Andy Close
ERIE, Pa. – Sheffield had four wrestlers compete in the Keystone State Championships on March 18-20.
Sheffield’s junior high wrestling program featured two qualifiers from the Northwest Region. At 187 pounds, Zyler McQueen was a third-place qualifier. McQueen wrestled two competitive matches at the Keystones Championships.
A controversial technical point was called late in his second match which proved to be the matches deciding factor. Coaches from Cranberry wrestling commented on McQueen’s performance and abilities saying “he is going to be a good wrestler.” Coach Jim Holden also said, “it’s been a privilege to coach Zyler, and his improvements are extraordinary.”
At 124 pounds, Hayden Holden entered the Keystone State Championships as a third-place Northwest Qualifier. A first match loss to Chambersburg’s Romberger (eventual 7th place finisher) would drop Holden to consolation rounds where he rattled off two-straight wins vs Gray (Southern Cambria) and Hickory’s David Ferguson, who Holden also defeated and the Keystone Qualifier.
Ferguson was also Area 6 PJW champion earlier this season. The next match was also a rematch featuring Holden and Laurel’s Braxton Carr. Holden would fall down four early points and only earn a two-point reversal to end his tournament with a 4-2 loss. Both McQueen and Holden both proved they were worthy of the challenge and concluded what proved to a great year for Sheffield’s JH wrestling program.
Sheffield also had two youth girls wrestle on Sunday, March 20.
Alannah Knapp wrestled in the 10u age division while only being 8. She lost her first two matches of the day taking sixth place. She wrestled hard and put up a fight in each match. We look forward to her bright future with the Sheffield wrestling team.
Kaelon Connelly wrestled at 115 pounds at the 12u division. She went 3-1 taking third place out of 13 wrestlers. In her first match, she showcased her ability to take her opponent down. She then was able to record the pin with an armbar. In her semifinals match she recorded an early takedown before hurting her shoulder and losing the match. Kaelon battled through her injury to win her final two matches by decision and take third place in the state tournament.
Next season she will be moving up to junior high where she will continue to improve on her abilities and chase the opportunity for first place.
