By Lynn Saternow

Herald Sports Editor



HERSHEY — Former Clarion University All-American wrestler Tom Tomeo smiled broadly as he remarked about the talent of the new Grove City High state champ Caleb Kolb:

“The legacy has been passed.”

Kolb won the 171-pound title at the PIAA State AA Wrestling Championships Saturday at Hershey Giant Center, the 1st Grove City titlist since Tomeo nailed back-to-back crowns in 1992-93.

The Eagle senior led a record group of 14 Mercer County place-winners at state, but was the only champ as Greenville’s Coty Burnett lost his finals match at 125.

Kolb edged Octorara’s defensive-minded Josh Smith, 3-2, to add a gold medal to the bronze he won last year. It also completed a perfect 39-0 season and raised his career record to 122-27.

Kolb, a son of Jon and Debra Kolb, scored an early takedown and made it hold up, although he was ridden out the entire 3rd period.

“(Smith) was good on top,” said Kolb. “He kept riding over my hips. I wanted to wrestle the whole match on my feet.”

“The only thing the kid would do was block on his feet; he didn’t want to wrestle with us,” said a happy Grove City coach Marty Ruley. “He just wanted to stay in the match. It wasn’t pretty, but guess what? He’s a state champ.”

Ruley pointed out that Tomeo and others such as Jeff Becker and Beau Fisher showed up in the workout room last week to help out. When asked if Kolb is now up there with Tomeo as a wrestler, Ruley replied:

“Yeah, he is. But Tommy will always have a special place in my heart, just like Mike Bell. Tommy won titles in both AA and AAA.

“Caleb is one of the greatest kids you could ever have in the room. If you had a dream wrestler, he’s everything you would dream about,” Ruley praised. “His dad is pretty famous for football (as 4-time Super Bowl winner with the Steelers) and now Caleb is famous for wrestling.”

Kolb, headed for the University of Nebraska where he’ll red-shirt next season, was still savoring the victory shortly before climbing to the top of the medal stand.

“All the extra work and lifting paid off,” he said.

Greenville’s Burnett ended his career in the state finals, but dropped a tough 7-4 decision to Evan Yenolevich of Northwestern Lehigh. Burnett trailed 1-0 on a penalty point after 1 period, but reversed early in the 2nd. However, while riding with legs and trying to turn Yenolevich, Burnett slipped and his opponent picked up a reversal and back points. Burnett was never able to catch up after that.

“He was the victim of his own creativity,” said a disappointed Greenville coach John Reynolds. “He didn’t stick to the stuff that got him here, but that’s the way he wrestles.

“We’re still really proud of him. He had a great year and hasn’t lost since Tool City. He’s done a great job for us, and I think he finished where he wanted to be. Maybe he would have liked to have been one step higher, but second in the state is pretty good.”

Burnett was trying to become the 1st Trojan state champion since Terry Claypool won back-to-back titles in 1995-96. He battled through some regular-season injuries and finished the year with a 28-3 record. For his career he went 148-26. He won 3 state medals — 5th, 7th and now 2nd.

Locals placing in the consolations were: 3rd — Reynolds’ Mason Beckman (112); Sharon’s Jordan Moss (135) and Lewendo Teague (160); 4th — Reynolds’ Dylan D’Urso (103), Adam Matthews (119) and Cody Kelly (130); Hickory’s Fabio Boccuzzi (145); Greenville’s R.J. Malson (189); 5th — Grove City’s Wesley Phipps (160); 7th — Commodore Perry’s Jordan Powell (140) and Reynolds’ Will Ringer; 8th — Commodore Perry’s Tim DeFrances (189).

Following is a look at the locals in consolations:

3rd-place matches

ä Raider freshman D’Urso faced a rematch with Josh Polacek of Westmont-Hilltop, who D’Urso topped 3-1 in the state team duals. This time it was the Hilltopper coming out on top, notching a 2nd-period reversal and making it hold up for a 2-1 triumph. D’Urso (44-4) won section, district and region titles.

ä Reynolds sophomore Beckman also faced a familiar foe, Montoursville’s Luke Frey, who edged the Raider on overtime rideout a year ago in the state finals at 103. This time Beckman notched a 1st-period takedown and added a 2nd-period reversal for a 4-0 lead. Beckman gave up an escape and late takedown for a 4-3 victory and a 3rd-place medal to go with his silver medal from 2008. He finished the year as a section, district and region champ and posted a 50-4 record.

ä Matthews beat David Fogle of Forest Hills in overtime in the championship quarterfinals, but this time Fogle turned the tables for a hard-fought 4-2 victory, picking up 2nd-period back points.

“Adam had a great tournament in a really tough weight class,” said Reynolds coach Brian Hills. “We were glad to see him medal.”

The Raider sophomore (39-7), like his two lighter teammates, won all 3 previous postseason tourneys.

ä Reynolds’ Kelly closed out a brilliant career with a 4th-place state medal to go with a previous 2nd and pair of 3rds. For a 2nd time in the tournament, Shady Side Academy’s former state champ Frank Martellotti handed Kelly a loss, this time by 4-2 in overtime with a takedown. The Cornell-bound Kelly (48-5) finishes as the Mercer County career-win record-holder with 179. He finished 179-25. He was a 3-time District 10 and Northwest Region champ.

“We’re going to miss him,” said Hills. “There’s no substitute for a 4-time medalist. I can’t say enough about Cody. He set an example for the team and was one of the big reasons we won the state team championship. He drove a lot of kids to win matches in those team duals that they might not have won.”

ä Sharon’s Moss overcame the disappointment of not repeating as state champ by earning a 3rd-place medal. In the consy finals the Tiger junior defeated Avella’s Mitch Spencer for a 2nd time in the tourney, this time by a 3-1 count. He won all 3 earlier postseason tourneys and finished the year at 36-2. Moss’s lone loss in the tourney was to Colin Shober of Schuylkill Valley, who went on to win the title, 9-3, over Phil Steinberg of Central Cambria. Like Moss, both are juniors.

ä Hickory’s Boccuzzi was leading in the 2nd period, but fell victim to a headlock and was pinned in 2:42 by Dakota Kuhn of Boiling Springs.

“He still had a great tournament,” said Hickory coach Carl Wombacker of his senior star. “He just got caught. He’s had a tremendous season, considering he never won a tournament before sections this year.”

Boccuzzi also won district and regional crowns and finished the year 42-9.

ä Tiger Teague scored an escape and takedown in the 2nd period and made it hold up for a 3-1 triumph over Northern Lehigh’s Colin Hedash. The junior section champ finished the year at 38-3.

“You can’t be disappointed with two third places,” said Sharon coach Dave Ciafre of his charges Moss and Teague after hugging Teague as he left the mat. “These guys worked hard all year and in the summer to get where they’re at. You have to love kids that want to work. Lewendo, a lot of people didn’t think he would even get down here, let alone place. But we did.”

ä Greenville junior Malson earned a 4th-place medal after bowing to 2008 state champion Roman San Doval of Shady Side Academy, 9-3. Malson (41-6) won district and regional crowns.

“It was a great year for R.J., especially earning a medal in that tough weight class,” said Trojan mentor Reynolds. “We’re excited about next year.”

5th-place matches

ä Grove City freshman ace Wesley Phipps finished out his 1st trip to state in style, pinning Eric Hummel of Lewisburg in 3:56 for a 5th-place medal.

“How about my freshman?” Ruley rhetorically asked. “We’re looking for some great things in the future down here.”

Phipps, the Northwest Region champ, posted a 34-10 record. 

7th-place matches

ä Commodore Perry senior Powell finished his career with a victory, knocking off Elias Biddle of Warrior Run, 4-3. He finished the year as district and region champion with a record of 37-7. His CP teammate DeFrances ended his career with an 8th-place award after bowing 5-2 to Kyle Dudley of Valley. DeFrances finished the campaign with a 34-9 record and a career 100 victories.

ä Reynolds senior Ringer closed out his career with a victory, edging Mike Paradise of Harbor Creek, 3-2. Ringer (43-7) beat Paradise earlier in the Northwest Region finals as the Raider won all 3 postseason tourneys.

“Will was kind of the silent guy behind the scenes all year behind the lightweights, but he was a big part of our success. We’ll miss him,” Hills said.

Notes: Shady Side Academy won the AA state team title for a 2nd straight year, while Reynolds finished 3rd behind Benton. ... Shady Side Academy’s Dane Johnson (140) won his 3rd state crown and is headed for Pitt to wrestle in the fall. Coudersport junior Dirk Cowburn (152) won his 2nd PIAA crown. ... State place-winners from District 10 other than Mercer Countians were: Fort LeBoeuf’s Jeremy King (145), 6th; Harbor Creek’s Sam Kuhn (152), 3rd and Mike Paradise (285), 8th; Maplewood’s Nick Bancroft (152), 4th; Union City’s Jared Burger (215), 7th. ... There will be a welcome home party for Reynolds wrestlers 1 p.m. today in the high school cafeteria. For information, contact Kathy Harned of the Reynolds Wrestling Booster Club, 724-932-3082.

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Team Scores: 1. Shady Side Academy 84, 2. Benton 74, 3. Reynolds 58.5, 4. Wyomissing 50, 5. Westmont Hilltop 43, 6. Burrell 41.5, 7. (tie) Delone Catholic & Grove City 38.5, 9. Schuylkill Valley 37.5, 10. Greenville 37.

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Championship matches

103—Nick Roberts, North Star dec. Evan Link, Penn Cambria, 4-1.

112—Arty Walsh, Wyomissing dec. Zach Beitz, Juniata, 5-2.

119—Anthony Zanetta, Keystone Oaks dec. A.J. Schopp, Tyrone, 4-3.

125—Evan Yenolevich, Northwestern Lehigh dec. Coty Burnett, Greenville, 7-4.

130—Nick Hodgkins, Wyomissing major dec. Logan Sheldon, Hyndman, 10-2.

135—Colin Shober, Schuylkill Valley dec. Phillip Steiberg, Central Cambria, 9-3.

140—Dane Johnson, Shady Side Academy major dec. Robert Henderson, United, 11-3.

145-—Eric Hess, Benton dec. Tyler Hain, Warrior Run, 9-2.

152—Dirk Cowburn, Coudersport dec. Joe Harper, Susquenita, 10-5.

160—Corey Lear, Benton dec. Matthew Cunningham, Shady Side Academy, 7-2.

171—Caleb Kolb, Grove City dec. Josh Smith, Octorara, 3-2.

189—Jon Fausey, Line Mountain dec. Dallas Brown, Delone Catholic, 7-5.

215—Brandon Palik, Saucon Valley dec. Josh McDannell, Chestnut Ridge, 3-2.

285—Jordan Roussos, Carlynton dec. Tyler Demott, Benton, 9-6.

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3rd Place Consolations

103—Josh Polacek, Westmont Hilltop dec. Dylan D’Urso, Reynolds, 2-1.

112—Mason Beckman, Reynolds dec. Luke Frey, Montoursville, 4-3.

119—David Fogle, Forest Hills dec. Adam Matthews, Reynolds, 4-2.

125—Tyler Chesney, Northern Bedford dec. Ronnie Garbinsky, Tyrone, 12-7.

130—Frank Martellotti, Shady Side Academy dec. Cody Kelly, Reynolds, 4-2 OT.

135—Jordan Moss, Sharon dec. Mitch Spencer, Avella, 3-1.

140—Derek Schmelyun, Bermudian Springs dec. Kris Krawchuk, Northern Lehigh, 3-2.

145-—Dakota Kuhn, Boiling Springs pinned Fabio Boccuzzi, Hickory, 2:42.

152—Sam Kuhn, Habor Creek dec. Nick Bancroft, Maplewood, 7-2;

160—Lewendo Teague, Sharon dec. Colin Hedash, Northern Lehigh, 3-1.

171—Nathaniel Brown, Lewisburg pinned Logan Shirey, Redbank Valley, 1:34

189—Roman SanDoval, Shady Side Academy dec. R.J. Malson, Greenville, 9-3.

215—Jesse Chesla, Towanda dec. Brian Beattie, Burrell, 6-2.

285—Lance Moore, Lackawanna Trail dec. Travis Chesla, Towanda, 6-1.

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5th Place Consolations

103—Jamie Welsh, Pen Argyl dec. Randy Cruz, Bethlehem Catholic, 4-1.

112—David White, Schuylkill Valley dec. Geoff Alexander, Shady Side Academy, 6-4.

119—Derek Brothers, Curwensville by default over Jeremy Landowski, Burrell, 1:25.

125—Tyler Small, Delone Catholic dec. Josh Lahr, Shamokin, 6-5.

130—Bryson Brooke, Warrior Run dec. Brandon Pesarchick, Shamokin, 8-4.

135—Travis McKillop, Burrell dec. Aaron Fry, Muncy, 8-2.

140—Daniel Knott, Claysburg-Kimmel major dec. Philip Racciato, Pen Argyl, 16-2.

145-—Nick Carr, South Fayette dec. Jeremy King, Fort LeBoeuf, 6-4.

152—Alex Depew, Wilson Area major dec. Sam Shirey, Midd-West, 10-2.

160—Wesly Phipps, Grove City pinned Eric Hummel, Lewisburg, 3:56.

171—Cody Catalina, Beth-Center dec. Glenn Miller, Hamburg, 5-3.

189—Zac Bennett, Westmont Hilltop pinned Alex Temple, Avella, 1:55.

215—John Rizzo, Richland dec. Nick Dawson, Montoursville, 3-1.

285—Joe Chittester, Ridgway dec. Josh Krupa, Bedford, 8-3.

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7th Place Consolations

103—Dylan Long, Northwestern Lehigh dec. Nate Giorgio, Schuylkill Valley, 6-4.

112—Brock Waughen, Milton major dec. Joshua Ruppert, Delone Catholic, 10-2.

119—Joe Spisak, Boiling Springs pinned Jacob Boyde, Delone Catholic, 2:04.

125—Dave Makara, Burrell pinned Devin Cook, Bedford, 4:58.

130—Bryan Smith, Bethlehem Catholic dec. Garet Pisani, Ridgway, 3-0.

135—David Demor, South Side Beaver dec. Travis Erdman, Line Mountain, 7-2.

140—Jordan Powell, Commodore Perry dec. Elias Biddle, Warrior Run, 4-3.

145—-Shawn Perich, Portage dec. Craemer Hedash, Northern Lehigh, 3-2 TB.

152—Devin OBrien, Bermudian Springs dec. T.J. Keklak, Wesmont Hilltop, 4-3 TB.

160—Derec Sauve, Susquenita pinned John Julian, Penn Cambria, 4:59.

171—Michael Blaszczyk, Lancaster Catholic dec. Corey Matilla, Boiling Springs, 6-4.

189—Kyle Dudley, Valley dec. Tim DeFrances, Commodore Perry, 5-2.

215—Jared Burger, Union City dec. Dylan Ferguson, Fairfield, 8-5.

285—Will Ringer, Reynolds dec. Mike Paradise, Harbor Creek, 3-2.