Only 3 local wrestlers medal at Powerade
Jonathan Guth
By Joe Tuscano
Contributing writer
CANONSBURG – Nothing gives you a good idea about how well you wrestle than the competition at the Powerade Christmas Wrestling Tournament.
Among the 74 teams from 13 states that made the trip to Canon-McMillan High School, no local wrestler finished in the top two spots in each weight class. That isn’t necessarily a knock on each wrestler’s ability but the incredible talent that attracts teams such as Blair Academy, Malvern Prep and Wyoming Seminary to name a few. So one bad move can ruin your day.
Just ask Colin Whyte.
The senior from West Greene rallied from a devastating 4-2 loss to Cristian Alvarez of St. Joseph Regional of New Jersey in Monday’s quarterfinals to pin Isaiah Taylor of A&M Academy in 2:19. That left Whyte, a heavyweight, fighting for third place. He missed out on that, falling 7-3 to Cael Mielnick of Blair Academy.
“I just go out there and wrestle to my ability,” said Whyte. “I don’t care where my opponent is from. I just work to get my shots.”
Whyte was one of three local wrestlers to earn medals. Lee Dreshman, a freshman from Canon-McMillan, lost a 6-3 decision to Santino Edgar of Christian Brothers Academy of New Jersey, at 107 pounds. Dreshman finished in sixth place.
Owen Ivcic, a senior from Bentworth, took an 8-5 decision from Joseph Schinder of Blair Academy that gave him seventh place at 160 pounds.
“It’s the cornerstone of the season,” Ivcic said. “It means a lot to me. It’s a big ask to come here and go against other wrestlers.”
Mike Shrader, Bentworth’s wrestling coach, said Ivcic’s success stems from hard work.
“It’s one of those things that you have to be talking mentality to the kids,” Shrader said. “You find out where you need to improve. This tournament, he comes right out of the gate and gets pinned. When you can find your way out of those situations, it can be a springboard to other good things.”
Lake Highland Prep (Fla.) won the team title and Jax Forrest of Bishop McCort, who won his four titles here, was named Outstanding Wrestling.