EDWARD CHRISTIAN III
Match#1 - Lost 4-12
Match#2 - Lost 0-13
Sometimes when a wrestler faces some of his toughest competitors early in a season, it helps him later on. I think that's what going to happen with Eddie. He has faced nothing but excellent wrestlers to this point in the season. Eddie is a determined kid, and I believe he will step up to the challenge. I have no worries that Eddie will keep improving, and ring up a bunch of wins this year.
RYAN COLLINS
Match#1 - Lost by Pin
Match#2 - Won 4-3
Match#3 - Won by Pin
It was great to see one of our veteran wrestlers hit the gas this weekend! In his second match, Ryan won an exciting barnburner of a match in 4-3 fashion. The win was a huge one and seemed to light Ryan's fire. He went out there for his third match and stacked up his opponent in the first period. WAY TO GO, RYAN!
JACOB GRAMMER
Match#1 - Won 13-4
Match#2 - Lost by Pin
Match#3 - Won 7-0
Jacob has so much natural ability, it's scary to think just how far he could go with experience. With his attitude and gifted athletic ability, I can safely say any losses he suffers this year is going to be because of inexperience alone, as what happend in his second bout. Jacob took the kid down, but made a mistake and got caught & pinned. No problem, that can be fixed with experience. The natural ability he showed in shutting out a tough wrestler, in his third bout, is something that can't be taught.
TAYLOR GROUP
Match#1 - Won 11-4
Match#2 - Won 5-1
Match#3 - Lost by Pin
Taylor went 2-1 on the day with two impressive decision wins over two tough competitors. He was largely able to win both matches due to his strength on his feet, racking up 6-0 takedown record on the day. He even took down, and put on his back, the only competitor that was able to battle back and beat Taylor. Takedowns are a huge key to being a successful wrestler, and Taylor is proof of that!
ROSS HOLLAND (***TIGER OF THE WEEK***)
Match#1 - Won by Pin
Match#2 - Won by Pin
Match#3 - Won by Pin
Match#4 - Won by Pin
WOW!!! Did Ross take charge or what!?! 4 matches, 4 wins, 4 pins! I believe that is about all LYW can ask from a wrestler. This is nothing new to Ross, one of our TIGERS OF THE WEEK. He has been doing this for 3 years now, building a 40-13 career record in the process.
BEN KILLEEN (***TIGER OF THE WEEK***)
Match#1 - Won 5-0
Match#2 - Won 5-1
The LYW coaches expected team leadership this year from one of our top, most experienced wrestlers, Ben Killeen. Ben hasn't disappointed us in the least bit. And he provided some top notch leadership at this meet in the way he wrestled. He virtually shut out two of the leagues top wrestlers at his weight class. We could pick Ben almost every week, but we chose this week in making him one of our TIGERS OF THE WEEK!
JACOB KING
Match#1 - Lost by Pin
Match#2 - Lost 7-8
One of the hardest things in wrestling to deal with is a close loss. But if you allow that loss to fuel your desire for improvement, it can turn out to be a huge blessing. Well, Jacob had one of those kind of losses at this match, and I feel confident Jacob turns it into that blessing I was talking about. He shows a stong desire to better himself in practices, which shows me he is in for a fantastic rookie season.
JOSH LOMBARD
Match#1 - Won by Pin
Match#2 - Won by Pin
Match#3 - Lost 0-10
Josh showed his strength in his first two bouts, getting two quick first period pins. As he continues to grow as a wrestler, LYW coaches look to push Josh to the next level. We pitted Josh against one of the leagues top wrestlers in his third match, and although Josh may have come away a little disappointed, us coaches were pleased with the heart Josh showed in fighting off a potential pin. If Josh stays as hungry, a day will come where that same opponent will be the one fighting off Josh's pin.
PHILIP MACY
Match#1 - Won by Pin
Match#2 - Won 12-5
Philip's first opponent (we'll call him wrestlerX), who himself qualifies as a real hammer, absolutely hates to see Philip Macy come to town. You see, wrestlerX has only been pinned 5 times in his career. Take a guess who owns 4 of those pins. That's right, Philip Macy! The same Philip Macy who I believe is good enough to beat ANYONE at his age & weight, if his mind is set.
CODY NULL
Match#1 - Won 9-6
Match#2 - Lost 4-7
Match#3 - Lost 1-7
We always try to match wrestlers up according to their years experience, and usually we're able to do just that. But sometimes, we're forced to wrestle a first year wrestler, which Cody Null is, against a more experienced wrestler. Well this unfortunately was one of those times, in all three of his matches much less. Needless to say, not only did Cody gain LYW coaches respect with the way he went 1-2 (and an eyelash away from going 3-0), but you can bet he caught the attention of all three of his 'multiple year experienced', competitors!
MIKE O'HALLORAN
Match#1 - Lost by Pin
Match#2 - Lost 14-1
Match#3 - Lost by Pin
Match#4 - Lost 6-1
Mike is such a GREAT kid! I wish I had 48 wrestlers just like him, because I cannot say enough about how hard he listens and works in practice to improve himself! Now it's my job to take Mike, who I guarantee will follow my advice, and find moves that will work for him. Together, we will prevail!!!! Actually, Mike is already prevailing, with the effort he displays in each of his matches.
BRIK ORNDORFF
Match#1 - Lost 8-11
Match#2 - Won 5-0
Brik has been wrestling for three weeks now, and you can just see his confidence grow with each passing week. Brik has been mentioned as LYW's happiest wrestler, mainly due to his knack of periodic smiling during his matches. As his confidence continues to grow, one thing is becoming more and more evident. His competitors are smiling less and less!
CAMDEN ORNDORFF
Match#1 - Lost 1-8
Match#2 - Lost 5-11
Camden is another one of those wrestlers who seem to enjoy himself while he's out there on the mat. It's such a wake-up call, to us competitive minded coaches, to see Camden have a good time win or lose. He reminds us what this is really all about. I'm so glad to have Camden on our team because of that exact reason, but that still doesn't change the fact that I want to help him be the one who gets his hand raised at the end.
TONY POPP (***TIGER OF THE WEEK***)
Match#1 - Won by Pin
Match#2 - Lost by Pin
Age doesn't matter when it comes to being a team leader. And Tony became just that in one of the day's early matches. Losing 0-4 in the third period, Tony showed the whole team what I was talking about when I said to NEVER give up. In front of what seemed to be half of LYW's team watching, Tony came back and pinned the kid! The rest of the team erupted, and Tony immediately was rightfully named one of our TIGERS OF THE WEEK!
NATANIEL POST
Match#1 - Lost by Pin
Match#2 - Won by Pin
Another one of our super listeners got in the pin column at this match. Nathaniel, who because of how he listens and works in practice, is a coaches dream. You can bet LYW coaches were extremely pleased when they saw Nathaniel get his first pin of the year. He keeps doing what he's been doing in practice, and you can expect to see more Nathaniel Post pins in the future!
DANIEL PRICE
Match#1 - Lost 8-10
Match#2 - Lost 0-11
Wrestling in his first match ever, Daniel put on an exciting fight in a match that could have gone either way. Although he lost in a 8-10 nailbitter, Daniel showed a tremendous amount of potential. It's going to be fun watching that potential be developed as the season progresses.
PAUL PRICE
Match#1 - Won by Pin
Match#2 - Won by Pin
Match#3 - Won by Pin
Match#4 - Won by Pin
Boy, is it ever exciting when you see a rookie like Paul come along! For the most part, rookies have to, sort of, pay their dues by not getting as many wins as they usually hope for. Paul is having none of that! He's fired out of the blocks to the tune of 6-0. (5 of them pins, no less) This may be his first year of wrestling, but Paul looks like he's got years under his belt. Actually, he does, if you count all the years he's probably tussled with his older brothers at home.
KYLE ROY
Match#1 - Won by Pin
Match#2 - Lost by Pin
Kyle turned some heads when he stepped out on the mat for his first match. 12 SECONDS later, Kyle was waiting for his hand to be raised!!! Who's teaching these kids to pin their opponents this fast? It ain't me, cause I could never get a pin in that kind of time. Well, I don't care where he learned it, I'm still proud when one of our wrestlers hit's the mat with that kind of aggression.
JOSHUA RUPPERT (***TIGER OF THE WEEK***)
Match#1 - Won 14-7
Match#2 - Won by Pin
In November, Josh had the courage to go into the heart of the toughest wrestling in all of Pennsylvania, Distict 11, and wrestle the "big boys." I told Josh it would help him tremendously come Cen-Penn time. Well, it has, as Josh displayed in his first match. Wrestling against a near "dead even" wrestler, Josh kept the heat on, and eventually won, going away, in the third period. That, along with his second match 13 SECOND pin, earned him one of our TIGERS OF THE WEEK awards.
TANNER SMALL
Match#1 - Won 18-2
Match#2 - Won by Pin
Match#3 - Won 6-3
Not many people get to ever be involved in a competition and reach 9-0. That's exactly what Tanner, a rookie no less, has pulled off after his third week of wrestling competition. One thing's for sure, and that is Tanner can be very proud of how he has started his wrestling career. Nobody can ever take away those 9 matches. Sure, losses will eventually come. They do for everybody who has ever wrestled. But for now, lets be proud of Tanner's accomplishment, and root him on for #10! KEEP GOING, TANNER!!!
TYLER SMALL
Match#1 - Won by Pin
Match#2 - Lost 7-10
Both of the Small brothers have an amazing natural wrestling talent. It seems both have been blessed with a talent handed down to them from another super talented wrestler, their Father. (Pat Small) But Tyler showed more then just natural ability at this match. He is looking like one of our veteran wrestlers, the way he was throwing moves, that I haven't even taught yet, on his competition. Wonder where he learned that from?
ERIC SMITH
Match#1 - Lost 2-13
Match#2 - Lost by Pin
Match#3 - Lost 4-9
Perseverance in wrestling always pays off. Eric's pay day will come, I guarantee it! If you look at the top 5 wrestlers in Eric's weight class, I bet Eric has wrestled them all. He is on the brink of catching and passing these wrestlers because of the perseverance he possesses. Eric is, with out a doubt, on course to becoming the best that he can be.
BOBBY TAVENNER
Match#1 - Lost by Pin
Match#2 - Won by Pin
Match#3 - Lost 2-11
Match#4 - Won by Pin
I remember the awesome feeling I got the very first time I heard the mat slapped with me on top. With that feeling doubled, I'm sure Bobby was feeling pretty good on his ride home. Bobby is another one of those fortunate kids to have tons of wrestling knowledge living right in his house. His Father, Jim, coached Varsity wrestling for 9 years.(very successfully at that) LYW is thankful to have Bobby on our team. We're also thankful to his father for sharing his wrestling knowledge with all the kids by running our GOLD practices!!!
TREVOR TOPPER
Match#1 - Lost 4-5
Match#2 - Lost 6-8
If an eyelash can separate 0-2 from 2-0, Trevor experienced that eyelash at this meet. I often tell our wrestlers, it's not about winning or losing at this level, but I doubt that took any of the sting away from losing two such heartbreakers in one day. One things for sure, Trevor, with the way you wrestled in these two matches, you have absolutely NOTHING to hang your head about!
TIMOTHY VALENTINE
Match#1 - Lost 6-12
Match#2 - Won 8-5
Timothy is another one of our wrestlers who you can just see confidence grow on with each passing match. It's always such a lift for a coach to see a kid like Timothy turn from an unsure, timid wrestler at the first few practices into a full grown aggressive tiger by the end of the year. I've seen it happen before, and Timothy has that same look about him.
RYAN VAUGHN
Match#1 - Won 11-6
Match#2 - Won by Pin (10 SECONDS - NEW 2002 RECORD)
Ryan did a super job last year in his rookie season, but ever since he went and won that tough Biglerville Tournament, Ryan has become unstoppable! Confidence is huge in this sport, and Ryan is wrestling right now with the kind of confidence that many atheletes would pay thousands for. So how did Ryan get this valuable gift of confidence? He paid for it with determination and hard work.
ZACHARY VICK
Match#1 - Lost by Pin
Match#2 - Lost 4-8
In another case of a first year wrestler forced to wrestle more experienced guys, Zach did a super job! Losing because of an experience disadvantage should never discourage a wrestler. Zach is the kind of kid I believe will improve because of wrestling them. Next week, when hopefully we can match Zach up with first year wrestlers like himself, you will get a good gage on just how promising this aggressive wrestler is. I can tell you this already, Zach is in for one awesome season!
BLAKE WAGAMAN
Match#1 - Won by Pin
Match#2 - Won by Pin
Blake has one of the best wrestling brothers around and it's beginning to show. The improvement over last year that Blake's shown in his moves leads me to believe he's been getting lessons somewhere. THAT"S GOOD! But the biggest difference Blake shows from last year is his intensity. All of a sudden, Blake has turned into one of the team's most aggressive wrestlers! THAT'S GREAT! That intensity has Blake sitting at 4-0, with 3 pins already this year.
COLBY WAGAMAN
Match#1 - Won by Pin
Match#2 - Won by Pin
It's becoming more and more of a challenge finding competitors good enough to push Colby. That's because Colby is getting so good, so fast! Can you believe this kid has 10 wins already this year? This kind of ability & confidence didn't come free. Just ask Colby how much work he had to pay to get it.
KEITH WEAVER
Match#1 - Lost 4-7
Match#2 - Lost 2-4
Match#3 - Lost by Pin
Last year, these matches would have been easier wins for Keith's competitors. This year they were barnburners. And if Keith keeps going the direction he's headed, next year, or even later on this year, these are going to be Keith Weaver victories. That's just the way things go for wrestlers, like Keith, who are determined to improve!
CHRIS WETHERSON
Match#1 - Won by Pin
Match#2 - Won 8-2
WOW! Look who kicked some butt at Match #2! I told you Chris had what it took. He was dominant in both of these matches. Just wait and see what this "shot of confidence," does for Chris. It was all he needed. He already had the rest! GREAT JOB, CHRIS!!
RON WETHERSON
Match#1 - Won by Pin
Match#2 - Won 6-0
Ron had an outstanding season last year, don't get me wrong, but the way he's busted out to 5-0 in 2002 has turned some heads. Don't forget, Ron ended last year on a winning streak, so this is all starting to make sense. He's become confident, and brings a "refuse to lose" attitude with him out for each match. That's what it is!
CORBIN WOOD
Match#1 - Won 10-2
Match#2 - Won by Pin
Match#3 - Won 15-0
I am hardpressed to think of a rookie I've been more impressed with ever, then Corbin Wood! He is one tough customer, that's for sure! His 5-0 record is only half of it. He may not have known this, but all three of his above matches were against multiple-year experienced wrestlers. Catch my drift?
SETH WREN
Match#1 - Won by Pin
Match#2 - Won 11-6
Seth may not have been happy with me at last week's practices, because I challenged him to become more aggressive. Boy, did he catch on! Looking like a new kid out there, Seth took it to em at this meet like I've never seen before. He left with a 2-0 record, and I believe, the keys to keep it going.
TYLER ZITTLE
Match#1 - Won by Pin
Match#2 - Won by Pin
Match#3 - Won 2-0
Match#4 - Won by Pin
Don't get me wrong, Tyler's 3 pins were all impressive. But that 2-0 win over the kid, I was told doesn't lose, was the highlight of the day for Tyler! I told the other coaches I had just the kid they were looking for, and our 2X Cen-Penn Champ didn't disappoint!
