By Lynn Saternow
Herald Sports Editor
WHILE SHARON’S Jordan Moss suffered a heart-breaking loss in the PIAA state finals, he still finishes his outstanding scholastic career as one of the top wrestlers ever from Mercer County.
Moss, who set a Sharon career wins record with 166, placed in the top four at state four times, including a state title in 2008. Only five other locals have accomplished that feat.
According to the state program, the only other 4-timers from this area and graduation years were: Grove City’s Tom Tomeo (1993); and Reynolds’ Justin Nestor (2001), Lawrence Beckman (2007), Matt Dunn (2006) and Cody Kelly (2009). Nestor won 3 state titles, Tomeo 2 (1 AA and 1 AAA) and Dunn 1.
A few other locals are on track to reach the medal stand 4 times after placing at state this year, including Reynolds junior Mason Beckman, sophomore Dylan D’Urso and freshman Austin Matthews; and Grove City sophomore Wes Phipps.
While it’s a great feat, it was much tougher before the early 1970s when only the winner from each tournament advanced along the trail to state. And after that, it wasn’t until the late 1990s that there were only 6 places awarded instead of the current 8.
ä Moss and Reynolds state champ Mason Beckman both come from well-established wrestling families. Moss’ brothers Joe, Jared and Jacques were all outstanding wrestlers for Sharon.
Beckman’s brother Lawrence was a superb Raider matman before him.
Speaking of brothers, there was a bit of irony in Beckman’s 119 finals victory over Benton’s Michael Rhone.
Benton is coached by Russ Hughes. Beckman has verbally committed to wrestle for Lehigh after he graduates, where the assistant coach is John Hughes, Russ’s twin brother. “It’s funny how things work out sometimes,” said Beckman with a chuckle.
The Hughes brothers were outstanding Benton wrestlers, John winning 4 state titles and Russ a pair.
ä Speaking of twins, the Alton brothers from Central Mountain both won state titles again Saturday in the Class AAA tourney. Dylan (152) won his 3rd crown, while Andrew (145) won his 2nd. They are headed for Penn State. Their teammate Marshall Peppelman (160) also won his 3rd title as the Central won the team crown in AAA.
ä When Stephen Ceremuga of Commodore Perry won his 189 title, part of the fun he had was surpassing the scholastic finishes of his coaches Kevin Drew and Roger King.
After he reached the finals, he laughed when he told King, a former 3rd-placer for Commodore Perry, “I beat you.” King told him, “Now you have to beat Coach Drew (a runner-up for Reynolds).”
He did just that! And the coaches were glad for it.
After the finals victory, Drew commented that every wrestler who places needs to thank the other kids in the wrestling room who helped them get there. Ceremuga hugged teammate and brother, Brian Hooks, after the victory. Hooks, who placed 6th at 215, was a constant workout partner for the Panther junior.
However, Ceremuga also has a chance to work with Drew and King at practice, which certainly helps a lot.
Ceremuga is a prime example that “Champions are built in the offseason.” After he won he commented on how hard he worked in the summer adding, “Every time I did something, I asked myself if it would help me with wrestling.”
He also pointed out that he knows he’ll have to work even harder this offseason because once you win you are a prime target. Many 2009 state champions failed to repeat in both Class AAA and AA.
ä Anybody know a good dry cleaner?
When Beckman leapt into his dad’s arms after winning the state title, he accidently got some drops of blood from his lip on his dad’s sports coat.
Wait, cancel the dry cleaner.
“I’m going to leave it there and wear this coat again next year,” said the proud father.
ä A pair of former local greats will be inducted into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame at a special banquet in April. Rande Stottlemyer (Hickory) and Rick Stuyvesant (Greenville) are two of the 12 inductees whose biographies were listed in the state program book.
More on the two former stars closer to the banquet.
ä One of the most unbelievable runs at state came from 215-pounder Matt Mongera of Seneca. Mongera was 5th at sections, 5th at districts and 3rd at regions, the final qualifier at each step of the way. But the sophomore Mongera, despite 13 losses, made it into the state finals, after beating Union City’s Jared Burger in the semis. Burger had defeated him 5 times previously this season.
His Cinderalla-like showing ended in the finals, however, as he was pinned by Eric Laytos of Lackawanna Trail.
