2009-10 Big 14 wrestling squad

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(PAUL CHAPLIN, The Patriot-News)

2009-10 BIG 14 WRESTLING SQUAD

SENIORS

Marshall Peppelman, Central Dauphin: Finished with 181 career wins and three state titles.

Tyler Buckman, Central Dauphin: Three state team titles and a runner-up finish at states this year.

Shawn Greevy, Cumberland Valley: Battled back from knee injury to finish second in state.

Tristan Warner, Cumberland Valley: Old Dominion recruit finished 38-3. Three losses came to Kenny Courts.

Bo Candelaria, Middletown: Finished third at nationals in Virginia Beach last week.

Joe Spisak, Boiling Springs: Four-time district champion and state placer caps career with state title.

Seth Beitz, Juniata: Sprinted to 44 wins before loss to Schuylkill Valley's Colin Shober in state finals.

JUNIORS

Kenny Courts, Central Dauphin: Backed up sophomore runner-up finish with state title.

Zachary Nye, East Pennsboro: Came out of nowhere at 215 and became face of East Pennsboro program.

Dereck Enders, Big Spring: Wrestled at 119 and 125 most of the season to help him to a fourth-place finish at 112.

Jayshon Wilson, Carlisle: Scored seven points against Dylan Alton and finished eighth in tough 152-pound class.

SOPHOMORE

Averee Robinson, Susquehanna Twp.: Helped prove that there is good wrestling on Elmerton Avenue with sixth-place finish at 285.

FRESHMEN

Christopher Vassar, Cedar Cliff: Showed grit in storming through consolation bracket at 103 to finish fourth at states.

Zain Rutherford, Line Mountain: Beat defending state champion in semifinals and gave school second champ in two years.

2009-10 wrestling season-in-review links:
>> The Patriot-News wrestling Big 14 team
>> Big 14 wrestling squad showcases wealth of midstate grappling talent, by JEREMY ELLIOTT
>> 2009-10 midstate wrestling all-stars and league champions 

Mechanicsburg's Zach Thomson, left, and Carlisle's Jayshon Wilson were first team Mid-Penn Colonial selections

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(CHRIS KNIGHT, The Patriot-News)

2009-10 WRESTLING  ALL-STARS

FIRST TEAM

103: Andrew Fabo, Boiling Springs, and Bryan Varra, Milton Hershey.
112: Nick Lamoreaux, Milton Hershey, and Daniel King, Susquehanna Twp.
119: Charlie Bise, East Pennsboro.
125: Ean Starner, Boiling Springs.
130: Joe Spisak, Boiling Springs.
135: Tyler Thuma, Boiling Springs.
140: Sam Rhoads, Boiling Springs, and Chase Hewitt, Palmyra.
145: Trent Bond, Boiling Springs.
152: Tyler Ezot, Greencastle, and John Riddle, Boiling Springs.
160: Logan Murphy, Boiling Springs, and Dylan Scheaffer, Greencastle.
171: Devin Scheaffer, Greencastle.
189: Todd Dewalt, Greencastle.
215: Zach Nye, East Pennsboro.
285: Cris Ramirez, Milton Hershey, and Averee Robinson, Susquehanna Twp.

SECOND TEAM
 
103: Austin Sheibley, Susquenita.
112: Mark Lentz, Boiling Springs.
119: Victorino Gonzalez, Milton Hershey, and Roland Miller, Boiling Springs.
125: Jake Martin, Palmyra.
130: Sam Bise, East Pennsboro.
135: Ryan Bennett, Susquenita.
145: Harley Mabius, Susquenita.
152: Angel Escarraman, Milton Hershey.
171: Jake Grove, Boiling Springs.
189: Branson Allen, Shippensburg.
215: Sam Matter, Boiling Springs.
285: Tyler Unger, Boiling Springs, and Denton Ensminger, Greencastle.

COLONIAL DIVISION

FIRST TEAM
 
103: Dustin Rook, Big Spring.
112: Jon Brigham, Cumberland Valley.
119: Derek Enders, Big Spring.
125: Jimmy Hughes, Chambersburg.
130: Justin Amato, Gettysburg.
135: Shawn Greevy, Cumberland Valley.
140: Jared Ross, Northern.
145: Rustin Barrick, Mechanicsburg.
152: Zach Thomson, Mechanicsburg, and Jayshon Wilson, Carlisle.
160: Luke Etter, Big Spring, and Adam Geiger, Northern.
171: Tristan Warner, Cumberland Valley.
189: Chaz Sheaffer, West Perry.
215: Travis Friend, Cumberland Valley, and Dawson Peck, Chambersburg.
285: Marvin Gaskill, Waynesboro, and Gavin Nickel, Carlisle.

SECOND TEAM
 
103: Tanner Shoap, Chambersburg.
112: Colton Keck, Big Spring.
119: Zach Ross, Northern.
125: Kyle Hejimanowski, Northern.
130: Josh Thomson, Mechanicsburg.
135: Bobby Manning, West Perry.
140: Boe Barrick, Cumberland Valley, and Joey Krulock, Mechanicsburg.
145: Zach Hartzell, Gettysburg.
152: Matt Richmond, Northern.
160: John Adams, West Perry.
171: Town Mundorf, Mechanicsburg, and Matt Blessing, Carlisle.
189: Bryton Barr, Mechanicsburg.
215: Shane McFerrin, Waynesboro.
285: Kelton Mehls, Northern.

COMMONWEALTH DIVISION
 
103: Tyson Dippery, Central Dauphin, and Chris Vassar, Cedar Cliff.
112: Shyheim Brown, Central Dauphin, and Robbie Higgins, Lower Dauphin.
119: Nick Varndell, Central Dauphin, and Blaine Shutt, Lower Dauphin.
125: Kevin Gooding, Central Dauphin, and Shane Miller, Middletown.
130: Tyler Buckman, Central Dauphin, and Celby Allen, Middletown.
135: Tre-Miller Scott, Central Dauphin East, and David Firestone, Cedar Cliff.
140: Marcus Clement, Cedar Cliff, and Kyle Savage, Lower Dauphin.
145: Bo Candelaria, Middletown, and Dylan Carmichael, Cedar Cliff.
152: Grant Dickey, Cedar Cliff, and Jon Germany, Lower Dauphin.
160: Marshall Peppelman, Central Dauphin, and Dan Shreffler, Cedar Cliff.
171: Kenny Courts, Central Dauphin, and Clint Morrison, Cedar Cliff.
189: Ashton Corbin, Harrisburg, and Matthew Zdradzinski, Central Dauphin East.
215: Kyle Wolfe, Central Dauphin, and Joe Scerbo, Lower Dauphin.
285: Nick Stewart, Central Dauphin, and Tim Gamber, Lower Dauphin.

WRESTLING TEAM CHAMPIONS
 
Commonwealth
Central Dauphin

Colonial
Cumberland Valley and Big Spring

Capital
Boiling Springs

Tri-Valley League
Juniata

2009-10 wrestling season-in-review links:
>> The Patriot-News wrestling Big 14 team
>> Big 14 wrestling squad showcases wealth of midstate grappling talent, by JEREMY ELLIOTT
>> 2009-10 midstate wrestling all-stars and league champions

Boiling Springs' Joe Spisak, top, was one of four midstate state champions

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(The Patriot-News)

Most all-star selections are numbers-driven.

This Patriot-News' Big 14 Team is no different. Early this season, Central Dauphin head coach Jeff Sweigard said it best when he stated, "There is a lot of talent here" in reference to the local wrestling scene.

He wasn't kidding.

The 2009-10 edition racked up unfathomable numbers, finishing with a combined record of 535-50. Each was so dominant at his weight that he carved out a spot somewhere on the podium in front of a packed house at Giant Center nearly three weeks ago.

There were four state champions. Line Mountain freshman Zain Rutherford (103) and Boiling Springs senior Joe Spisak (130) carried the banner in Class AA, with Central Dauphin's dynamic duo of senior Marshall Peppelman (160) and junior Kenny Courts (171) racking up a combined 92-0 mark in putting gold around their necks against stiff Class AAA competition.

But numbers aren't all that distinguished this team over a grueling 14-week season. Along with great individual achievements, there was unmatched leadership surrounded by acts of class on and off the mat.

Peppelman, Courts and senior Tyler Buckman (130) put their individual aspirations aside temporarily to hoist their CD teammates on their backs and lead them to a third straight team title in February.

And who could forget Buckman's gut-wrenching loss in the state finals to McDowell's Steve Spearman and his sportsmanlike handshake at the end? That show of class alone made the Rams senior a deserving member of this team.

Cumberland Valley might have had a sub-par season by normal standards, but seniors Shawn Greevy (135) and Tristan Warner (171) showed perseverance and excellence in securing state runner-up finishes.

Struggles were also overcome by Juniata's Seth Beitz (140) and Middletown's Bo Candelaria (145), both seniors. Beitz shook off a pair of losses to Annville-Cleona's Dylan Killian and managed to score a runner-up finish at states. Candelaria put aside family issues and nailed a third-place finish in a loaded 145-pound weight class.

But quality wasn't cornered by the senior class. Seven underclassmen showed earned postseason accolades and Big 14 recognition.

Rutherford and Courts led this contingent. But juniors Zachary Nye (East Pennsboro), Dereck Enders (Big Spring) and Jayshon Wilson (Carlisle) showed they will be in contention for a state title next season.

The sophomore and freshman classes were also well represented, with Susquehanna Twp. sophomore Averee Robinson and Cedar Cliff freshman Christopher Vassar placing at states.

2009-10 wrestling season-in-review links:
>> The Patriot-News wrestling Big 14 team
>> Big 14 wrestling squad showcases wealth of midstate grappling talent, by JEREMY ELLIOTT
>> 2009-10 midstate wrestling all-stars and league champions 

Marshall Peppelman of Central Dauphin

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(The Patriot-News)

PITTSBURGH - So much for two in a row.

A year ago, the Pennsylvania All-Stars shocked the high school wrestling elite from around the United States during the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic. But this year was different.

The U.S. contingent scored sweet revenge on the floor at the Fitzgerald Fieldhouse at the Unversity of Pittsburgh, by crushing the best from the Keystone State 30-13.

This one was essentially in the bag with four matches to go. But there was a highlight from one midstate wrestler.

In the third-to-last match of the evening, Central Dauphin's Marshall Peppelman scored a 1-0 decision over Ohio 160-pound champion Nick Sulzer.

After a scoreless first period, Peppelman rode Sulzer out in the second before escaping in the third. Peppelman was poised to increase his advantage to 3-0 with a takedown, but the buzzer went off, completing the match.

Boiling Springs' Joe Spisak battled in his 130 bout before dropping a 3-1 decision to Ohio three-time champion Jamie Clark.

Winners for Pennsylvania were Selinsgrove's Spencer Myers at 215, Central Mountain's Andrew Alton at 145 and Council Rock South's Josh Dziewa at 135.

Central Mountain's Penn State-bound Dylan Alton dropped a 7-6 decision to Michigan three-time state champ Jackson Morse in which Morse hit a controversial takedown at the side of the mat when the buzzer went off in the third period.

Former Cumberland Valley standout Mike Evans, who transferred to Blair Academy and was representing New Jersey at 171, defeated Council Rock North's Jamie Callender 8-5.

In the preliminary match, New York topped the WPIAL All Stars 26-21.

Tyler Buckman right, of Central Dauphin reverses Steve Spearman left, of McDowell.

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(JOHN C. WHITEHED, The Patriot-News)

It’s only 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, it’s rainy, dreary and incredibly windy, yet the string of automobile headlights lined up on Hersheypark Drive heading for Giant Center stretches from the arena’s intersection beyond the crest of the hill more than a half-mile back.
   
Had one of the six mats used during the PIAA Wrestling Championships been outside, the wind could have rolled it up and rolled it over to Hersheypark Arena, where the championships used to be conducted.
   
But it was the Class AAA semifinals these 8,000 fans wanted to see and little was going to stop them.
   
For good reason. The Triple-A semis are by far the highlight of the eight-session, three-day event. This year’s talent level was Triple-A squared.
   
Check out these champions’ college choices: Josh Dziewa to Iowa. Josh Kindig to Oklahoma State. Mitchell Port to Division I Edinboro. The Alton twins to Penn State. Marshall Peppelman to Cornell. Spencer Myers to Maryland. Evan Craig to Rider.
   
That’s a small sampling.
   
So next year, when you’re en route to the tournament and someone asks you for directions to Giant Center, the answer is simple: “Practice, practice, practice.”
   
How popular is this PIAA event, you ask? I can tell you.
   
Pennlive.com received 442,645 page views for the wrestling coverage over the three days. There were 2,300 people involved in online chats, and they sent more than 3,000 messages.
   
That shows the passion not only statewide, but one person online was in China and another in Florida.
   
However, what would a tournament that draws that much attention and was witnessed by 57,000 fans be without a complaint? I just happen to have one.
   
If you’re a wrestler and you’ve just lost a match, have the decency to shake your opponent’s hand. Look him in the eye and shake his hand. Don’t slap at his hand, don’t offer your left hand, don’t turn your back and throw your hand at his, possibly hitting it, possibly not.
   
Grow up and shake his hand. Losing a match won’t be the worst thing that will happen to you in your life.
   
Having said that, a tip of the mat to Central Dauphin’s Tyler Buckman, the 130-pound senior who lost a heartbreaking finals match to Erie McDowell sophomore Steve Spearman.
   
Buckman not only shook Spearman’s hand, he gave him a pat on the shoulder. And after the two shook the hands of the opposing coaches, Buckman stopped Spearman at the side of the mat and hugged him.
   
The fans appreciated the quality of the match, and they let them know afterward with rousing applause. They also appreciated the sportsmanship.
   
I wouldn’t call this a complaint because you’d have to be a fool to complain about Andrew Alton of Central Mountain, voted the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler.
   
But I would have voted for heavyweight Craig of Abington Heights. He won his second title by pinning four straight opponents. He’s not yet at the already collegiate level of the Alton twins or CD’s Peppelman, but he’s getting mighty close.
   
And if ever there was a year to start an Outstanding Runner-up award, my vote would go to CD’s Buckman.
   
Another tip of the mat to the four District 12 (Philadelphia city schools) wrestlers who earned medals.
   
Shane Springer of La Salle College was runner-up to Dylan Alton at 152. Casey Kent of La Salle lost his first match and won five straight bouts to place third at 125. Only two other wrestlers did that, and it’s quite a feat.
   
Nick Bongard of Monsignor Bonner was sixth at 119, and Anthony White of Northeast Catholic was seventh at 140.
   
Lest you think that Saturday night marked the end of the season, think again. The season will be capped off Saturday with the Dapper Dan Classic at the Pitt Field House.
   
Joe Spisak of Boiling Springs and CD’s Peppelman are part of a Pennsylvania all-star team that will take on a team of stars from around the United States.
   
It’s a prestigious event, one which the USA has dominated as of late. This year could be different.
   
Spisak will face Jamie Clark, a three-time Ohio champion from St. Edwards with a career record of 128-8. Clark is heading for Illinois; Spisak, for Virginia.
   
Peppelman will meet Nick Sulzer, also from St. Edwards and a one-time champ who is 146-17 and headed for UVa.
   
Other matches that should be quite interesting include Andrew Alton against Joe Cozart (226-4), a four-time Florida champ headed for Iowa State; Dylan Alton against Jackson Morse (184-9), a three-time Michigan champ headed for Illinois, and Craig against Bobby Telford (116-40), a two-time Delaware champ en route to Iowa.
   
Mike Evans of Blair Academy in New Jersey by way of Cumberland Valley is on the U.S. team and is set to face Jamie Callender of Council Rock North. Evans also is headed for Iowa next season.
   
The match begins at 8 p.m. It will be preceded at 6 p.m. by a match between a team of WPIAL (Pittsburgh suburbs) all-stars and a team of New York state stars.
   
If you’re not wrestled out, the NCAA Championships begin today in Omaha, Neb. Plenty of action will be on ESPNU Friday (10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.) and Saturday (11 a.m.), and the finals are 7:30 p.m. Saturday on ESPN.

Marshall Peppelman of Central Dauphin will be remembered

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(JOHN C. WHITEHEAD, The Patriot-News)

Walking out of Giant Center late Saturday night and into the bluster and drizzle, it was the perfect time to reflect on the events that occurred over the high school wrestling season.

At first, there was some anxiety taking over for longtime wrestling writer and colleague Rod Frisco, someone who has a limitless knowledge of the sport and has been a staple for 25 years.

But after a while, things settled down and I was able to get a grasp of what was going on. Along the way, the wrestling community was patient and provided great moments that won’t soon be forgotten, at least not from this side of the room.

My mind wondered to an epic dual meet between Central Mountain and Central Dauphin in the state semifinal dual that many experts rank above and beyond anything they have ever seen. That match alone sold me on team wrestling.

But by the time I reached down to open my car door, my thoughts shifted to what was witnessed on the floor of Giant Center over the last three days during the PIAA Wrestling Championships, where members of the 2009-2010 class of local wrestlers made memorable runs and solidified legacies.

It will be a long time before anyone forgets Central Dauphin’s Marshall Peppelman.

The 160-pound superstar displayed his power by standing West Allegheny’s Troy Reaghard straight up on his back like one of those buoys that bounced up and down in the ocean and pinned him in 3:02.

It was the perfect end to a career that included three straight individual state titles, six team titles, Powerade and Beast of the East championships and a district record 181 wins.

All were accomplished with a touch of class.

"I can’t name one moment out of all the success I had — the team titles, the individual titles — each is a moment all in itself," Peppelman said. "These are all memories that I can look back on that will last a lifetime."

Potential was also realized and completed in the Rams’ camp during this state tournament.

Kenny Courts came in as a highly touted freshman, got hurt and missed states and then came back to finish second last year as a sophomore. You could just sense at the beginning of this season, he was going to complete his mission.

He did, beating Cumberland Valley’s Tristan Warner in the final — not an easy task — to give the Rams back-to-back gold medals at 160 and 171.

"It’s been an amazing ride," the lightning-quick Courts said. "I’ve worked so hard since last year’s loss, especially on improving on the bottom, and it feels great to get something that I’ve worked so hard for."

And no one will forget CD’s Tyler Buckman and his unbelievable match against McDowell’s Steve Spearman in the 130-pound final. It was easily the best match of all the finals, Class AA or Class AAA.

Watching Buckman on the mat is fun any time. Whether he is leading or trailing, this guy can pull athletic moves that just captivate and wow a crowd.

"It’s been a pleasure coaching these kids," CD head coach Jeff Sweigard said. "They earned everything they got. Besides all the medals, they go out and work hard.

"They came up through the program together. They do the extra training, the extra lifting and they are all buddies and get a long."

But this season wasn’t just about Central Dauphin and its wrestlers. Not by a long shot.

How about Cumberland Valley’s Shawn Greevy? Was there a wrestler that showed more guts and moxie this season than this guy, coming back from an ugly knee injury in December to get a silver medal at 135?

No way.

The Eagles’ Warner should be commended for his efforts. He lived in Courts’ shadow most of the season and kept racking up impressive wins. He never wilted under pressure and if not for Courts, he would be the one celebrating a state championship.

A new star also stepped to the forefront this season in the form of East Pennsboro’s Zachary Nye.

Some speculated —- we took a wait-and-see attitude —- that he feasted on Capital Division competition and didn’t have the chops to hold up against the heavy hitters in Class AAA.

Wrong.

Fact is, Nye is legit. His speed and his tactical wrestling ability netted him a silver at states. One more offensive flurry or counter, and he beats Selinsgrove’s Spencer Myers for the gold.

"It was a goal, and is really everyone’s goal, to win a state title," Nye said. "But my expectations weren’t exactly to be a state runner-up.

"I’m proud of what I did this year. I’m disappointed with the end, but happy with the season."

Don’t worry, Zach, you will be in the hunt next season. And no doubt it will be fun to watch.

A special thanks also goes out to Boiling Springs’ Joe Spisak. This kid is classy and took some tough defeats in three seasons before reaching the top of the podium on Saturday afternoon at 130.

No one deserved it more.

The regular season was also dotted with great team matches. Big Spring and Mechanicsburg, Mechanicsburg and Chambersburg and Big Spring and Mechanicsburg again. See the trend here? That young Wildcats squad is going to be a handful during the 2010-2011 season.

Stay tuned.

Central Dauphin to Cumberland Valley, Middletown to Mechanicsburg and all the wrestlers in between, it was a great season.

And I can’t wait for the next one.

Tyler Buckman vs. Steve Spearman was the event's top match

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(JOHN C. WHITEHEAD, The Patriot-News)

1.  WILDCATS REVENGE: After falling short in the team championships, it only seems fitting that Central Mountain win the team title in the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships. The Wildcats were led by Andrew and Dylan Alton, who won titles at 145 and 152, but also had two other placers to break Central Dauphin’s streak of six straight team titles.

2.  CRAIG IS KING HOSS: When you look at Abington Heights’ Evan Craig, you see a big guy who looks like he doesn’t have much athletic ability. Ah, that is the first mistake. Craig has that and more, proving it by pinning every one of his opponents on the way to a second straight state title at 285.

3.  BEST IN SHOW: If the Class AAA and Class AA finals were the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the match between Central Dauphin’s Tyler Buckman and McDowell’s Steve Spearman was the top entry — by far. It had twists, turns, suspense and drama all wrapped into one, and the crowd showed appreciation with a postmatch ovation.

4.  NICE GUYS FINISH FIRST: Boiling Springs’ Joe Spisak is a friendly and respectful kid that keeps his nose clean and works hard. He is the poster child for what this sport is really about, and it was good to see him get rewarded for his four years of tireless work with a state title.

5.  LEGACY CEMENTED: It isn’t often that you catch a glimpse of someone so developed and so accomplished at their craft that they are in a class of their own. But Central Dauphin’s Marshall Peppelman getting his arm raised after a pin in the finals for a third straight state title seemed like an appropriate ending.

Kenny Courts of Central Dauphin celebrates his state title.

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(JOHN C. WHITEHEAD, The Patriot-News)

1. RAM TOUGH: Central Dauphin's unbeaten stars, Marshall Peppelman and Kenny Courts, were as good as advertised in winning the 160 and 171 titles during the PIAA Class AAA wrestling tournament. Peppelman, a three-time champ, pinned West Allegheny's Troy Reaghard in 3:02 at 160, and Courts edged Cumberland Valley's Tristan Warner 6-4.

2. EMOTIONS BUBBLE OVER: At long last, Boiling Springs star Joe Spisak is a state champion. The fiery senior captured the PIAA Class AA 130-pound crown with a last-second 4-3 win over Shady Side Academy star Frank Martellotti. Spisak, a four-time placewinner, escaped with 5 seconds left to break a 3-3 tie.

3. KING OF THE (AA) MOUNTAIN: Schuylkill Valley senior Colin Shober scored five takedowns on Juniata's Seth Beitz to record an 11-4 win in the Class AA 140-pound final, earning his second gold.

4. HALFWAY THERE: Looking for Pennsylvania's next four-time state champ? Derry sophomore Jimmy Gulibon is a good bet after he won his second title, 12-5 over Blue Mountain's Corey Keener in the Class AAA 112 final.

5. YOUTH IS SERVED: Two freshmen were very impressive during the finals, both of them Class AA competitors. Line Mountain's Zain Retherford handled Bermudian Springs' Brad Farley 6-2 at 103, and a six-point second period propelled Charleroi's Cody Wiercioch to an 8-3 victory over Bethlehem Catholic's Kyle Dehaut at 152.

Boiling Springs' Joe Spisak, gets Shady Side Academy's Frank Martellotti, on his back

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(CHRIS KNIGHT, The Patriot-News)

Joe Spisak had beaten state champions. He had lost to state champions.

But he had never been a PIAA wrestling champion.

He is now.

Not one to forego a little drama, Spisak, the senior from Boiling Springs, took his leap into history by escaping former PIAA champion Frank Martellotti of Shady Side Academy with 5 seconds left for a 4-3 win.

That came with quite the prize: the PIAA Class AA 130-pound championship Saturday at Giant Center.

A lot of frustration evaporated the moment that Spisak (47-1, 164-15 career) broke free from Martellotti.

The victory not only affirmed all of Spisak's hard work, it was a do-over for his last-second, 9-7 loss two years ago to Keystone Oaks' Anthony Zanetta in the state finals at 112.

"Of course that was motivating," said Spisak, Boiling Springs' first PIAA wrestling champion in 48 years. "But that match helped me much more than anyone realized."

For two years, the loss burned in Spisak's gut, especially after Zanetta beat him in last year's quarterfinals and sent Spisak tumbling to a seventh-place finish.

That ignited an endless stream of work, work and more work, all for that moment he and his support system will never forget.

"I've been so blessed," Spisak said. "I have a great family, a great community, great teammates. Being able to share this with them means everything to me."

Spisak was joined atop the medal stand at by Line Mountain freshman Zain Retherford, who was strong throughout his 6-2 triumph over Bermudian Springs' Brad Farley at 103. Retherford (40-1) became Line Mountain's 11th champion.

Not as fortunate was Juniata's Seth Beitz, who couldn't stop Schuylkill Valley's Colin Shober from either taking him down or winning a second straight title. Shober took down Beitz five times to win the 140-pound title, 11-4.

Spisak's title, the first at Boiling Springs since Joe Eremus and Larry Karper had their famous back-to-back wins at 145 and 154 in 1962, was hardly preordained.

He had to battle through a grueling semifinal with Tyrone's Ronnie Garbinsky on Friday, then an even more grueling match Saturday.

After a scoreless first period, Martellotti escaped early but Spisak went to work late in the second period on a low shot. With Martellotti perched on an ankle, Spisak kept grinding until he rolled up Martellotti and put him on his back at the buzzer.

But it took an official's conference to determine that Spisak had gained control, even though Martellotti still had a counter possibility.

That was good for a 2-1 lead, and a quick escape made it 3-1, Spisak.

After Martellotti (48-3, 168-21 career) took a brief injury timeout with 1:13 to wrestle, Spisak burned some time before the Shady Side wrestler caught him, lifted and got the takedown with 24 seconds left.

On a restart with 20 seconds left, Spisak nearly sprang free but Martellotti dropped on the ankle. That was good for Spisak; Martellotti was warned for stalling with 9 seconds left.

That forced another restart, and Spisak took advantage, leaping away from Martellotti at the whistle, and broke free with 5 seconds left.

A gold medal was on its way to the Yellow Breeches.

"I knew he was going to get out," Boiling Springs head coach Rod Wright said. "I can't tell you how I knew it, but I knew it."

"It was kind of a fairy tale ending, wasn't it?" Spisak said.

Retherford completed an outstanding tournament with two distinct highlights, his semifinal victory Friday over returning PIAA champion and weight favorite Nick Roberts of North Star and his win over Farley.

"I've been dreaming about this since I was little," said Retherford, who's still little; he weighs only 102.

Retherford wrestled a different style against Farley, who got the opening takedown but was dominated the rest of the way, than he did against Roberts.

He spent most of his time throwing in the boots against Farley, who just could break the ride. Retherford gained control when he turned Farley and got a fast two when the latter hit a high bridge.

"I like wrestling that way," said Retherford, who had to score from neutral against Roberts.

Beitz (44-8) had an outstanding tournament, starting with his upset of former PIAA runner-up Philip Steinberg of Central Cambria, the first of three straight wins.

But Shober, who finished an exceptional career with 194 victories, the most by a Pennsylvania Class AA wrestler, was simply a wall too high to scale.

Other midstate Class AA medalists this weekend were Juniata's Zac Beitz (fifth at 125) and Dan Fultz (sixth at 285) and Milton Hershey's Cris Ramirez (eighth at 285).

Boiling Springs' Joe Spisak stands atop the medal stand

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(CHRIS KNIGHT, The Patriot-News)

Any good father knows that the toughest job on Earth is that of a mother.

And the mother of an athlete -- especially a wrestler -- has an even tougher task in her child's upbringing.

While the father of a successful athlete -- or any athlete, really -- can puff out his chest and proclaim, "That's my boy [or girl]," he knows the mother in many cases is the unsung hero.

The mother of a wrestler must monitor how her son eats, or doesn't eat, while attemping to make weight for his next match.

She counts the calories while she prepares meals.

She picks up -- usually very carefully -- and cleans the sweaty workout gear.

She nurses the cuts and scrapes and the moused eyes, and she ices the sprains and strains.

She's happy when her kid wins; she hurts for him when he doesn't.

And we're just talking high school here. Never mind that the kid probably has wrestled since first or second grade with all of the weekend tournaments and travel that was all part of a career.

All of the work doesn't have to be rewarded with a state title. In Pennsylvania, a state that enthusiasts proudly proclaim the best wrestling state in the country, just 28 kids walk away with a gold medal from two classes (AAA and AA) of competition.

But when that title comes, it's pretty sweet.

"I guess it was indescribably stressful," Kim Spisak said Saturday when asked how she felt while watching son Joe win the Class AA 130-pound title for Boiling Springs High School.

"I was never so nervous," Kim said. "I felt like willing my energy into his body; I couldn't believe it."

Kim Spisak is a veteran. Son Joe placed fifth last year, losing to the eventual champion. He was second in 2008, losing to the same Anthony Zanetta (now wrestling for Pitt) in the finals. And he was sixth in 2007 at 103 pounds.

Husband Steve used to coach at Boiling Springs, so wrestling has been a part of Kim's life. "It changes your whole family," she said. "The way you eat, the way you sleep ... everything.

"Now that the pressure is off Joe, I can get my son back."

Not for long, because Joe next fall is going to be a part of the program at the University of Virginia, his mother said.

The high school part of it is over, though, and she wonders where it went.

While on the Giant Center floor watching Joe receive his gold medal, Kim said she stood there thinking about the past.

"Joe used to sit on the knees of [Boiling Springs] wrestlers when Steve coached, and he'd say, 'When I win states, you can put me on your back and and carry me around the stadium,'" Kim said.

"I was watching that 3-year-old. I guess that's what I was thinking, 'Where did my little boy go?'"

As that boy grew, the town of Boiling Springs followed his accomplishments.

"Joe wanted it more for our town; he wanted it for them as much as himself," Kim said. "He's had hundreds of calls and texts and letters."

Shortly after he won Saturday, he had 39 text messages and 17 missed calls on his cell phone.

Obviously, wrestling didn't dial a wrong number when it called the Spisaks.

"It was worth it because it was worth it to Joe," Kim said. "The four years, the goal-setting, the 100 chin-ups every night. He truly gave it his all.

"It's not a mother-friendly sport, though, is it?"

Perhaps not, but it's been family-friendly for the Spisaks.

"I think what makes it the most fun is when your kid lets you come along on the journey," Steve Spisak said.

The journey of the Peppelman family at Central Dauphin has earned statewide recognition as well.

Mother Kathy and father Walter have watched sons Walter and Marshall win state titles in each of the last four years, Walter in 2007 and Marshall in 2008, 2009 and, well, Saturday at 160 pounds in Class AAA.

While it's been fun, it's not been easy on Kathy's nerves.

"I get very nervous," she said Saturday.

"I pray constantly. I pray and I take pictures. The pictures allow me to focus that God will lift up Marshall and help him in every way to wrestle to the best of his ability."

That ability is taking Marshall to Cornell on a wrestling scholarship to compete for the highly ranked Big Red program. Brother Walter is at Harvard.

"I'm so proud of Marshall," Kathy said. "I wanted him to go out with a bang. A pin in the finals is wonderful. A pin is a big exclamation point.

"I couldn't ask for anything better. He's a fabulous kid."

There were 28 mothers on Saturday who had to watch their son lose in the state finals.

Julie Nye was one of them. Her son, Zach, made an incredible run to the Class AAA 215-pound finals for East Pennsboro before being stopped by Selinsgrove High's Spencer Myers, who was a runner-up at that weight last year.

Julie Nye was all smiles and very gracious.

She, too, admitted to an "unbelievable amount of stress."

She also said she prays a lot. "It's something we've done since Zach was a little boy; it's a part of our routine.

"But it doesn't always get the butterflies out."

Zach Nye certainly will be one of the favorites at the state tournament next season. Julie Nye will be on tournament trail.

"I couldn't be more proud of Zach," Julie said. "An undefeated season until the state finals, getting his 100th win [Friday], second in the state.

"It doesn't get any better. Wrestling has made him a humble, good kid."

The sport -- and sports in general -- can do that to a lot of kids.

And if they're lucky, the bulk of them have a good mother behind them.

JIM CARLSON: jcarlson@patriot-news.com