Ten Tyrone wrestlers will compete at the PIAA District 6 Class 2A individual championships on Friday, Feb. 13, and Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Altoona Area High School Fieldhouse.
Wrestling begins at 11 a.m. today, with quarterfinals set for 5 p.m. Saturday’s session starts at 9 a.m., followed by semifinals at 10:30 a.m. and the championship bouts later in the day.
The top six finishers in each weight class advance to the Southwest Regional on Feb. 27–28.
Tyrone head coach Quentin Wright said his team has multiple wrestlers capable of punching their ticket to regionals, starting with senior Kyle Scott, who is 35-0 and the overwhelming favorite to win at 189.
“Kyle Scott will win Districts relatively easily,” Wright said. “Wrestlers like Kyle Scott do not come around very often, and when they do, you have to enjoy every moment. Kyle has matured and grown into a young man that any coach and parent would be proud of… His dedication to wrestling and representation of Tyrone will be remembered decades from now.”
In addition to Scott, Wright said that anywhere from two to five Tyrone wrestlers have a legitimate chance to make the podium and advance to Regionals.
“I expect Mason VanAllman to be in the top four. I expect Tanner Walk to be top six along with Kyler Suhoney. Based on the results this year, I believe they have the best chance to make it through to regionals. Others who have an outside chance are Rhys Rawlings and Jonah Wicker.”
Mason VanAllman (29-8) is positioned well as the No. 3 seed at 160.
At 107, Tanner Walk (22-15) enters districts as the No. 5 seed, and Wright expects him to battle into the placement rounds.
Wright identified Rhys Rawlings and Kyler Suhoney as two of his most improved wrestlers this season.
“Both of these guys have been able to overcome their own frustrations and mentally stay in the match and manage their energy through all three periods,” Wright said.
And while several Tyrone wrestlers are going into the weekend with medal hopes, Wright said the biggest takeaway from this season has been how the team responded when things got tough.
“This year has been a great challenge in which we have been kicked down and beat up some. But they don’t make movies about people who are perfect and win. We have learned to keep fighting in all situations and in all positions. We have kept a positive attitude and I hope the guys and girls have learned the value in; just keep fighting,” Wright said.
Tyrone’s District 6 qualifiers:
107: Tanner Walk (22-15)
114: Jonah Wicker (10-18)
127: Jesse Parks
139: Coltyn Frye (7-20)
145: Rhys Rawlings (12-18)
152: Miles Weber (4-13)
160: Mason VanAllman (29-8)
189: Kyle Scott (35-0)
215: Kyler Suhoney (21-11)
285: Dylan Robinson
