By Beth Hudson
Of The Morning Call<\/p>\n
By the time you read this, Joey Ecklof likely will be competing at the Senior National High School Wrestling Championships in Cleveland – not because he has to, but because he loves to wrestle.<\/p>\n
”This was something I really wanted to do,” he said. ”If I go out and lose, who cares? If I go out and win, that’s more respect and more confidence in myself.”<\/p>\n
Talk to Ecklof for a few minutes, and two things become clear: Ecklof doesn’t get caught up in numbers, whether they represent wins, losses or career titles. And the Northampton senior wrestles ” he invests countless hours and immeasurable ounces of sweat – purely because he thrives on this sport.<\/p>\n
That’s why he’s in Ohio – and one of many reasons why he’s The Morning Call’s Class 3A wrestler of the year.<\/p>\n
No question, the competition was intense.<\/p>\n
There was Nazareth senior Joe Caramanica, strong and steady, losing just one bout all season and winning a second consecutive state gold. Emmaus senior Bryan Reiss and Pennridge senior Dan Goetter won the first state wrestling titles in their schools’ respective histories – and dominated most of their opponents along the way.<\/p>\n
In the end, though, Ecklof did something unprecedented in Pennsylvania high school wrestling. After going into this year’s PIAA Championships as a two-time state champ, he earned his third state gold by beating another two-time state champ, Greensburg-Salem senior Donnie Jones.<\/p>\n
More than that, Ecklof (31-3) won decisively, 10-3, in the Class 3A 152-pound final.<\/p>\n
”My coach said, ‘Go at him and wrestle your way. Try to underhook and engage. He probably won’t wrestle like he usually does,”’ Ecklof said. ”That set the tone.”<\/p>\n
Northampton coach Terry Daubert and assistant Don Rohn talked to Ecklof about the strategy, and the wrestler executed it to perfection. He took down Jones just a few seconds into the opening period.<\/p>\n
”The first takedown is always major,” Ecklof said. ”That takes away all of your nerves. After that first takedown, I ended up getting a tilt – I got two all year, in the finals of regionals and states. Incredible.<\/p>\n
”I never usually do anything on top, because I’m more comfortable on my feet. After I got those back points, I thought in the back of my mind, ‘That was the match.”’<\/p>\n
From there, it was only a matter of time until Ecklof became a three-time state champion ” a reality that still seems unreal to him.<\/p>\n
”It’s something I never thought I would do,” he said.<\/p>\n
Along the way, though, he’s gained the respect and admiration of many, including the men who have had the task of coaching Ecklof’s opponents through the years.<\/p>\n
Whitehall coach Tim Cunningham is very familiar with Ecklof – not only because the Konkrete Kids and Zephyrs both compete in the Lehigh Valley Conference, but also because Whitehall and Northampton kids work out together in an offseason club.<\/p>\n
”He knows how to peak at the right time,” Cunningham said. ”His mental attitude is what impresses me most – and then, obviously, the fact that he’s an excellent student.<\/p>\n
”And he enjoys wrestling. He’s always smiling.”<\/p>\n
Added Easton coach Steve Powell: ”I’m sure he doesn’t want to be compared to [his older brother] Jeff, but they’re very similar in that when they step on the mat, they believe they can win. And he put on a match that will long be remembered in the Pennsylvania wrestling finals.”<\/p>\n
Upper Perkiomen coach Tom Hontz saw one of his own wrestlers, Brent Fiorito, lose a 5-2 decision to Ecklof in the state semifinals. Almost three weeks later, Hontz still marvels at what Ecklof did against Jones.<\/p>\n
”His composure is just amazing out there,” Hontz said. ”I’ve been around this sport 20 years as a wrestler and a coach, and that final against Jones was amazing. That was one of the best finals I’ve seen.”<\/p>\n
In the fall, Ecklof will move on to the University of Pittsburgh, where his brother, Jeff, also is on the wrestling team. Joey Ecklof is looking forward to a fresh challenge.<\/p>\n
Of course, he’ll always have those three state titles and the memories that came along with them. The difficult part will be leaving behind his teammates and coaches – people who have been such an integral part of his life as a wrestler.<\/p>\n
”You can get more friends,” he said, ”but it’s never the same as that exact moment when you’re with the team – having a good time, not even wrestling, but just laughing and making jokes. That’s one thing I will miss – the humor that came with all of the teams I’ve been on.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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