Consolation and Championship finals photos posted

We apologize for the delay in getting these last sets of photos posted...

Photos from the consolation finals (3rd, 5th, and 7th place) as well as championship finals (including podium photos) are now online. Galleries are online from both AA and AAA action. You can visit the galleries by clicking here.

Photos up through semis posted

Photos up through the AA and AAA semifinals were posted during the day on Saturday. Photos from both AA and AAA consolation (3rd, 5th, and 7th) finals as well as the championship finals and podiums will be posted sometime on Sunday...check back for plenty of more photos!

Cory Houser, Champion of 125 lb weight class

"My coaches and I were sitting and talking about the layout of the tournament and the kids in front of us talking about taking it one match at a time. We would joke and snicker about how exciting it would be to make it to the finals. Noon is a joke in the state tournament. You can't take anyone for granted. I was pumped after the first match. The second win, I was guarenteed top six, I was really happy. The Semifinals was an avenge to my only loss of the season and in the finals, I was the underdog in everyone's mind. I felt I could do it. I wasn't nervous when I went out. It was my senior year, my last match so I figured I would go out and give it everything. Let it all out on the mat." I asked Cory about the length of absence he had during the season. He said that he had an injury with his rotor cuff for about three weeks. That bummed him out which in return left his academics get behind in the process. While he was injured, he was still in the room helping out pushing his teammates, putting alot of stress on his coaches. Cory stated that he wanted to go right out of high school into the police academy and right into a task force. Since he won the District title, a few college offers came in and now that he made states, alot more offers came in. So he's undecided what he wants to do. Since he won the state championship I'm sure alot more offers will come in. A very well-spoken guy, it was my priviledge to talk to Cory in regards to him winning his first PIAA state championship.

First time champion Kegan Handlovick

Kegan claims to have come in with alot of confidence. Hard work with Jordan Oliver every day gave me alot of confidence. His dad and uncle had him in the matroom at the age of four, both state champs, and former coaches of Wilson High. They had him in the room rolling around with guys before he was even of age to wrestle. Kegan plans on wrestling alot with Jordan during the off season to prepare himself to compete here again next year. He gave alot of thanks to Jordan Oliver in getting him to the level of success he's at today. "I couldn't ask for a better drill partner ," Kegan stated.

Mitchell Port takes fifth as a freshman

Mitchell Port, a freshman at Bellefonte High School, entered the state championships at The Giant Center as a part of the super freshman list of this year's freshman. Entering the season with a record of 37-4, Mitchell improved his record to a season ending record of 40-6, earning a fifth place medal. When talking to Mitchell, he thought he wrestled pretty good all tournament until the semifinals. "I was too nervous. I didn't go out and wrestle my best. I think I got the freshman jitters." While he started wrestling at the age of four, Mitchell thinks he owes a big thanks to all his coaches that he's had throughout his years of wrestling from four years of age 'till today. He thanked his dad for a lot of his success.

AAA Parade of Champions has begun

Andrew Alton-Central Mountain takes third place as a freshman

In his first trip to The Giant Center, Andrew Alton is what many classify one of many of the class they call the super freshman class. By far the most talented group of freshman state qualifiers in a long time, Andrew capped his freshman year with a record of 41-7 and added a bronze medal to his accomplishments. A contender people should remember for the next three years as Andrew will, I'm sure, be back next year to defend or possibly better his third place performance from this year. Andrew and his twin brother, Dillon, who was also an 8th place medal winner in his freshman year at 1, will be a force to reckon with for the next three years at whatever weight they wrestle. Good luck to both and a great season as well.