VIRGINIA BEACH — Bald Eagle Area’s Caleb Close was ranked No. 1 at 189 pounds by PA Power Wrestling for much of the season before finishing third at the PIAA Class 2A championships in March.
On Sunday, April 7, at the Virginia Beach Sports Center, Close, the three-time state tournament placewinner, captured the 182-pound national title in the junior division of the NHSCA nationals.
Close went 6-0 in the tournament and captured the title with a 3-2 win over top-seeded Robert Kucharczk of Lake Highland Prep, Orlando, Florida, in the championship finals. Close had three pins and two major decisions in his first five bouts.
Close scored a takedown 18 seconds into the finals on a snap down go behind. Kucharczk escaped 27 seconds later and added another escape with 53 seconds left in the second to tie the score, 2-2.
Close escaped 4 seconds into the third period and then kept the pressure on the Florida wrestler. After Kucharczk took a blood timeout with 23 seconds left, he became aggressive, resulting in a stall call on Close with 12 seconds left.
Close avoided any danger in the final 12 seconds to secure the national title.
The American University wrestling recruit has a career record of 127-22 with one more year to go in his high school career.