Ecklof wins third state title in three years
By DAN GELSTON, AP Sports Writer, The Associated Press
Joey Ecklof turned a much-anticipated showdown into a stunning blowout. The rapid takedowns gave Northampton’s Ecklof the early edge _ and made him a three-time state champion.
In what was believed to be the first meeting between two two-time state champions, Ecklof dominated Greensburg Salem’s Donnie Jones 10-3 in the Class AAA 152-pound state title match.
“I definitely expected a closer match, but then once I started getting those takedowns, I knew the match was mine, “Ecklof said.
Ecklof got a takedown only seconds into the first period and took a 4-2 lead into the second. When Ecklof opened the second with another takedown, the crowd erupted and Jones could never recover.
“You hear the whole crowd go, ‘Whoooa.’ Now you’ve got to keep it up, “Ecklof said.
He did, cruising to the easy win and stunning those who expected an epic showdown in this main event match.
Ecklof won gold at 135 pounds in 2003 and 145 pounds last year. Jones won at 130 pounds in 2003 and 140 last year.
Jones said he felt comfortable at 4-2, but when Ecklof opened the second with the takedown, it “kind of broke me.”
While Jones dominated his matches the last two days, including a 20-5 technical victory earlier in the day in the semifinals, Ecklof seemed to do just enough to win.
“All tournament long he played possum with everybody and when he came to the finals, he turned it up and gave Jonsie an old-fashioned butt-whipping, “said Greensburg Salem coach Randy Parsley. “That’s the best I’ve ever seen Ecklof look. Jones didn’t help any by wrestling the way he did, but Ecklof made him do that.”
Ecklof became the 28th wrestler to win three state titles. After not talking to the press after his previous matches, Ecklof was all smiles as the center of attention. Jones paced back in the tunnel, hands on his hips, fighting back tears.
“Everything out there was going my way, “Ecklof said. “You can’t hold anything back.”
Said Jones: “Today was his day. He came to wrestle and I didn’t.”
Ecklof wasn’t the only three-time champ crowned Saturday. In Class AA, Juniata junior Garrett Scott improved to 3-for-3 in title matches and was already looking ahead to next year and a chance to join some elite company as a four-time state champion.
“Yeah, it would be nice, “Scott said, smiling. “I’ve just to keep working hard.”
Scott was a 16-1 technical fall winner over Caleb Walsh of Oley Valley in the PIAA 135-pound class for his third state championship. Scott won titles at 119 pounds in 2003 and 130 pounds last year.
Only nine wrestlers have ever won four state PIAA championships, and none since Jeremy Hunter of Class AAA McGuffey from 1993-96.
Scott finished the year 38-0 (107-2 career), and hasn’t lost since he was a freshman. Will he ever lose again?
“I’m not saying, “said Juniata coach Brad Boyd, with a laugh. “I don’t want to jinx anyone.”
A jinx might be the only thing that could slow down Scott, who became the 27th wrestler to win three state championships and will likely move up one or two weight classes next year.
“He’s writing history for sure, “Boyd said. “To do what he’s done is pretty amazing.”
Scott said he never felt the pressure of trying to win for a third time.
“Most people say it’s pressure, but … the pressure’s off once you come to states, “he said. “The pressure’s on when you’re in your wrestling room training all year round. Once you get to states, the pressure’s off and you just go out there and let it all hang loose.”
Wyalusing’s Matt Fisk at 125 pounds and Curwensville’s Nate Sipes at 215 pounds also won their second straight state titles.
Fisk finished 44-0 this year and extended his own PIAA record with his 175th and final career victory. Fisk, a 5-1 winner over Hamburg’s Nick Stabile, broke the long-standing record for career scholastic victories by a wrestler from a PIAA school on Friday night.
The record-setting match ended in boos because of a controversial decision, but Fisk was cheered when introduced during the parade of champions.
“I’m kind of sad it’s over, but then again, I’m glad I got my second one, “said Fisk, who won at 119 pounds last year. “It hit me this morning that I only had one more left in my career.”
He made the most of it, flexing his arms after the win and pointing toward a large pocket of fans that cheered him on at half-full Hershey Center. Fisk hugged his dad and coach, Walt, then dashed into the stands to hug his mom and celebrate.
Sipes, a 12-3 major decision winner over Valley View’s Kyle Davis, won his title a year ago at 189 pounds.
At 130 pounds, Line Mountain’s Kellon Balum _ who finished third last year _ returned to upset Matt Dunn of Reynolds, 10-9. Dunn won a state title in 2003.
Reynolds won the Class AA team title with 83 points.
In other Class AAA title matches of note, the Rappo brothers of Council Rock South split their matches. Senior Rick Rappo was defeated by Chris Sheetz of Upper Perkiomen in the 112-pound division and 11th grader Michael Rappo beat Clearfield’s Bradley Pataky 9-3 at 119 pounds.
Rick Rappo and Pataky were both state champions last year. It was another tough day for returning champs at 171 pounds when Parkland’s Nick Guida was defeated by Waynesburg’s Corbin Semple, 6-3. Guida won at 171 pounds last year.
The only other returning champion to win was Nazareth’s Joe Caramanica who beat Whitehall’s Tim McGoldrick 5-0 at 145 pounds. Caramanica won at 135 pounds last year.
Connellsville’s Ashtin Primus pinned Big Spring’s Josh Barrick at 3:15 for the 115-pound title.
There was tie in the Class AAA team championship, with Connellsville and Council Rock South each scoring 68 points.
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