MERCERSBURG >> Hill School’s Kelvin Griffin didn’t need to post his goal on his mirror or plaster a motivational quote of his desk, he saw all the inspiration he needed every time he walked into the Hill School gymnasium.
There, a banner proudly displays the names of former Blues who claimed a Pennsylvania Independent School wrestling tournament title in the past.
After Saturday, Griffin assured his name will be up there, next. After a dominant tournament, the senior grappler claimed the 138-pound prep state title for the first time in his career.
“I felt like I deserved it,” Griffin said. “I’ve been working all of high school, and even before. I’ve been working to put my name on the board, and I finally did it.”
Griffin was one of six Blues to qualify for next weekend’s National Prep tournament as a top-six finisher. Hill School placed fourth out of 17 schools.
After a pair of pins Friday evening, Griffin came back and threw two shutouts, Saturday, blanking Wyoming Seminary’s Kai Owen, 6-0, in the semifinals and then controlling Malvern Prep’s SP O’Donnell, 5-0 in the finals.
O’Donnell, who is from the Owen J. Roberts district, used a pin to wipe away a deficit against top-seeded Sam Cartella of Western Reserve Academy, to meet Griffin in the finals.
“I just knew I had go out there and get the job done,” said Griffin, who finished runner-up as a sophomore. “I know I had to get my hand raised, whoever my opponent was.”
Hill School’s Colby Isabelle tries to finish a shot against Wyoming Seminary’s Dom Federici in a 6-2 loss in the 160-pound final. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Hill School’s Colby Isabelle tries to finish a shot against Wyoming Seminary’s Dom Federici in a 6-2 loss in the 160-pound final. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Colby Isabelle (160 pounds) and Zak Zindle (170) reached the finals, as well, and finished second.
Isabelle, who like Griffin, hails from Maine, reached the finals with a 3-2 win over Malvern Prep’s Owen Quinn in the semis. In the finals, Wyoming Seminary’s Dom Federici was a 6-2 winner, but that was much closer than the 17-6 major decision back in December.
“My goal coming in was to be competitive,” Isabelle said. “On a personal level, I wanted to prove to myself and show off my gains and even prepare myself for a possible rematch next weekend.”
Zindle, the No. 5 seeded freshman, upset top-seeded RJ Moore of Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, 3-1, in the semis before falling victim to Wyoming Seminary’s Carter Schubert, 9-1.
“I had one goal coming in and I didn’t get it,” Zindle said. “But, I’m happy with making the finals, especially as a freshman.”
Also placing top-six for the Blues were Hunter Sloan (third at 126), Robert Pavlek (fourth, 120) and Luke Cawley (fifth, 285).
“All in all, I think it was a pretty good day,” Hill School coach Dave Hoffman said. “Obviously I’m proud of Kelvin finally getting to the top of the podium.”
Last year, there was no prep state tournament due to COVID-19 and the National Prep Open was the unofficial national tournament. Kade Davidheiser won a title for Hill School, and Hoffman is hoping for a repeat.
“I want to get us another champ,” Hoffman said. “I want back to back years of getting to the top of the podium. I want to continue to build the program and a top 10 finish.”
Griffin, who couldn’t quite get his head wrapped around the thought of his high school career ending next weekend, believes he’s ready for the challenge.
“It’s weird,” said Griffin, who’s committed to Lehigh University. “My last high school tournament with the school, I just want to go out and have fun and do what I can do. I know I’m prepared, so I’m definitely not worried. I’m excited.”
Hill School’s Kelvin Griffin tries to get Malvern Prep’s SP O’Donnell to open up during a 5-0 win in the 138-pound final. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Hill School’s Kelvin Griffin looks for a shot against Malvern Prep’s SP O’Donnell in a 5-0 win in the 138-pound final. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
PA Prep State Wrestling Championships
Team Standings (top 10)
1. Wyoming Seminary, 337; 2. Malvern Prep, 325; 3. Western Reserve Academy, 157.5; 4. Hill School, 126.5; 5. William Penn Charter, 110.5; 6. Haverford School, 76; 7. Episcopal Academy, 74; 8. Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, 68; 9. Westtown School, 67; 10. Academy of the New Church, 66
Championship Finals
106- Mutarelli (Malvern Prep) maj. dec. Motyka (Wyoming Seminary), 12-2
113- Hilton (Wyoming Seminary) dec. Link (Malvern Prep), 5-4
120- Lilledahl (Wyoming Seminary) dec. Consiglio (Malvern Prep), 3-2
126- O’Neill (Malvern Prep) dec. Hart (Western Reserve), 3-2 TB
132- Bouzakis (Wyoming Seminary) dec. Barnhart (Malvern Prep), 10-5
138- Griffin (Hill School) dec. O’Donnell (Malvern Prep), 5-0
145- Shaprio (Wyoming Seminary) pinned Fulmer (Malvern Prep), 3:00
152- Sealey (Wyoming Seminary) dec. Rickards (Malvern Prep), 7-6
160- Federici (Wyoming Seminary) dec. Isabelle (Hill School), 6-2
170- Schubert (Wyoming Seminary) maj. dec. Zindle (Hill School), 9-1
182- Correa (Wyoming Seminary) dec. J. Wehmeyer (Malvern Prep), 7-4
195- Wolfgang Frable (Wyoming Seminary) dec. Connolly (Malvern Prep), 8-6
220- Rogers (Malvern Prep) dec. Darrah (Wyoming Seminary), 2-1 TB
285- Feldman (Malvern Prep) pinned Brosko (Haverford School), 1:49
Consolation Finals
106- Werden (Western Reserve) pinned Moua (Haverford School), 1:10
113- Leeds (Germantown Academy) pinned LaMent (William Penn), 1:06
120- Bah (Kiski) dec. Pavlek (Hill School), 11-4
126- Sloan (Hill School) dec. Fretwell (Wyoming Seminary), 6-3
132- Langley (Western Reserve) pinned Catlow-Silder (William Penn), :57
138- Cartella (Western Reserve) dec. Owen (Wyoming Seminary), 5-0
145- Kearney (Episcopal) dec. Shirk (Mercersburg), 8-4
152- Ramsey (Western Reserve) pinned Bloshuk (Academy of the New Church), 2:47
160- Quinn (Malvern Prep) dec. Mangan (William Penn), 8-4
170- Wright (Malvern Prep) dec. Moore (Springside Chestnut Hill), 3-1 SV
182- Miller (Western Reserve) pinned Mitchell (Kiski), 2:14
195- Glomb (William Penn) pinned Cassidy (Springside Chestnut Hill), 3:56
220- Anderson (Western Reserve) pinned Marchese (George School), :37
285- Moehring (Wyoming Seminary) pinned Hendricks (Mercersburg), 1:36
Hill School’s Zak Zindle works on top against Wyoming Seminary’s Carter Shubert during a 9-1 loss in the 170-pound final. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Hill School’s Zak Zindle fights off Wyoming Seminary’s Carter Shubert during a 9-1 loss in the 170-pound final. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
