jtuscano@observer-reporter.com
The interest in this season's Powerade Christmas Wrestling Tournament heated up following the Beast of the East tournament in mid-December.
The reason? Two of the state's outstanding wrestlers - Colin Johnston of Canon-McMillan and Kenny Courts of Central Dauphin - were going to compete in the 135-pound weight class at Powerade. It seemed a finals matchup that was destined to happen.
Courts, a freshman phenom whose potential has been compared to some of the sport's elite wrestlers, won his weight class at the Beast of the East, considered one of the country's most difficult tournaments. That is a feat freshmen don't normally accomplish.
Johnston, a senior, won a PIAA championship as a sophomore and finished runner-up last season. He is No. 1 in just about everyone's rankings and bound for West Virginia when he graduates in June.
Unfortunately, that matchup won't take place. Courts suffered a knee injury, tearing a meniscus, and will be lost for at least a month but most likely the season.
Still, that won't take much of the glitter from the Powerade tournament, which gets under way at Canon-McMillan 8:30 a.m., Friday. Second-round action takes place 7:30 p.m. Semifinals are 11:30 a.m., Saturday, followed by the consolation finals at 5 p.m. and finals at 7:30 p.m.
Included in this tournament will be 42 schools, including last year's team champion Christiansburg, Va.
"Last year at the state tournament, one of my assistant coaches said to me, 'See that kid sitting up in the stands? You're going to see him here next year. He's just in eighth grade,'" said Canon-McMillan head coach Chris Mary, who was getting his first look at Courts. "It's a shame that had to happen."
Johnston feels the same way.
"I'm a little disappointed that (Courts) won't be there," said Johnston. "I wanted an opportunity to wrestle him."
Johnston landed the No. 1 seed in the weight class and could meet No. 2 Shane Welsh of Burrell in the finals. Johnston is wise enough to know there are no sure things in this sport but he is enjoying his senior season.
"I feel more relaxed," he said. "I don't have to worry about recruiting anymore. I don't have to worry about going home from practice and having to pick the phone up and talk to a (recruiter) for half an hour. Powerade is a fun tournament for me. It's close to home so I can drive home in between breaks."
Johnston has won two individual Powerade titles, one as a freshman and the other as a sophomore. He lost in last year's finals to Derry's Troy Dolan, who went on to capture his third straight PIAA title in Hershey.
"Colin is solid in all three positions," said Mary. "There will be a lot of talented wrestlers at Powerade."
Johnston has one loss this season, 8-7 to Chase Skonieczny of Walsh Jesuit in the semifinals of the Ironman Tournament earlier this month.
"He knows he needs work," Mary said. "He's gone through a growth spurt. He's bigger and stronger this year."
With nothing to distract him, Johnston expects a good season.
"I feel like I can go out there and do the things I want," He said. "I don't want to leave anything behind."
Returning Powerade champions are Shane Young of Penn Trafford (103), Nico Cortese of Hempfield (119), Marshall Peppelman of Central Dauphin (130), Walt Peppelman of Central Dauphin (135), Sam Rakes of Christiansburg (160), and Andy Thomas of Parkersburg (189).
Other top seeds include Devin Carter (103) of Christiansburg, Young (112), Cortese (119), Dane Johnson (125) of Shady Side Academy, Josh Kindig (130) of Blue Mountain, Marshall Peppelman (140), Walter Peppelman (145), Matt Cunningham (152) of Shady Side Academy, Josh Condon (160) of Harrison, Ga., Lance Bryson (171) of Albert Gallatin, Thomas (189), Glenn Carson (215) of Southern Regional in New Jersey, and Paul Snyder (Hvy) of Mt. Pleasant.