HIGH SCHOOLS
2008-09
WRESTLING
ALL-STARS
WRESTLER OF THE YEAR | SHANE YOUNG PENN-TRAFFORD | SENIOR | 119 POUNDS
ALL-AROUND SPORTSMAN
PENN-TRAFFORD’S YOUNG READY FOR NEW CHALLENGES
The next goals for the three-time state champ include a college education and fly fishing.
BY PAUL SCHOFIELD
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Penn-Trafford senior Shane Young is getting ready to start a new hobby this summer: fly fishing. That’s OK, but Young, an avid sportsman, already has snagged a couple of big prizes this year: his third WPIAL and PIAA Class AAA wrestling titles. For those efforts, Young was named Tribune-Review Wrestler of the Year. Young, who will attend West Virginia University to continue his wrestling career, finished his senior season with a 42-1 record and a 153-19 career mark. He won 132 of his past 133 matches. “I have something new to learn,” Young said about learning the techniques to fly fishing. “I got a new fly rod for Christmas and coach (Mike) Cardamone is going to teach me.” Young also has other things to work on before going to West Virginia this fall. “I have to get on a lifting program and get bigger and stronger,” Young said. “College wrestling is a lot different. I’d be a small 125-pounder. I plan on training hard this summer.” Young said he’s excited about going to West Virginia, where he will study physical education, because it’s close to home and there are so many WPIAL wrestlers in the program. “That’s cool because I’ve been wrestling against or with a lot of those guys for years,” said Young,
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LARRY HOHMAN
SHANE IS A HARD WORKER. YOU DON’T HAVE TO TELL HIM TO WORK HARD.”
PENN-TRAFFORD WRESTLING COACH
RECORD 42-1, 153-19 NOTABLE Three-time WPIAL Class AAA and three-time PIAA champion. … Has won 132 of his past 133 matches. … Will attend West Virginia University.
who someday hopes to teach and coach. “I’m comfortable with the program. It’s a good fit for me.” Penn-Trafford coach Larry Hohman said Young will do well in college because of his work ethic. “Shane is a hard worker,” Hohman said. “You don’t have to tell him to work hard.” Young exhibited his hard work after he had his 100-match winning streak snapped by Mitchell Port of Bellefonte in the finals at the King of the Mountain tournament. Instead of pouting, Young went back to work. When he met Port at the Powerade tournament, he avenged the loss. When Young reached the PIAA tournament, he had a few close calls before rallying to defeat Tyler Rauenzahn of Blue Mountain, 5-3, in the finals. His final high school victory allowed him to recall the other state titles on his resume. “Winning that first state title was special because I defeated someone I’d never beaten before,” Young said. “The second one was also just as sweet, the third, ever sweeter.” ——— Paul Schofield can be reached at pschofield@tribweb.com or 724-853-2109.
BARRY REEGER/TRIBUNE-REVIEW
FIRST TEAM
103
112
119
125
125
130
140
JIM GULIBON
Derry Area Freshman RECORD 39-1, 39-1 (career) NOTABLE Class AAA WPIAL and PIAA champion. … Was not taken down all season. … Only loss came in his second match when he received an unsportsmanlike penalty for accidentally kneeing an opponent in the head.
NICO MEGALUDIS
Franklin Regional Sophomore RECORD 46-0, 83-1 NOTABLE Two-time WPIAL Class AAA champion and won his first PIAA title. … Won the 103-pound title last year. … Only career loss came in PIAA semifinals as a freshman. ... Placed third in last year’s tournament.
ANTHONY ZANETTA
Keystone Oaks Senior RECORD 45-1, 155-14 NOTABLE Won second PIAA Class AAA title. … Avenged his only loss of the season by defeating Tyrone’s A.J. Schopp, who defeated Zanetta in the PIAA Class AA Southwest Regional. … Will attend Pitt.
SAM SHERLOCK
West Mifflin Junior RECORD 38-3, 109-12 NOTABLE Two-time WPIAL Class AAA champion and captured first PIAA title. … Placed fourth in the PIAA at 125 pounds.
NATHAN PENNESI
Latrobe Senior RECORD 33-3, 140-26 NOTABLE Will attend West Virginia University. … Won the King of the Mountain, Powerade and Westmoreland County Coaches Association tournaments. … Was the WPIAL Class AA and PIAA runner-up.
JOE WALTKO
North Allegheny Senior RECORD 41-1, 144-20 NOTABLE Won his first PIAA Class AAA title in four tries as a qualifier. … Placed third in 2008 and fourth in 2006. … Will attend Clarion University.
DANE JOHNSON
Shady Side Acad. Senior RECORD 53-2, 182-12 NOTABLE Four-time WPIAL Class AA champion and a three-time PIAA champion. … Was the 18th wrestler in the WPIAL to win four times. … Is the WPIAL all-time leader in victories. … Will attend Pitt.
140
160
160
189
215
285
JACK BACHMAN
Hempfield Senior RECORD 47-2, 161-35 NOTABLE WPIAL Class AAA champion and PIAA runner-up at 140 pounds. … Placed seventh in the PIAA tournament as a junior. … Undecided on his future, but plans to visit North Carolina State. … Is second in all-time wins at Hempfield.
JACK KEMERER
Hempfield Senior RECORD 48-0, 174-21 NOTABLE Will attend the University of Oklahoma. … Twotime WPIAL Class AAA and PIAA champion. … Was a three-time PIAA placewinner and a four-time qualifier.
MATT CUNNINGHAM
Shady Side Acad. Junior RECORD 45-2, 115-7 NOTABLE Three-time WPIAL Class AA champion and was a PIAA runner-up. … Placed fifth at 152 pounds as a sophomore. … Won the WPIAL 145-pound title as a freshman.
ROMAN SAN DOVAL
Shady Side Acad. Senior RECORD 51-5, 153-28 NOTABLE Two-time WPIAL Class AA champion. … Placed third at PIAAs. … Won Allegheny County Coaches’ Assoc. tournament, and earned award for most pins in shortest time. … Will attend Holy Cross to play football.
NATHAN GAFFNEY
Connellsville Junior RECORD 49-6, 78-27 NOTABLE Won WPIAL Class AAA and PIAA titles at 215 pounds. … Is the 13th Connellsville wrestler to win a state crown. … Won the TriCounty Coaches’ Association meet.
JORDAN ROUSSUS
Carlynton Senior RECORD 40-1, 120-37 NOTABLE Plans to attend Bowling Green State University on a football scholarship. … Is the first wrestler since 1973 to win a state title at his school.