O-R Athlete of the Week: Noah Layhue, Beth-Center wrestling
Name: Noah Layhue
Grade: Senior
School: Beth-Center
Sport: Wrestling
Layhue’s week: To say Layhue had a big week is an understatement. Not only did he win two high school wrestling tournament titles, the Southmoreland Holiday Classic and TriCADA at West Greene, he also committed to play college football at California.
Layhue won the 215-pound title at both events, defeating North East’s Logan Latimore in a 5-4 decision at Southmoreland and Brayden Collins of Canon-McMillan via a 2-1 decision at Tri-CADA.
It continued an impressive start for Layhue, who’s 21-1 on the season.
“I finished fifth at Southmoreland and third at Tri-CADA last year, so it felt pretty good to win both,” Layhue said. “I was seeded first at Southmoreland, so I knew it was probably going to come down to me and (Latimore) in the finals. It was a tough-fought match that came down to the final seconds.
Then at TriCADA I was the second seed and (Collins) was seeded first. Honestly it was a big sign of growth for me to win both of those matches. They are signs that will help me in the future of this season.”
Layhue hadn’t wrestled Latimore prior to the Southmoreland final. The match was tied 4-4 in the third period, when Layhue got an escape. Latimore tried to go for a takedown, but Layhue fended him off for the win.
He was a little more familiar with Collins, who he’s gone against several times.
“I wrestled him my sophomore year at Tri-CADA and beat him 2-0 and this was a very similar match,” Layhue said. “I remember in that match neither one of us had a takedown and we’re very similar defensive wrestlers in neutral. I knew going into that match it would be a lot tougher getting into my shots and having an offensive mindset. We usually go down there and practice with Canon-Mac before the WPIAL, regional and state tournaments, so I’ve had some practices with him that helped me get familiar with his offense and defense.”
Happy New Year: Layhue rang in the new year by committing to Cal to play football.
There was a time in his life where Layhue was certain he’d be a college wrestler, but that has changed. He’s headed to Cal to play football after a stellar senior season on the defensive line with California.
California does not have a wrestling program, so Layhue wrestles at Beth-Center through a co-op along with Mason Wright and Malachi Peak.
Layhue had 19 sacks this year, which led the state across all classifications. He broke the California single-season sack record. He’ll join his older brother, Jake Layhue, on the Vulcans. Jake is a tight end.
“I think I surprised my family, because ever since I was a kid I wanted to wrestle in college,” he said. “It was that way all the way up to my senior year. Having success with football this year and getting the chance to play with my brother again was a big factor.”
Final time on the mat: In making the decision to play football in college, Layhue has a little more urgency to finish his career at Beth-Center on a high note. He’s off to a great start with a 21-1 record through Tri-CADA. He’s 83-33 in his career and finished third place at WPIAL last year.
This year he’s looking to get to states for the first time.
“I have an all-out mindset,” Layhue. “With committing to Cal for football, it has given me that drive, because after this season there’s no college wrestling. This is the last time I’ll be on the mat, so I want to give my all and get my best outcome.”
Compiled by Jerin Steele