Mar 7, 2018 4 min read

Jackson Henson knew this was going to be a different experience.

After winning two West Virginia state wrestling titles while at University High School in Morgantown, Jackson and his brother, Wyatt, transferred to Waynesburg this season looking for new challenges and a third state title.

It hasn’t been easy.

The talented 138-pound senior has taken some lumps, and had an injury scare last weekend, but also has shown growth on the mat as he adjusts to an arguably higher level of talent.

The final test begins Thursday afternoon, when the first round of the PIAA Class AAA Wrestling Championships get underway at the Giant Center in Hershey.

The top eight wrestlers in each weight class receive medals and Henson’s goal is to be on that medal stand Saturday evening.

“I’ve never been to the Giant Center but I’ve wrestled in a lot of big tournaments,” said Henson. “I don’t think I have to prove myself to anyone. If I go out there, stay focus, and do my thing, (success) will come to me.”

Henson has a rough placement in the weight class. He takes a 36-5 record against Zach Ortman of Parkland, a third-place finisher in the Northeast with a 33-7 record. If successful, Henson will probably wrestle undefeated Seth Koleno of Bald Eagle, a Northwest champion with a 34-0 record.

The favorite in the weight class, via state rankings, is Ryan Anderson of Bethlehem Catholic, a Northeast champion with a 25-3 record.

“I think (Pennsylvania) wrestling has more depth,” said Henson, a West Virginia University commit where his father, Sammy, is head coach.

“West Virginia has one or two really good guys in the weight classes, but here (in Pennsylvania), it’s everywhere. I’m excited to go.”

Henson came into the WPIAL Championships, which doubles as the Southwest Region, as a section runner-up following a 2-1 loss to Tim Hritsko of Canon-McMillan. He made it to the semifinals, and a rematch with Hritsko, when he heard something pop behind his left knee.

After some injury time, Henson continued and won a 3-1 overtime decision. He defaulted in the finals to Noah Levett of Kiski rather than chance aggravating the injury.

“I never really had a major injury in my varsity career,” Henson said. “I was concerned at first. I didn’t want it to be serious.”

Waynesburg head coach Joe Throckmorton said Henson went through a practice Monday.

“He got a brace over the weekend but not one like Spencer Lee wears (from shin to thigh),” Throckmorton said. “It’s not much different than a knee pad.”

Throckmorton said it’s been rewarding to watch Henson develop over the season and making adjustments to his wrestling.

“The main thing is . . . it’s an ever day grind and you have to learn to win close matches,” Throckmorton said. “You have to learn to be mat savvy to stay in close matches and that’s what he has figured out.”

Throckmorton also feels he’s been helped by the level of competition.

“The major, major difference for him coming in is our schedule,” Throckmorton said. “We go to the (Beast of the East) and Powerade. And our section with Canonsburg, we wrestled the top three or four teams in the WPIAL, so it gets really in the depth. These kids have wrestled all over the country. … One of biggest challenges is that (Jackson and Wyatt) wanted to be a part of that That prepares him for the NCAAs better.”

Joining Jackson and Wyatt at the state tournament are teammate Caleb Morris at 126 and Kyle Homet at 170 pounds.