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HERSHEY — Pick any word to describe the type of accomplishment Vince Kilkeary had at the PIAA wrestling championships and it wouldn’t be adequate enough.
The smallest wrestler in the tournament had the biggest day of his high school wrestling career Saturday.
And in the process, he put himself in position to accomplish a rare feat in PIAA history: Becoming a four-time champion.
Kilkeary put himself in that position Saturday night at the Giant Center in Hershey.
The 5-0, 108-pound freshman from Greater Latrobe High School stunned the crowd when he pinned Jacob Van Dee, a talented sophomore from Erie Cathedral Prep High School, in 6:31.
Kilkeary beat three seeded wrestlers on his way to winning the Class AAA title, pushing his record to 30-7 for the season.
“I knew I could do it,” said Kilkeary.
Kilkeary was one of three local wrestlers who placed in this tournament. The other two were teammate Gabe Willochell, who was fourth in the rugged 132-pound weight class, and Tyler Cymmerman of Derry, who was fifth in the 126-pound weight class in Class AA.
How rare is it to be a four-time champion in this tournament?
Since this tournament started in 1938, only 13 wrestlers have accomplish this feat.
The last one was Gavin Teasdale of Jefferson-Morgan, who won his fourth in 2018. The only area wrestler to win for is Jimmy cool Levon of dairy, who’s got his fourth in 2012.
There are 46 wrestlers who have won three state championships . George Filippi of Gary and Luke Pletcher of greater Latrobe each put their names in the record book for winning three in the same year, 2016. They were the number 42 40/3 members of the three-time winners club
“I just felt like I could win it,” said Kilkeary. “I didn’t know if I could pin him, but I had confidencein myself.”
Kilkeary came into the tournament as the WPIAL runner-up and unseeded. He pinned Dominic Flatt of Solanco, a South-central runner-up, in 2:40 to start the tournament, then knocked off second-seeded Keanu Manuel of Downingtown East, a Southeast champion who came into the tournament with a 37-1 record, by the score of 3-1 in sudden victory.
Kilkeary had maybe his most spectacular moment in the semifinals, when he scored 11 points in the third period to upset Tyler Kasak of Bethlehem Catholic 14-10. Kilkeary hit a five-point in the final seconds on Kasak.
“He’s a tough kid,” said Kilkeary. “I felt good with my upper body … and just tried to throw it.”
Vand Dee nearly caught Kilkeary early in their match. But the elusive freshman avoided the try before pinning the sophomore who was the Northwest champion with a 40-3 record.
Willochell lost a heart-breaking 5-3 decision in overtime to Kenny Herrmann of Bethlehem Catholic in the semifinals, Willochell battled back for a 7-2 victory over Zack Martin of Neshaminy, a Southeast champion. He then knocked off returning state champion Alejandro Herrera-Rondon, 6-2, for third place.
“I wrestled good,” Willochell said. “It’s good to bounce back after a tough loss. I got to end my career with a win and not many wrestlers get to do that.”
Following Cymmerman’s 17-6 quarterfinal lost to David Evans of Tunkhannock, the Derry junior fell to the consolation round. Cymmerman won a 5-3 decision over Jacob Blair of Muncy then grinded out a 2-1 overtime decision against Gabe Gramley of Mifflinburg, 2-1. A 1-0 loss to district champion of Jackson Arrington of Forest Hills dropped him tp the fifth-place bout. Cymmerman fell, 9-4, to Noah Frack of Brandywine Heights.
“I didn’t wrestle my be tournament,” he said. My best tournament was Powerade, where I cut it loose. I didn’t do that here. I’m not satisfied with sixth place. I want to be on top of the podium.”
Derry coach Mike Weinell believes that’s possible.
“Ty’s a great kid and we had a lot on his shoulders this year,” he said. “He worked hard, did a great job and we’re proud of him. He’s a three-time qualifier and two-time medalist. There aren’t too many kids who can say that.”