The final countdown awaits Teasdale as he starts final season
Gavin Teasdale works out with head coach Jefferson-Morgan head coach Mike Lesko.
Jefferson-Morgan’s Gavin Teasdale warms up during a recent practice before the start of his senior season.
After two stints as Jefferson-Morgan’s wrestling coach, Mike Lesko is stepping down.
Jefferson-Morgan wrestlers prepare for the upcoming season.
In the dark, cozy room that serves as the practice facility for Jefferson-Morgan’s wrestling team, a lot is happening.
Scrums break out and end just as quickly. Volleyballs are being rifled across the room in a short game of dodge ball.
Look away at your own risk.
A whistle blows and the wrestlers, already paired up, suddenly break out in piggyback races. Another whistle and the group begins a circular run that requires repelling one’s body off the padded wall with a foot then repeating it at the other end.
It’s a relaxed atmosphere – you can tell by the smiles – and no one seems to be enjoying it more than Gavin Teasdale.
“I’m having fun,” Teasdale said after stopping at the water bucket during a break.
If Teasdale is feeling pressure, he does a great job of hiding it. He might be the most-watched wrestler in the state, an icon of sorts in a sport where star status doesn’t come easy.
Teasdale is 40-something wins away from becoming the 13th wrestler in the 80-year history of the PIAA to win four state titles.
There’s more.
Teasdale has not lost in 122 straight Class AA bouts and could become only the fifth wrestler in PIAA history to finish his varsity career without a loss.
One of those wrestlers also is from Jefferson-Morgan: Cary Kolat, who went 137-0-0 from 1989-92. Kolat was the seventh wrestler to win four titles. The first was Dr. James Conklin of Waynesburg, who was 70-0-1 from 1940-43.
The last perfect effort came from Chance Marsteller of Kennard Dale, who finished 166-0 career in 2014.
Teasdale’s good friend, Spencer Lee of Franklin Regional, saw his chance at being a four-time undefeated champion disappear after giving up a controversial takedown with one second remaining in a 6-5 loss to Austin Desanto of Exeter Township in the Class AAA 126-pound finals last year. Lee, an Iowa recruit, wrestled much of the postseason with a knee injury, a carefully guarded secret.
“Let’s hope that nightmare doesn’t happen to us,” said Jefferson-Morgan head coach Mike Lesko. “It was unbelievable. (Lee) was Gavin’s workout partner for the past seven years (at Young Guns Wrestling Club). To be a witness to that was horrible to see. As a coach, I couldn’t imagine the feeling and hope I never feel that.”
Teasdale won his third straight PIAA title last March with a 13-5 major decision over Austin Clabaugh, a senior from Bermudian Springs, at 126 pounds. That capped a 40-0 season.
Shortly after, Teasdale and Lee announced they were committing to the University of Iowa. A couple weeks later, Teasdale switched to Penn State and signed a letter of intent earlier this month.
PIAA title No. 2 came at 113 pounds, where he won by 23-8 technical fall over Kollin Myers of Boiling Springs with a 36-0 record.
The first was the closest final, 4-2, over Aaron Burkett of Chestnut Ridge in the 106-pound championship, his 46th victory of his freshman season.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Gavin Teasdale
“He’s still hungry and he wants that ultimate goal of being a four-time state champion,” said Lesko. “To be able to take suit to Hershey (for the finals) is what every coach wants. We knew we had something special and you had to take a suit to Hershey. It’s been a great ride.”
It hasn’t been an easy path for Teasdale. He’s struggled with weight early on, has had an up-and-down offseason and dehydrated himself preparing to wrestle in Las Vegas. His weight-loss activities caused the dehydration and he needed a short hospital stay to recover.
“I’m going in with the same focus I had in junior high,” Teasdale said. “I’ll have the same focus next year in college. Fear no one, go after everyone.”
Teasdale is a presence in the room and his ability not only is something to marvel but to learn from. One of the most improved wrestlers for J-M is Josh Agnew, Teasdale’s workout partner.
“Gavin is the best. I’ve learned a lot from him,” said Agnew, a senior. “I try to do my best in my workouts with him. He whoops me every time I wrestle him. He’s taught me a lot of takedowns and tilts that I use.”
Teasdale and the Rockets open the season Friday at the Eastern Area Tournament. The two-day event is held at Gateway High School.
“Coming in as a freshman, I remember having a shaved head,” Teasdale said. “It went fast. Freshman year was hard because I stayed at 106 all year and that was hard. … I can’t wait to get it done.”