By Kai Thoma
Editor’s Note: Kai Thoma is a student at Philipsburg-Osceola High School. Thoma was selected to receive a Press Forward PA Wilds scholarship to cover high school wrestling events.
ALTOONA —Philipsburg-Osceola seniors Caleb Hummel and Colton Chapman, junior Averi Gable, and freshmen Hayden Koptchak and Jacob Dugan punched their tickets to the Southwest Regional Tournament after placing at the District 6 Wrestling Championship at Altoona on Feb. 21.
Hummel will be attending regionals for his fourth consecutive year, while Koptchak and Dugan are attending their first regional tournament.
For Hummel, regionals is familiar territory, as he has competed in this tournament his entire high school career. For Koptchak and Dugan, the experience of stepping onto the mat is different.
“I was expecting (another trip to regionals). It’s going to be different because it’s my last year,” Hummel said. He will walk into regionals with a clear plan with a goal to qualify for states, score points, and have fun. This mindset serves him well, having reached 150 career wins and competed against some of the top wrestlers in the state.
His experience allows him to know what to expect. He doesn’t wonder what will happen; he focuses on execution.
“I’m excited. I don’t really get nervous,” Hummel said. “I know what to expect. Your first time, you are definitely nervous because you don’t really know what the outcome is going to be. It is something new compared to junior high. After you do it a couple times, you feel more confident.”
His confidence is apparent in his pre-match routine. While waiting, he listens to music, pacing rather than warming up, focusing on clearing his head.
For Koptchak and Dugan, regionals present a new experience. Both competed in junior high, but recognize that the high school level brings new challenges.
Koptchak said he is nervous yet excited for this first-time experience. “I didn’t think it was going to happen at the beginning of the year,” he said. “We’ve been practicing every day. Mentally, just having confidence (is the key to success).”
Koptchak and Dugan’s fresh but calm energy has been shaped by their parents and coaches on and off the team.
Koptchak added that he is inspired by college wrestlers, specifically those competing for Penn State. Dugan draws motivation from his father.
Their goals are humble yet ambitious.
“Wrestle my best, try my best, and qualify for states,” Koptchak said of his goals. “If not, it’s not the end of the world.”
Dugan said his focus is to “have fun and score points.”
Hummel has learned to combat nerves through gaining confidence in himself and his wrestling abilities, being able to step onto the mat calm and assured. That same mindset is what the freshmen begin to adapt after watching the seniors. Koptchak and Dugan see that confidence can transform nerves into focus, allowing them to take on any challenges.
Coach Justin Fye observes the contrast between seniors and freshmen in a unique light.
“We are fortunate to have Hayden Koptchak and Jacob Dugan qualify as freshmen this year. Experiencing the postseason as a freshman can be overwhelming. The crowds get bigger and louder, the referees become more involved, and, of course, the competition improves,” Fye said. “As a coaching staff, we try to approach it with a ‘one match at a time’ mentality. Both Jacob and Hayden are good enough to be here, and we remind them that the work they have put in has brought them to this point. We are continuing to focus on preparation, confidence, and staying composed in big moments.”
Fye spoke highly of senior leadership.
“When it comes to Caleb, he has already experienced success in the postseason and understands what it takes to get to the PIAA State Tournament. Caleb, along with the rest of our seniors, has been an excellent mentor to our younger wrestlers this year. He has taken the time to work with each of our freshmen, talking about technique and how to approach matches both mentally and physically. We are excited to see how Caleb finishes his senior season. He has been close to earning a spot on the podium in Hershey a couple of times, and experience is extremely important at this time of year. Our coaching staff is excited to see what Caleb, Hayden, Jacob, Averi, and Colton are capable of this weekend. This is an exciting time of the year. We know what all of them are capable of and want them to continue building on their success.”
Koptchak said the goals remain the same for the regional match
“I just want to wrestle my best and see if I can do better than last time,” Koptchack said.
