Sziy wins gold
Zac Bradley, Rhaine Sziy, and Jake Rusnock all passed the 100-career wins mark this winter, but the trio also helped the Roughies' wrestling team earn some high marks at the recent PIAA District 11 Class 2A championships.
Sziy captured the 195-pound weight class, Bradley finished second at 160, and Rusnock finished fourth at 132. In addition, Tyler Trobetsky finished sixth overall in the 220-pounds category, as the Roughies notched a sixth-place finish as a team with 96 points.
For Bradley and his teammates, getting to districts was a highlight within itself. Bradley, who was the second seed in his weight class, dropped a 6-4 decision to Adam Soldridge of Bethlehem Catholic.
Sziy, who was the second seed overall, blanked Alek Hummel of North Schuylkill, 5-0.
"We have all been wrestling together since first grade and getting 100 wins was special," said Bradley, one of the four seniors to place in the top six at districts. "My two goals this year were getting to 100 wins and to be a district champion. I made it as far as I could, but I came up a little short. I know it wasn't because of lack of effort.
"But it was special just being able to get there. I thought I had a pretty good tournament and it is something special. It is something to be proud of for all of us."
"Getting the wins during the season is always special, but this is really what you wrestle for," added Rusnock.
Bradley, who finished sixth at districts last season, Sziy and Rusnock will all advance to the PIAA Class 2A Southeastern Regional at Wilson West Lawn High School this weekend.
It will be another rewarding weekend for both of them regardless of the outcome.
"I really don't know what it will be like to go to regionals," said Bradley, who will play football at Shippensburg University next fall. "It is something that you really can't prepare for an opponent. You just have to be in the best shape. Wrestling is not my primary sport, but I give it all I can. It was not easy coming into wrestling from football this year because our season went pretty deep. It is very demanding on your body.
"But I am just happy to be there (regionals). At this round, anyone can upset anyone else. But this is also about our team have a good season as well as us wrestlers."