Published March 07, 2009 08:40 pm - HERSHEY — Former Clarion University All-American wrestler Tom Tomeo smiled broadly as he remarked about the talent of the new Grove City High state champ Caleb Kolb: “The legacy has been passed.”
Kolb grabs gold in Hershey; Burnett loses in finals; Beckman, Moss and Teague finish 3rd
By Lynn Saternow
Herald Sports Editor
HERSHEY — Former Clarion University All-American wrestler Tom Tomeo smiled broadly as he remarked about the talent of the new Grove City High state champ Caleb Kolb:
“The legacy has been passed.”
Kolb won the 171-pound title at the PIAA State AA Wrestling Championships Saturday at Hershey Giant Center, the 1st Grove City titlist since Tomeo nailed back-to-back crowns in 1992-93.
The Eagle senior led a record group of 14 Mercer County place-winners at state, but was the only champ as Greenville’s Coty Burnett lost his finals match at 125.
Kolb edged Octorara’s defensive-minded Josh Smith, 3-2, to add a gold medal to the bronze he won last year. It also completed a perfect 39-0 season and raised his career record to 122-27.
Kolb, a son of Jon and Debra Kolb, scored an early takedown and made it hold up, although he was ridden out the entire 3rd period.
“(Smith) was good on top,” said Kolb. “He kept riding over my hips. I wanted to wrestle the whole match on my feet.”
“The only thing the kid would do was block on his feet; he didn’t want to wrestle with us,” said a happy Grove City coach Marty Ruley. “He just wanted to stay in the match. It wasn’t pretty, but guess what? He’s a state champ.”
Ruley pointed out that Tomeo and others such as Jeff Becker and Beau Fisher showed up in the workout room last week to help out. When asked if Kolb is now up there with Tomeo as a wrestler, Ruley replied:
“Yeah, he is. But Tommy will always have a special place in my heart, just like Mike Bell. Tommy won titles in both AA and AAA.
“Caleb is one of the greatest kids you could ever have in the room. If you had a dream wrestler, he’s everything you would dream about,” Ruley praised. “His dad is pretty famous for football (as 4-time Super Bowl winner with the Steelers) and now Caleb is famous for wrestling.”
Kolb, headed for the University of Nebraska where he’ll red-shirt next season, was still savoring the victory shortly before climbing to the top of the medal stand.