Spor t Sh or t s
by Jason Tennant
FRESHMAN COLE HOMET TAKES 7TH IN THE STATE
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his wrestling season marked the second year in a row that Waynesburg sent four wrestlers to the State Tournament in Hershey. Interestingly though, it was a completely different group from last year as all four were making their first trips to the mats on the floor of the Giant Center. “You’re always worried when you don’t have anybody with experience in Hershey,” said head coach Joe Throckmorton. “Obviously we had four guys that came through and performed and I’m so proud of them all.” Two seniors, Trey Howard and Colby Morris had the chance to close out their high school careers by qualifying for the State Tournament. Sophomore Luca Augustine, who wasn’t in the lineup consistently his freshman year due to the team’s depth, had a breakout season this year and shows a ton of potential for the next two seasons. Cole Homet rounded out the four, qualifying as a freshman. With the rich tradition at Waynesburg, the state tournament in Hershey is an annual trip. “It’s not a fluke that we always have guys here,” said Throckmorton. “It’s their work and dedication. They put so much work in that they expect to be here and that’s why the tradition continues on. It’s because of their high expectations.” The two seniors who qualified ended their careers short of the PIAA medal podium. Howard lost his first bout and then was eliminated by a local foe, Connellsville’s Colin Franks on Day 1 of the tournament. Morris ended up in consolations after Day 1, but battled his way to within one win of the medal podium. He won a couple of consolation bouts and then found himself up against the WPIAL Champion Jack Blumer of Kiski in the “blood round.” Morris gave up a takedown in the final minute that was the difference and Morris fell just short of claiming a state medal. There was a silver lining for Morris though as he was selected to the WPIAL All-Star Team for the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic. For Augustine, it was a matter of “what could’ve been.” Augustine received a tough draw in the Round of 16 after pinning his Pigtail Round opponent in 35 seconds. He would then face yet another WPIAL Champion from Kiski, Cam Connor. The bout easily could’ve gone either way as it went into overtime tied at 1. With 5 seconds left in the “sudden victory” period, Connor was awarded a takedown on the edge of the mat that sent Augustine to consolations. Connor went on to finish as the state runner-up at 152 pounds. Augustine would eventually be eliminated in the exact same manner as his first loss. He dropped another over-
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2019 • GreeneScene Magazine
time decision, 3-1 to Hershey’s Tanner Updegraff, to fall just short of the podium. The fourth Waynesburg wrestler to qualify was the one who would shine the brightest, freshman Cole Homet. Homet started his tournament with a pin in the Pigtail Round, but was defeated soundly in the Round of 16 by major decision, 12-1, by eventual State Champion Sean Pierson of Nazareth. He then went on to defeat a familiar foe, Hempfield’s Ethan Berginc to set up a “blood round” matchup with Matt Maloney of Liberty. Maloney led 4-1 after 2 periods and after a late reversal, led 6-4. Homet then scored a 5-point move with a reversal that took Maloney to his back in the final moments to win 9-6 and clinch a PIAA medal. Earning a state medal as a freshman is a huge accomplishment. “You never know how freshman are going to respond,” said Throckmorton. “But the mental toughness of Cole in those last matches that he won, it proves that you can do all the work in the world, and they do that all the time, but you have to have the mental toughness to push through in very difficult situations.” Waynesburg did have a freshman earn a medal last season. Wyatt Henson, who moved to Missouri and won a state title there this year, finished fifth in Pennsylvania last season. Before Henson though, the last Waynesburg wrestler to earn a state medal in his freshman year was a guy by the name of Coleman Scott in 2001. Scott finished 6th that season, then won three straight state titles. Of course he also won an Olympic Bronze medal in 2012.
Homet dropped to the seventh place bout in this year’s tournament, but once again in dramatic come-from-behind fashion, he scored another 5-point move to pull victory from the jaws of defeat, winning a 5-3 decision to claim seventh place at 120 pounds. “It’s exciting,” said Homet. “When I’m in practice, I don’t stop going the whole time. I think you can come back at any time to win the match.” The future at Waynesburg looks bright with young talent currently on the team and talent coming up. “I’m definitely looking forward to next year, said Homet. “I now know that I’m capable of doing what I want to do. Now I just need to get here next year and do the same thing but better!”
Cole Homet receives his medal for 7th place at the State Tournament in Hershey.
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