PIAA WRESTLING: A 'TOUGH DAY' AT STATES FOR ATHENS' VANDERPOOL (10 PHOTOS) (2024-03-07)

Valley Sports Report
HERSHEY — Athens senior Mason Vanderpool had a "tough day" here Thursday at the PIAA Class AA wrestling championships at the Giant Center, but coach Shawn Bradley believes he showed a lot of character just getting to Hershey.

"He’s had to overcome a lot of adversity in his career … nothing but credit to Mason," said Bradley. "He probably overachieved this year, it’s a great achievement just to make it here."

Vanderpool faced Trinity sophomore Will Detar (33-3), who finished third at States last year, in the round-of-16, and lost via fall in 1:13.

In his first wrestleback match, Vanderpool faced Penns Valley freshman Erik Carlile (17-8), and dropped an 8-0 major decision.

Carlile scored a five-point moved in the first 30 seconds of the bout. After a scoreless second period with both wrestlers on their feet for the entire two minutes, Carlile scored an escape and takedown in the final 30 seconds of the third period to provide the final margin.

"(Detar) is really good," said Bradley.

"(Carlile) is definitely also good, but (Mason) got caught in a five-point move in the first period, then had to try an come back from that.

"It was a tough day," added Bradley.

Vanderpool ends his season with a 34-18 record, and a 76-40 career mark.

Bradley said Vanderpool took advantage of an opportunity this season, and made the most of it.

"He was stuck behind Gavin (Bradley) for a few years, then this year he was stuck behind Zaine (Campell) at the beginning of the season." he said. "Zaine gets hurt, and Mason lost a little bit of weight, and took advantage of it.

"He wrestled great the last couple week, probably the best he’s wrestled his entire career," noted Bradley. "All the credit in the world to Mason. He earned this trip, and he deserved it.

"Getting here is a great achievement, and I hope he sees it that way," added Bradley.

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IN PHOTOS: Athens senior Mason Vanderpool. … PHOTOS BY LANCE LARCOM and CHRIS MANNING.

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