High school-college doubleheader should be repeated
By Andy Elder
Imagine the thrill. You’re a high school wrestler and it’s the morning of a dual meet against a rival. Heightening the anticipation is the fact that you’ll be wrestling on the same mat as the local, nationally-ranked university team.
A week ago, wrestlers from State College and Central Mountain were staring that scenario square in the face. Last Tuesday, the Little Lions and Wildcats squared off at 5 p.m. on the big blue and white mat in Rec Hall. Right after, at 7 p.m., visiting Lock Haven took on Penn State.
Predictably, wrestlers from both squads were more than a little excited to step on the mat that afternoon.
“This was awesome. I want to go home and talk to our AD to see if we can make this happen every year, “Central Mountain coach Doug Buckwalter said. “We came up here to watch Penn State wrestle Indiana before we went to the Altoona Duals. The kids were fired up to have the opportunity to wrestle here.”
So were Shad Benton’s Little Lions.
“The kids were really excited to wrestle here, “Benton said. “Almost all of them have come here and watched Penn State matches. I’d like to see if we could wrestle here once a year.”
Benton’s last sentiment is one worth exploring, but with an added twist.
Why couldn’t State College and Central Mountain wrestle each other before every Lock Haven vs. Penn State dual meet? Not only at Rec Hall but also at Lock Haven’s Thomas Field House.
Why bother, you may ask? Well, if you care the least little bit about wrestling, read on.
Think about the last time you attended a Penn State dual meet. What stood out? When you scan Rec Hall crowds, there’s so much white hair you’d swear it was snowing outside.
That’s not to denigrate the Nittany Lions’ loyal fan base. Just the opposite. The sport has one of the most loyal followings of any sport. The problem is, those fans trend closer to the AARP than to alternative rock.
So, how better to build a new following than to expose the youngest potential fans to the highest level of their sport.
Each year at Rec Hall or Thomas Field House, teams from State College and Central Mountain and Penn State and Lock Haven could meet on the mats. But why stop at the high schools?
Why not start the day with junior high teams from the respective schools at 4 p.m. Then, at 6 p.m., trot out the junior varsity and varsity teams. Then, at 8 p.m., the Nittany Lions and Bald Eagles take center stage.
Not only are you providing at least 36 junior high and 28 varsity kids the thrill of a lifetime, you stand a chance of bringing the parents, grandparents and aunts, uncles and friends of those wrestlers to a wrestling open house.
Those who chose to invest the time to watch all three dual meets would get a unique opportunity to watch the natural skill progression from junior high to high school to college.
Who knows? New fans might develop in that atmosphere.
Lock Haven coach Rocky Bonomo, for one, finds merit in the idea.
“Absolutely, “he said. “As you know, Coach Buckwalter was on our staff and I really respect him. And I know Shad Benton is a good man. There are great traditions at both places with great support. It puts more people in the stands. Absolutely, we will definitely try to continue to do that.”
Penn State coach Troy Sunderland is in favor, too.
“I think it went very smooth. I was busy with my team, but I know even our staff and equipment room guys do a great job, “he said. “It’s such a smooth process and it’s a great opportunity for high school wrestlers to experience a college atmosphere.”
As for Benton’s original idea of having the Little Lions wrestle in Rec Hall once a year, there’s a way to implement that concept as well.
In the years Penn State wrestles at Lock Haven, the Little Lions could arrange a dual meet with a high school team from the area of one of Penn State’s other opponents.
When Pittsburgh comes into town, State College could wrestle PIAA Class AAA Team Dual champion Connellsville or another Pittsburgh-area school.
Or, when Lehigh comes to University Park every other year, the Little Lions could take on Easton, Northampton, Nazareth or another Lehigh Valley high school team. Imagine the interest that would generate.
“This gives our wrestlers a chance to see what it’s like at the next level, “Buckwalter said. “It helps provide some motivation.”
For the wrestlers and fans alike, imagine the thrill.
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