by Guy Cipriano
First, let’s look at how wrestling is received in some other parts of the country.
Only 801 fans attended Ohio State’s Big Ten opener against Wisconsin on Dec. 10. Illinois, a Top 20 program, attracted just 525 fans to a tri-meet on Dec. 8.
The numbers might not mean much to somebody living in central Pennsylvania.
But they demonstrate how lucky we are to live in an area where the bleachers are often occupied.
The concept of the big match is still alive in this area.
Penn State finished fourth nationally in attendance last year behind powers Iowa, Oklahoma State and Minnesota. Earlier this season, more than 1,700 fans attended the Nittany Lions’ wrestle-offs a Rec Hall. Most Division I programs can’t attract crowds that big for regular-season events.
The interest extends to the high school level, where Big 7 matches involving Bald Eagle, Bellefonte and Central Mountain have filled gyms this season. Penn State’s second-semester schedule begins Jan. 4 against Cornell at Rec Hall.
When Bellefonte wrestled at BEA on Dec. 4, a capacity crowd witnessed every move. When Central Mountain wrestled at Bellefonte last Tuesday, a capacity crowd watched the first wrestling event in the Red Raiders’ new gym.
Turnstiles were non-existent at these events, but more than 1,200 fans attended both dual meets.
A similar crowd is expected when Central Mountain visits BEA on Jan 24. Another college-sized crowd will be present when the District 6 Class AAA duals are contested Feb. 2 at Tyrone.
The big crowds are refreshing to see.
They create environments some wrestlers might never forget. If applied correctly, the lessons learned from handling a big dual can be applied to more important things in life, such as a major test, family decision or intense work day.
The big crowds also link communities. Sometimes people are too connected to their own community to realize the people in the one next door work for the same thing.
As fierce as the competition between the schools appear, common bonds are evident after matches.
Coaches banter. Wrestlers joke.
There’s no bragging or flaunting.
Those involved know that today’s winner might be tomorrow’s loser.
Bellefonte, BEA and Central Mountain are evenly-matched on multiple levels ” all three have spacious practice rooms, chiseled junior high athletes and active booster clubs ” that there’s no choice but to have a respectful admiration for the opponent.
The programs also need each other for another simple reason.
Mismatches turn crowds away.
Judging by what many saw this month, the current District 6 powers can’t return to dual meet action soon enough.
And plenty of others obviously feel the same way.
A Division I starter
Grant Paswall’s nomadic career has led to a starting spot in one of college wrestling’s best lineups.
Paswall, who spent two seasons at BEA after beginning his high school career at Blair Academy, has emerged as Illinois’ starting 149-pounder. Paswall went 2-0 in a tri-meet with Findlay and McKendree, and he will enter next week’s Midlands Tournament with an 11-2 record.
Paswall suffered both of his losses at the Las Vegas Invitational where he fell to Harvard’s J.P. O’Connor and Cal- Fullerton’s Morgan Atkinson by decision. O’Connor and Atkinson are currently No. 4 and 11, respectively, in the NWCA/InterMat rankings. Paswall, who started his college career by winning the Freshmen/Sophomore title at the Missouri Open, went 4-2 in Las Vegas.
Paswall went 74-6 in his two seasons at BEA, placing third and fourth at the PIAA Class AAA Championships.
Things might get tougher for Paswall once Illinois begins its Big Ten season. Six of the nation’s top nine 149- pounders, including Penn State’s Bubba Jenkins, wrestle in the conference.
The Fighting Illini, who face Penn State on Feb. 3 in Champaign, are ranked No. 18.
Two tough bouts
Bellefonte junior Josh Fishburn received two difficult tasks during a five-day stretch when became the first area wrestler this season to face both of Central Mountain’s accomplished Alton brothers.
Fishburn lost by fall to Andrew Alton in 1:20 during the King of the Mountain Tournament. He was then pinned by Dylan Alton in 1:07 during last week’s dual meet.
The Altons, only sophomores, are returning PIAA placewinners who are considered two of the nation’s best middleweights. Dylan competes at 135 during tournaments, one weight below his twin brother.
Fishburn, who wrestles from 130 to 140, improved to 4-4 by defeating Lewistown’s Kody Hassinger by technical fall last Thursday.
Good starts
Paswall isn’t the only wrestler from the District 6 Class of 2007 making an immediate impact on the Division I level.
Former Indian Valley standout Nic Bedelyon, who fell to Easton’s Jordan Oliver in last season’s PIAA Class AAA 119-pound final, has developed into Kent State’s starting 125-pounder. Bedelyon, who entered the national rankings earlier this season, is 4-1 in dual meets and placed third at Cornell’s Body Bar Invitational.
Former Lewistown standouts Matt Bonson and Mike Robinson are having success in open tournaments. Bonson is 14-6 as a redshirt freshman 125-pounder at Virginia, while Robinson is 7-2 as a redshirt freshman at North Carolina.
Guy Cipriano covers wrestling for the Centre Daily Times. He can be reached at 231-4643 or [email protected].
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