Warriors’ Wentzel thirsty for more gold
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Branden Wentzel remembers his first taste of victory very well. It didn't take long for the then-freshman to roll through Hershey and take home state gold.
While placing third in states last year was nice, it wasn't as sweet as that initial top spot on the podium. Wentzel is still hungry for another first-place finish, hungry to reach the pinnacle again.
Now the No. 2nd-ranked 113-pounder in the state for Class AA -- with some Powerade medals, individual tournament titles and 100 career wins to boot -- has all the makings to climb the mountain once more.
"I definitely want to be back on top. I'm ranked second in the state right now, so I think I'm definitely doing well," Wentzel said. "But I'm always going to stay hungry for that goal, and getting that state gold my first year, it really made me feel on top of the world. I want that day back more than anything."
So far this season, Wentzel is 27-2. He picked up his 100th career win during the Clearfield Duals semifinals last month. Montoursville took wins over Hempfield and Forest Hills, and dropped its match against Benton.
"Super proud of him for that, it's a nice accomplishment," Montoursville coach Matt Yonkin said on Wentzel's 100th win. "He knows very well we're shooting for far more than 100, but any time you can check a milestone off the list, it's definitely a good thing."
Wentzel is beating some of the top talents in Pennsylvania, too. After bumping up to 120 pounds, the junior dealt a 14-5 major decision over Jersey Shore's Brock Weiss, currently ranked No. 10 in the state, to win his second Top Hat title at the start of the season.
He also posted a 13-2 major decision over returning state runner-up Cooper Hornack of Burrell in the Powerade's 113-pound quarterfinals.
Montoursville finished among the top 20 teams among the 65 schools at the Powerade, Pennsylvania's biggest tournament. Against powerhouse programs like Malvern Prep and Wyoming Seminary, the Warriors knew they'd be getting more than a few points at 113.
"A two-time state placewinner, we expect people like him to be able to wrestle anybody, to go up and down weight classes and do what he needs to do for the team," Yonkin said. "His goals are very high this year. We're going after a state title this year, and it's that simple."
With the break in February before individual postseason competition begins, Wentzel and the Warriors will hit the gym to prepare for the District 4 Class AA Central sectional on Feb. 19.
Montoursville's lineup is loaded with multiple top-25 talents in Class AA. No. 11 David Kennedy (120), No. 23 Blaize Vogel (132) and Isaac Cory at 172, a three-time state qualifier who took seventh at Hershey in 2020, all highlight the list.
The Warriors are preparing to cash in, and Wentzel spearheads their lineup.
"Personally, I think I'll do alright because when you get there, it's pretty much all about yourself and your teammates are there wrestling with you," Wentzel said.
He also aims to log in plenty of hours at the Ride Out Wrestling Club in Montoursville, where his father is a part-owner.
"I'll be there as much as I can so I can stay in shape, try to get that extra step on kids who aren't doing extra stuff," Wentzel said. "I'm sure most of my teammates are going to be there with me getting that extra step, because my teammates, they're goers."
Montoursville, currently ranked fifth in the state for Class AA duals, holds the No. 6 seed in the District 4 Duals. The Warriors hosted No. 11 Hughesville on Wednesday night. The dual did not end in time for a score for this edition.
"I'm pretty grateful for my wrestling career that I have right now. I have three Powerade medals, a state title, a state-third and 100 wins," Wentzel said. "Like, some kids wish to even make it to the Hershey tournament or even get 100 wins, so I'm just grateful."
Evan Wheaton covers wrestling for the Sun-Gazette. He can be reached by email at ewheaton@sungazette.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EvanWheaton