NETHER PROVIDENCE — Ben Farabaugh looked like he had just been put through the wringer as he stood outside of the wrestling room at Strath Haven Tuesday afternoon.
The senior 285-pounder had sweat dripping from his brow, and the shirt he was wearing was torn so badly that he had to throw it away.
“He did it,” Farabaugh said, pointing to teammate and good friend Sam Milligan.
“We were running here in the hallway and he tried to get past me,” Milligan said.
To prevent Farabaugh from passing him, Milligan reached out, grabbed Farabaugh by the shirt and nearly ripped it completely off.
That pretty much sums up their relationship. They’ve known each other since they took CCD classes (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) together at St. John Chrysostom Catholic Church in Wallingford and have been wrestling and football teammates since sixth grade.
They’re also highly competitive, especially with each other.
“We both try to be the best in the room at whatever we do, whether it’s in the same class or playing the same sport,” Farabaugh said.
Milligan and Farabaugh have enjoyed plenty of success at Strath Haven. As seniors, they guided the Panthers to a share of the Central League football title and a spot in the District 1 Class 5A championship game for the second season in a row. Milligan has earned All-Delco honors in football twice and wrestling once. He also plays baseball for the Panthers. Farabaugh is a three-sport athlete. He intends to play lacrosse for the Panthers this spring after taking last season off.
Milligan will play football at Bucknell. Farabaugh hasn’t finalized his college decision but said he’s leaning toward wrestling in college, possibly at the Naval Academy or Penn.
“I’ll probably decide before the month is out,” Farabaugh said.
Farabaugh and Milligan, a 189-pounder, are among the best in their respective weight classes. They’re among eight Delco wrestlers who will take part in the PIAA Class 3A championships starting at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Farabaugh (42-2) enters ranked sixth in the state at 285, according to papowerwrestling.com. This is his second trip to the state meet. It’s also the second for Milligan (41-7), the No. 3 seed out of the Southeast Regional.
Both went 2-2 in Hershey last year and feel they’re better prepared this time around.
“I definitely expect the nerves to be better,” Milligan said. “Last year I was super excited to get there. Now, obviously, I’m a little disappointed in last week but I’m still excited to be there and you feel like you should be there. So you go into it with that mentality that you know you should be here and I can win these matches so that will be a big help confidence wise.”
“Last year, it was like qualifying for regionals for the first time, I was just happy to be there,” Farabaugh added. “I didn’t really expect much other than that. This year, I know what I expect. I expect to win instead of just be happy to be there.”
Farabaugh and Milligan work out together, especially this week in preparation for Hershey. Those sessions’ competitive nature has paid dividends for both wrestlers.
Milligan, who is 84-18 in his career, said that going against the 6-3, 235-pound Farabaugh has helped him when he goes against taller, lankier wrestlers. Farabaugh brings a 110-27 record to Hershey. He says working with Milligan has helped him corral smaller, quicker heavyweights.
They’re both hoping that pays off this weekend in spots on the medals stand.
“It should be fun,” Farabaugh said.
