Border Brawl by Cumberland Times-News

The

, Johnstown, PA and

, Cumberland, MD present:

PEAK PERFORMANCE ORTHOPEDICS

ROY J. CARLS, MD

JARED LANCASTER, PA-C

BOARD CERTIFIED • GENERAL ORTHOPEDICS 625 Kent Avenue, Suite 102 • Cumberland, MD 21502

301-777-7445

BORDER BRAWL 2

MARCH 24, 2017

Celebrating wrestling, supporting great causes The reaction to the first Border Brawl Mason-Dixon Wrestling Classic was swift and convincing: it was an unparalleled success. The inaugural Brawl, the braindchild of Berlin Brothersvalley (Pa.) High School coach Jason Cornell, was held for the first time last year as a collaboration between The (Johnstown, Pa.) Tribune-Democrat and the Cumberland (Md.) ERIC Times-News. KNOPSNYDER The all-star dual meet pits some of the top wrestlers in Pennsylvania against their counterparts from Maryland and West Virginia. An estimated 1,200 people turned out for the inaugural event – which raised money for charity. Wrestlers, coaches and fans told me time and time again that they loved the Brawl, especially since proceeds benefited Pin Cancer. That charity raises funds for cancer research through the sport of wrestling. While we love supporting Pin Cancer, we also wanted to do what we could to help a local wrestling family in need. This year, in addition to Pin Cancer, the event will help support the family of wrestling official Aaron Elliott. The Hyndman (Pa.) High School and Pitt-Johnstown graduate has a 10-year-old autistic son, Jeremiah, who is undergoing

treatment for osteosarcoma, a form of cancer The idea to support the Elliott family is one that resonated with so many across the Johnstown region. I hear often how the sport of wrestling is a tight-knit community, and it truly is. That’s never more apparent than in times of need. It showed earlier this year, when the Johnstown-area wrestling family took two body blows in the span of a week with the untimely deaths of Nick Roberts and Gary Pfahler. Roberts was a three-time state champion at North Star and won an NCAA Division II national title at 133 pounds for Pitt-Johnstown last year. Pfahler was a 2008 state champion for Chestnut Ridge, the school’s first. Representatives from different school districts across the area attended Roberts’ funeral, and coaches talked about how other people in the sport reached out to offer condolences and support. We’re thrilled to be able to offer much happier reasons to unite. To raise money for great causes, to celebrate the sport and to gather in the love for it. Now, with the Border Brawl, that family is extending its reach, as coaches and athletes from three states share their passion for the sport. While we might be saying farewell to those seniors, we’re hoping this is just the second edition of what will be an enduring annual wrestling tradition.

n INDEX n n n n n n n n n n

110-pound profiles..................4 Supporting Elliott family...........4 122-pound profiles..................5 126-pound profiles..................6 132-pound profiles...................7 138-pound profiles..................8 Creps honorary coach.............8 145-pound profiles..................9 152-pound profiles.................10 160-pound profiles.................11

n n n n n n n n n n

Scorecard.............................12-13 182-pound profiles...................14 Glotfelty honorary coach..........14 195-pound profiles...................15 207-pound profiles...................16 Volunteer officials.....................16 220-pound profiles...................17 285-pound profiles...................18 McGill Pa. coach.......................18 Kamp Md./W.Va. coach............20

3 BORDER BRAWL

MARCH 24, 2017

BORDER BRAWL 4

110 POUNDS

Team Pennsylvania

Team Maryland/West Virginia

DYLAN WILLIAMS

BRISON DIXON

Chestnut Ridge

Southern Garrett

Parents: Brad and Dawn Williams ■ Coaches: Greg Lazor, Josh Deputy, Scott McGill, Pat Berzonski

Parents: Not listed

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Career record: 84-27 Accomplishments: 2016 district champ, 2017 regional champ, 2017 state qualifier. ■ Future plans: Attend college for cyber security and continue my wrestling career. ■ Quote: “This is one of the toughest and greatest sports to be a part of and I am honored to be chosen to wrestle at the Border Brawl and compete with other great athletes.” ■

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Coaches: Not listed ■

■

Career record: 46-6

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Accomplishments: Regional runner-up; state qualifer ■

Border Brawl 2017 will benefit family Wrestling official’s young son battling bone cancer ERIC KNOPSNYDER EKNOPSNYDER@TRIBDEM.COM

Aaron Elliott got into officiating because he wanted to give back to the wrestling community. Now, it’s time for the wrestling community to give back to Elliott and his family. A portion of the proceeds from the second annual Border Brawl Mason-Dixon Wrestling Classic will be donated to help Elliott and his family cover costs associated with treatments as his 10-year-old son, Jeremiah, battles bone cancer. As it did in its initial year, the all-star wrestling match, which will be held at 7 p.m. March 24 at Pitt-Johnstown, also Proceeds from the 2017 Border will benefit Pin Cancer. That charity raises funds for cancer Brawl will help with the cancer research through the sport of wrestling. treatments for 10-year-old Jere-

SEE BORDER — 5

miah Elliott.

5 BORDER BRAWL

MARCH 24, 2017

122 POUNDS

Team Pennsylvania

Team Maryland/West Virginia

GRANT BROWELL

STEVEN YUTZY

Bedford

Northern Garrett Parent: Shawn Yutzy ■ Coaches: Casey Kamp, Pete Stein

Parents: Julie and Alex Browell II ■ Coaches: Brian Creps, Louie Shearer, Sam Carroll

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Career record: 46-35 Accomplishments: Three-time district fourth place; 2015 Thomas Tournament placewinner. ■ Future plans: Major in biology in college and play soccer, hopefully at UPJ. ■ Quote: “It is great to wrestle for such a wonderful cause that affects people daily.” ■ Wrestling for: Former Bedford wrestling assistant coach Joel Easter

Career record: 104-20 Accomplishments: State runner-up. ■ Future plans: To attend college and own a business. ■ Quote: “It means a lot to be selected for the Border Brawl.” ■ Wrestling for: My grandmother

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Border: Event benefits Elliott family CONTINUED FROM 4 Elliott officiated in the event last year, never realizing that a year later it would help benefit his family. Bruce Haselrig, wrestling rules interpreter and supervisor of officials in Pennsylvania District 6, said Elliott is popular in the wrestling community. “He’s a great asset to our officiating, just because of the kind of person he is,” Haselrig said. “He carries himself really well. He gets along with everyone.” Haselrig also has been impressed with how Elliott has dealt with a difficult situation following Jeremiah’s diagnosis. “He’s handling what he’s going through with his child very well,” Haselrig said. “He’s had to miss some officiating opportunities to deal with going to and from Pittsburgh (for treatment). He’s handled it with a lot of poise.” As a wrestler, Elliott finished eighth at 125 pounds in Pennsylvania’s Class AA as a senior in 1999 at the now-defunct Hyndman High School. He went on to wrestle for Pitt-Johnstown. After a back injury ended his competitive career, he turned to officiating in 2002. “You always want to give back to the community, give back to the kids,” Elliott said

Tami Ogline Knopsnyder

Official Aaron Elliott talks to a young wrestler during the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling Championships in Johnstown on Sunday, March 5. Elliott’s 10-year-old son, Jeremiah, is battling bone cancer. during a break at the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling Championships in Johnstown on March 5. “I just don’t have enough time to coach, so I do the officiating instead.” Elliott and his wife, Jessica, have four children: Austin, 12; Jeremiah, 10; Aaliyah, 8; and Jonah. Jeremiah was diagnosed with autism when he was 18 months old. The family lived in Ferndale at the time, but eventually decid-

SEE BORDER — 6

MARCH 24, 2017

BORDER BRAWL 6

126 POUNDS

Team Pennsylvania

Team Maryland/West Virginia

ZACH CLARK

DEVIN WILHELM

Northern Bedford

Northern Garrett Parents: Roy and Kathy Wilhelm ■ Coaches: Casey Kamp, Pete Stein

Parents: Marl and Sheila Clark ■ Coaches: Brian Dutchcot and Shawn Claar

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Career record: 97-33 Accomplishments: Three-time District 5 champion; 2016 Southwest Regional runner-up; 2016 state qualifier ■ Future plans: Undecided, but planning to major in mechanical engineering. ■ Quote: “To man, some things may seem impossible, but through God all things are possible.” ■ Wresting for: Great uncle Jim Imler

Career record: 129-39 Accomplishments: Placed fifth in state as a junior year and fourth as a senior. Placed three times at Thomas Tournament in Bedford. ■ Future plans: To wrestle at a college and obtain a business degree. ■ Quote: “I’m very excited to go have fun with a bunch of good friends for a very good cause!”

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Border: Event benefits Elliott family CONTINUED FROM 5 ed to move to Davidsville to be closer to Conemaugh Township School District’s autistic support classroom. Jeremiah has progressed to the point where he can talk to his family members. “He doesn’t communicate in sentences with us, but he will speak words with us,” Elliott said. Jeremiah started limping in September of last year, and had an X-ray done. In October, he went for testing that included a biopsy, bone scan, MRI and CT scan. About a week later, Jeremiah was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, as doctors found a tumor a few inches above his right knee. “When they started saying, ‘Now we want to talk about bone cancer,’ it takes your breath away,” Elliott said. What also took his breath away was the response from the community. Conemaugh Township volleyball coach Abby Gearhart — who had never met Elliott — organized a charity event that helped raise more than $5,000 for the family. Jeremiah’s peers at Conemaugh Township also pitched in, selling candy bars to raise money for an

iPad, television and DVD player for Jeremiah to use during his recovery. The Elliotts still can use help with expenses, however. Those include fuel and toll charges for regular trips to Pittsburgh for treatment, plus the medical costs that won’t be covered by insurance, which could include the prosthetic device that Jeremiah now requires. “I keep talking about breathtaking experiences,” Elliott said. “It just blows us away. We know it comes back to our faith in God. He always told us that He would watch over us and take care of us, and it’s the way that the community is blessing us for our faith in God.” Jeremiah had a port installed and started the first of 12 chemotherapy treatments prior to surgery, which removed the tumor, replaced his knee and inserted a metal rod into his leg that is designed to extend with the use of magnets when his left leg grows. That should limit the number of surgeries that Jeremiah will need to have in the future. Jeremiah is undergoing another round of chemotherapy, which is scheduled to conclude on June 9. “He understands what the port is – where they access him, where they do his medicine,

SEE BORDER — 7

7 BORDER BRAWL

MARCH 24, 2017

132 POUNDS

Team Pennsylvania

Team Maryland/West Virginia

COLE MANLEY

COREY SECRIST

Altoona

Petersburg Parents: Swanson and Kim Secrist ■ Coaches: Tony Wetherholts and Chad Vance

Parents: Tim and Sherry Manley ■ Coaches: Joel Gilbert and Meade Simonton

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Career record: 117-16 Accomplishments: Three-time state placewinner: (2nd, 3rd, 5th); four-time district champion; three-time regional winner. ■ Future plans: Attend Virginia Tech to get a degree, most likely in educaiton, and be successful at collegiate wrestling. ■ Quote: “It’s an amazing opportunity for a good cause. It’s awesome to be selected.” ■ ■

Border: Event benefits Elliott family CONTINUED FROM 6 draw his blood,” Elliott said. “But to really understand, comprehend the actual cancer – the disease and the recovery — I really don’t think he’s understanding that.” Jeremiah also didn’t quite grasp the specifics of the surgery. “We explained that he was going to get a partial prosthetic,” Elliott recalled. “We showed him pictures, because he does correlate to pictures a lot. He kept wanting to be a robot. We have a friend of ours that actually has a full amputation and has a metal leg, and, I think he thought that’s what he was going to get. He kept wanting the doctor to cut and give him a robot leg.” Jeremiah is able to get around with the use of a walker — and to cover short distances at home without it. He is dealing with the treatments and changes to his body as well as can be expected, Elliott said. “You think about any other kid that can speak and carry on a conversation — he’s just a happy kid,” his father said. “This really has not slowed him down from that. There’s days when he’s sick, upset stomach, but he’s still a happy kid.”

Accomplishments: Two-time All-American, four-time West Virginia place winner. ■ Future plans: Attend West Liberty on wrestling scholarship ■ Quote: “Don’t force it.” ■

MARCH 24, 2017

BORDER BRAWL 8

138 POUNDS

Team Pennsylvania

Team Maryland/West Virginia

QUINN COLE

LUKE LOWERY

Somerset

Northern Garrett

Parents: Brad and Andi Cole ■ Coaches: Craig Keys, Cory Whaley, Neil Ickes, Cody Leslie, Alex Lenhart, John Jackson, Brandon Boburchock

Parents: Craig and Anita Lowery ■ Coaches: Casey Kamp, Pete Stein ■

■

Career record: 98-42 Accomplishments: Three-time regional qualifier, third place at Bedford tournament. ■ Future plans: To become a heavy equipment operator. ■ Quote: “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get back up.” ■ Wrestling for: Jaden Rock and Nick Roberts ■ ■

Career record: 76-30 Accomplishments: Two-time state qualifier ■ Future plans: Attend technical school for welding career. ■ Quote: “I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” ■ ■

Legendary Bedford coach Bill Creps to serve with Pa. squad ERIC KNOPSNYDER EKNOPSNYDER@TRIBDEM.COM

wrestled one year at Franklin & Marshall, but I didn’t wrestle in high school.” Still, the sport wasn’t completely foreign to the Bedford High graduate. He said the school’s physical education instructor spent about six weeks on the sport each year. “If you went to Bedford, you knew about wrestling,” he said. And those involved in Pennsylvania wrestling likely know Creps, who was named the state’s coach of the year in 1986. He started a junior wrestling Retired Bedford High program at the school in 1968 coach Bill Creps will serve and has been chairman of the

Bill Creps didn’t expect wrestling to be a part of his life when he was 28, let alone 78. But the legendary Bedford coach — who started out as more statistician than technician — built an impressive career in the sport, as he has been chosen to serve as honorary coach of the Pennsylvania squad in the Border Brawl Mason-Dixon Wrestling Classic at Pitt-Johnstown on March 24. “I never thought I’d be a wrestling coach,” said Creps, who went 304-75-1 as coach of as honorary coach of the the Bisons’ varsity program. “I Pennsylvania squad.

SEE CREPS — 9

9 BORDER BRAWL

MARCH 24, 2017

145 POUNDS

Team Pennsylvania

Team Maryland/West Virginia

CHRIS BAKER

DALTON WILT

North Star

Keyser

Parents: Jon and Shannon Baker ■ Coaches: Tim Rosa and Chad Codispoti ■ Career record: 69-41 ■ Accomplishments: Two-time District 5 placewinner; two-time Southmoreland Tournament placewinner; 2016 WestPac champion; team leader in falls with 19 ■ Future plans: After graduation, I plan on joining the electrical union and working. ■ Quote: “I am honored to have the chance to wrestle alongside some of many great wrestlers from our area.” ■ Wrestling for: Deb Campbell, a former North Star teacher, and my great uncle Patrick Timulak

Parents: Larry and Christy Wilt ■ Coaches: Colin Rotruck, Eric White, Cary Kyle, Jonathon Stewart, RJ Stephen ■

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Creps: Bedford coach serving with Pa. team CONTINUED FROM 8 Area II, Section IV youth group since then. He took over as Bedford varsity coach in 1974 and immediately beefed up the school’s schedule, regularly seeking out the best competition from larger schools. While the Bisons couldn’t always beat Clearfield, Lock Haven, Bald Eagle Area and Philipsburg-Osceola, they were more than prepared when it came time to face local rivals such as Chestnut Ridge and Northern Bedford. The strategy worked, as his teams went an astounding 185-5 against District 5 schools. North Star, which has a long and proud tradition itself, was the only District 5 school to beat a Creps-coached squad twice in a dual meet. His teams captured five regional championships – two in the Northwest and three in the Southwest – and his 1998 team was ranked No. 1 in Pennsylvania heading into the state duals. The sport also impacted his wife, Bev, and their children, Karen, Billy, Steve and Brian — each of whom played roles in the program

SEE CREPS — 10

Career record: 117-32 Accomplishments: Fifth place, West Virginia State Tournament, freshman year; Regional champion, runner-up, third place ■ Future plans: Attend Bridge Valley College, Charleston, West Virginia, major in electromechanical instrumentation technology or advanced manufacturing ■ Quote: “You can never cross the oceanunless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” ■ ■

Good Luck to the Keyser High Wrestlers From the keyser High School Athletic Association!

BORDER BRAWL 10

MARCH 24, 2017

152 POUNDS

Team Pennsylvania

Team Maryland/West Virginia

ZAC ODOM

AUSTIN HEMMINGER

Hampshire

Somerset Parents: Kelley and Ronnie Odom ■ Coaches: Ed Hardinger, Ronnie Odom

Parents: John and Janie Hemminger

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Coaches: Craig Keys, Corey Whaley ■

Career record: 105-42 ■ Accomplishments: Three-time District champ, three-time state qualifier, 100 win club. ■ Future plans: Two be a heavy equipment operator. ■ Quote: “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to compete in the border brawl and am honored to compete for those who are fighting for their lives and for those who have lost their lives due to cancer.” ■ Wrestling for: Grandfather ■

Career record: 142-19 Accomplishments: Finished third in West Virginia state tournament. ■ Future plans: Enlist in the military ■ Quote: “Wrestling has become a way of life, now to invest as much time and effort into the future.” ■ ■

Creps: Bedford coach serving with Pa. team CONTINUED FROM 9 through the years. “For the family, wrestling has been a big, big part of it,” Bill Creps said. Brian is now the head coach at Bedford while Billy previously coached Tri-Valley. Steve returns each year to help his father run the Thomas Tournament — which the elder Creps ranks as one of his biggest achievements — as well as the Southwest Regional event. Started with eight teams in 1989, the

Thomas Tournament has grown into one of the biggest and most difficult events in the state for small schools. Nearly four dozen wrestlers who participated in this year’s Thomas Tournament — from a 28-team field that included Maryland’s Northern Garrett — were state qualifiers. Creps retired from active coaching in 1999, but continues to run the Thomas event. “He’s been an asset for wrestling, for

SEE CREPS — 11

11 BORDER BRAWL

MARCH 24, 2017

160 POUNDS

Team Pennsylvania

Team Maryland/West Virginia

CODY DAVIS

MORGAN DEREMER

Century

Chestnut Ridge Parents: Jerry and Lori Deremer ■ Coaches: Greg Lazor, Josh Deputy, Scott McGill ■

Career record: 118-46 Accomplishments: Two-time District 5 champion; two-time Southwest Regional place winner; finished sixth in 2016 state tournament ■ Future plans: Attend University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and wrestle for the Mountain Cats ■ Quote: “It’s an honor to wrestle in this event and to help out and support those who are affected by cancer.”

Parents: Not listed Coaches: Not listed ■ Career record: 41-4 ■ Accomplishments: Third in state; regional champion ■ Future plans: Not listed ■ ■

■ ■

Creps: Bedford coach serving with Pa. team CONTINUED FROM 10 District 5 and 6, for the competition that he brought out in the area,” said Bruce Haselrig, a hall of fame referee who credits Creps with helping him climb the ladder in the business by giving him the opportunity to officiate some of the Bisons’ biggest matches. The two remain friends to this day. “We’ve talked a lot about situations,” Haselrig said. “We’ve argued when he was a coach, but now we just sit and talk about the old days and this call and that call and this wrestler and that wrestler.” Creps still maintains relationships with his former wrestlers — in fact one whom he coached in 1965 called him during an interview for this story — as well as wrestlers, fans and coaches from schools throughout western Pennsylvania. Creps has remained active in the wrestling community, and will get to experience more of that camaraderie at the Border Brawl. The event, which is raising money for Pin Cancer and the family of official Aaron Elliott, whose son has bone cancer, is especially significant for Creps. He said that he has been living with prostate cancer for the past decade.

■ Who: Bill Creps ■ Age: 78 ■ From: Bedford ■ Resume: The 1986 Pennsylvania coach of the year, Creps amassed a 304-75BILL CREPS 1 record coaching Bedford from 1974 to 1999, including an amazing 185-5 record against District 5 schools. ... His teams won three Southwest Regional titles and two Northwest Regional crowns during that time. ... He coached more than a dozen state medalists, including five finalists. ... Creps started and continues to run the Thomas Tournament in Bedford, which has grown into one of the toughest events in the state for small schools.

M/W

Dylan Williams

M/W

Steven Yutzy

Grant Browell

M/W

Devin Wilhelm

152

145

138

132

122

Brison Dixon

126

110

MARCH 24, 2017

PA M/W

Corey Secrist

Cole Manley

M/W

Luke Lowery

Quinn Cole

M/W

Dalton Wilt

Chris Baker

M/W PA

220

207

195

182

160

M/W

285

Zach Clark

Zac Odom Austin Hemminger Cody Davis

Morgan Deremer

M/W

Richard Stanley

Christian Hutzell

M/W

Riley Brick

Exree Loe

M/W

Riley Brick

PA M/W PA M/W PA

Caliber Castel Jordan Hartman Dylan Harvey Matthew Stewart Toby Cahill

BORDER BRAWL 12

13 BORDER BRAWL

MARCH 24, 2017

BORDER BRAWL 14

MARCH 24, 2017

182 POUNDS

Team Pennsylvania

Team Maryland/West Virginia

CHRISTIAN HUTZELL

RICHARD STANLEY

Meyersdale

Hampshire

Parents: Rodger and Becky Hutzell ■ Career record: 106-43 ■ Accomplishments: Sixth place, 2016 PIAA state, four-time SW regional qualifier, two-time state placewinner (6th, 8th); four-time district runner-up. ■ Future plans: Attend UPJ for engineering and to wrestle. ■ Quote: “I’m excited to wrestle for such a great cause and to PIN Cancer.” ■ Wrestling for: My great aunt who is a cancer

Parents: Erin and Dickie Stanley ■ Coaches: Ed Hardinger, Ronnie Odom ■

■

Career record: 133-24 Accomplishments: Finished fifth in West Virginia state tournament in 2017. ■ Future plans: Attend college and obtain a degree in sports medicine or enlist in Marines. ■ Quote: “The road to athletic greatness is not marked by perfection, but the ability to constantly overcome adversity and failure.” ■ ■

Northern Garrett, McDaniel standout Glotfelty to serve as Md./W.Va. honorary coach CHIP MINEMYER

of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. “As a former wrestler, this is a great opportunity for seniors to perform under the lights Brock Glotfelty says comone last time in which they not peting in an all-star showcase only represent there school, helped him grab the attention but the area in which they of college coaches – despite reside,” Glotfelty said. his impressive high school “As a former coach at the wrestling resume. collegiate level, and a high The 2007 graduate of Northschool wrestler who was ern Garrett High School was recruited at an after-season a Maryland champion at 215 all-star event, I know these allpounds and a three-time state star events are important for finalist. small-town young men to get He finished his high school career with 118 wins, and Brock Glotfelty is honorary noticed by colleges and universities.” went on to win 126 more Maryland/West Virginia Glotfelty was a two-time matches for McDaniel Col- coach. NCAA Division III all-Amerlege in Westminster, Maryican heavyweight at McDaniel College, land. Glotfelty will be the honorary coach for where he was named Centennial Conferthe Maryland/West Virginia team in the 2017 Border Brawl on March 24 at the University SEE GLOTFELTY — 15 CMINEMYER@TRIBDEM.COM

15 BORDER BRAWL

MARCH 24, 2017

195 POUNDS

Team Pennsylvania

Team Maryland/West Virginia

RILEY BRICK

EXREE LOE Greater Johnstown

Northern Garrett Parents: Eric and Nikki Loe ■ Coaches: Willie Harris, Carlton Haselrig

Parents: Kris and Delmas Brick ■ Coaches: Casey Kamp, Pete Stein, Dylan Day

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Career record: 41-6 Accomplishments: Third place in state; allstate football player, Big 33 Football Classic selection. ■ Future plans: Attend West Virginia University on football scholarship and major in physical therapy. ■ Quote: “It’s very exciting to be a part of the Border Brawl. I was there last year to watch. It’s a very exciting moment for wrestlers to represent Pennsylvania in something like this.” ■ ■

Glotfelty: Three-time Maryland finalist CONTINUED FROM 14 ence wrestler of the year in 2010. He is McDaniel’s all-time wins leader, and his third-place finish at the 2011 national tournament was an all-time best for the Green Terror program. As a senior, he was named the top male athlete at McDaniel College. After graduation, he served as an assistant coach at his college alma mater for two seasons. The inaugural Border Brawl showcased four wrestlers who followed Glotfelty’s path to Division III programs: • From Maryland: South Carroll’s Tom Boldosser (Ursinus) and Shane Conners (Washington and Lee), and Northern Garrett’s Kyle Beard (Washington and Jefferson). • From Pennsylvania: Richland’s Daniel Verhovsek (Waynesburg). Glotfelty expects that several high school athletes will get college opportunities after appearing in the 2017 competition. “I think the Border Brawl is great for the sport of wrestling,” he said. “It provides wrestling fans a showcase of the top talent in the area.”

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Career record: 84-21 Accomplishments: Eighth place, Bedford Tournament, fifth place, western regionals. ■ Future plans: To go to Garrett College and become a police officer. ■ Quote: “I am very honored to be able to wrestle for this event. I want to have fun with it. ■ Wrestling for: All those who have fought for this country. Brick is wrestling in 195/207 weight classes ■ ■

Supports our Local First Responders

and Staff!

TIMBROOK KIA’s One–To-Watch for March 2017 is our local Paid and Volunteer First Responders. This includes all Fire Departments; Police Departments; Emergency Personnel and All Hospital/Nursing Home Personnel and National Guards! Come to Timbrook KIA—Buy a New Vehicle and Receive an Additional $250 Discount to apply to the car OR Timbrook Kia will donate the $250 to your favorite local charity organization in your name! Hurry though—come in between March 10th and March 20th and receive an additional $100! That’s a total of $350 Discount! This discount is only offered by TIMBROOK KIA! Timbrook Kia appreciates your efforts in our community and we want to give a small token back as a way of saying “thank you”. Call TIMBROOK KIA at 301-722-2511; stop by at 10210 Mt Savage Rd in Cumberland, or visit us online at www.timbrookkia.com

BORDER BRAWL 16

MARCH 24, 2017

207 POUNDS

Team Pennsylvania

Team Maryland/West Virginia

RILEY BRICK

CALIBER CASTEL

Northern Garrett

Central Cambria Parents: Ted and Elizabeth Castel ■ Coach: Bob Nikolishen ■ Career record: 69-37 ■ Accomplishments: 2016 regional qualifier; fourth at the 2017 Sheetz Holiday Classic Tournament; sixth at the 2017 Bedford Tournament this year; named the Altoona Mirror’s Athlete of the Week for winter sports. ■ Future plans: To attend Wyotech in Blairsville for Diesel Technology. ■ Quote: “It’s an honor to wrestle in this year’s Border Brawl with other seniors that I’ve had the privilege to compete with and against.”

Parents: Kris and Delmas Brick ■ Coaches: Casey Kamp, Pete Stein, Dylan Day ■

■

Officials happy to give back to sport, region ERIC KNOPSNYDER EKNOPSNYDER@TRIBDEM.COM

They might be the part of wrestling that parents, coaches and fans love to hate, but officials shrug off the abuse and do their jobs in order to give back to the sport. That’s evident in the number of officials who will volunteer their time to participate in the second Border Brawl Mason-Dixon Wrestling Classic. Last year, nine agreed to work the dual meet, and Bruce Haselrig, wrestling rules interpreter and supervisor of officials for District 6, said more were asking about it this year. “The officials were just glad to participate,” Haselrig said. “Last year, this thing had happened and the hoopla around it was great. Look at the wrestling people from all over the region that came.” The event, which pits the top high school wrestlers from The Tribune-Democrat’s cov-

SEE OFFICIALS— 17

John Rucosky/The Tribune-Democrat

Referee Bruce Haselrig signals three back points for Team Pennsylvania’s Collin Glorioso during his 135-pound bout with Maryland/West Virginia’s Devan Hamrick at the 2016 Border Brawl classic.

17 BORDER BRAWL

MARCH 24, 2017

220 POUNDS

Team Pennsylvania

Team Maryland/West Virginia

DYLAN HARVEY

JORDAN HARTMAN

Meyersdale

Petersburg Parents: Jasper and Shannon Hartman ■ Coaches: Tony Weatherholz and Chad Vance

Parents: Eugene and Heather Harvey ■ Coaches: Craig Tresnicky, Mike Swick

■

Career record: 73-31 ■ Accomplishments: Two-time regional qualifier ■ Quote: “It means a lot to represent my state for such a good cause, and help pin cancer.” ■ Wrestling for: Uncle Buddy and my grandfathers, Ron Swartwelder and Joe Harvey ■

Career record: 144-36 Accomplishments: Two-time region champion, two-time state placewinner. ■ Future plans: Attend Glenville State on a full football scholarship and major in sports administration. ■ Quote: “If you even dreamed about beating me you better wake up and apologize.” ■ ■

Officials for the Border Brawl Mason-Dixon Wrestling Classic on March 20, 2016 are, front row, from left: Mike Eichelberger, John Edgell, Jack Pencil and Ed Bishop; back row, from left: Bruce Haselrig, Barry Reynolds, Tab Boyer, Randy Jarrett and Aaron Elliott.

Officials: CONTINUED FROM 16 erage area in western Pennsylvania against their counterparts from the Cumberland Times-News region in Maryland and West Virginia, drew an estimated 1,200 fans to the Pitt-Johnstown Sports Center in 2016. If the response from the officials is any indication, the second edition of the event, which will take place at 7 p.m. on March 24, might attract an even larger crowd. “They were glad to participate,” Haselrig said of his contemporaries. “It was such a great thing. They didn’t mind giving up their time. (This year) some of the guys said, ‘I’m available.’ “ The event serves as a fundraiser. Last

year, it benefited Pin Cancer. Proceeds in 2017 will again help that charity, but they also will support the family of Aaron Elliott, an official who volunteered his time for the Border Brawl a year ago. Elliott’s 10-year-old son, Jeremiah, is autistic and was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the fall. He’s had a cancerous tumor removed from his leg and is undergoing a second round of chemotherapy treatments. That hits close to home for Haselrig and the other officials who have worked alongside Elliott for years. “I’ve known him a long time – since he was a high school wrestler at Hyndman,” Haselrig said. “I got to know him even better at UPJ as a student and athlete.”

BORDER BRAWL 18

MARCH 24, 2017

285 POUNDS

Team Pennsylvania

Team Maryland/West Virginia

MATTHEW STEWART

TOBY CAHILL Berlin Brothersvalley

Keyser

Parents: Steve and Stacey Cahill

Parents: Marshall and Anna Stewart ■ Coaches: Colin Rotruck, Eric White, Cary Kyle, Jonathan Stewart, R.J. Stephen, Blake Mangold

■

Coaches: Jason Cornell, Dave Shaffer, Brian Fochtman, Justin Poorbaugh ■

Career record: 144-27 Accomplishments: 2017 state champion ■ Future plans: Attend Clarion University to wrestle and to get a bachelor’s degree in science in nutrition and fitness. ■ Quote: “Can’t hold a big dog down” — from my grandmother Linda Weisner

Career record: 125-59 Accomplishments: State runner-up sophomore year, first place in Potter Classic 2017, second in Cameron Invitational 2017, fourth in Winners Choice 2017, second in Region 3 2017 ■ Future plans: Obtain certificate of completion in welding. ■ Quote: “This is an honor to have an opportunity to wrestle for such an amazing cause with such amazing wrestlers.”

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Chestnut Ridge’s Scott McGill coaching Pa. squad ERIC KNOPSNYDER EKNOPSNYDER@TRIBDEM.COM

Scott McGill doesn’t often show up in the spotlight — assistant coaches rarely do — but people who know wrestling in the Johnstown area are more than familiar with him. McGill, who has coached at Chestnut Ridge for more than two decades, helped build the Lions into a state power. He’s not only coached against some of the top talent in the region, but helped many young wrestlers from other schools as well. A number of Team Pennsylvania wrestlers — from Greater Johnstown’s Exree Loe to Somerset’s Austin Hemminger to Berlin Brothersvalley’s Toby Cahill, not to mention Chestnut Ridge’s Dylan Williams and Morgan Deremer — have attended practices and competitions with McGill, so it seemed a natural fit to have the longtime Lion coaching in the Border Brawl Mason-Dixon Wrestling Classic.

“It’s going to be pretty cool that we’ve been in contact the last several years,” McGill said. “During the season, it’s a battle, but in the offseason kids are on the same team and go to tournaments together.” McGill has coached at SCOTT MCGILL all levels since his career started in 1995. In addition to team success, the Lions have had a number of standout individuals over the past decade. Earlier this month, Justin McCoy became just the second Chestnut Ridge wrestler to win a state title. “All of that work I put in at the elementary, I didn’t realize it would pay off this way,” McGill said. “I started coaching Justin McCoy when he was in kindergarten or first grade. It definitely makes you feel good about putting in all of time.”

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John Ruckosky/Tribune Democrat

Maryland/West Virginia’s Shane Conners, top, controls Pennsylvania’s Gus Strasiser in a 149-pound contest during the 2016 Border Brawl Mason-Dixon Wrestling Classic. Conners won 6-1.

COLLEGE ALUMNI Alumni Wrestling in College

Division I Lehigh – Aaron Burkett Lock Haven – Collin Glorioso Old Dominion – Kevin Budock West Virginia – Conner Buttry, Brandon Ngati Division II Alderson Broaddus – Brady Estep Pitt-Johnstown – Jacob Driskel Wheeling Jesuit – Devan Hamrick Division III Ursinus – Tom Boldosser Washington & Jefferson – Kyle Beard Washington & Lee – Shane Conners Waynesburg – Daniel Verhovsek

Women’s College Wrestling Association Campbellsville – Morgan Becker, Mariah Harris

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301-722-4608

MARCH 24, 2017

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Northern Garrett’s Kamp looks to grow strong wrestling tradition CHIP MINEMYER CMINEMYER@TRIBDEM.COM

ACCIDENT, Md. — Casey Kamp was a champion wrestler at Northern Garrett High School. Now the Maryland school’s head coach, he has his alma mater winning matches and producing state title contenders. The next mountain to climb? Seeing wrestlers across the entire region of western Maryland and eastern West Virginia shine at a level comparable to their counterparts across the border in Pennsylvania. Kamp will coach the CASEY KAMP Maryland/West Virginia all-stars in the second Border Brawl Mason-Dixon Wrestling Classic event March 24 at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Action will begin at 7 p.m. “The western part of Maryland — classes 1A and 2A, especially, but also 3A and 4A — is as a tough as nails,” Kamp said. “We’re completely dominant compared with the rest of the state.” The inaugural Border Brawl saw the Pennsylvania team thump the southern squad 55-9. That inspired Kamp to begin building for 2017 – and beyond. His group lost a few all-stars who will instead be competing in a national tournament in Virginia, but Kamp promised: “We’re not going to have those hammers that we wanted to have, but we’ll be competitive.” He said: “Last year we were keeping it as local as we could. I think we put a kid in from every school in two counties. This year I’ve been focused on getting some studs and putting together a real good team.” Kamp knows quality wrestling. He won three Maryland state titles and compiled 122 career wins at Northern Garrett. One of his own wrestlers, senior Devin Wilhelm, broke Kamp’s school mark for wins this

Huskies coach to direct Md./W.Va. all-star team

year and now has 129. Wilhelm is slated to compete in the Border Brawl. The Northern Garrett Huskies won 27 dual meets this year — participating in several dual tournaments — and have just seven losses in Kamp’s three seasons at the helm. “We lost to Middletown in the regional finals, and they went on to be the state champions,” Kamp said. “So we didn’t have much to complain about there. They have a stacked team.” Kamp said he and his staff are focused on winning on the varsity stage while building interest and participation at the youth level. “Our community of wrestling that we’ve built here is dedicated and enthusiastic,” he said. “We’re growing it here and we’re excited about the possibilities for the future.” Kamp said he attended the 2016 Border Brawl expecting the Maryland and West Virginia wrestlers to have their hands full with their Pennsylvania opponents. He won two titles at the prestigious Bedford Thomas Chevrolet tournament, but recalls a lopsided loss in the semfinals to North Star standout Tony Lascari when Kamp was a senior in 2006. Kamp rebounded to claim his third Maryland title later that year. “I wrestled Pennsylvania guys all the time when I was in high school,” he said. “I just love the competitiveness.” His mission: Keep bringing stronger and stronger southern teams to the Border Brawl. “We’re trying to promote good competition, and we’re trying to grow our community of wrestling,” Kamp said. “I’ve planted a lot of seeds this year. I’ve got a lot of kids interested. We’ll grow this thing a lot more over the next few years. “This thing is only going to get better.” He said he urges young wrestlers in the Northern Garrett area to make the trip to UPJ to see the all-stars battle.

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John Rucosky/The Tribune-Democrat

(From left) Callihan Bradley, 9, of Richland; and Devon Magro, 10, Bo Bassett, 9, and his brother, Keegan, 7, all of Forest Hills, watch Pitt-Johnstown wrestlers demonstrate moves during a youth clinic on March 20, 2016, at the first Border Brawl Mason-Dixon Classic.

UPJ’s Pecora to again headline youth clinic ERIC KNOPSNYDER EKNOPSNYDER@TRIBDEM.COM

After 40 years of coaching college wrestling, it would be a bit understandable if Pat Pecora had lost some of his passion for the sport and concentrated simply on his Pitt-Johnstown team and the Mountain Cats’ performance. But the hall of fame coach still finds enjoyment in the sport at all levels. That’s one of the reawsons Pecora will again provide a free clinic at Pitt-Johnstown on March 24. The clinic begins at 5:15 at the Sports Center and is free to youth wrestlers with admission to the Border Brawl Mason-Dixon Wrestling Classic. Last year, dozens of young wrestlers took advantage of the opportunity to learn from one of the winningest college coach in the country as well as a number of wrestlers who helped Pitt-Johnstown finish fourth among Division II teams in 2016. “I think it was great,” Pecora said of last year’s event. “I was surprised with how well it did go.” The Mountain Cats will again be on hand to help demonstrate moves to the young wrestlers, which Pecora said is key. “We bring the whole team, basically,

■ What: Clinic hosted by Pitt-Johnstown coach Pat Pecora and members of the Mountain Cats wrestling team for youths in kindergarten through eighth grade ■ When: 5:15 p.m., March 24 ■ Where: Pitt-Johnstown Sports Center ■ Cost: Free with admission to the Border Brawl Mason-Dixon Wrestling Classic there,” he said. “We have all of the college wrestlers there to help with the clinic. I think that’s what makes the clinic personable. “For these young wrestlers to be faceto-face and interact with the college guys, and to have them show moves on you. ... The interaction between the young wrestlers and the college wrestlers, that’s what I get a kick out of. Those are their role models.” The young wrestlers aren’t the only ones that get something out of it, according to Pecora. “And I like to see it on the other end,” he said. “Our guys enjoy sharing their knowledge. It brings fun back into the the sport, and I think that’s what makes the clinic fun.”

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MARCH 24, 2017

Border Brawl family mourns loss of three young lives ERIC KNOPSNYDER EKNOPSNYDER@TRIBDEM.COM

Some wonderful things have happened in wrestling over the past year, but there also has been more than enough heartache. Three young men who had a major impact on their respective wrestling communities lost their lives. • Tom Patterson, a 23-year-old Mountain Ridge graduate who was a part of the Briar Cliff University program in Sioux City, Iowa, drowned in September while trying to help others cross the Missouri River. • Nick Roberts, a national champion at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and a three-time Pennsylvania state champion at North Star High School, died in late February at his on-campus apartment at age 23. • Then, just days later, Chestnut Ridge High School’s Gary Pfahler – who won a state title in 2008 – died in Florida at age 26. Autopsies did not determine Roberts’ or Pfahler’s causes of death. “We’d like to honor the memory of Tom Patterson, Nick Roberts and Gary Pfahler,” said Jason Cornell, Berlin Brothersvalley’s coach and Border Brawl organizer. “Each had a profound impact on his respective community and our sport. They will be sadly missed.” Patterson wrestled at Mountain Ridge from 2007 to 2011. Miners coach Allan Twigg spoke at Patterson’s funeral. “Tom had this unique ability that if you talked to him for just five minutes, you felt like you had known him all your life,” Twigg said. “I can remember, oftentimes, looking across the gym and Tom would be talking to half a dozen wrestlers from other teams. I would pull him to the side and say ‘Tom you are not supposed to make friends with these guys; you may have to wrestle them later today.’ He would smile and say, ‘Don’t worry Coach, I got this.’ And he did. He always

TOM PATTERSON

NICK ROBERTS

gave 100 percent when he stepped on the mat. “The most impressive thing that came from this was Tom had fans no matter where we went,” Twigg said. “Not only did he have the Mountain Ridge team and

SEE BORDER — 23

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2016 RESULTS Pennsylvania 55, Maryland/West Virginia 9

140-Dalton Clark, Ligonier Valley, pinned Colten White, Mountain Ridge (1:40). 145-Tommy Opdenhoff, Central Cambria, dec. Isaiah Brooks, North Hagerstown, 6-4. 149-Shane Conners, South Carroll, dec. Gus Strasiser, North Star, 6-1. 152-Kevin Budock, Good Council, dec. Jon Wagner, Huntingdon, 3-1. 157-Dan Verhovsek, Richland, dec. Brysan Day, Northern Garrett, 5-3 (SV). 160-Austin Farabaugh, Penn Cambria, pinned Beau Horner, Keyser, 3:28. 165-Braden Fochtman, Berlin Brothersvalley, tech. fall Brad Winter, Fort Hill, 18-3 (4:50). 170-Dillion Charlton, North Star, tech. fall Kyle Beard, Northern Garrett, 16-1 (3:14). 175-Storm McDonald, Berlin Brothersvalley, dec Will Schoonover, Moorefield, 3-1 (SV). 185-Jacob Driskel, Penn Cambria, pinned Cody Rodeheaver, Keyser, 2:59. 205-Conner Buttry, Chestnut Ridge, pinned Brady Estep, Musselman, 1:30. 285-Brandon Ngati, South Hagerstown, dec. Anthony Collins, Berlin Brothersvalley, 6-3. 120-Aaron Burkett, Chestnut Ridge, dec. Justin Beckley, Williamsport, 4-3. 126-Ian Ostrowski, Central Cambria, pinned Tom Boldosser, South Carroll, 4:24.

135-Collin Glorioso, Huntingdon, dec. Devan Hamrick, Southern Garrett, 7-0.

Girls’ Exhibition

Mariah Harris, Greater Johnstown, dec. Morgan Becker, Illinois, 9-3.

Participants by School Maryland

Fort Hill – Brad Winter (2016) Good Counsel – Kevin Budock (2016) Mountain Ridge – Colten White (2016) North Hagerstown – Isaiah Brooks (2016) Northern Garrett – Kyle Beard (2016), Brysan Day (2016), South Carroll – Tom Boldosser (2016), Shane Conners (2016) Southern Garrett – Devan Hamrick (2016) South Hagerstown – Brandon Ngati (2016) Williamsport – Justin Beckley (2016)

Pennsylvania

Berlin Brothersvalley – Anthony Collins (2016), Braden Fochtman (2016), Storm McDonald (2016) Central Cambria – Tommy Opdenhoff (2016), Ian Ostrowski (2016) Chestnut Ridge – Aaron Burkett (2016), Conner Buttry (2016) Huntingdon – Jon Wagner (2016), Collin Glorioso (2016) Ligonier Valley – Dalton Clark (2016) North Star – Dillion Charlton (2016), Gus Strasiser (2016) Richland – Dan Verhovsek (2016) Penn Cambria – Jacob Driskel (2016), Austin Farabaugh (2016)

West Virginia

Keyser – Beau Horner (2016), Cody Rodeheaver (2016) Moorefield – Will Schoonover (2016) Musselman – Brady Estep (2016)

Border: Three gave all to sport CONTINUED FROM 22 fans rooting for him. He had wrestlers, coaches and fans from other schools rooting for him everywhere we wrestled.” Roberts also was known far and wide – one of the most successful wrestlers to come out of the Johnstown area. He was an accomplished freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestler, having won four national titles in Fargo, North Dakota, and a world medal in Hungary. In four trips to the state tournament in Hershey, his lone loss came during his sophomore year, to Zain Retherford, who went on to win the PIAA championship and later won an NCAA title at Penn State. Roberts accepted a scholarship to Ohio State, where he won 28 matches as a redshirt freshman, but left Columbus and – for a time – the sport before landing at Pitt-Johnstown in 2015. He eventually returned to wrestling and developed a close relationship with Mountain Cats coach Pat Pecora. In his first day in a UPJ uniform, Roberts beat the two-time defending national champion. At the end of the 2015-16 season – his first at Pitt-Johnstown – he won the 133-pound crown. Roberts never got to defend his crown,

however. A knee condition that had plagued him since childhood ended his senior season before it ever really got started. Still, in just one season on the mat at Pitt-Johnstown, he made quite an impact. “Nick left his mark – left his mark on everybody he met,” Pecora said. “He left his mark on us – on UPJ wrestling and on UPJ.” Pfahler left his mark at Chestnut Ridge, too. Part of it was because he became the school’s first state champion when he won the 140-pound title in 2008, but there was more to him than that. Pfahler’s senior project at Chestnut Ridge was to work with the elementary wrestlers. Many of the ones that he worked with went on to successful high school careers, helping turn the Lions into a powerhouse program that regularly competes for state medals in the dual meet competition. On March 11, one of those wrestlers – Justin McCoy – won the school’s second state title and immediately paid tribute to Pfahler. “He helped me when I was younger,” McCoy recalled. “He was my coach. He actually did it for his senior project, but it was more than his senior project. He was so close to us. “I just wanted to do it for him.”

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