Higher weight suiting Frey well so far

Any questions that surrounding Luke Frey and his return to the Montoursville wrestling lineup were answered rather emphatically less than 30 seconds into his first match of the year Tuesday.

The junior 2008 state champion, wrestling at the heaviest weight of his career, got in deep on Central Columbia district qualifier Kurt Meske on a single-leg takedown attempt. He then picked up that one leg, and with it the entire body of Meske, and dropped him to the mat just 26 seconds into the 140-pound bout.

It was a statement made for a visibly thicker Luke Frey. This is a wrestler who is going to fit in just fine moving up five or six weight classes from where he finished fourth at the PIAA Tournament a year ago. Meske - no slouch of a wrestler having won 20 bouts last year as a freshman - could do little against the stronger Frey. And that's just what Frey spent his summer working on.

"I can't say whether he lifted weights to get bigger, but he definitely did it to get stronger," Montoursville coach Jamie Yonkin said prior to the start of the season. "That was one of the things that hurt him last year is at times he wasn't strong enough."

Well, Frey looked plenty strong enough to lift Meske shoulder high Tuesday night. He's gone from the typical scrawny 103 and 112-pounder to a well put together middleweight who is only going to become more dangerous when he can control his opponents from the top position.

The junior has always been tough in the top position. In fact, in his 103-pound state championship match against Reynolds' Mason Beckman, Frey won Montoursville's first state championship since 1994 by holding down Beckman for 30 seconds in the overtime rideout period. But this move to get bigger isn't just about being able to hold down his opponents, this is about turning them.

And with Frey likely wrestling at 135 pounds by the time postseason comes around, he is going to have to be strong enough to pick up back points when he can't get a fall.

"I think that first takedown shows he feels pretty good. And with the way he lifted (Meske) up, I think it's evident." Yonkin said.

About the only question that remained following the first four minutes of Frey's bout with Meske was if he would be able to hold up over the course of six minutes physically. Once or twice Frey bent down and rubbed his injured right ankle, or adjusted the black brace which encompassed it.

And it was clear that Frey wasn't in the best physical condition to compete for six minutes. He's never been a staller to get through six minutes. And he's never been one to have to worry about his shape until he's had this injured right ankle. He struggled to find his wind in the third period against Meske, but dug down deep enough to pull off a five-point move in the final 30 seconds to go from winning 7-1, to winning 12-1.

It was exactly the type of spurt Yonkin needed to see. He's always known that having Frey at practice changes the atmosphere around the Montoursville mat room. And to watch Frey take care of Meske in the final 30 seconds shows why it's a different atmosphere.

Oh, and the almost guaranteed bonus points he brings into every dual-meet is nice too. In fact, that was just what Montoursville needed to insert into the middle of its lineup during its rough start to the season. In the one tournament and two dual-meets before Frey returned to the Warriors' lineup, Montoursville was just 2-8 combined between 135 and 140 pounds this year with both wins coming at the Top Hat Tournament.

Six of those losses were by fall, and only one was by regular decision. Frey entered the season having just three losses in his career, and none to a District 4 wrestler. So while the Warriors are still waiting for the return of Josh Albert to heavyweight, and the potential return of state qualifier David Batkowski, Frey's return may be the most important to Montoursville's season.

"That's one less pin in the lineup we have to worry about with him back," Dawson said. "But it's great knowing we have someone that can go out and beat the best kids on the other team."

"He's pushing the kids and having that competitive of a kid in the mat room is just huge," Yonkin said. "It just changes the whole atmosphere of the mat room."

INTRIGUING RESULTS: It's just about that time of year where wrestlers are starting to pick up wins here and there that may have an affect on tournaments or dual-meets down the road. Here are a couple to keep in the back of your mind.

Brad Hain, Warrior Run, dec. Nick Dusendschine, Mount Carmel

It's not that these two will likely be battling each other in sectionals districts, regionals and states, but they could each be players for one of those top-five spots in the district come February. It's a nice win for Hain against a tough coal-region wrestler.

Nathaniel Brown, Lewisburg, pinned Brad Poust, Hughesville

Brown is the state's favorite to win the 171-pound championship in Hershey in March, and Poust has all kind of potential to be a very good wrestler. In a wrestling world that see many wrestlers stay away from tough competition, it was good to see Brown wrestle the best Hughesville has to offer. Poust, will likely learn quite a bit from wrestling one of the state's best.

Eric Wolfe, Milton, dec. Dalton McLaughlin, Jersey Shore

With Milton almost permanently ingrained into Class AA, this matchup has no postseason ramifications. But what it does have is a valuable learning experience for two state tournament-quality wrestlers. The more types of matchups like this a good wrestler can get, the better they'll be in crunch time in the postseason.

PINNING FOR A PURPOSE: Montoursville's wrestling program will be wrestling for more than just team points this season. After losing a loved member of its wrestling family earlier this year, the Warriors are earning money for each fall they record to help benefit Dale Ross' family.

Through three separate donors, the Warriors will earn $25 for each pin they record this year. And one of the contributors even started off the pool of money with $300. The money will go toward the benefit of Ross' children, Aislin and Lyden. And both children and Ross' wife Yvette were on hand as Warriors head coach Jamie Yonkin announced the cause prior to Montoursville's match against Central Columbia.

The Warriors' yellow warm-up shirt have "Pins 4 Dale" emblazoned on the cuff of the left sleeve to remind them that they're wrestling for more than just points.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the fund can do so by contacting Yonkin.

CAN'T-MISS MATCH

OF THE WEEK

Selinsgrove Holiday Tournament,

Thursday, 10 a.m.

This is a chance for local teams like Wellsboro to see where they stand against some tough competition. Although its unlikely the host Seals will be at full strength following their run to the PIAA Class AAA football championship, returning state runner-up Spencer Myers could still be a marquee name to watch.

WRESTLER

OF THE WEEK

Going outside the area, this week's award is being handed to the entire Troy wrestling team after the loss of 160-pounder Logan Weed in a tragic car accident last weekend. At times the loss of a life this young seems so senseless, and it is. But as the outpouring of support during his funeral services showed, he was a well-loved individual who had touched many lives. I find it hard to imagine that anyone will be rooting against the Troy wrestling team this year in District 4.