanyal Miller, sr., 29-15; Colton Frazier, so., 21-15
Somerset: Rowan Holmes, so., 35-6; Zane Hagans, so., 32-6; Ali Akanan, so., 18-16; Deshonn Valentine, so., 32-12; Logan Baker, jr., 27-13
Honorable Mention
Berlin Brothersvalley: Logan Webreck, sr., 24-13
Conemaugh Township: Dylan Hovanec, so., 14-12
Meyersdale: Bryan Donitzen, jr., 11-17
Somerset: Wes Shaulis, sr., 13-15
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on Twitter @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset's Holmes headliners All-County All-Star Wrestlers
