By Beth Hudson
Of The Morning Call
By the time you read this, Joey Ecklof likely will be competing at the Senior National High School Wrestling Championships in Cleveland – not because he has to, but because he loves to wrestle.
”This was something I really wanted to do,” he said. ”If I go out and lose, who cares? If I go out and win, that’s more respect and more confidence in myself.”
Talk to Ecklof for a few minutes, and two things become clear: Ecklof doesn’t get caught up in numbers, whether they represent wins, losses or career titles. And the Northampton senior wrestles ” he invests countless hours and immeasurable ounces of sweat – purely because he thrives on this sport.
That’s why he’s in Ohio – and one of many reasons why he’s The Morning Call’s Class 3A wrestler of the year.
No question, the competition was intense.
There was Nazareth senior Joe Caramanica, strong and steady, losing just one bout all season and winning a second consecutive state gold. Emmaus senior Bryan Reiss and Pennridge senior Dan Goetter won the first state wrestling titles in their schools’ respective histories – and dominated most of their opponents along the way.
In the end, though, Ecklof did something unprecedented in Pennsylvania high school wrestling. After going into this year’s PIAA Championships as a two-time state champ, he earned his third state gold by beating another two-time state champ, Greensburg-Salem senior Donnie Jones.
More than that, Ecklof (31-3) won decisively, 10-3, in the Class 3A 152-pound final.
”My coach said, ‘Go at him and wrestle your way. Try to underhook and engage. He probably won’t wrestle like he usually does,”’ Ecklof said. ”That set the tone.”
Northampton coach Terry Daubert and assistant Don Rohn talked to Ecklof about the strategy, and the wrestler executed it to perfection. He took down Jones just a few seconds into the opening period.
”The first takedown is always major,” Ecklof said. ”That takes away all of your nerves. After that first takedown, I ended up getting a tilt – I got two all year, in the finals of regionals and states. Incredible.
”I never usually do anything on top, because I’m more comfortable on my feet. After I got those back points, I thought in the back of my mind, ‘That was the match.”’
From there, it was only a matter of time until Ecklof became a three-time state champion ” a reality that still seems unreal to him.
”It’s something I never thought I would do,” he said.
Along the way, though, he’s gained the respect and admiration of many, including the men who have had the task of coaching Ecklof’s opponents through the years.
Whitehall coach Tim Cunningham is very familiar with Ecklof – not only because the Konkrete Kids and Zephyrs both compete in the Lehigh Valley Conference, but also because Whitehall and Northampton kids work out together in an offseason club.
”He knows how to peak at the right time,” Cunningham said. ”His mental attitude is what impresses me most – and then, obviously, the fact that he’s an excellent student.
”And he enjoys wrestling. He’s always smiling.”
Added Easton coach Steve Powell: ”I’m sure he doesn’t want to be compared to [his older brother] Jeff, but they’re very similar in that when they step on the mat, they believe they can win. And he put on a match that will long be remembered in the Pennsylvania wrestling finals.”
Upper Perkiomen coach Tom Hontz saw one of his own wrestlers, Brent Fiorito, lose a 5-2 decision to Ecklof in the state semifinals. Almost three weeks later, Hontz still marvels at what Ecklof did against Jones.
”His composure is just amazing out there,” Hontz said. ”I’ve been around this sport 20 years as a wrestler and a coach, and that final against Jones was amazing. That was one of the best finals I’ve seen.”
In the fall, Ecklof will move on to the University of Pittsburgh, where his brother, Jeff, also is on the wrestling team. Joey Ecklof is looking forward to a fresh challenge.
Of course, he’ll always have those three state titles and the memories that came along with them. The difficult part will be leaving behind his teammates and coaches – people who have been such an integral part of his life as a wrestler.
”You can get more friends,” he said, ”but it’s never the same as that exact moment when you’re with the team – having a good time, not even wrestling, but just laughing and making jokes. That’s one thing I will miss – the humor that came with all of the teams I’ve been on.”
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