The State High Boys Wrestling Team is wrapping up conference play at Gettysburg on Jan. 22. So far the team has gone 3-3 beating Shikellamy, Central Dauphin and Williamsport. It fell to Cedar Cliff by eight, Chambersburg by three and Mifflin County by two points.
The team is led by Head Coach Jason Nickal, who has been involved in wrestling for 45-50 years. Nickal explained what it takes for his team to prepare for a match.
“You know, it’s just important for the wrestlers to be mentally prepared as well as physically and technically prepared. So we try to work all those different angles, make sure that they’re in tip-top shape. Their technique is where it needs to be, and they’re mentally focused and up to the challenge,” Nickal said.
This is Nickal’s second year coaching at State High and his first as the head coach. He took over following former Head Coach Ryan Cummins’ resignation from the role.
Senior wrestler Michael Troupe has been wrestling for around four years. He commented on what got him interested in wrestling.
“Mostly just for football. There was a guy named Bruce Clark that wanted to train me. He told me to pick up wrestling or Jiu Jitsu. So I picked up wrestling. It became more wrestling, and then football. I like this more,” Troupe said.
Troupe also mentioned the uniqueness of his team.
“We don’t quit, no matter if we lose,” he said. “There’s always wrestlers either in the lineup or outside the lineup ready to wrestle, or even in the tournaments. I’ve seen it many times. Guys will go 0-1 or 0-2 and already be down in their hopes, but they’re ready to wrestle that next match. I’m pretty sure none of our opponents would have enough spirit to keep going after they lost that many times.”
State High has done exceptionally well at tournaments this season. At the Ironman Tournament, State College finished 29th out of 128 teams from all across the nation. Asher Cunningham made it to the finals in the 175 pound weight class before falling to William Henckel of Blair Academy in New Jersey.
The Little Lions also took 4th place out of 32 teams at the King of the Mountain tournament. Asher Cunningham won the 172 pound weight class and Kael Davis won the 114 pound weight class. James Whitbred made it to the finals in the 152 pound weight class, but fell to Ezra Swisher of Bellefonte.
Nickal commented on his team’s mentality throughout the season.
“We try and prove every week, every time we step on the mat. We’ve accomplished that. We had a really tough front end of our schedule was just loaded with good competition. We took our lumps, but we have improved from it, we just keep getting better each week,” Nickal said.
Nickal’s team’s last victory showed improvement, taking down Williamsport 58-9 with pins by Johnathan Coates, Sam Davidson, and Brady Bucher.
Troupe has advice for anyone considering wrestling.
“Definitely try it out. Don’t hesitate, do something you don’t want to, it makes a better experience of who you are as a person. It’s an all-around great sport in general. If you have a good team like us, it brings family together,” Troupe said.
The Little Lions are back in action on Feb. 15 in the District 6 Championship at Altoona High School.