Young people today are faced with so many more problems than when I was a student. Yes, we had the Cold War, and the fear of nuclear weapons, and Three Mile Island was another hot topic of the day, but what goes on around young folks today most of us never imagined.

Please appreciate how blessed our area communities are with our young men and women. They are truly remarkable, and I do not remember a time when our area has had more success in scholastics, music, athletics — you name it. Make sure you tell them how proud you are of them.

I have always appreciated the dedication, discipline, and desire it takes if you choose to be a wrestler. Not that it can’t be said about other sports, but those who choose to compete on the mat take it to a whole different level.
At the recently held PIAA Class AA State Championships in Hershey Gavin Hoffman competing in the (195) weight class, raised the bar to a whole new level; he became Lycoming County’s first three-time state champion. Amazing accomplishment considering the proud wrestling tradition that can be found up and down the West Branch Valley. Congratulations to him and a tip of the cap to Montoursville Wrestling Coach Jamie Yonkin, who has done a fantastic job building the Warrior Wrestling program, and is an even better person than coach.

Also winning gold at the 2A level was Joe Klock, Muncy (132). He did a tremendous job defeating his rival Cole Rhone from Benton. Tip of the wrestling headgear also to Head Coach Denny Harer of Muncy, who has done a great job with their program. He is another one of those good guys our area is blessed with.

We will have much more on three-time champ Gavin Hoffman and Joe Klock’s first State Title next week.

Other area medalists competing at the 2A level to step up to the podium at Hershey were Wyatt Lutz (113), also from Montoursville, 5th Place. Justin Kriner (285) from North Penn Liberty, 5th Place. Nate Higley (132), Sullivan County, 6th place. Warrior Run’s Jeremy Hanford (126), 7th place. Lewisburg Andrew Shedleski (182), 7th place. Hunter O’Connor (182) from Jersey Shore who lost to Shedleski and finished 8th, and Muncy Indian, Hunter Poust (220) also finished eighth.
Again tremendous job boys! It would be an interesting fact to know the amount of time each wrestler put in to be celebrated at Hershey.

Switching from the wrestling mat to the hardwood, Loyalsock Head Coach Ron Insinger — CI — has had a lot to smile about lately. One accomplishment flying under the radar was the 9th grade Lancers winning the prestigious Michael Durrwachter Memorial Tournament, something they have never done. Unfortunately, freshman basketball has been cut out of many schools schedules. It’s a great way to develop young players and very beneficial to the schools that have kept their programs.
Tip of the cap to Head Coach Lynn Datres, Assistant Marty Jennings, and their young players. They finished their season 20-2 often competing against much larger schools like State College and Williamsport. They also finish second in an AAU Tournament in Pittsburgh, competing against talented teams from that region.

Coach Datres was most impressed with the team’s hard work, effort, and team play. “They are one of the best and talented 9th grade teams I’ve coached,” noted Coach Datres. He looks for them to make great contributions as they move onto the high school level. Sounds like CI might be on course for that 1,000th win.

God Bless America.

Loyalsock Freshman Team
Front Row Left to Right: Liam Bastian, Idris Ali, Dominic Jennings, Max Panaccio.
2nd Row: Coach Marty Jennings, Keke Singh, Michael Hall, Eli Gair, Brady Dowell, Josh Rankey, Chase Cavanaugh.
Back Row: Head Coach Lynn Datres, Sean Jensen, Julian Wilson, Jordan Aderhold.
Not Pictured: Michael Thompson, Terrell Cradle
Commitment and Excellence