The State High Boys Wrestling Team celebrated Alumni Night on Dec. 17 with a 45-20 victory over Central Dauphin.
Coming into the match Head Coach Jason Nickal expressed the challenge of a win over Central Dauphin. “[T]hey’re very competitive. They have a strong wrestling tradition and…[T]hey’re…a very competitive and tough squad.”
The Rams’ strong wrestling tradition includes five straight PIAA State Championships from 2007-2011.
Nickal also acknowledged the neutral ground that both teams are playing on. “[T]he fact that we’re wrestling in Rec Hall doesn’t really make it feel like home, our kids aren’t familiar with Rec Hall just like Central Dauphin.”
The match started with an early lead from State College provided by Kael Davis, who pinned his opponent with an arm bar. As the team continued into the night, challenges arose with falls that Central Dauphin delivered.
As the seventh bout began, State College had a narrow 18-17 lead. Sophomore James Whitbred highlighted the team’s return to control who managed to win by a fall given in the first period.
Seniors Xavier Zeruth, Alliah Ah Zamani, and defending state champion Asher Cunningham also put points on the board for the Little Lions. The night’s highlight was from Michael Troupe, who took his heavyweight bout into overtime and won by decision. Freshman Nico Diaz closed out the night with a victory.
“I know our team will make it far as a whole but one big thing we need to understand as a team is to take it one step at a time. We won’t win 1,000 matches from being at practice only for a week; it takes time,” Troupe said.
State College wrestling has gone through significant changes in the past year. In June, former Penn State wrestler, Ryan Cummins, who led the State High boys program for 10 years stepped down from his position as head coach. Veteran coach and educator Jason Nickal was appointed in his place. This is his first season as the head coach of State College Wrestling.
In the post-match show, broadcaster Jeff Byers said, “You’re hoping that this…solidifies for some of these guys for what [they are] doing. This is gonna pay off at some point, good things are gonna be coming up the road so we’ll just see if…we can ride the momentum [from this match] a little bit.”
The momentum appeared to continue over winter break when State College participated in the King of the Mountain Tournament and placed 4th place out of 32 participating teams.
Their next match will be held on Wed. Jan 22, at Gettysburg.
