Support Todd’s Talks Resilient “Whatever is in me is stronger than what is out there to defeat me.” – Caroline Myss The very definition of resiliency is the capacity to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties. If you know Luke Simcox, he is that guy. He’s gritty, tough, savvy and a true leader. Simcox is also smart, articulate  and a guy that any coach would want leading their squad. Simcox finished his high school career at Central Mountain High School with a record of 137-18. He had two 5th place finishes and ended his career winning two individual titles in the PIAA, which is arguably the best state for high school  wrestling state in the country. What a career. He’s had battles with guys like Matt Repos, Pierson Manville and recent Ohio State commit, Maddox Shaw. It’s no wonder why Rob Koll would want him to be a Tar Heel. Luke is going to The University of North Carolina and will undoubtedly be a guy that leads them to be a trophy contender at NCAA’s. He’s battle tested, resilient.  Luke Simcox started wrestling at a very young age. He was 4 when he started attending practices because his dad was coaching. He didn’t necessarily compete but began to grow a love for the sport. That love  soon developed into a desire to compete. When Luke was 7 years old, he received a dirt-bike for winning a tournament from his parents. That is  a pretty great incentive. It was something that paired his two  passions, wrestling and dirt bike riding. Simcox then began to have increasing success winning PJW’s at age 10. This was the moment that launched his career. He not only had others believing in him, Luke Simcox began believing in himself. That’s a dangerous combination. Luke credits his parents and sister, Darbi (Pitt Gymnastics recruit) for a lot of his success. “ I had such a great support system, they did everything to make sure I was successful, endless car rides to practices and tournaments to find the best competition.” It happens in this sport, although rare in life for young people to have this type of backing, unwavering support paired with the self motivation that takes to be the very best. Luke Simcox had that. It allows athletes to solely focus on their craft. Simcox took full advantage of that opportunity becoming one of the top ranked wrestlers in the country.  For anyone who thinks Luke Simcox has had an easy route to where he is, you would be mistaken. He has battled injuries from early on to more serious ones now. He battled through a torn shoulder against Bo Bassett in the Powerade finals. He dropped that one but kept it closer than most other competitors. Luke Simcox is resilient. Does that stop him? Not a chance. This guy is as mentally strong as they come. “The injuries I sustained made me hungrier, people didn’t think I would be the same after them. Their doubt pushed me.” Luke credits a lot of that his practice partners Dalton Perry (PSU Commit) as well as others for his continued progress. He tore his shoulder before states last season but wanted to compete for his team. He not only wrestled but won the tournament. That takes as much physical toughness as it does mental. That’s what you get with Luke Simcox, he resilient, he’s an ultimate competitor.  After originally committing to The University of Pennsylvania during his junior year, Luke decided to reconsider some things. He took some more visits to Penn State, Pitt and NC State. He also had an unofficial visit to  North Carolina and fell in love. He committed to being a Tar Heel. The fit was ideal. Luke stated that he wanted to be one of the ones to “take the program from good to great.” It’s pretty safe to say that this is a guy to build a program around. He’s a leader. No nonsense, go to work kinda guy. He’ll be a person who makes others better, not only on the mat  but off as well. A guy who had been through a lot in his early career, he’s resilient. You think he’ll waste this opportunity, absolutely not. Luke Simcox may very well be one of the most under the radar STUD wrestlers you’ll ever find. I think he likes that. It’s motivation. Injuries and other set backs won’t keep this guy down. He’s a competitor, he resilient, one of the very best in the country. This is a name you absolutely need to keep an eye on. He won’t disappoint.  Get To Know Luke Better: Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta Favorite Meal? Myrtle Beach Favorite Vacation Spot? Cliff Jumping Favorite Off Mat Activity? Karma Police by Radiohead Hype Song “Relax and have fun.” Best Advice? More Todd’s Talks: More Posts:

Support Todd’s Talks Family Matters “If the family were a boat, it would be a canoe that makes no progress unless everyone paddles.”- Letty Cottin Pogrebin Wrestling, like a lot of sports is really a family venture. It’s long practices throughout the week, followed by even longer weekends at  tournaments. It’s quick dinners, just to get in an extra lift or workout.  It’s sacrifices by not only the athlete but the entire family.  Mac Stout knows all about this. The Pitt Freshman has grown up living this.  He gets it. Mac has been blessed with a support system not like many others have had. He’s lucky to have it but Stout knows to be truly great in this sport, it takes a lot more than luck. Putting in the work doesn’t bother him, he knows it’ll pay off. Mac Stout grew up in a wrestling family. His older brother, Kellan was a stand out at Mount Lebanon HS. He amassed a record of 138-18 while placing second at PIAA’s his junior year and then capping off an undefeated senior season with a state title. He then took his skills to Penn State and eventually to Pitt where he would graduate. Mac was fortunate to have another older brother as well. Luke Stout, a PIAA state champion as well as a second place finisher. Luke finished high school with a 153-16 record adding a Fargo title to his impressive list of accolades. He’s now wrestling at Princeton. Oh yeah, their father Bryan is a four time All American at Clarion University. He was inducted to the EWL Hall of Fame after amassing a career record of 110-23 in college. Was there pressure on Mac, not even a little. He knew what it took to be great, relentless work, unmatched mindset and resiliency. “I never felt like I had to live up to my brothers or dad. I used them as motivation, practice partners. They helped to make me into the wrestler I am today.” “ I had a very strong support system.” Mac also credits his mom and younger sister for always being there for him. They keep him grounded. Family matters. Mac Stout went 133-17 in high school with 63 pins. He was a PIAA finalist and well as a third place finisher. He also missed an entire post season unfortunately due to an injury sustained at the Powerade Tournament. Stout was happy with his high school career but it left him wanting more. He was an elite competitor. He knew that college would be an opportunity to break out, prove to the nation that he was ready. Now where would he choose to go? As you can imagine, who wouldn’t want an elite level athlete with the work ethic that Mac Stout possesses. More importantly than his athletic achievements, he’s a great person. Mac Stout is one of the more polite, articulate and intelligent wrestlers that I’ve ever come across. He’s special. Credit his upbringing, family matters. After being recruited by multiple schools, Mac chose to stay close to home. He picked the University of Pittsburgh. It’s safe to say that Coach Keith Gavin got a great one. He recruits the Wpial hard. It’s paying off. When asked how much it helped him growing up in this area, Mac stated, “ it’s all I ever knew. I wrestled at Quest in high school too, having some of the best partners in the country.” He sure did, Stout trained under Coach Jim Akerly, going on a steady basis with guys like Thayne Lawrence, Rune Lawrence, teammate Luca Augustine and All American Peyton Hall. It’s safe to say that Mac has been blessed to have great partners at home but also some that are really close to home. Living in this area is truly a blessing. Having partners is great and an advantage. You also have to be able to capitalize on such a great opportunity. Mac Stout has done that. Mac had a impressive red shirt year, winning four matches at the Midlands Tournament as well as capturing a Clarion Open title. Stout is also quick to praise NCAA Champion, Nino Bonaccorsi for prepping him and getting him ready for college wrestling. That’s a pretty great mentor to have! That Pitt coaching staff is incredible. They will be a perennial powerhouse very soon. Bet the house on it. Mac Stout just finished up his first full season as a Panther. He ended up with a record of 22-8, qualifying for the NCAA tournament. Did he achieve all his goals this year, no. Do you think that will stop him, hell no. Mac is as mentally strong as he is physically. He will do absolutely whatever it takes to be the best. That’s bad news for the rest of the NCAA. With the resources he has at his disposal and the endless list of partners you’ll hear his name plenty in the next few years. Personally, I can’t wait to see where this journey leads him. This Pitt team is young, they are resilient, they are a family. Family matters. H2P Get To Know Mac Better: Gummy Candy Favorite Snack? Long Beach Island Favorite Vacation Spot? Time In The Sun Favorite Off Mat Activity? “Don’t get too high or too low.” Best Advice? More Todd’s Talks: More Posts:

Support Todd’s Talks Never Quit “Winners are not people who never fail, but people who never quit.” Dayton Pitzer is a winner. Read that again, believe it, understand it. This is a guy who has won at every level he’s competed at. The number of accolades he had prior to entering college is astounding. Dayton had a record of 130-3 in high school. He had 100 falls. This is absolutely mind blowing. In arguably the best state for high school wrestling, this guy had that record. Keep in mind this young man lost a full season to injury. He was as dominant a wrestler as this state had ever seen. A three time state champion. A winner. Dayton Pitzer is so much more than that. If you know him, or even spent a few minutes talking to him, you get that.  There are few people out there who are as humble as he is. He’s that guy. He’s quick to coach young kids on technique and offer advice as well as take a picture with them. This is a guy with not only great talent but even better character. A winner, all around. The key isn’t having the will to win, a lot of athletes have that. It’s having the will to do what it takes to prepare yourself to be the best, that’s rare. Dayton Pitzer has that. Dayton started wrestling young. Unlike most kids, he didn’t have family introduce him into the sport. He started young, in grade school. He convinced his parent to let him try the sport. The rest is history.   He saw some early success that eventually led him to All American Wrestling Club. Coach Rob Waller, a Pennsylvania legend of the sport guided him in his early years. “I owe Coach Waller so much. He coached me. He believed in me. He taught me to be a great wrestler but a better person. He taught me to be a winner.” Every great wrestler has that type of mentor, it just so happens that Dayton’s is a living legend. The amount of State Champions, hell, even National Champions that have come through that club is astounding. When it’s all said and done, Dayton Pitzer may be one of the best. As Dayton grew it was soon apparent that he would need different practice partners. He would need guys that could push him physically. He was  still a young man,  but needed men to work with. Enter Robbie Waller (NCAA Champion) Zach Snyder, Ty Banco (Texas A&M Football) and BJ Mikeska. Dayton credits these guys for making him into the wrestler he is today. Practice partners are often underrated. Dayton Pitzer doesn’t forget this. He knows the importance of having people around him that can push him. People that will  challenge him, make him better. These are the guys who were there when he was still growing, needing to be thrust to that next level. Let’s be very clear, baring an injury in his his sophomore year, Dayton would have been a 4 timer. He doesn’t say that, he’s far too humble. I’m saying that. He was a winner, always has been. . Now after a successful high school career, it was time. It was time to pick where he would make his mark on the NCAA, where he would undoubtedly make a name for himself in the college ranks. Enter the University of Pittsburgh.  It had everything Dayton would need to be successful, an excellent coaching staff, great facilities, and the best part…only 40 minutes from home. It was the perfect recipe. Once Dayton got on campus he was instantly in the mix,  going with guys like Nino Bonaccorsi ( NCAA Champ) Demetrius Thomas (NCAA Qualifier) and teammate Mac Stout. He felt right at home. Head Coach Keith Gavin realizes where his campus is located. It is in the heart of the Wpial. The nations best region for high school  wrestling. Over half of the starting lineup is made up of guys from this region. The roster has tons of wrestlers from around here. “Knowing a lot of the team when I came onto campus made the transition a lot easier.” He was home. Dayton had the luxury of redshirting his freshman year. He was able to compete quite a bit and showed a ton of promise, placing at the prestigious Midlands Tournament and beating NCAA finalist Colten Shultz. It was a coming out party of sorts. Dayton Pitzer had arrived. The coaching staff  knew that Dayton was undersized for the weight. He ultimately redshirted. He may not have liked it but this allowed time for him to bulk up, gain healthy weight, get bigger. Dayton did just that. He followed the detailed plan that Coach Keith Gavin laid out for him. He put on 20 lbs of muscle that summer. He was bigger, just as fast and ready to challenge for a National Title. This guy is a winner. He was ready to go. Pitzer had some good results during the regular season, then the unthinkable happens. Shoulder injury. How was this guy expected to compete against guys much larger than him with a shoulder injury? He took some time off, considered all of his options but ultimately knew that he was a competitor,  a winner. Dayton Pitzer wrestled at the ACC Championships. He qualified for the NCAA tournament. That’s a huge deal. So many wrestlers dream of that  moment. If you know Dayton, you know that’s not enough for him. He didn’t achieve the results he wanted. That’s ok. This is a guy who is as mentally strong as he is physically. He’s the type of leader any program wants to build around. He’ll be back. He’ll be better than ever before. It’s a safe bet that Dayton Pitzer will get that title that he’s worked so hard for. He’s a winner, he won’t quit, he’s that guy. Dayton Pitzer is resilient. He has a discerning personality. He’s a winner at

Support Todd’s Talks The Process “If you focus on the process and not the results, you’ll have better results.” -Joe Madden Coach Josh Deputy gets the big picture. He is not only the head coach of the Chestnut Ridge high school wrestling but the founder and head coach of the Orchard Wrestling Club. His high school’s results have spoken for themselves ever since he became the leader of the Lions. The team’s  dual record is 79-12 in dual meets and a perfect 42-0 in league competition. Coach Deputy takes pride in the results,  but he is even more proud of the work both on and off the mat that has produced said results. He took that same mentality when he decided to open a wrestling club in 2020. In a state that is littered with high quality wrestling clubs, Coach Deputy was convinced by his wife that there was room for another. She was the driving  force behind creating The Orchard Wrestling Club, in New Paris Pa. Coach knew it would be a lot of work and there would be particular challenges he would encounter throughout the process. He wasn’t deterred by that at all. Coach Deputy grew up in on a farm and wasn’t afraid to work. He had this instilled in him at a young age. “Ultimately, I want to see people succeed more than myself.” How many parents out there want to hear those exact words out of their children’s coach? After ultimately deciding to go forward with this,  Coach had a building built and put some mats down. The building was built on the property that his wife grew up on, appropriately an apple orchard. It was now time to get to work. “Things took off pretty quickly, people saw the results we were getting early on.” Josh Deputy stated. He knew he would need to put together a staff as they grew in members. That’s a pretty great place to be as a new club. Coach added guys that knew wrestling but also coaches that would make these young athletes better people. It’s more than a sport. He added coaches, Brian Gibbons, Nathan Holderbaum, Scott Mull, Ross Dull, CJ Manley, Sam Carroll and Jason Kendall. They know that. They recognized that if they provided the right processes, the results they were looking for would follow. It’s safe to say that all athletes want to achieve the highest of levels in their particular sport. It’s pretty rare to find youths that are willing to put in all the work and follow the plans laid out for them without hesitation. Coach Josh Deputy has built a culture with The Orchard Wrestling Club. Not a results oriented culture, a culture built on trust and belief in a system. A system that has clearly yielded results so far. He’s built a family. He embraces moms, dads, brothers and sisters being around the program. It’s a support system. He has wrestlers traveling from near and far to be a part of this club. People from different areas, rooting for one another, all competing towards a common goal. Coach Deputy values having a strong mindset. “Thinking and focusing about what you want to achieve is just as important as the work you put in on the mat.” He begins each practice with a talk about this very subject. It begins with a different message for his athletes to think about. He has created leaders, often young leaders. It’s not uncommon for Coach to walk in on a practice and have a youth athlete leading some warmups for the rest of the group prior to practice even starting. That says a lot. It says everything. Preaching the importance of training is a high focus for Orchard wrestlers. Coach Deputy is creating a culture of not only having great wrestlers but great captains, without even being named that.  Coach knew as they grew they would have opportunities to reach out. He did just that as he collaborated with other clubs. One of those clubs was M2. David Taylor, Mark McKnight and Brad Pataky  would come in and work practices at certain times with Orchard wrestlers. That’s a huge opportunity. They put ego aside and did what was best for the youth athletes. Not all clubs would do this. It speaks to the person and leader that Coach Josh Deputy is. That has certainly proved to be the correct approach. Orchard wrestling had 63 wrestlers qualify for the state tournament from the junior program through high school. Maybe more impressive than that is the fact that they had 15 state champions and an additional 7 state finalists. That is an impressive amount of competitors in the finals. Orchard Wrestling Club added 12 more state place winners. Follow the process, believe in it, live it, reap the results of it. It’s remarkable. Recently in an independent ranking, Orchard was ranked the 4th best club in the country. Think about that, being the 4th best in the state of PA would be an incredible accomplishment for now. Being 4th in the United States is a feat that is spectacular. When asked what he advises the parents of the club, Deputy stated, “Don’t ever make your kid feel like the sport is more than your love for them.” In a world where a lot of folks put too much value on winning, this is truly a genuine life lesson. It’s great to hear. Coach Deputy isn’t the kind of guy to take credit for much. He’s old school. It’s a breathe of fresh air. In a time of “Me Me” He truly loves the sport and what it can provide for young competitors. Coach often has the preacher from his church in  to talk before practices. It truly is a faith based club. Some may proclaim that, but Orchard lives it. Coach Deputy’s own kids have proven that wrestling at Orchard can provide dividends. His oldest son Dom is currently ranked #2 in the United States,

Support Todd’s Talks Ever Changing, Always Evolving. “Look around you. Everything changes. Everything on this earth is a continuous state of evolving, refining, adapting, enhancing…changing. You were not put on this earth to remain stagnant.” – Steve Maraboli For those of you who know Pat Lugo, this quote truly embodies who he is, not only as an athlete, but a person. He’s never satisfied, working harder to not only better himself but everyone around him. He’s the kind of wrestler that most coaches in the world wish they had. An example of leadership, discipline, someone who responds to pressure rather than reacts to it. There’s no mats, gyms or arenas too big for this guy. You’d never know that just talking with him. He’s calm, collected and well spoken. He gets the big picture. Pat Lugo wants to grow the sport of wrestling, his love. He wants to start where he grew up. Pat Lugo grew up in South Florida, specifically Homestead. He began wrestling in 2001 at the age of 4. The wrestling scene in this area was bleak. There weren’t a lot of programs as the sport was still in it’s infancy stages back then. Pat’s father, in an effort to get him some practice partners and an effort to grow the sport founded a club. One club turned into a second which was larger and it led Lugo to success. Pat was a 4 time place winner in the state of Florida and a two time champion. He knew he was destined for better. His work ethic and drive would push him to Edinboro University. Lugo states, Edinboro’s  coach at the time, Tim Flynn had a lot to do with his early success in college. “He was a great mentor, made you look at things differently.” After Flynn’s eventual departure to West Virginia University, Pat decided he had a bigger calling, more important goals he wanted to achieve. He needed somewhere that would align with his goals and a training facility that would push him to be his best. Enter the University of Iowa. I’ll spare you all the details. Pat Lugo made a great decision. He ended his college career being a two time All American for the Hawkeyes, winning a Big 10 title as well as a Midlands title. He wanted to be better, push his limits, he did just that. Iowa provided some of the best training partners in the world and with Pat’s self motivation and strive to be the best, he made the most of it. Pretty impressive from a guy that grew up in a state that didn’t wrestle much. That says something about him. It shows his tenacity, the mindset it takes to be great. Pat Lugo is as mentally tough as anyone I’ve ever known. Pat then decided to join the Hawkeye Wrestling Club. When asked his favorite style of wrestling, he stated “ It’s all the same to me. I’m a competitor. I train the same for every match.” “I don’t have a favorite style, just grateful to compete.” He was afforded many great opportunities, wrestling in countries like France, Egypt, and Poland. That builds character, toughness and grit. Those are all qualities that Pat Lugo had already, these trips and tournaments only enhanced those characteristics. In 2023, Lugo decided it was time to retire from Senior Level competition. It wasn’t results oriented, rather a feeling he had internally that it was time to do more. That feeling Lugo had led him back to South Florida. It led him to starting the Miami Hawks Wrestling Club. The passion within him grew as he wanted to develop the talent and grow the sport in the state that provided him so much as  a youth wrestler. He knew he had the  experience, knowledge, and drive to do this. He relied on some former teammates that had opened some clubs in other state for advice. He wasn’t too proud for that. He took trips to coach, teach but most importantly learn.  Pat said, “ I want to be a mentor, someone positive in a young person’s life. Seeing kids grow from their first practice to placing at states and beyond, that is why I do this.” “I want to create opportunities for the youth.” Pat is well aware of where his team is located. Miami, some of the nations best athletes come from Florida, specifically South Florida. “If I can get some kids who aren’t necessarily football, basketball or baseball stars to just come out to wrestle, I know I can make them great.” Pat isn’t alone in his Hawks Wrestling Club venture. He’s got a great lineup of coaches, working with him. Right now Pat has put together a wrestling camp for not only boys but girls. The clinicians include Spencer Lee, Austin DeSanto, Michael Kemerer, Max Murin, Forrest Molinari, Nosomy Pozo as well as his own high school coach, Humberto Reyna. To say that this is an incredible opportunity to learn from some of the countries best coaches is a gross understatement. This guy is making it happen. He knows the value each of these technicians offer.  Lugo credits Reyna for really turning him into not only the wrestler he is but the man that he is today. That’s a big statement from such an accomplished wrestler. That line up of coaches provides  an opportunity not just for locals to go learn from the best of the best but kids that are willing to travel as well. This camp will take place June 6th-9th. It’s incredible the amount of detail that has gone into this. If you miss it for any reason this summer, please keep an eye out. This will be an annual camp. What Pat Lugo is doing for Florida wrestling is commendable, hell it’s inspiring, truly a great thing to watch. The best part is he’s doing it for all the right reasons, a better person than any of his other accolades will  ever convey. 

Support Todd’s Talks “The future depends on what you do today” – Gandhi For those who don’t know, Mario Hutcherson is the future. This 8th grader at Kiski Junior High School is already a 4 time Pennsylvania State Champion. He’s also a 3 time  Powerade Champion as well as a 2023 Super 32 and 2023 US Open Champion. The credentials speak for themselves. This is a career’s worth of accolades. He’s not even in high school yet. Let that sink in. Mario not only competes in the best state in the country but travels frequently, seeking out the best competition in the country. Most kids bust their butts for these accomplishments in a career. He achieved them before entering high school.   Mario Hutcherson is a dude. He’s a guy that understands the long game. Wise beyond his years and willing to do whatever it takes to be the very best of the best. Mario got his start wrestling at a young age, 4. He was encouraged to start by family members. That’s a pretty common thing in Pa. What’s uncommon is the fast success he found at the beginning. He quickly began to love the sport. He loved the process, not the results. Mario knew quickly what it was going to take to be the best. Hard work and dedication are sometimes hard for a young person, not Mario Hutcherson. He saw the work others who were successful around him put into being good. He admired that and wanted to be “next level” Hutcherson began going to clubs like Hutchy’s Hammers and Young Guns. He wrestled with guys like Landon Sidun and Maddox Shaw. If you know wrestling, you know, two of Pa’s absolute finest. He practiced relentlessly, always wanting to be better. His drive and motivation would ultimately lead him to where he is today. Only an 8th grader, Mario has young kids looking up to him already. He’s proof that with drive and a strong work ethic you can be great. Like most youth athletes, Mario played multiple sports. During Covid, he decided to drop the others and singularly focus on wrestling. Great decision! “I wanted to give my full attention to wrestling, I knew I was good but I wanted to be great” Pretty safe bet that it worked out for him. I mean the guy went 5-0, outscoring his opponents 86-0 on his run to his 4th state title last weekend. That’s a HUGE deal. Pennsylvania doesn’t divide schools in JR High. Saying he’s the best of the best in this state is an understatement. Kiski High School is getting a great one. They know that. The Wpial knows that. Hell, the state knows that. They return, next year Wpial placers at every  weight from 172 lbs through heavyweight. Add Mario Hutcherson into the mix and they are a deadly team to watch within the state.  He’s a building block, someone who’s work ethic, discipline and attitude is contagious. Mario Hutcherson is a guy to build a team around. He’s a dog. When asked what wrestling in the Wpial next year means to him, he simply said, “I love competition, I want the best guys. It’s a blessing to get that opportunity each and every week“ The Wpial is blessed with some of the best kids in the country year over year, adding the guy makes it even better. He’s truly a generational talent, that’s not hyperbolic, it’s the truth. Watch his matches, this kid is different. Mario is  a guy I want on my side. A warrior,  in every sense of the word. He’s special, folks. You’ll hear his name for years to come. You don’t believe me, watch him this July when he makes his Fargo debut. The coolest thing I learned about Mario when talking to him was yes, he’s a great wrestler but an even better guy. He’s well spoken, wants the best for others and is truly a great leader. His personality is infectious, someone who will make others better instantly. Talent and results are one thing but the whole package is rare. Not blowing smoke but this kid is rare. Get To Know Mario Better: Wings Favorite Food? Ocean City, MD What’s your favorite vacation destination? Steelers Football Favorite Pastime off the Mat “Don’t be a know it all.” What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? More Todd’s Talks: More Posts:

“Don’t Sleep On Me, I Got Big Plans.” -Elizabeth Folakemi Santino Sloboda is a name Pa wrestling fans already know. It’s a name a lot of folks know nationally. He’s an insanely accomplished wrestler in a state that most will acknowledge is the best in the country. Sloboda’s  wrestling career started at five years old. He was a highly energetic child and needed an outlet. Wrestling was the perfect sport for him. Santino stated, “I played a lot of  sports as a kid, I settled on wrestling in seventh grade.” He found success throughout his youth wrestling career. Santino placed six times in the Pennsylvania Junior State Tournament, a runner up twice. In Pa, that’s a big deal. This was a building block for Santino. He worked hard, big plans, don’t sleep on this guy. He took his talents to the Quest Wrestling Club. Along with his school coaches, Sloboda developed a style and pace that would shoot him to the top of the PA State rankings in high school. He credits coach Jim Akerly and practice partners, Luke  Willochell (Greater Latrobe) and Antonio Boni (Central Valley) among others for the gains he has made in high school. Iron sharpens iron. It’s a common phrase in wrestling. It’s common because it’s  true. The best seek the best coaches and the best partners. It’s an attitude that elite competitors just have. Santino would turn his freshman year into a great one. He finished with a record of 40-3, finishing 4th in the state. That wasn’t good enough for him. He wasn’t getting slept on, he wasn’t done. Santino continued to work, he credits his team and coaches for pushing him even further. He worked relentlessly. He bumped around weights to find the best competition. “Some guys are good with wins, I want wins over the best guys. If I lose, it happens, but I want the best competition.” That’s Santino’s mindset. He’s a competitor, a winner, a guy that constantly wants to get better. PA, don’t sleep on this guy. Hell, the country shouldn’t sleep on this guy. He’s dangerous, the perfect mix of skills  and mindset. He’s got a great support system that he credits for keeping him grounded. “ I owe so much to my family, they support me so much through rough times. They are always there for me, that’s a comforting feeling knowing I can always turn to them.” When asked what the WPIAL means to him, Sloboda acknowledged that he realizes that he wrestles in arguably the best region in the country. “It’s definitely a nice prep for other tournaments and even club duals. I wrestle some of the best guys in the country every week.” It’s definitely a benchmark, if you’re a top guy in the WPIAL, you’re usually a top guy in the country. Look at the success within the region. It speaks for itself. He hopes to be a name that someday people talk about long after his high career has ended. Sloboda stated that he doesn’t have a particular college in mind yet. As a guy that will likely finish high school with 140 plus wins, colleges better come ready to get this guy. He’s a dude that any university would cherish, mature beyond his years, well spoken, hard worker. He has big plans. Saying Santino will be a huge addition to any college room is an understatement, he’s a winner that will bring that mentality to any team. Get him early, acknowledge how hard he works and what an asset he’ll be to your program. You won’t regret it. Don’t sleep on this guy. The scariest thing about Santino Sloboda is the fact that he has two more years left in high school. He hasn’t even peaked yet. Buy his stock now, sit back and collect all the gains he’ll make you. Get used to the name. He’s a guy. What’s even better than his wrestling ability is the person that he is. Humble, intelligent, hard working. He’s a young man that instantly makes any program better. Don’t sleep on him, he has big plans. Sloboda’s sophomore post season run starts this weekend. Follow it, you won’t be disappointed. Watch him when he makes his return to the Giant Center in Hershey. Big things are definitely coming out of this Butler High School student athlete. I suggest you not sleep on this man,  he’s got big plans for the future. Get To Know Santino Better: Pepperoni Pizza Favorite Food? The Dominican Republic What’s your favorite vacation destination? Naps and Young Sheldon Favorite Pastime off the Mat “Go have fun!” What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

“I believe success is achieved by ordinary people with extraordinary determination”.   – Zig Ziglar Jared Keslar has always been competitive. He’s determined. He knows what he wants and will do whatever it takes to achieve it. Hard working, nose to the grind kinda guy. Gritty, not afraid of hard work.  Connellsville tough.  Wrestling may not have always been his first love. It is now. Jared played football and baseball as a youth. Most kids do until they figure out what they love. He figured that out when he was in middle school. He dedicated his time and attention to wrestling. Keslar states, “I dropped all other sports in 7th grade, I was a wrestler, I fell in love with the sport then.” He had been going to All American Wrestling Club, run by legendary coach, Rob Waller. He and his family then decided to make a change. Jared then stared wrestling for Jody Strittmatter at Young Guns Wrestling  Club. He had some great partners like Rocco Welsh (Ohio St.) Jackson Arrington (NC State), Vinny Kilkeary (Ohio State) and now teammate at Pitt, Finn Solomon. Jared was also blessed to be raised in the Connellsville wrestling community. These folks know wrestling. They back it from their youth club until high school. They travel. They cheer. They are one of the most supportive high school fan bases you’ll ever see. He benefited from some great coaching at his school as well as his club coaches. How would greatness not be expected? He would deliver. Jared Keslar is a winner. He had the perfect mindset, the right approach. He knew what he had to do to win. Keslar finished high school with a record of 129-27. He collected two fourth place state medal as well as a state title his senior year. He achieved what he had always set out to. Now the next level, college. Jared admits, “I knew college would be so much harder than high school.” He had interest from quite a few schools. His first call came from the University of Pittsburgh. Keith Gavin knows a good one when he sees one, he was a former NCAA champ, now coaching this alma mater. He also lives in the back yard of the best high school wrestling region in the country. Look at his lineup, you’ll see almost half of the starters are from the WPIAL. Jared quickly fell in love with the the atmosphere of the school and program. He chose Pitt. It just made sense for him.  It’s also a nice set up when your family and friends can come to all of your matches. “It’s great that I can have my family and the Connellsville community there to support me. It’s special.” As good as a wrestler as Jared is, he’s also a good student. The Criminal Justice major hopes to someday work for the FBI. He has acquired a lot of the attributes to make him successful through this sport. He’s relentless,          intelligent, well spoken and loyal. Keslar has all the qualities necessary to succeed in the professional space. Keslar admits that starting as an underclassman had its challenges. “I’m still learning how to adjust from high level high school to Division 1 college wrestling. I have some of the best coaches and practice partners in the country. I know I have the ability, and with the support I have, I’ll be there soon.” Coming up in the WPIAL prepares young men for this. He went through that gauntlet. He was also the best in the state. Not many people can say that. Jared Keslar is as mentally tough as he is physically tough. He’s a guy any coach would want on their roster. He’s Connellsville tough. That’s something most cannot claim. It’s a different make up, a different thought process. It’s a blessing. He was the Outstanding Wrestler for team WPIAL in the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic. His lateral drop was a thing of beauty in that match. Jared Keslar is a dude. He has all the tools. He’s where he needs to be to become great. He’ll do that, no question. Coach Gavin got another great one from the WPIAL. We can all look forward to the great things that Jared Keslar will do! Get To Know Jared Better: McDonalds Pittsburgh Penguins Pack Favorite Food? Cruise to Mexico What’s your favorite vacation destination? Playing Fortnite Favorite Pastime off the Mat “Trust the Process” What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one had reached in life as by the obstacles that he had overcome. -Booker T Washington The definition of “adversity” is a state of serious difficulty or misfortune. Jagger Condomitti had seen some adversity in his young career. For those of you who don’t know this accomplished wrestler from Northampton, Pa. allow me to do the honors. Jagger is a two time Pa state finalist, winning a title in his senior campaign. His list of high school accolades include Fargo All American, NHSCA champion, and an Adidas National Wrestler of the Week. He’s accomplished, to say the least. Condomitti career start put him on pace to be the all time wins leader at Northampton. And then Covid cut the number of matches he could wrestle his senior year. Still, he pressed on, same strong mindset. Condomitti’s state tournament run was not without challenges. He injured his ankle wrestling in the early rounds. That didn’t stop him. Undeterred. He was winning that state title. Adversity, he overcame it. He won that gold medal on a takedown in the final 10 seconds, capping off an undefeated season. One goal down. As his HS career transpired, Jagger developed himself into a top college recruit coming out of the Lehigh Valley. I mean who wouldn’t want a guy with club coaches like Jeff Buxton and John Trenge? An elite competitor. A PIAA state champ. The first day of recruiting. He stayed up as many athletes do. He got a text at midnight, mission accomplished. It was validation for all the hard work, extra workouts and sacrifices he had put in. Now the hard part, with schools like Michigan, Arizona State and NC State interested. Decisions, decisions. Jagger narrowed the choice down to Pitt, Lehigh and Nebraska. He took his official visits there. He often wondered, “did I do enough?” He told me that the recruiting process was both humbling and validating. Grateful that programs of that magnitude would be interested in him in the first place while understanding his work made that possible. Ultimately he chose Nebraska. Jagger acknowledged that long time Assistant Coach Bryan Snyder played a big part in his commitment. Snyder, an Easton graduate, had been a clinician at a camp Jagger attended as a youth wrestler. Having a familiar face, also from the Lehigh Valley, would be an asset as he would be hundreds of miles from home. His first season in college, it was time to make some noise, announce his presence. Only it wouldn’t be that simple. He suffers a concussion at his first college open tournament. The first of what would turn out to be a series of incidents that almost led to giving up competition. He turned to support from family, friends and coaches.  Determined to return stronger than ever, and he did. After being cleared to compete, he won numerous challenge matches in the room. He won the Hastings open tournament. Things were starting to come together. Then the unthinkable, another concussion. More adversity. This time it would be a 6 month layoff. Clearly, concussions are nothing to be taken lightly. Hell, the NFL has very specific protocols and rules directly in place to limit these type of injuries. The six months pass, Jagger did what he does. Dean’ List, Academic All-Big 10, Tom Osborne Citizenship recipient, and won the starting spot. Finally. He was where he knew he would be when he first stepped foot on campus in Lincoln. Then, wouldn’t you know, days before Cliff Keen, a nightmare, the unthinkable. A third concussion. The neurologist recommends retiring from competition but Jagger was determined to overcome these setbacks. A determination that separates wrestlers from us mere mortals. And he did everything necessary to heal and ensure a successful return. Finally, cleared again. Bad news for the 165lb weight class. He’s back  competing, wrestling, participating in the sport that he had been in since he was 5 years old. Still with the same goals he had to begin with. Eyes on the prize. The prize that is still out there for him to claim. Everything happens for a reason and for Jagger the comeback will be greater than the setback. In our conversation, he seemed to recognize that being a top recruit coming out of high school doesn’t necessarily prepare you for the vigor of a big time college wrestling room. “There’s definitely a transition, that’s for sure.” But it’s a transition that’s worth it. Put in the work, get the rewards. That’s what we love about this sport, you ask have you done enough and soon or later that question gets answered for you in unambiguous terms. And if the answer is no, you have the chance to do more, do better. And at a program like Nebraska, that could mean being challenged by an Olympic Champion. “I couldn’t believe he knew my name, knew who I was,” Jaggers describes the first time he got to practice with perhaps the sports biggest star. “That was a crazy and humbling experience. He said ‘we’re going together today.’” And as he works his way back into the Nebraska line up, it’ll take more moments like that, more intense practice sessions, and a continued tapping into that perservence that kept him from giving up all along. And as the medical profession recommends not sleeping with a concussion, we recommend you not sleep on Jagger. The best is yet to come. Get To Know Jagger Better: Thin Crust Meat Lovers Pizza Favorite Food? DominicanRepublic What’s your favorite vacation destination? One Hell Of An Amen – Brantley Gilbert Go To Walkout Song “nothing changes if nothing changes.” What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Anthony Knox shares a common story with a lot of youth wrestlers. Early struggles. Wins were harder to come by and success was judged more by progress from match to match than racking up championships. But, as we sit here today, we know, that changed. So, I wanted to learn a little more about what changed. How he developed into one of the very best high school wrestlers in the country. Where success is judged by dominance. And what I learned immediately was consistency. Whereas now he’s consistently dominant, he began just being consistently present. Never giving up. Never quitting. His love of the sport drove him to be better. He practiced harder. Took extra matches. Eventually, Anthony developed himself into the elite competitor we see now. Starting when he was 8, he would follow his dad to the gym where he trained as an MMA fighter. While maybe as kids we wanted to be like Mike, little Ant definitely wanted to be like big Ant, like dad. He got time to roll around before practice started and he used that time to his advantage. He cherished it. And you could say his love for the game began there. Then it became official. The matches were official and Anthony was officially a youth wrestler. And he loved it. Even as the results were going against him, he wanted more. More matches meant more development and he knew at that young age the time spent would lead to the outcomes desired. As his youth career was building, he attended Rhino Wrestling Club. There, he had access to many coaches who shaped him into who he is today. Mike Malinconico, a Jersey legend. “Mike Mal” has been a technique specialist for Flo and currently leads the Poway RTC. Anthony also had great partners. NJ State champion and Princeton freshman, Tyler Vasquez, world champ Marc-Anthony McGowan, also currently at Princeton, and many more. According to Anthony, “I always placed an emphasis on finding good competition rather than worrying about wins and losses.” And that approach to the sport has paid dividends for him. Clearly. You won’t often find a high school athlete that has that particular mindset. With that level of mature perspective. He credits his family and coaches for helping him develop along those lines. And for providing the opportunity to compete at the best events against the best kids. “Traveling out of state to big competitions with my family are some of my best childhood memories.” The list of these tournaments is extensive. Super 32 three times. Escape the Rock. Beast of the East. Fargo. He’s also quickly become the first 3 time Flo Who’s #1 winner. As if there were any doubt, he’s been #1, he’s #1 now. Consistency. The St John Vianney junior is a two-time NJ state champion, on pace to be one of the next four timers. He has a high school record of 76-1, and sits atop the national rankings at 120, something he’s keenly aware of, “I do [pay attention to rankings]. I use it as motivation. I like to prove people wrong. I don’t get mad about it, it’s just someone’s opinion, but it’s definitely motivation to get better.” Talking with Anthony, you learn how important loyalty is to him. He’s been wrestling with the same coaches for over 10 years. Consistency, loyalty, love for the game, just some of what Cornell University is getting in their 125 heir apparent. As one of the top gets in the class of ’25, whenever or wherever Anthony made his decision was going to generate news. That he did it after winning his 2nd Super 32 belt, just added more weight to the moment. About the school choice, he says, “I love the academics of an Ivy League school, but from the wrestling side, I really love the staff and the partners that I will get to go with every day.”  Partners like Vito Arujau? The only 2023 senior world gold medalist still in college. Is there a better partner for an up and coming lightweight star? If there’s no limit to the brightest of the Anthony Knox star, what better place to shine. And if I know anything, he’ll do whatever it takes to get there. That’s his mindset, that passion, that love of the game. I asked what his post collegiate plans were and he was clear. He’s aiming for a spot on the 2028 Olympic team. A lofty aspiration for a kid full of meeting the loftiest. And no one said it would be easy, just worth it. And when you look back at the early mat time rolling around, the early struggles, the consistency leading to immense success, it’s definitely been worth it. And he can’t help but love that. Be sure to follow Anthony’s continued journey on Instagram: @ant.knox Rapid Fire Questions: Sushi Favorite Food? Video Games How Do You Like To Spend Your Down Time? Aruba What’s your favorite vacation destination? Don’t Care What Others Think What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?