All season long, the Faith Christian wrestling team has continued to expand its shelf of wrestling hardware.
The Lions placed first at two tournaments, and took home gold at the PIAA Class 2A state duals as well as the District One/12 Class 2A tilt. During the season, Faith lost two matches among those facing other teams as well as in tournaments.
On an individual basis, Faith Christian has accumulated a litany of honors.
The Lions’ recent PIAA Class 2A Southeast Regional title shouldn’t have been a surprise – but the route there may have been.
Faith Christian advanced all of its 11 wrestlers to the PIAA tournament at the Giant Center in Hershey this weekend, crowning five champions in the process.
Head coach Ben Clymer was once again astounded by his band of dominating freshman and sophomores.
Freshmen Arment Waltenbaugh (127 pounds, 26-5 record), Cael Weidenmoyer (152, 32-3) and Adam Waters (172, 40-1) along with sophomores Gauge Botero (121, 39-2) and Chase Hontz (139, 35-9) took the top spots in their respective weight classes. Waters was named Outstanding Wrestler for the tournament, as he registered a tech fall, a fall, a major decision, and a 5-3 decision in the final over top-seeded Holden Garcia of Notre Dame-Green Pond.
Freshman Mark Effendian (215, 38-11), and sophomores Max Stein (145, 37-8) and Luke Sagalski (160, 25-7) all were second in their weight classes. Freshmen Kole Davidheiser (107, 30-9) and Mason Wagner (133, 37-8) were third, and fellow freshmen Jason Singer was fourth (189, 32-10).
“The kids have such great energy and focus about them,” said Clymer. “It’s very helpful to have everyone qualified for states because they will continue to get that joy from one another.
“I think it’s going to be a great benefit at Hershey. We’re also very thankful to have guys healthy at this point of the long year, and grateful that God gave another opportunity to make Him look good.”
Waters has shown the mettle and character of a seasoned wrestler and has maintained a team-first approach all season.
“It was a very exciting tournament,” he said. “It was good to wrestle against some great opponents. “I’m also very proud of my team for having all 11 of us go to states.”
Gauge, who is considered one of the veterans on the team, captured his second consecutive regional title, and also has maintained the same stance as his teammate.
“I am excited to be a two-time regional champ and to see all of us advance to states,” he said. “We all work extremely hard, and it feels good to see that hard work pay off.”
The only missing piece of the puzzle for the Lions’ program is a state champion. That piece seemingly could be found this weekend.
“All in all, it was a great weekend for these guys and their families,” added Clymer. “They wrestled with poise and toughness. I loved watching the joy of the guys’ before, during and after the matches, even the losses.
“They’re getting along and love this opportunity they have in front of them. They’re more excited to compete than they are nervous about losing. That’s important for me to see at this point.”
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