2019-20 BUTLER

WRESTLING PRESS RELEASES

Butler Eagle Butler County's great daily newspaper Raiders bring back loaded lineup SV returns 4 wrestlers with 30-plus wins from last year John Enrietto, Eagle Staff Writer - December 7, 2019 Seneca Valley's defending state champion Alejandro Herrera-Rondon celebrates after pinning Hampton's Josh Campbell in a 120- pound match in the Section 3 semifinals last season. Herrera-Rondon is one of four 30-plus-win Raider wrestlers who return to the lineup this winter.

FILE PHOTO A 30-win campaign is an outstanding season for a high school wrestler. Seneca Valley is bringing back four of those, including two — (Alejandro Herrera-Rondon (48-1) and Dylan Chappell (42-5) — with more than 40 wins. The Raiders also return three WPIAL champions (Hererra-Rondon, Chappell and Antonio Amelio) and three other wrestlers with at least 20 wins a year ago. “Our goal as a team is to maintain the level of competition we've had the past couple of years,” Seneca Valley coach Kevin Wildrick said. “The expectations are there.” Herrera-Rondon, a junior and defending PIAA champion, is 94-9 over two years. He recently committed to the University of Oklahoma. Chappell is headed to Bucknell. Former Raider Louis Newell is now starting at Pitt. Two of last year's seniors — Nick Montalbano (American) and Jason Geyer (New York University) — are now on collegiate wrestling scholarships. “The program is sending kids on to college and that's a big part of what we do,” Wildrick said. “And Alejandro's numbers ... They're ridiculous.” Butler returns a 30-win wrestler of its own in sophomore Cooper Baxter (30-10). Three other Golden Tornado wrestlers — Nick Schaukowitsch (28-9), Nate McMaster (28-14) and Steven Green (29-12) — won at least 28 matches last year and are still underclassmen. “We have a lot of balance and should be a good dual match team,” Butler coach Scott Stoner said. “We've got 24 kids up from 14 two years ago, and I think we can match up with people.” Three Butler graduates — Caleb Baxter (Waynesburg), Scott Dietrich (Mercyhurst) and Justin Johnson (Mercyhurst North East) — are wrestling in college. Here is a look at prospective lineups for Butler County teams this season: Butler - Coach: Scott Stoner, 27th year 106-Aiden Plopi (freshman), 113-Levi Donnel (freshman), 120-Nick Schaukowitsch (soph.) 28-9, 126- Domenic Vivirito (soph.) 18-10, 132-Colton Spohn (senior) 12-9 or Clayton Dressler (junior) 24-16), 138-Nate McMaster (junior) 28-14), 145-Cade Savochka (soph.) or Mickey Kreinbucher (freshman), 152-Steven Green (junior) 29-12, 160-Nate McDonald (senior) 17-11, 170-Hunter Neff (senior) 9-14, 182-Cooper Baxter (soph.), 30-10, 195-Caleb Hartung (senior) 25-14, 220-Jake Pomykata (soph) 16-12, 275-Shawndell Zapata (soph.) 21-10 or Greg Schultz (soph.) Seneca Valley - Coach: Kevin Wildrick, 9th year 106-113: Tyler Chappell (freshman) or Hunter Swedish (junior) 20-8, 120-Dylan Chappell (junior) 42- 5, 126-Evan Vetter (freshman), 132-Alejandro Herrera-Rondon (junior) 48-1, 138-Chanz Shearer (junior) 24-7, 145-152-Drew Vlasnik (senior) 31-11 or Antonio Amelio (junior) 30-15, 160-Caden Leighjty (senior), 170-Liam Volk-Klos (soph.) 19-19, 182-Open, 195-Patrick Johnson (senior) 22-12, 220-Nick Funovits (senior) 9-21, 275-Davin Beahm (senior) 15-19

Butler Eagle Butler County's great daily newspaper Butler Wrestlers Win Title 30 Team Chartiers Houston Tourney December 9, 2020 – Round-up Freshman Levi Donnel won the 113-pound weight class — pinning the top two seeds — and Butler won the Chartiers-Houston Tournament over the weekend. The Golden Tornado jumped out to an early lead after day one of the tournament and never looked back. Butler tallied 184 points to top the 30-team field. Pine-Richland had 164.5 points and Burgettstown was third with 161. Butler placed nine of their competing 13 wrestlers in the top six. Placing third in their respective weight classes for the Tornado were Colton Spohn at 132, Nate McMaster at 145, Cooper Baxter at 182 and Caleb Hartung at 195. Steven Green was fourth at 152.Nick Schaukowitsch at 120 and Nate McDonald at 160 were fifth while Jake Pomykata was sixth at 220. In all in the medal round Butler won 7 of 9 matches wrestled Butler Eagle Butler County's great daily newspaper Efficient Work, Butler uses 4 pins to score critical early dual match victory over Pine-Richland Mike Kilroy - Eagle Staff Writer - December 12, 2019 High School Wrestling Butler grappler Levi Donnell gets leverage under Pine-Richland wrestler Shane Simpson in their 113-pound match Wednesday night. Donnel won the match by pin. NATE BLACK/SPECIAL TO THE EAGLE

BUTLER TWP — Cooper Baxter didn't waste any time. Neither did Caleb Hartung. Each Butler wrestler made quick work of his Pine- Richland opponent Wednesday night at the Butler Intermediate School. All three had first-period pins and picked up key points as the Golden Tornado cruised to a 42-28 win over the Rams. Freshman Levi Donnel also got a second-period pin for Butler at 113 pounds. It was a big victory for the Golden Tornado as section-openers go. The winner figured to have an inside track at a playoff spot far down the line. That inside track belongs to Butler. “They loaded the front end of the section schedule for us,” said Butler coach Scott Stoner. “Pine has some stud kids and we're not at the weights where I'd like us to be yet. We haven't really solidified our lineup yet. We shuffled some people around.” Still, Butler turned in some good performances across virtually every weight class and got a huge victory early in the section slate. The Golden Tornado did have to forfeit at 106, but only suffered one loss by pin. Butler also received two forfeit victories and the four pins by Donnel, Baxter (182), and Hartung (195). Stoner, though, was just as impressed by some of his wrestler's losses. Jake Pomykata lost by pin over the weekend to Pine-Richland's Zach Shaver. This time around when the two 220-pounders met, Pomykata dropped a 6-2 decision, but saved three points. “Toward the end he was still in it,” Stoner said of Pomykata. “He put himself in a situation where the guy, you could see him fading, and he could have maybe rolled him for five. He took a chance at it.” Nate McMaster was given the task of battling Pine-Richland's Nate Lukez at 152 pounds. Lukez, who is headed to West Point to wrestle, got the 11-3 major decision and his 100th career win. But McMaster avoided a pin and nearly got a takedown late that would have erased the major. “The Lukez kid is tough. I respect him a lot,” Stoner said. “I saw some growth in those things,” Stoner added. “I was happy about that, even though we lost.” Pine-Richland coach Caleb Kolb, a Grove City High graduate and standout wrestler in his days with the Eagles, said missing out on those extra points was costly. “Not the outcome we wanted,” Kolb said. “We had a couple of guys hurt and we gave up some forfeits.” Lukez, Robert Palmiere (126), Cole Spencer (160) — the quarterback on the Rams' football team and who is headed to wrestle at Penn — were bright spots for Pine-Richland. “He's one of those guys who comes in and gets the room going,” Kolb said of Lukez. “He stays after practice to work on things. That's good for these younger guys to see.” Butler is witnessing the beginning of perhaps another wrestling phenom. Donnel has dominated this season. He was at it again with a pin in 2:35. Donnel is now 5-0 with four pins this season. He won the 113-pound weight class at the Chartiers-Houston Tournament over the weekend, pinning the top three seeds despite being unseeded himself. “He was really phenomenal this weekend,” Stoner said. “He's going to be solid. The one thing I like about Levi is he didn't wrestle last year in junior high for us. He chose to go and wrestle some opens and other club stuff, but he's been nothing but positive and a sponge since he got here. He's done a nice job.” Butler 42, Pine-Richland 28 (Match started at 138 pounds) 106-Anthony Ferraro (PR) by forfeit; 113-Levi Donnel (B) pinned Shane Simpson 2:35; 120-Nick Schaukowitsch (B) by forfeit; 126-Robert Palmiere (PR) tech fall Eli Everhard 20-5; 132-Kelin Laffey (PR) maj dec. Clayton Dressler 17-3; 138-Dom Vivirito (B) dec. Zach Esswein 5-2; 145-Mickey Kreinbucher (B) by forfeit; 152-Nathan Lukez (PR) maj. Dec. Nate McMaster 11-3; 160-Cole Spencer (PR) pinned Steven Green 1:42; 170-Nate McDonald (B) dec. Jacob Lukez 7-3; 182-Cooper Baxter (B) pinned Dante Cruz :59; 195-Caleb Hartung (B) pinned John Hoffman 1:18; 220-Zach Shaver (PR) dec. Jake Pomykata 6-2; Hwt.-Shawndell Zapata (B) pinned Joey Schneck 1:07

Butler Eagle Butler County's great daily newspaper Butler Wrestling Dominates Freedom in Non-Section Wrestling Round-up, December 14, 2019 Caleb Hartung and Mickey Kreinbucher both got lightning quick pins as Butler recorded a number of falls in a 54-18 win over Freedom. Hartung pinned his opponent at 195 pounds in 12 seconds. Kreinbucher pinned his foe at 152 pounds in 13 seconds. In all, the Golden Tornado had six pins. Butler 54, Freedom 18 (Match started at 106 pounds) 106-Aiden Plopi (B) by forfeit; 113-Levi Donnel (B) by forfeit; 120-Matt Schultheis (F) pinned Nick Schaukowitsch, 1:02; 126-Trent McCray (F) pinned Eli Everhard, 1:29; 132-Colton Spohn (B) by forfeit; 138- Clayton Dressler (B) pinned David Campbell 1:49; 145-Kenny Duschek (F) dec. Nate McMaster, 7-1; 152- Mickey Kreinbucher (B) pinned Jayden Leichliter, :13; 160-Steven Green (B) pinned Trevor Johnson, 2:18; 170- Nate McDonald (B) pinned James Hapo, 1:50; 182-Trent Schultheis (F) dec. Cooper Baxter, 4-3; 195-Caleb Hartung (B) pinned Ethan Wolfe, :12; 220-Jake Pomykata (B) pinned Jalen Foster 3:04; Hwt.-No match Butler Eagle Butler County's great daily newspaper Raiders Roll, Seneca Valley wrestlers dominate Butler in 62-9 win Mike Kilroy - Eagle Staff Writer - December 19, 2019 Alejandro Herrera-Rondon of Seneca Valley pins Butler's Colton Spohn in their 132-pound match Wednesday night. The Raider wrestling team defeated the Golden Tornado, 62-9. HAROLD AUGHTON/BUTLER EAGLE JACKSON TWP — Dylan Chappell gave Seneca Valley wrestling teammate Evan Vetter some tips leading into his match at 126 pounds against Butler Wednesday night. “He hit about four moves I showed him tonight,” Chappell said, smile beaming. “Every single one them was successful. It's just the great environment we have. Everyone can show each other stuff. You learn something new every day.” The Raiders showed what everyone kind of already knew. They are good. Really good. Seneca Valley dominated rival Butler, recording four pins and two major decisions on the way to a 62-9 victory over the Golden Tornado. The usual suspects fared well for the Raiders. Junior Alejandro Herrera-Rondon, fresh off his 100th career victory Friday, earned a pin at 132, so did Chappell at 120 and Vetter at 126. Chanz Shearer also earned a fall at 138. “No matter who we're wrestling, we want our wrestlers to come out with aggressiveness and not sit back,” said Seneca Valley coach Kevin Wildrick. “We can't take anybody lightly.” Herrera-Rondon, who is ranked No. 1 in the WPIAL and the PIAA in his weight class and 15th nationally, wasted little time in his bout against Colton Spohn, building a very quick 11-0 lead. He earned the pin midway through the second period. Herrera-Rondon is wrestling for the first time in his career at 132 pounds. “He jumped up a bunch of weight classes from 113 to 132, so that's an adjustment,” Wildrick said. “The way you're handling guys is different. He took a loss this weekend where things didn't quite go his way. He powered back through to win his next two matches which is impressive.” For Butler, the loss and the way it occurred was disappointing. “We just never really did a whole lot of anything that resembled confidence or aggression,” said Butler coach Scott Stoner. “We never responded. We're not ready to wrestle at that level. “We really didn't deserve to be out on the mat with them tonight,” Stoner added. “There's nothing else to say. We took a beating.” There were two bright spots for Butler. Caleb Hartung earned a pin at 195 and Nate McDonald earned a 9-3 decision at 160. Freshman Levi Donnel dropped a 3-2 decision to Hunter Swedish in a competitive match at 113. Largely, though, Butler struggled. “We were very outclassed in some of those matches,” Stoner said. “We'd get taken down and just stop, fold our hands and say, 'Oh well, we got beat.' That's as much on me than anyone else. I'm the one who prepares the team. I'm the one who gets them ready.” Seneca Valley's Nick Funovits had an entertaining match at 220. The bout went back and forth before Funovits pulled out a 5-2 decision. There was also some confusion at 170. Butler's Cooper Baxter took on Liam Volk-Klos. The two battled for nearly the entire first period scoreless until it was discovered Baxter was ineligible to wrestle at 170. Volk-Klos was awarded the winner by default. “Cooper's been weighing in light lately. He's allowed to lose 2½ pounds per week,” Stoner explained. “He weighed in at 172.1 last week and I thought he'll make 70 and be able to wrestle at Seneca. Basically, I overlooked the fact that maybe a couple of weeks ago he weighed in at (178). So, his rate of descent didn't allow him to wrestle at that weight. When I actually looked at the sheet — it was blatantly my fault — I didn't look at the sheet close enough. I didn't see what his allowable weight was and it was 171.1. My fault.” Seneca Valley 62, Butler 9 (Match started at 132 pounds) 106-Tyler Chappell (SV) by forfeit; 113-Hunter Swedish (SV) dec. Levi Donnel 3-2; 120-Dylan Chappell (SV) pinned Nick Schaukowitsch 1:36; 126-Evan Vetter (SV) pinned Elijah Everhard pinned 3:35; 132-Alejandro Herrera-Rondon (SV) pinned Colton Spohn 3:01; 138-Chanz Shearer (SV) pinned Clayton Dressler 2:19; 145- Antonio Amelio (SV) maj dec. Nate McMaster 8-0; 152-Drew Vlasnik (SV) pinned Steven Green 4:57; 160-Nate McDonald (B) dec. Caden Leighty 9-3; 170-Liam Volk-Klos (SV) by default; 182-Marshall Adamson (SV) maj dec. Hunter Neff 9-0; 195-Caleb Hartung (SV) pinned Tyler Yurich 1:34; 220-Nick Funovits (SV) dec. Jake Pomykata; Hwt.-David Beahm (SV) by forfeit

Butler Eagle Butler County's great daily newspaper Butler finishes Runner-up to Corry Area in 28 team Southmoreland Holiday Classic Round-up, December 31, 2019

Butler freshman Levi Donnel continued his standout season with a championship at the Southmoreland Holiday Classic over the weekend. The Golden Tornado Jumped out to a lead and held that lead from day one of the two-day Southmoreland Holiday Classic. It wasn’t until the medal round on day two where they relinquished the lead and eventually placed 2nd to the Corry Beavers. The Tornado Managed to place four in the finals and come away with two champions, but lost 5 of 6 in the matches to get in for third and fourth. Donnel won the 113-pound weight class with a rousing 5-3 victory over Connor Saylor of Hickory in the final. Donnel trailed 2-1 before rallying for the win. The unseeded Donnel beat the No. 1 seed in the semifinals to reach the title bout. It was the second tournament of the year in which Donnel was unseeded coming in as a freshman and won the weight class. Butler also had a champion in 182-pounder Cooper Baxter, who was in action for the first time since suffering a deep cut above his eye against Seneca Valley on Dec. 18. Baxter was dominant throughout as the No. 1 seed, winning by fall, technical fall, fall and a major decision in the final. Clayton Dressler (126) and Nate McMaster (145) each finished second for the Golden Tornado, which placed second in the 26-team field. Corry was the team champion with 225 points. Butler had 205 points. Also placing fifth for Butler were Nick Schaukowitsch (120), Steven Green (152), Caleb Hartung (195) and Jake Pomykata (220). Nate McDonald (160) placed sixth because of an injury default. Butler Eagle January 4. 2020 Butler 2 and 1 in Section 3 AAA with a Win Over Armstrong Freshman Levi Donnell got a pin in 19 seconds at 113 pounds and Steven Green also got a quick fall at 152 pounds to lead Butler to a 41-25 win over Armstrong. Cooper Baxter (182) also got a pin for the Golden Tornado. Butler 41, Armstrong 25 106-Aiden Plopi (B) by forfeit; 113-Levi Donnel (B) pinned Atwood, :19; 120-Nick Schaukowitsch (B) dec. Trumbull, 4-3; 126-Clayton Dressler (B) maj. dec. Kinzly, 9-1; 132-Wolfe (A) dec. Colton Spohn, 9-5; 138-Dom Vivirito (B) dec. Jacobs 10-6; 145-Nate McMaster (B) maj. dec. Tyrrell. 13-1; 152-Steven Green (B) pinned Turner, :48; 160-Cooper (A) tech fall Reagen Donahue; 170-Hunter Neff (B) dec. Harmon, 3-2; 182-Cooper Baxter (B) pinned Strobel, 4:52; 195-Logan Harmon (A) tech fall Caleb Hartung; 220-Armstrong by forfeit; Hwt.-Dillingham (A) pinned Jacob Pomykata

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Butler County's great daily newspaper Overtime Pays, McDonald's OT victory highlights Butler's 51-27 home wrestling triumph over Knoch John Enrietto, Eagle Staff Writer - January 9, 2020 Butler's Nate McDonald attempts an escape from Knoch's Kyle Lauster during their overtime match at 170 pounds Wednesday night. McDonald won the match on a reversal with six seconds left. SEB FOLTZ/BUTLER EAGLE BUTLER TWP — Four pins and four forfeitures keyed Butler's 51-27 wrestling victory over Knoch Wednesday night in the Butler Intermediate gym. One overtime match highlighted the evening. Golden Tornado senior Nate McDonald (10-5) scored a reversal on Kyle Lauster with six seconds left in the final overtime period for a 4-2 decision. “If I don't score there, the match probably goes to criterion and I didn't want that,” McDonald said. McDonald had a 2-1 lead after the first period before a Lauster escape knotted the match in the second. Neither wrestler scored in the third period, or took down the other in a one-minute overtime. Lauster could not escape from the down position in his 30-second OT period. McDonald then scored the escape in the waning seconds of his 30 seconds in the down position. “That was a gutty win for Nate,” Butler coach Scott Stoner said. “He's been battling an elbow injury and hasn't wrestled in a couple of weeks. We just got him back two days ago. He had been doing light drills.” McDonald said he was “just trying to stand up, then I saw that reversal was there, so I took it. “I could hear the crowd. They were loud and cheering for me. I drew some energy from that,” McDonald added. Knoch coach Grayson Hixon admired the effort of both wrestlers. “Match of the night,” he said. “I give that Butler kid credit. He busted his butt to get up and get the win. Kyle's effort was strong, too.” The Golden Tornado (4-1) got pins from Nick Schaukowitsh at 120 pounds, Nate McMaster at 145, Steven Green at 152 and Cooper Baxter at 182. Schaukowitsch (9-6) scored his fall just 1:06 into the match. “We did well there, but I thought we looked stale and flat overall,” Stoner said. “It's a long season and you're gonna hit a lull at some point. “Maybe we picked the right time for that to happen.” Baxter improved to 12-2 with his seventh pin of the season. Only freshman Levi Donnel — who won by forfeit at 113 — has more falls (eight) for Butler this season. “Coop's only two losses are to the kid from Freedom who placed second at the state meet last year,” Stoner said. “He's been very consistent. “He's actually a very light 182-pounder. He can weigh in at 170 and that's probably where we'll have him at the Virginia Duals.” Butler will compete at the Virginia Duals — a collegiate and high school event — Friday and Saturday at the Hampton Coliseum. “It's the largest dual match tournament nationally,” Stoner enthused. “I'm looking forward to seeing how we do in that atmosphere.” Knoch (0-3) picked up pins from Kameron Grassi at 138 and undefeated Guy DeLeonardis at 160. The Knights' Matthew Frank won by technical fall at 106. “I thought we held our own tonight and had some good matches,” Hixon said. “Kam and Guy are seniors and they're our captains. “They've got a lot of experience on the mat and they're good leaders for us.” Knoch has eight wrestlers at the junior high level and approximately 35 kids in the elementary program “which is a good number for us.” Hixon said. “Eight to 10 of those kids are in their final year (of elementary), so our junior high team will get a boost next year.” Butler honored its own elementary wrestling program Wednesday night. Knoch travels to Armstrong for a dual match next Wednesday. “They took it to us in a couple of those matches tonight,” Stoner said of Knoch. Wednesday's win was the 365th dual victory of Stoner's 27-year career. Butler 51, Knoch 27 106-Matthew Frank (K) tech. fall over Aiden Plopi, 4:49 (17-2); 113-Levi Donnel (B) by forfeit; 120-Nick Schaukowitsch (B) pinned Nick Golab, 1:06; 126-Clayton Dressler (B) by forfeit; 132-Ty Misitis (K) dec. Colton Spohn, 15-5; 138-Kameron Grassi (K) pinned Dom Vivirito, 1:57; 145-Nate McMaster (B) pinned Gavin McGowan, 1:53; 152-Steven Green (B) pinned Adam Stobert, 3:27; 160-Guy DeLeonardis (K) pinned Hunter Neff, 5:38; 170-Nate McDonald (B) dec. Kyle Lausater, 4-2 in OT; 182-Cooper Baxter (B) pinned Sam Freyermuth, 5:04; 195-Caleb Hartung (B) by forfeit; 220-Jake Pomykata (B) by forfeit; Hwt.-Eli Reese (K) by forfeit

Butler Eagle Butler County's great daily newspaper th Butler Places 4 at Virginia Duals The Golden Tornado traveled to Hampton Virginia to compete in the American Division of the 40th Annual Virginia Duals. The Virginia Duals is held at the Hampton Coliseum and regarded to be the oldest and most storied dual meet format tournaments of its kind in the U.S. This event hosts a National Collegiate Division, an America Collegiate Division, a National High School Division, and the American H.S. Division in which Butler participated. There is also a “Black and Blue Division which is exclusive to Virginia High Schools only. The National Collegiate Division hosted eight teams and featured the University of Virginia, Kent State, Old Dominion, Fresno State, Maryland, Duke and Rider. Rider defeated UVA in the final and Fresno State Placed 3rd in that division. The American Collegiate Division also featured eight teams and saw Pennsylvania’s Kutztown University defeat Ferrum in the final. Waynesburg University placed third with Butler Alumni Caleb Baxter wrestling along side his alma matter. In the high school divisions teams from various states competed. In the National High School Division national powerhouse McDonough defeated Nazareth, PA in the final. In the 3rd and 4th place match Erie Cathedral prep defeated Canon McMillon. Butler placed fourth out of 16 teams in its division. In Butler’s division, Kellam Va, defeated St. Mary’s Ryken Academy in the final. After losing a first-round match to Eastern View (Va.) 40-33, the Golden Tornado reeled off wins of 57-21 over Princess Ann (Va,), 50-28 over Fauquier (Va.), 50-18 over Grassfield (Va.) and 37-35 over Bellefonte (Pa.) to reach the third-place match. Jake Pomykata secured a pin in the heavyweight bout to end the dual win over Bellefonte in the consolation semi-final. “It is an outstanding stage to have our kids compete in,” said Butler Coach Scott Stoner. “From the size of the venue with eight mats on the floor, to some great high school and collegiate teams competing right beside us, it was a great experience,” added Stoner. The tournament began Friday morning, but the Golden Tornado didn’t compete in their first-round match until Friday night at 7:00. “After dropping that opening match, I really thought we were going to go 2 matches and be eliminated.” “We had to get up and weigh in the next morning at 7:00 and wrestle the first consolation round at 8:00 a.m.” “It was going to be a tough task, but the kids really recovered and built momentum throughout the day.” “We wrestled really aggressively and dominated most of the teams up until we hit Bellefonte in the consi-semis.” That match came down to the heavyweight bout where Stoner shuffled the line-up and moved 220 pounder Jake Pomykata up to heavyweight for a favorable match-up. Pomykata recorded the fall to give the Tornado the win and advance them to the 3rd place match with a rematch with Eastern. The Tornado dropped a 42-39 decision to Eastern View in the third- place match. Individually Caleb Hartung went 6-0 with five pins, Levi Donnel 6-0 with three pins for Butler. Cooper Baxter, Steven Green and Nate McMaster all went 5-1 with four pins. Nick Schaukowitsch was 5-1 with two pins, Nate McDonald 4-2 with two pins and Clayton Dressler 4-2. Butler wrestles at New Castle Tuesday before hosting Mars Wednesday.

Above Butler Coach Scott Stoner and Assistant Coach Blake Caudill with Butler Grad and Waynesburg Wrestler Caleb Baxter. Right: Prematch warm up.

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Donnel making huge impact on mat as a freshman – Butler 113-pounder off to 18-1 start John Enrietto, Eagle Staff Writer - January 15, 2020 Butler 113-pound freshman wrestler Levi Donnel smiles after a forfeit win against Knoch Wednesday night. When Donnel has been on the mat, he's been dominant for the Golden Tornado, posting an 18-1 record with 11 pins so far this season. SEB FOLTZ/BUTLER EAGLE

BUTLER TWP — Champions aren't born, they're made. Such is the motto of the OMP Wrestling Club. And longtime member. “He's pretty much dedicated his life to the sport,” Butler Junior High wrestling coach Donnie Geibel said of the Golden Tornado freshman. Donnel began wrestling at age 6. He's been a club wrestler for approximately seven years and has placed as high as fourth in the junior state tournament. He did not wrestle for Butler's junior high team last season, dedicating his time to club wrestling. “I know he was the No. 1 seed in the WPIAL tournament in seventh grade and there were 52 teams in that tournament. I held him out of the finals because of injury. That's the only reason he didn't win it,” Geibel said. “That's the kind of talent he has.” That's the kind of talent he's showing right now. Donnel is off to an 18-1 start with 11 pins at 113 pounds for the Golden Tornado. He saw some action at 120 pounds during the Virginia Duals last weekend. He won all six of his matches in that event, three by pinfall. “We bumped him up to get him some tougher competition and Levi rose to the occasion,” Butler coach Scott Stoner said. “He faced kids with records like 16-1, 15-2, and beat them. “Levi has a tremendous skill set. We're just trying to build on that. While he's got a lot of tools in his box, we want to add more tools to his box.” While Donnel competed in numerous national events as a youth wrestler, he admits to some surprise over his quick start as a freshman. “I expected to do well, but not this well,” he said. “The competition is going to get harder. I'm just trying to adjust and adapt as I go. “My goal in every match is to get a pin. Six points is the most you can get in a match and that's what's best for the team.” Stoner described Donnel as “a sponge when he's around the coaches” and likes his mind-set on the mat. “He's adjusted really well to varsity competition. I'm not surprised at that because he's a really competitive kid,” Stoner said. Donnel's goal this season is direct and to the point: He wants to medal at the PIAA Tournament. “Getting on the podium at states is what it's all about,” he said. “I know the section and WPIAL meets are important because you have to succeed there to even get to the state tournament.” Cole Baxter holds Butler's career wrestling win record with 160. Donnel may one day chase that figure. “He'd have to stay injury-free, of course, but if you look at it, he may wrestle enough to get 40 wins this year. That's more than Cole had as a freshman,” Stoner said. “Levi is so focused, so dedicated. He's already technically sound. I've seen him make adjustments on moves to win matches that most wrestlers just don't do.” Donnel knows what it takes to succeed. “Practice, practice,” he said. “I'm refining moves and learning new ones. I know a lot of combinations to get pins. You need to stay a step ahead of your opponent.” “He's got the speed and he's aggressive,” Geibel said of Donnel. “Now he's getting more physical. We're excited about what the future holds for him.”

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Butler County's great daily newspaper Butler wrestlers roll past Planets

John Enrietto, Eagle Staff Writer - January 16, 2020 Butler's Nate McMaster takes down Mars' Davis Luedtke in their 145-pound match Wednesday night. McMaster pinned Luedtke in 2:47 and the Golden Tornado scored a 66-12 dual match win.

SEB FOLTZ/BUTLER EAGLE BUTLER TWP — If the Butler wrestling team was looking for momentum, it found it. The Golden Tornado wound up winning four of six dual matches at the prestigious Virginia Duals last weekend, then cruised to a 72-9 win at New Castle Tuesday night. Butler returned home Wednesday evening and defeated Mars, 66-12, in the Intermediate High School gym. “These were two lighter opponents (in terms of wrestling numbers) and I recognize that,” Butler coach Scott Stoner said. “But all we can do is stay focused and get better on the mat. “I feel we've done that over the past week. And this is the time to do it.” Butler (11-3) does not see action again until next Wednesday at North Allegheny for the section duals. Butler won five matches by pin against the Planets (1-4): Nick Schaukowitsch at 113 pounds, Colton Spohn at 132, Nate McMaster at 145, Hunter Neff at 170 and Cooper Baxter at 182. Baxter improved to 19-3 on the year and recorded his pinfall — his 11th of the season — in just 55 seconds. Levi Donnel improved to 20-1 on the season with a 7-0 decision of Brandon Krul at 120 pounds. “It was good to see Levi get a match tonight,” Stoner said. “I thought they (Mars) might skip over him, but they sent their kid out there to compete and I appreciate that.” The Planets forfeited five weight classes, but recorded a pair of pins for their only points of the match. Christian Scheller (17-8) won by fall at 138 pounds and Griffin Frazier closed the night with a pin at 106. Frazier lost a 5-0 lead in the final seconds of the first period when the Tornado's Aidan Plopi reversed him and scored three near-fall points. But Frazier scored the pin 27 seconds into the second period. “That was a good way for us to end,” Mars coach Bob Jox said. “Griffin's been wrestling for only two months and that was his third pin. “He's paying attention to the coaches and he's learning. That's what hard work can do.” Rocco Darocy — who was pinned by Schaukowitsch — is 13-9 at 113 pounds for Mars. Krul is 12-9 at 120 and Sean McElhinny is 13-11 at 160. Nate McDonald decisioned him, 6-3, Wednesday. “We're focusing on individuals right now at this level, but our junior high lineup is full,” Jox said. “The future looks bright for us. “Butler is a good team that's getting better every day. We wish them luck in the upcoming playoffs.” Though he won by forfeit Wednesday, Butler 195-pound senior Caleb Hartung improved to 19-4. He shares the team lead of 12 pins with Donnel and 152-pounder Steven Green. “Caleb is putting together a great year,” Stoner said. “He wants to wrestle in college. He's looking at Gannon as a possibility. I know he's going to be moving on somewhere.” Butler 66, Mars 12 106-Griffin Frazier (M) pinned Aiden Plopi, 2:27; 113-Nick Schaukowitsch (B) pinned Rocco Darocy, 1:44; 120-Levi Donnel (B) dec. Brandon Krul, 7-0; 126-Clayton Dressler (B) by forfeit; 132-Colton Spohn (B) pinned Eli Wright, 3:47; 138-Christian Scheller (M) pinned Dominic Vivirito, 4:45; 145-Nat McMaster (B) pinned Davis Luedtke, 2:47; 152-Steven Green (B) by forfeit; 160-Nate McDonald (B) dec. Sean McElhinny, 6-3; 170-Hunter Neff (B) Logan Santa, 5:41; 182-Cooper Baxter (B) pinned Charlie Luedtke, :55; 195-Caleb Hartung (B) by forfeit; 220-Jake Pomykata (B) by forfeit; Hwt.-Tyler Soldati (B) by forfeit Butler Eagle Butler County's great daily newspaper Butler Wrestling Places Second at the 16 Team Sharon Duals January 27, 2020 Butler placed second in the 16-team Sharon Duals over the weekend. The 16-team dual meet tournament places teams in pools of four. Butler drew the A Pool and regardless of season accomplishments had a tough task in facing the Tournament #1 Seed in the first round. Butler had finished second to Corry Just about a month prior at the Southmoreland Holiday Tournament. The match-up first thing in the morning made the task and even tougher one. Butler wrestled well throughout and upset the Beavers 34-28. Pins were recorded by, Cooper Baxter was pitted again against who he had faced and “majored in the finals of the Southmoreland Tournament. The outcome was the same as Baxter once again dominated with a 12-4 Major decision over…. The Golden Tornado defeated Corry 34-28, Erie 70-8 and Indiana 39-36 in pool matches before besting Elizabeth Forward 46-28 in the semifinals. Norwin defeated Butler 40-36 in the championship match. The Tornado are 15-5 in dual matches this season. Caleb Hartung went 5-0 with two pins for Butler. Levi Donnel, Colton Spohn, Steven Green, Nate McDonald, Hunter Neff and Cooper Baxter all went 4-1. Spohn and Green had four pins each.

Butler Eagle Butler County's great daily newspaper Repeat the Feat, Seneca Valley topples North Allegheny for section wrestling title again Derek Pyda, Eagle Staff Writer January 23, 2020 Seneca Valley's Chanz Shearer scores a takedown in Wednesday's section team championship match against North Allegheny Wednesday night. The Raiders won the championship, 40-24. SEB FOLTZ / BUTLER EAGLE It is the second straight year that the Raiders topped the Tigers for the section crown. “This feels good,” said SV coach Kevin Wildrick, who served as an assistant at NA for seven seasons before taking over the Raiders in 2011. “To have it come in this gym makes it a bit more special.” The Raiders had dismantled Hampton in the semifinals, 50-18. North Allegheny defeated Butler 57-15 to reach the final. In the third-place match, Butler rallied for a 42-30 win over Hampton. Against NA, Cooper Baxter and Hunter Neff earned pins for Butler at 170 and 182 pounds, respectively. Colton Spohn, Cade Savochka and Nate McMaster tallied pins in successive weight classes beginning at 132 against Hampton. The Talbots led 30-18 before dropping the final four bouts. Butler coach Scott Stoner wants his team to revert to the mentality it took to the mat earlier in the season. “A couple of weeks ago, we beat a good Bellefonte team. We were aggressive,” he said. “I didn't see it happen here tonight. We weren't the more aggressive team in either match. “We just expected things to happen here instead of making them happen. You can't do that against good teams.” The WPIAL Tournament begins next week. Seneca Valley's Dylan Chappell takes control of North Allegheny's Dylan Coy during his 7-1 win at 120 pounds Wednesday night. Third-Place Match Butler 42, Hampton 30 (Match started at 160 pounds) 106-C.Rayner (H) pinned Aidan Plopi, :25; 113-Nick Schaukowitsch (B) by forfeit; 120-Levi Donnel (B) by forfeit; 126-Wright (H) pinned Clayton Dressler, 5:12; 132-Colton Spohn (B) pinned R.Olshesni, 1:33; 138-Cade Savochka (B) pinned J.Mcquire; 145-Nate McMaster (B) pinned A.Wolf, 3:34; 152-Steven Green (B) by forfeit; 160-Nate McDonald (B) dec. G.Gilesha, 6-5; 170-T.Kozak (H) dec. Cooper Baxter, 8-4; 182-C.Shearer (H) dec. Hunter Neff, 6-0; 195-Justin Hart (H) by forfeit; 220-Caleb Hartung (B) dec. C.Herold, 8-6; Hwt.-D.Deatz (H) pinned Jacob Pomykata, :44

Butler Eagle

Butler County's great daily newspaper No Panic Necessary, SV wrestlers rally past TJ, join WPIAL semifinals Derek Pyda, Eagle Staff Writer - January 30, 2020 High School Wrestling Seneca Valley's Hunter Swedish pushes for a pin against Thomas Jefferson's Aidan Stella during the Raiders' 42-20 win Wednesday night in the WPIAL team quarterfinals.

SEB FOLTZ/ BUTLER EAGLE JACKSON TWP — Some wrestling teams may get nervous if trailing by 11 points with six bouts remaining, especially when their hopes of a district championship are at stake. Not Seneca Valley. The Raiders know they are best in the lower weight classes, so when they were on the short end of a 20-9 score after the heavyweight matchup, they did not panic. SV won the final six contests, four by pin, in dispatching Thomas Jefferson 42-20 in a WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal battle of section champions Wednesday at Seneca Valley High School's William Paul Gymnasium. The win sends the Raiders to the semifinals Saturday at Norwin High School. Freshman Tyler Chappell began the surge with a pin of TJ's Gabe Gallioto in just 33 seconds. Hunter Swedish followed with a quick takedown of Aidan Stella at 113 pounds. Swedish earned a pin in one minute and 22 seconds, giving the Raiders a 21-20 lead. “I always try to get after it right away, take it to 'em,” said Swedish. “I was definitely looking for a pin, as I'm sure we all were once the lighter weights took over. We're really confident in that part of our lineup.” After a forfeit won by Seneca, Dylan Chappell's pin at 126 clinched the victory before Alejandro Herrera-Rondon, ranked No. 2 in the state, earned the final pin of the night. “It's no secret that we're pretty strong with the lighter weights,” said SV coach Kevin Wildrick, “but I thought the top of our lineup not giving up many bonus points was big. “It wasn't a huge surprise that we were down at that point in the match, but those (bouts) were close and our guys did a good job of hanging in there.” Drew Vlasnik began the match with a pin for the Raiders at 152, but the Jaguars won five of the next six bouts, a streak interrupted by Nick Funovits' decision for SV at 220. The Raiders reached the quarterfinal round by dismantling Franklin Regional, 59-10, earlier in the evening. It was Wildrick's 100th career coaching win. Chanz Shearer, Caden Leighty, Liam Volk-Klos, Conor Hayes and Swedish each earned wins via fall against the Panthers. “We preach to our guys all the time to go out and wrestle hard, no matter the opponent,” said Wildrick. “As a group, we're working extremely well right now.” TJ arrived to the match against Seneca Valley after sweating out a 36-34 victory over Butler. Seneca Valley's Dylan Chappell lifts Thomas Jefferson's Mclaine Stanek for a takedown in the Raiders' WPIAL quarterfinal victory Wednesday.

SEB FOLTZ/ BUTLER EAGLE The Golden Tornado led 34-30 with only the 132-pound bout remaining before Colton Spohn lost via a first-period fall to Ben Eckenrod. “If we get blown out, then that's where we're at,” said Butler coach Scott Stoner. “It's a lot harder to take when you lose like we did tonight. “We were up by four points and I thought that was going to help us. Even if we lose by decision, we still win as a team (by one point). Another bout Stoner believed could've went Butler's way was at 195, where Caleb Hartung dropped an 8-3 decision to Trystan Alava. “This is the playoffs. These are the better teams,” added Stoner. “We needed more heart tonight.” Butler trailed the Jaguars 30-16 before a forfeit and two pins from Levi Donnel and Clayton Dressler put the Tornado ahead. Butler's other pin came from Steven Green at 152 pounds. Butler Eagle Butler County's great daily newspaper Butler Tramples Meadville 66-12 on Senior Night! Round-up, February 2020 Five Butler wrestlers scored pins Wednesday night as the Golden Tornado cruised past Meadville, 66- 12, in their final home match of the season. Cooper Baxter scored a 4-2 overtime decision at 170 pounds over Meadville's Trent Tidball, who entered the night with a 28-1 record. The Golden Tornado honored its seniors before the match and every senior who wrestled won. Levi Donnel, Colton Spohn, Nate McMaster, Nate McDonald and Hunter Neff had pins for Butler, which travels to Upper St. Clair Friday. Butler 66, Meadville 12 (Match started at 170 pounds) 106-William Terwilliger (M) pinned Aiden Plopi, :13 ; 113-Levi Donnel (B) pinned Jadan Grey, 3:09; 120-Nick Schaukowitsch (B) inj. default over Alex Kinder; 126-Clayton Dressler (B) by forfeit; 132-Colton Spohn (B) pinned Alariz Jones, 1:10; 138-Cade Sovochka (B) by forfeit; 145-Nate McMaster (B) pinned Isaac Chapman, 1:24; 152-Steven Green (B) by forfeit; 160-Nate McDonald (B) pinned Winston Heagy, 1:16; 170-Cooper Baxter (B) dec. Trent Tidball, 4-2 in OT; 182-Hunter Neff (B) pinned Jason Phillips, 1:13; 195-Caleb Hartung (B) by forfeit; 220-Jacob Pomykata (B) dec. Rowan Woodrow, 4-2; Hwt.-Tyler Soldati (B) pinned Jimmy Pauler, :40

Butler Eagle Butler County's great daily newspaper Taking it to the Mat A Good Match, Wrestling Coach Still Challenging Himself, Others John Enrietto, Eagle Staff Writer – February 20, 2020 BUTLER TWP — Wrestling is a lifestyle. Well into his 70s, Fred Powell is still living it. He was a Virginia state champion at Granby High School in 1960. He was a four-time conference champion, NAIA and NCAA national champion at Lock Haven University. He was head wrestling coach at Slippery Rock University for 24 years. He started the Slippery Rock High School wrestling program in 1998. He’s coached United States teams at competitions in New Zealand, Australia, Newfoundland and Hungary. He has been inducted into four Halls of Fame. And he’s still going.

Powell is in his 10th season as a varsity assistant wrestling coach at Butler. “I count my blessings every day that he’s here,” Butler head mat coach Scott Stoner said. “What an asset.” Powell’s actual age? He claims he doesn’t know. He knows, he just doesn’t care. “I’m as old as I feel and that’s pretty good right now,” Powell said. “Age is a number and I don’t look at numbers. “As long as I feel I can help these kids, I’ll keep doing it. I don’t predict how long I’ll do anything anymore. I’ve retired three times already.”

Powell ended his SRU wrestling coaching career in 1991, retired after 36 years in physical education at SRU in 2003. He stepped down as Slippery Rock’s high school mat coach six years after starting the program in 1998. “My son, Liam, was a freshman at Slippery Rock and wanted to wrestle,” Powell recalled. “We talked to (then athletic director) Mike Kish about it, proved there was interest and got the green light. “I asked Liam who was going to coach the team. He looked at me and said, ‘Dad, you’re not doing anything.’ “We had no mat, no budget, no coaches, no schedule ... and we started a program,” Powell added. That program is still going. So is Powell.

In the wrestling room at Butler during practice, he gathers the team around and shouts out: “Challenge yourself!” Stoner can’t help but smile when he hears those words. He was one of Powell’s wrestlers at SRU. “Coach lives by those words,” he said. Powell has had both knees replaced within the past four years. Yet he still gets down on the mat, demonstrating moves and holds as he rolls around the mat. “Just know your limitations,” he said. “I know I can’t put pressure on my kneecaps, so I’m careful not to do that. The kids I wrestle with are aware and respect that, too.”

Stoner described Powell’s mind as “a mental machine that never shuts off. “He knows all the physics of the sport, the leverage, the angles, the fulcrums, all of it,” the coach said. Butler junior 126-pound wrestler Clayton Dressler is one of many benefiting from Powell’s tutelage. “You can’t help but respect him,” Dressler said. “Coach Powell is such a motivator. He has so much knowledge of the sport and he’s so passionate about it. “I’ve learned so much technique from him. He is absolutely tireless.” Stoner is in his 27th season as Butler’s head wrestling coach. He says he draws motivation from Powell as well. “The physical aspect of working with the team in practice every day ...I feel sore, beat up, dripping in sweat a half-hour into practice,” Stoner said. “Then I see a guy 20 or 30 years older than me doing the exact same thing and loving it. “This sport becomes a part of you. It gets in your fiber. He’s inspiring that way.” While Powell has more than 60 years of experience in wrestling as a competitor and coach, he is still learning the sport. Tom Elling, a longtime Pennsylvania wrestling writer, has known Powell since he wrestled at Lock Haven. “He still goes to clinics and takes notes,” Elling said of Powell. “He’s still learning at his age. He’s not one of those guys who thinks he knows it all. “He’s just a super guy. Scott realizes he has a gem with him in that room. Fred is good with the kids. He’s a great teacher and he’s still a great student.”

Stoner recalls the day Powell approached him about joining his staff. “I was working on my house and Coach drives up,” Stoner said. “He said he had interest in coming to practice a couple days a week and helping out with some one-on-one instruction. No bus trips, no going to matches, just helping in practice here

and there. “Of course, he was welcome.” Then came Butler’s first bus trip to a road match that season. “I was on that bus,” Powell said. “Imagine that.”

Butler Eagle Butler County's great daily newspaper Butler's wrestling team enjoyed a pin-fest Tuesday night at the expense of Upper St. Clair.

February 12, 2020, Round Up

The Golden Tornado generated 10 pins while defeating the Panthers, 78-3, on the road. Three Butler wrestlers won by forfeit as well. Picking up pins for the Tornado were Nick Schaukowitsch at 120 pounds, Clayton Dressler at 126, Colton Spohn at 132, Nate McMaster at 145, Steven Green at 152, Nate McDonald at 160, Hunter Neff at 170, Caleb Hartung at 195, Jacob Pomykata at 220 and Tyler Soldati at 285.

Butler travels to Bethel Park for a dual match Wednesday night.

Butler 78, Upper St. Clair 3

106-Aiden Plopi (B) by forfeit; 113-Levi Donnel (B) by forfeit; 120-Nick Schaukowitsch (B) pinned Ryan Wells, :38; 126-Clayton Dressler (B) pinned Tim Murphy, 2:19; 132-Colton Spohn (B) pinned Dan Martin, 3:51; 138-Ben Cedar (USC) dec. Cade Savochka, 1-0; 145-Nate McMaster (B) pinned Owen Knight, 3:00; 152-Steven Green (B) pinned Zach Kirsopp, 2:30; 160-Nate McDonald (B) pinned Kaden Jackson, 2:53; 170-Hunter Neff (B) pinned Damian Faust, 1:19; 182-Cooper Baxter (B) by forfeit; 195-Caleb Hartung (B) pinned Jaden Keating, 1:50; 220-Jacob Pomykata (B) pinned Eric Grunwald, :58; 285-Tyler Soldati (B) pinned Marcus Fennel, 2:22 Butler Eagle Butler County's great daily newspaper Wrestling Defeats Bethel Park in Final Dual of Season February 13, 2020, Round-up Butler completed its regular season with a 48-28 victory at Bethel Park. The Golden Tornado were 18-6 in dual matches this season. Clayton Dressler, Colton Spohn, Nate McMaster, Steven Green, Nate McDonald and Cooper Baxter had pins for the Golden Tornado, who will compete in the individual section tourney Feb. 22 at Fox Chapel. Butler 48, Bethel Park 28 (Match started at 182 pounds) 106-Kyle Pherechirt (BP) pinned Aiden Plopi, 1:28; 113-Levi Donnel (B) by forfeit; 120-Nick Schaukowitsch (B) dc. Bryson Bench, 4-3; 126-Clayon Dressler (B) pinned Kevin Collins, 1:00; 132-Colton Spohn (B) pinned Michael Blasser, 1:58; 138-Cade Savochka (B) dec. Parker Lera, 10-2; 145-Nate McMaster (B) pinned Jacob Logan, :36; 152-Steven Green (B) pinned Kaden Puskus, 3:26; 160-Nate McDonald (B) pinned Vinnie Ripoley, 2:33; 170-Brandon Hartman (BP) pinned Hunter Neff, 3:56; 182-Cooper Baxter (B) pinned Riley O'Mara, 1:58; 195-Luke Montgomery (BP) by forfeit; 220-Tyler Timmons (BP) dec. Caleb Hartung, 4-2; Hwt.-Jacob Pomykata (B) pinned Nate Corroe, 2:46

Butler Eagle Butler County's great daily newspaper Survival mode Butler, SV, Knoch, Mars wrestlers look to extend season at section meet John Enrietto, Eagle Staff Writer - February 19, 2020 Seneca Valley's Hunter Swedish pushes for a pin during this WPIAL team tournament match earlier this season. Swedish is one of four top-seeded Raider wrestlers entering Saturday's Section 3-AAA tournament at Fox Chapel. File Photo Alejandro Herrera-Rondon is going for three in a row. Knoch is going for its first one, period. The Section 3-AAA Individual Wrestling Championships take place Saturday at Fox Chapel High School. The top five placers in each weight class advance to the WPIAL tournament the following week. Herrera-Rondon is one of four Seneca Valley wrestlers with No. 1 seeds in their respective weight classes Saturday. He is 32-3 this season and is chasing his third successive section crown. “He's the only one we've got going for three straight,” Raiders coach Kevin Wildrick said. “We have some others going for two in a row. “Ideally, every wrestler we have competing in the section meet, we want to push through to WPIALs. If we have 14 wrestlers in the tournament, we want 14 to move on. I don't put much emphasis on the seeding. You have to go out there and wrestle.” Other top seeds for the Raiders are Tyler Chappell (22- 11) at 106 pounds, Hunter Swedish (26-11) at 113 and Dylan Chappell (39-4) at 120. Chanz Shearer, Antonio Amelio and Drew Vlasnik are all seeded No. 2 in their weight classes. Butler does not have a top-seeded wrestler in the section tourney. Levi Donnel (31-2) at 113 pounds, Cooper Baxter (27-5) at 170 and Caleb Hartung (28-7) at 195 are all seeded No. 2. “Hunter scored a late takedown against Levi in our dual with Butler,” Wildrick said. “That's how he won that night, but that was a tough match and I expect it will be close again should they meet.” Butler coach Scott Stoner said he couldn't argue with the seeding. “The Swedish kid did beat us and they've wrestled a tougher schedule than us,” Stoner said. “Levi will have to go more on the offensive if he faces him again. “We've got a number of kids with good records who are only seeded fourth or fifth. That says a lot for the depth of our section.” Nate McDonald (24-9) is seeded third for the Golden Tornado at 160 pounds while Nate McMaster (23- 10) at 145 and Steven Green (26-9) at 152 are seeded fourth. “You look at the records seeded in front of Steven at 152 — 31-0, 28-7 and 33-7 — that's impressive,” Stoner said. “Our schedule was tougher this season, but I can't argue with that seed. That weight class is awfully good.” Stoner is hopeful of getting nine of his 11 wrestlers through to the WPIAL. Jacob Pomykata is a likely scratch at 220 because of a slight meniscus tear suffered during practice. “It will take a colossal effort for us to get nine through,” Stoner admitted. “We've got four seniors going in there looking to extend their season another week. I hope they're focused that way.” SECTION 3-AAA WRESTLING TOURNAMENT Butler Eagle Meeting the Challenge, Butler senior Reagan Donahue overcomes autism through wrestling John Enrietto, Eagle Staff Writer - February 20, 2020

Butler senior wrestler Reagan Donahue, diagnosed with an autistic special disorder as an infant, goes to work against an opponent earlier this season. Donahue went 16-6 as a junior varsity wrestler after winning just one match in his previous two seasons. Wrestling has helped him develop physically, mentally, emotionally and socially.

ERICA DIETZ/SPECIAL TO THE EAGLE BUTLER TWP — Reagan Donahue began life facing major challenges. Now he's answering them — and looking for more. A senior on the Butler Area High School wrestling team, Reagan suffered a brain injury from an illness he incurred as an infant. He was diagnosed with an autistic special disorder. After Reagan was re-evaluated in second grade, his mother — Kellie Donahue — and school officials decided to send him to ACLD Tillotson, a school specialized in helping special needs children, in Baldwin. He attended school there from third grade through seventh. “It was a good choice,” Donahue's mother said. “Reagan received the emotional and learning support he needed there. He was with his peers in the classroom. “There were no athletics at that school, but he participated in school-related activities.” With the school's South Hills location, Mrs. Donahue met his bus halfway at times in helping with his transportation to and from school. “We made it work,” she said. During Reagan's seventh-grade year, his mother decided it was time to return him to his hometown school district, and get him involved in a sporting activity. Aaron Royhab is Director of Special Education in the Butler Area School District — and a former North Allegheny High School wrestler. “I've known Reagan for a long time,” Royhab said. “Once he came back, it was important for him to find his niche. I worked with his family to help in that regard. “I know Scott (Stoner, Butler wrestling coach) and how he runs his program. In terms of self-esteem and friendship, I knew wrestling could do a lot for him.” Reagan's mother agreed. “I was looking for a sport that could be good for Reagan,” she said. “Wrestling is an individual sport, yet you compete as a team. With the discipline that goes with it, I thought it was perfect.” So, she met with Stoner. “At first, I didn't know how this would work,” Stoner admitted of Reagan and wrestling. “The sport is all about routine and repetition. Would we be able to keep him focused? Would he wander off? “But I found a kid who was willing to learn, who was patient to learn. He had a rough time of it on the mat for a long time, but he never quit. Reagan is a guy who can overcome adversity.” Reagan wrestled for the junior high team as a freshman and won one match. He wrestled junior varsity his sophomore and junior years, finishing 0-10 and 1-10. “He was pinned in every match his sophomore year,” Stoner recalled. “Honestly, I wondered if he was coming back. I was a little surprised he did.” “I got pinned almost every time (as a freshman),” Reagan said. “But I felt myself getting better. I even pinned a kid myself. Reagan Donahue, left, is joined by his mother, Kellie, outside of the Butler wrestling room. Mrs. Donahue was instrumental in getting her son started in wrestling.

JOHN ENRIETTO/BUTLER EAGLE “As I went on, I was still losing, but I was lasting the whole match. The team was cheering for me and I cheered for them. I love being on this team.” When he first joined the team, Reagan said “I didn't know I needed wrestling shoes. I just thought you wore regular shoes. “My first partner in the room was Hunter Neff. He put me on my back a lot. It forced me to learn moves to stop that.” Reagan had to adjust to locker room humor as well. Former teammate Jack Codispot, now a collegiate pole vaulter, helped with that adjustment. “Reagan took everything people said seriously,” Stoner said, smiling. “He had trouble differentiating between serious conversation and kidding. Jack took the time to explain the difference and now he's fine with it.” Wrestling at 160 pounds, Reagan would rarely get a junior varsity match. Stoner would try to alert his family of nights it appeared he'd be on the mat. One of those nights was at Sharon during Reagan's junior year. As soon as his mother and sisters got the word, they jumped in a car and headed up there. “I didn't know if we'd make it in time, but we did,” Mrs. Donahue said. “His sisters and I are his biggest cheerleaders.” And they cheered a win that night — Reagan's only win at the junior varsity level his sophomore and junior years. “He put a combination together and held it,” Stoner said. “That was quite a scene. Our entire team went nuts. People were crying.” Including his mother and sisters. “I'm sure the Sharon people in the gym that night had no idea why we were carrying on like that in a JV match,” Mrs. Donahue said. Victories became commonplace for Reagan in his senior year. Still wrestling at the JV level this season, Reagan put together a 16-6 record. Nearly all of his wins were by pinfall. He placed third in one junior varsity tournament, second in another. “We put a couple of tools in his shed and he learned how to use them to find success on the mat,” Stoner said. “Talk about a kid who stuck with it. “This is a kid who got beat up every day in practice, who suited up with the team on match nights even though he rarely got a match. Yet he kept working, kept improving. “I'm as proud of Reagan as any wrestler I've ever coached,” Stoner added. Reagan wrestled one varsity match in his high school career. He lost by decision. “But I wasn't pinned,” he said. “Coach Stoner said I saved the team three points.” That's what he cared about. Reagan Donahue became all about the team. And the team became all about him. “On Senior Night, (senior wrestler) Nate McDonald said the fondest memory of his career was watching Reagan pin that kid up in Sharon,” Stoner said. “Those words touched everybody in the gym.” Reagan's mother said that wrestling “challenged him mentally, physically, emotionally and socially ... and he met every challenge. “You have to look at the big picture. When I decided to have Reagan wrestle, it was only for home matches. He's gone from that to traveling with the team to Virginia for four days this season. “Failure is a gift. Those failures (on the mat) helped him grow in so many ways,” she added. Reagan's not done growing. He is into running. “He's tireless that way,” Stoner said. And he wants to join Butler's track and field team in the spring. He's thinking about attending college and possibly running track there. “People used to tell me I can't do certain things,” Reagan said. “Not anymore. I'll decide what I can and can't do.”

Butler Eagle Butler County's great daily newspaper Sports Matter John Enrietto – Sports Editor - February 22, 2020 Anyone who thinks they don’t should talk to Reagan Donahue and his family. My article in Thursday’s Eagle details what participation in wrestling has done for the Butler senior over the past few years as he deals with autism. Stories like Reagan’s should be inspiring to a lot of people. Through wrestling and other experiences, he’s learned not to allow others to place limits on his life and what he’s capable of accomplishing. Three years ago, this kid had no clue what wrestling was about. He had never been exposed to the sport in any way. This year, he won 16 matches at the junior varsity level. Through running in practice and doing workouts, he’s gained enough confidence in his physical skills to want to transition to another sport. Reagan wants to compete in track and field this spring. I hope he gets the opportunity. Either way, he is one of many youths I’ve seen be positively affected in life by becoming part of an athletic team and pushing himself. John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle

Butler Eagle Raiders sending a dozen to WPIAL Knoch's DeLeonardis denied 160-pound title John Enrietto - Eagle Staff Writer - February 24, 2020 O'HARA TWP — Seneca Valley's wrestling program made history Saturday. The Raiders qualified 12 wrestlers for this weekend's WPIAL Championships by placing a dozen among the top five of their respective weight classes at the WPIAL Section 3 Tournament Saturday at Fox Chapel High School. “We got nine through down here last year,” SV coach Kevin Wildrick said. “We've never gotten 12 through in one year. That says a lot for where our program's at right now.” Wildrick was named Section 3-AAA Coach of the Year for the third consecutive season. “It's nice that the committee thinks of me that way. It means a lot,” he said. The Raiders put seven wrestlers in section title matches. Tyler Chappell at 106 pounds, Dylan Chappell at 120 and Alejandro Herrera-Rondon at 132 won section championships. Hunter Swedish at 113, Chanz Shearer at 138, Antonio Amelio at 145 and Liam Volk-Klos at 170 were section runner-ups for the Raiders. Also advancing for SV are Drew Vlasnik at 152, Patrick Johnson at 182, Caden Leighty at 195, Nick Funovits at 220 and Davin Beahm at 285. Butler is sending six wrestlers to the WPIAL tourney, including 195-pound section runner-up Caleb Hartung (30-8). But overall, Butler coach Scott Stoner was not pleased. “This is a tough tournament and we didn't wrestle at the level necessary to compete here,” Stoner said. “We got what we deserved.” Levi Donnel at 113 and Cooper Baxter at 170 both took third place. Nate McMaster at 145 and Steven Green at 152 placed fourth, Clayton Dressler fifth at 126. “Steven's weight class was the toughest one here,” Stoner said. “The three who finished in front of him (unbeaten Cole Spencer, 33-win wrestler Grant MacKay and SV's Vlasnik) could all do well at states.” Championship Finals 106-Tyler Chappell (Seneca Valley) dec. Anthony Ferraro (Pine-Richland) 6-2; 113-Nick Gorman (North Allegheny) dec. Hunter Swedish (Seneca Valley) 11-7 in OT; 120-Dylan Chappell (Seneca Valley) dec. Dylan Coy (North Allegheny) 2-0; 126-Zach Wright (Hampton) pinned Robert Palmieri (Pine-Richland) 1:24; 132- Alejandro Herrera-Rondon (Seneca Valley) dec. Kellin Laffey (Pine-Richland) 5-0; 138-Sam Hillegas (North Hills) maj. dec. Chanz Shearer (Seneca Valley) 15-2; 145-Nathan Lukez (Pine-Richland) dec. Antonio Amelio (Seneca Valley) 3-1; 152-Cole Spencer (Pine-Richland) pinned Grant MacKay (North Allegheny) 5:45; 160- Alex Wecht (Fox Chapel) dec. Guy DeLeonardis (Knoch) 3-2; 170-Tyler Kocak (Hampton) pinned Liam Volk- Klos (Seneca Valley) 1:55; 182-Justin Hart (Hampton) dec. Nick Marcenelle (North Allegheny) 3-2; 195-Logan Harmon (Armstrong) maj. dec. Caleb Hartung (Butler) 13-1; 220-Dawson Dietz (Hampton) pinned Ed Farrell (Fox Chapel) 1:25; Hwt.-Ben Grafton (North Allegheny) maj. dec. Eli Reese (Knoch) 11-1 Consolation Finals 106-Sam Horton (North Allegheny) pinned Derrick Falk (North Hills) :45; 113-Levi Donnel (Butler) pinned Rocco Darocy (Mars) 1:25; 120-Michael Kinzey (Armstrong) pinned Brandon Krul (Mars) 4:05; 126-Nathan Monteparte (North Allegheny) dec. Matt Sewatka (North Hills) 6-3; 132-Daniel Turner (Indiana) dec. Jeremy MacPherson (North Hills) 6-3; 138-Max Stedeford (North Allegheny) pinned Christian Scheller (Mars) 1:58; 145-Frederick Junko (North Allegheny) dec. Nate McMaster (Butler) 5-2; 152-Drew Vlasnik (Seneca Valley) dec. Steven Green (Butler) 5-1; 160-Ian Branstetter (North Allegheny) dec. Sean McElhinny (Mars) 8-2; 170- Cooper Baxter (Butler) tech. fall Ethan Mikovitz (North Hills) 4:17 (16-1); 182-Aj Ryan (Indiana) tech. fall Luke O'Conner (Fox Chapel) 3:00 (18-1); 195-Aaron Pepmeyer (North Hills) dec. Caden Leighty (Seneca Valley) 3-1; 220-Zach Shaver (Pine-Richland) dec. Damon Thompson (North Hills) 3-1; Hwt.-Tanner Smith (Indiana) pinned Davin Beahm (Seneca Valley) 6:41 5th-6th Place 106-Tyler Skalican (Indiana) maj. dec. Matthew Frank (Knoch) 12-3; 113-Liam McFarlane (Indiana) pinned Shane Simpson (Pine-Richland) 2:31; 120-Ray Worsen (Fox Chapel) dec. Nick Schaukowitsch (Butler) 6-2; 126- Clayton Dressler (Butler) pinned Braeden Trumbull (Armstrong) 2:12; 132-Aj Rohan (North Allegheny) dec. Colton Spohn (Butler) 1-0; 138-Kameron Grassi (Knoch) dec. Jack Turner (Indiana) 8-2; 145-Bradley Petras (Indiana) pinned Hunter Turner (Armstrong) 3:42; 152-Noah Cooper (Armstrong) pinned Jake Patterson (Fox Chapel) 1:34; 160-Jacob Lukez (Pine-Richland) forfeit over Nate McDonald (Butler); 170-Kyle Lauster (Knoch) pinned Luke Levendusky (Pine-Richland) 2:40; 182-Patrick Johnson (Seneca Valley) pinned Sam Freyermuth (Knoch) 4:59; 195-Jayden Resch (Hampton) pinned Henry Gavazzi (Fox Chapel) 1:16; 220-Nick Funovits (Seneca Valley) dec. Luke Rumpler (North Allegheny) 7-4; Hwt.-Jordan White (Fox Chapel) pinned Zak Dillingham (Armstrong) :35 Butler Eagle Butler County's great daily newspaper County wrestlers ready for the grind, SV's Chappell lone top seed from area at WPIAL Class AAA Championships John Enrietto, Eagle Staff Writer - February 27, 2020 Let the grinding begin. Twenty-six Butler County wrestlers are headed to Canon-McMillan High School this weekend for the WPIAL Class AAA Championships. Those finishing among the top four in their respective weight classes advance to next weekend's PIAA Tournament in Hershey. But it is a tough road to get there. “You never know what's going to happen,” Seneca Valley coach Kevin Wildrick said. “Everyone is capable. Even if it's unexpected, a kid can get on a roll for two days and get through. “So much of this sport is how confident you are on the mat.” Matches get under way at 5 p.m. Friday with preliminary bouts. Quarterfinals and consolations get started at 7:30 p.m. Semifinals begin at 11:30 a.m. Saturday with the finals and consolation finals slated for 5 p.m. that day. Seneca Valley has the county's lone top seed in defending WPIAL champion Dylan Chappell (41-4) at 120 pounds. The Raiders have two other defending district champions in the field in Alejandro Herrera- Rondon at 132 and Antonio Amelio at 145. Herrera-Rondon (35-3) is seeded second behind Greater Latrobe's Gabe Willochell (30-0). Amelio (29- 14) is seeded seventh at 145 despite winning that weight class a year ago. Hempfield's Ty Linsenbigler (34-2) is the top seed there. Seneca Valley has 12 wrestlers in the field. Wildrick is hopeful of advancing at least seven to the state meet. “I'd expect Alejandro and (Willochell) to do battle in the finals ... maybe in the finals the next two weekends,” Wildrick said. “Of course, they have to take care of business first to get there. “Antonio's lost some tough, close matches this year. He bumped up to 152 pounds a few times to help the team. The seedings don't mean all that much anyway.” Butler coach Scott Stoner agreed. “You have to wrestle the top guys at some point,” Stoner said. “We didn't wrestle all that well last weekend (at sections), but I like the way the brackets play out for us this weekend. “We've got six kids in the tournament and we could go 6-for-6 in getting through. It wouldn't shock me. But our kids have to perform.” The Golden Tornado's top seed is 195-pound Caleb Baxter (30-8) at 195. Cooper Baxter (30-6), a sophomore, is eighth at 170. “Every match is an uncertainty,” Stoner said. “What is certain is this will be a great tournament. WPIAL wrestling is deeper than ever before. There will be some great matches.” Knoch has four wrestlers in the tournament. Guy DeLeonardis (20-1), a senior, is seeded sixth at 160 and junior Eli Reese (23-5) seventh at 285. The Knights have never had a state qualifier. “Both of these guys have excellent shots at getting there,” Knoch coach Grayson Hixon said. “Eli has another year after this one. Guy has put in all the preparatory work for this season you could ask for. “He's a very motivated wrestler. He's ready. His dream all year has been to get to the state tournament. That dream is still alive. All we can do now is hit the mat and let the chips fall where they may. “Kam Grassi (138 pounds) would be a four-time WPIAL qualifier if an injury didn't prematurely end his season last year. He's a seasoned wrestler,” Hixon added. Mars has four WPIAL qualifiers. The Planets' highest seed is senior Sean McElhinney (22-15), 12th at 160. BUTLER COUNTY WPIAL AAA QUALIFIERS 106 pounds: Tyler Chappell (Seneca Valley) 24-11 113: Hunter Swedish (Seneca Valley) 28-12, Levi Donnel (Butler) 34-3, Rocco Darocy (Mars) 19-11 120: Dylan Chappell (Seneca Valley) 41-4, Brandon Krul (Mars) 19-12 126: Clayton Dressler (Butler) 21-14 132: Alejandro Herrera-Rondon (Seneca Valley) 35-3 138: Chanz Shearer (Seneca Valley) 32-7, Christian Scheller (Mars) 23-9, Kam Grassi (Knoch) 22-6 145: Antonio Amelio (Seneca Valley) 29-14, Nate McMaster (Butler) 25-11 152: Drew Vlasnic (Seneca Valley) 31-7, Steven Green (Butler) 28-11 160: Guy DeLeonardis (Knoch) 20-1, Sean McElhinney (Mars) 22-15 170: Liam Volk-Klos (Seneca Valley) 28-12, Cooper Baxter (Butler) 30-6, Kyle Lauster (Knoch) 14-12 182: Patrick Johnson (Seneca Valley) 15-14 195: Caleb Hartung (Butler) 30-8, Caden Leighty (Knoch) 9-15 220: Nick Funovits (Seneca Valley) 19-21 285: Eli Reese (Knoch) 23-5, David Beahm (Seneca Valley) 14-20

Butler Eagle County Sports HOF adding 10 John Enrietto, Eagle Staff Writer - February 8, 2020 BUTLER TWP — The 55th annual Butler County Sports Hall of Fame Banquet will take place at 6 p.m. April 25 at the Butler Days Inn. This year's fete will induct 10 individuals and one team, making this the organization's largest induction classes in a number of years. Karns City's 1972 boys basketball team — which lost a 58-47 decision to Mount Penn in the PIAA Class C championship game — will be inducted that night. Individuals joining the Hall are Dave Crummy, Don Hinchberger, Jack Crummy, Olivia Bresnahan, Bill McElroy, Tyrell Sales, Shawn Bellis, Fred Powell, John “Jake” Benton and Joe Heitzer. Here is a look at the 10 individual inductees: Fred Powell Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, Powell was Slippery Rock University head wrestling coach from 1967 through 1991 and began the Slippery Rock High School wrestling program in 1998. Currently an assistant wrestling coach at Butler High School, Powell belongs to the Slippery Rock University Hall of Fame, Lock Haven University Hall of Fame and National Wrestling Hall of Fame. John “Jake” Benton Now deceased, Benton served as an umpire for more than 50 years, working Butler prep games, church games, Eagle County baseball, Greater Pittsburgh area baseball and local college games. He also umpired fast pitch softball city games and worked the press gate for Pittsburgh Pirate spring training games in Bradenton, Fla., for a number of years. Don Hinchberger One of the most outstanding distance runners in Butler High School history, Hinchberger held the Golden Tornado record in the 880 for 15 years. He placed at the PIAA cross country meet and in the WPIAL track and field championship meet. He went on to excel as a middle-distance runner at the University of Pittsburgh. Olivia Bresnahan A three-year letter winner in girls basketball at Butler, Bresnahan scored 1,395 points in her high school career and accepted a scholarship offer to play at Florida State. She transferred to Duquesne University and started 54 games over her final two seasons. Bill McElroy A three-year letterman in football and two-year letterman in track and field, McElroy was a dominant lineman for the Golden Tornado. He was rated among the top 100 scholastic players in the country on defense. and was named Field MVP at Butler in 1993. He went on to play football at West Virginia and was an assistant football and track coach at Butler for a number of years. Shawn Bellis A 1994 Butler graduate, he set the Golden Tornado boys basketball scoring record of 1,466 points that stood until Ethan Morton broke it last year. He also held Butler scoring records of 47 points in one game and 614 points in a season. He went on to play basketball at Clarion University and was PSAC Rookie of the Year. Joe Heitzer Representing the Veterans Era, Heitzer was a 1939 Butler graduate who was a four-year letterman in track and field. He set the WPIAL record of 23.6 seconds in the 200 low hurdles in 1937 and broke it the following year with a 23.3. He was anchor man on two Butler relay events and was team track MVP in 1939. He excelled in golf and bowling as well. David Crummy A 1979 Mars graduate, Crummy earned nine varsity letters combined in football, basketball, track and baseball. He was an all-state football player and hit over .500 in two years in baseball. He played football at Penn State and helped the Nittany Lions win their first national championship with a victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Tyrell Sales A 2004 Butler graduate and three-year starter in football and basketball at Butler, Sales also threw the javelin and discus in track and field. He was a 1,000-point scorer in basketball. He became a starter at linebacker for Penn State and played in the Rose Bowl, Alamo Bowl, Outback Bowl and Orange Bowl with the Nittany Lions. He started 23 straight games at Penn State. Jack Hartung A 1962 Butler graduate, Hartung became the first Golden Tornado basketball player to receive a scholarship in the sport. He played at VMI. He was the leading scorer in Section 1A in basketball and was on Butler's first cross country team, coached by Ed Hepe.

Butler Eagle Mat Master - Legendary wrestler, longtime coach,

Powell entering Butler County Sports Hall of Fame John Enrietto, Eagle Staff Writer - March 26, 2020 Butler assistant wrestling coach Fred Powell discusses technique during a team practice this season. The former high school and collegiate state champion — and longtime Slippery Rock University head mat coach — is being inducted into the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame. SEB FOLTZ/BUTLER EAGLE This is the 10th in a series of articles profiling the 2020 Butler County Sports Hall of Fame inductees. SLIPPERY ROCK — The biggest rise Fred Powell ever got out of his high school wrestling coach occurred far away from the mat. “We were moving a railroad tie and I accidentally dropped it on his foot,” Powell recalled. “The thing probably weighed 85 pounds. He had good reason to yell at me.” That coach, Billy Martin Sr., was Powell's physical education teacher at Granby High School in Virginia. He introduced Powell to wrestling, coached him to a state championship and laid the groundwork for a lengthy career as a wrestler and coach. That career is still going. And Powell, now in his 70s, is receiving the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame's Lifetime Achievement Award at the organization's annual banquet at 6 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Butler Days Inn. The fete was originally scheduled for April 25, but was postponed. Powell has been an assistant for Butler High School coach Scott Stoner — who wrestled for him at Slippery Rock University — for 10 years. He compiled a 215-105-54 record as SRU mat coach from 1967-91. He began the wrestling program at Slippery Rock High School in 1998 and coached there until 2006. “My youngest son was able to wrestle there and my whole family was part of that program,” Powell said of Slippery Rock High School wrestling. “My wife did the computer work for our statistics and led the parents club, organized the banquet. “I'm very grateful for those times.” He is also grateful for his soft-spoken high school coach who got his own successful wrestling career started. “Coach (Martin) never spoke in a demanding tone. My mother was a soft-spoken person, too,” Powell said. “My coaching demeanor is that way and it primarily came from them.” Granby won 21 state wrestling titles in 22 years under Martin's guidance. Powell — by his own admittance the smallest kid in his school — was 85 pounds in eighth grade and reached the Virginia state finals as a freshman, losing the match in overtime. He placed at the state tournament as a sophomore and junior before winning a state title at 120 pounds his senior year. “I lost three matches in high school, all of them at states,” Powell recalled. “We didn't have the heavy number of dual matches and tournaments they have today. I won maybe 60 matches or so.” High school teammate Gray Simons was two years older than Powell. He went on to win three national titles at Lock Haven University and wrestled for the United States in the 1960 and 1964 Olympics. He was also Powell's “student coach” in high school. “What a mentor he was,” Powell said. “I followed him to Lock Haven. I followed in his footsteps in a lot of ways.” Powell won an NAIA wrestling national championship and NCAA national crown at Lock Haven. He went on to compete at the international level and placed fifth in the 1966 FILA World Freestyle Championships for the United States. Shortly thereafter, his coaching tenure began at SRU. Powell coached 11 NCAA Division I All-Americans and 12 All-Americans in the Collegiate Division. One of his SRU wrestlers, Stan Dziedzic, went on to win a bronze medal at the 1976 Olympics and became an assistant coach for the U.S. Olympic wrestling team. “I've learned so much about wrestling technique through the years, from experiences in high school, college, team camps, international, freestyle ... I'm still learning new techniques today and coaching them. “My wrestlers' goal was to beat me, that's how I wanted them to think.” Powell estimates that 30 to 40 wrestlers he coached went on to coach the sport in high school or college. That list includes all-time WPIAL coaching wins leader Chuck Tursky (Kiski Area), Tom McGarrity (Pine-Richland), Jack Spates (all-time wins leader at University of Oklahoma) and Don Henry (Gannon). He referred to SRU's decision to drop wrestling in 2006 as “one of the most disappointing events in my life. That program produced a lot of outstanding individuals in academics and the business world.” Powell expressed pride in entering the Butler County Hall of Fame. “There are so many great wrestlers and coaches who are overlooked,” he said. “Butler (County) is a huge community with a lot of outstanding sports people. “I'm honored and grateful to be joining them.” Tickets for the Hall of Fame banquet are $30 in advance, $35 at the door. Tables of eight are $200. Tickets are available at Parker's Appliance in Chicora, Moses Jewelers at the Clearview Mall, The Butler Radio Network in Butler and Saxonburg Drug.

Above Left: Powell in action in the National Championship match. Above Right: Powell at top of the award stand. Butler Eagle Butler County's great daily newspaper Busy Baxter: Butler sophomore true 3-sport standout John Enrietto, Eagle Staff Writer - March 27, 2020 Butler quarterback Cooper Baxter attempts a pass in the second quarter against Pine-Richland this fall. The sophomore hopes to take his talents to his third sport of the season, baseball, this spring as the Golden Tornado's starting shortstop and burgeoning star. HAROLD AUGHTON/BUTLER EAGLE BUTLER TWP — Cooper Baxter has his priorities in order. The Butler sophomore's favorite sport? “Whatever sport is in season,” he said. “I'll never put working on a sport that's out of season over one that's in season.” And school is in season all the time. “School will always be there,” Baxter said. “Sports are secondary and come after academics. “How well you do in school will affect your life for the next 40 years. You have to pay prime attention to that.” The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Baxter puts plenty of time into everything he does — and he does plenty. “Cooper handles himself so well, for a person of any age,” Golden Tornado football coach Eric Christy said. “His personality is infectious. You just love to be around the kid.” Baxter is more than a three-sport athlete at Butler. He is a three-sport standout, playing football in the fall, wrestling in the winter and playing baseball in the spring and summer. He had never played quarterback before last fall, yet stepped in as Butler's starter and rushed for 761 yards and seven touchdowns, threw for 677 yards and four TDs for a winless team. Baxter had been a running back, fullback or wide receiver in years past. He's been playing football for nine years, has been wrestling and playing baseball for 12. “I was open to it,” Baxter said of the football coaches approaching him with the idea of going behind center. “If they felt that gave us the best chance to win, I was gonna do it.” Baxter has been doing a lot of winning on his own in wrestling. He is 63-18 with 24 pins, including 33- 8 his sophomore season, shuffling between 170 and 182 pounds. His career winning percentage of 77.7 ranks seventh on Butler's all-time list. “That percentage is probably going to go up over the next two years,” Tornado wrestling coach Scott Stoner said. “Cooper is an amazing kid. He puts in time with sports simultaneously. “He'll do a winter baseball practice, then come to wrestling, he'll come to wrestling practice after football, whatever he needs to do. And he ranks high in his class academically.” Baxter is carrying a 4.05 grade point average, ranking fifth in his sophomore class of 515. Cole Baxter, Butler's all-time wrestling victory and winning percentage leader at 160-17 (90 percent), is Cooper's cousin. “When I was young, my dad went to all of Cole's matches,” Baxter said. “He told me I was going to get into wrestling. I was 4 years old, so I listened to him. “I want to live up to the legacy my cousins Cole and Caleb (now wrestling at Waynesburg University) established before me. We have a great room. Alex Evanoff, Trevor Gallo, Coach (Fred) Powell, Coach Stoner, all of those guys have helped me.” Midway through the 2019 high school baseball season, Baxter took over as Butler's starting varsity shortstop as a freshman. He hit over .300 that season. He was leading off and playing shortstop during scrimmages before the spring sports season was shut down. Baxter plays summer baseball for the Pittsburgh Spikes AAU team. Butler baseball coach Josh Forbes said Baxter was “in the mix” for the shortstop job this year, though no starting roles had been determined yet. “It's a tribute to his work ethic that he's able to excel in three sports,” Forbes said. “Open gyms are designed for kids to voluntarily come and get some work in. “It says a lot for a kid to show the commitment to attend those open gyms while he's competing in another sport at the time.” Like everyone else, Baxter is hoping spring sports resume at some point. “It's tough, but I'm still doing what I can to stay in shape,” he said. “I'm throwing every day, getting in a batting cage twice a week. “I'll be ready to play whenever we're able to play.” So, it goes with Cooper Baxter. End one season, get on with the next. “We encourage that,” Christy said. “Scott (Stoner) and I talk all the time about how football and wrestling play off each other. “I can see the toughness Cooper gained through wrestling coming into play on the football field. And his athleticism in football comes to play in wrestling. We're encouraging a lot of our kids to do both sports.” Multiple sports are the way to go for Baxter. “When it comes to college, I'll probably have to choose one,” he said. “But I'm not worried about that now. I'm enjoying each sport as it comes and am working to improve in all of them. “From there, let the chips fall where they may.”

Butler Eagle The following Butler Wrestlers were recently awarded the title of Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Academic All -State. Sophomore Cooper Baxter, 1st team 4.0+, Junior Nate McMaster, 3rd team, and Junior Steven Green, Honorable Mention.