DOMINATING the COMPETITION
BY NICOLE TAFE
Pine-Richland wrestlers make their mark
at Pennsylvania state tournaments.
P
ine-Richland’s been wrestling up a storm. Recently, its students
dominated the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling Junior High State
Tournament held at Cambria County War Memorial Arena in
Johnstown and the PA Youth State Tournament held in Wilkes-Barre.
Eighth-grader Cole Spencer, fourth-grader Vaughn Spencer and seventh-
grader Kelin Laffey took first, second and third place respectively in this
year’s events.
Cole Spencer, 15, is the son of Brad and Joann Spencer. At Pine-
Richland Middle School, his favorite subject is math and he participates
in both wrestling and football. “I got into wrestling when I was 5 years
old,” says Cole. “I’ve been wrestling for 10 years now and am on the Pine-
Richland Middle School team, part of the One More Period (OMP)
Wrestling Club and Team PA—The Pennsylvania State Team.”
At the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling Junior High State Tournament
this year, Cole tore through his competition in the 147-pound weight
class. He pinned his first two opponents in less than a minute and was
declared the winner of his third match by major decision. In the semi-
finals, he pinned his opponent once again, and in the finals won his
match 9 to 2—earning him the first place title of state champion.
“I’m proud to be a wrestler, of my skills and of what I have
accomplished,” says Cole, who prepares for his tournaments by attending
practices five days a week at PRMS, doubling up three nights a week with
additional club practice at OMP. “It takes a lot of time, effort and heart to
stick with wrestling—
and a lot of personal
responsibility.”
Thomas McGarity,
PRMS wrestling coach,
thinks the young
athlete has all of the
makings to be the next
great wrestler from
Kelin Laffey faces his opponent at the PA Youth
State Tournament in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
Vaughn Spencer
smiles proudly,
earning second
place in the recent
PA Youth State
Tournament.
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