NTL WRESTLING: CANTON SHOWS OFF TRUE TALENT IN IMPRESSIVE SEASON (2022-03-26)

Northern Tier Sports Report
Canton wrestling had the year this season that they knew that was in them. While they had success during the Covid season, it wasn’t up their standards - this year, they hit that bar.

“We just wanted to forget last year with Covid, I think a lot of people did,” said coach Lyle Wesneski. “We just put it behind us, and say ‘listen, that’s in the rearview mirror, we’re not talking about it. We’re not looking back at it, we’re putting our blinders on, and let’s go forward.’”

The Warriors went undefeated in the NTL to win their third straight title, and took third at the District IV Duals to earn their program’s first state berth. They also won their third straight North Section title.

Individually, they had three regional qualifiers, two state qualifiers, and one state medalist in Riley Parker.

Due to the football season going long the wrestling team started late, and only had one match before Christmas. 

“It presented a little different beginning of the season, because we didn’t start practice until December 13,” said Wesneski. “We got a short period of time to get the kids in shape to go, but they did a good job of really working hard, and getting in shape.”

They hit their stride after the New Year, beating Wyalusing 44-15. The following week they rolled past Athens 51-21. Later in the month they held off a strong attempt from Towanda, winning 38-26, essentially ending any threat to their league title.

They only had five dual meet losses - Class AAA schools Clearfield and Butler, the PIAA Duals Champions Saucon Valley, short handed against Montoursville, and in the district duals semifinals to Montgomery.

“We redeemed ourselves,” Wesneski said about their loss to Montoursville, noting that they beat them during the District Duals tournament. 

In the third place at districts they would beat Warrior Run 39-25.

“We wrestled some really good teams, and we battled,” Wesneski remarked. “And it helped us in our tournaments.”

Individually they had three North Section champions in Parker, Hayden Ward, and Holden Ward. Parker, Hayden Ward, and Bailey Ferguson would all take third at districts to get to regionals.

Both Parker and Hayden Ward both earned bronzes at regionals to get to states.

At states Hayden Ward dropped out in the blood round, but Parker would get to the semifinals, falling to the eventual state champion. He would finish sixth in the tournament, with every single one of his opponents getting on the podium.

And Canton only loses one senior off this team, making next year a once-in-a-generation type team.

“We’re cranking up the tournaments even more,” said Wesneski. “So these kids can just get in there and see the best kids. And, even if we took some losses, we learned from those, and it helped us. You know, and that’s what I’m just a firm believer in, in wrestling up, and tough, and trying to just make your kids mentally tough.”