Quartet of wrestlers reflect on experience at Hershey

by Greg Reedy Ridgway Record

Posted on March 16, 2010

The 2010 Elker wrestlers that went to this year's PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships are a part of something never accomplished before at Ridgway Area High School.
Ridgway had four wrestlers medal at Hershey, a first for that many in a single year.
Joe Chittester placed second at Hershey, reaching the final, but ultimately losing there. Garet Pisani at 135 and Corey Bush at 103 each placed fourth in their respective weight classes while Zack Zelcs placed eighth at 171 pounds.
Ridgway coach Gary Gerber spoke Friday night about the sense of teamwork the quartet have.
"We've never had it before in the history of the school, it's a new record, four state place winners," Gerber said. "I can't tell you how proud I am of them. They all came down here and wrestled their butts off for us. Hopefully, they made Ridgway very, very proud."
When one Ridgway wrestler took to the mat at Hershey, his teammates were at the edge of the mat to cheer him on.
"They're always there for each other," Gerber said. "We have a team this year and it's great. They are there for each other, they help each other, it's a nice thing to have as a coach and to be a part of."
Chittester finished the season with a 40-1 record and a 113-13 career mark. However, after falling short in the championship bout, Chittester was visibly disappointed with the result. Gerber spoke about the sense of accomplishment he will feel as time goes on.
"It's a great accomplishment," Gerber said. "There's probably 600 other heavyweights in the state that would trade places with him right now, including everybody else on the podium except for the guy on top. Over time, the hurt will go away and he will realize what a great accomplishment he had."
Chittester has verbally committed to play baseball at St. Bonaventure University.
Chittester, Pisani and Zelcs are all seniors and Gerber said the three of them were foundations of the team. Gerber said Bush, currently a sophomore, is at that level as well.
"The kids have been a foundation of the program all four years," Gerber said. "All four of them have, three of them are seniors and Corey will be here the next two years. They've worked hard, they've wrestled every opportunity they get."
Pisani finished the season with a 37-4 record and according to statistics from D9Sports.com, finishes with a mark of 152-21. The 152 wins is second in school history behind Nikko Leitzel (156). He finished his career with four district titles, two regional titles, a four-time state qualifier and three state medals, sixth in 2008 (119), eighth in 2009 (130) and fourth this year.
"It means a lot to me. It depends on how people see it," Pisani said. "I wanted to be on top of the podium but at states it doesn't always work that way all the time. I'm happy with my career, my wins and my accomplishments.
Pisani said he is planning on continuing at Clarion University.
"I'll pick up from there, do a little summer wrestling, hit the weight room with some Clarion guys and the head coach, I'm pumped about that," Pisani said. "Hopefully, I'll be on top there someday."
Zelcs made his first trip to the state tournament this season and enjoyed the experience and finishing with a medal. He finished 35-9 on the season and 98-38 for his career.
"It was nice to be down here and get the experience, especially it being my senior year," Zelcs said. "It's a bit of a disappointment on the place but to get a medal and come down and experience this your senior year and go out on a bang, it's kind of nice."
Zelcs said the level of competition was high and even.
"It definitely feels like everyone who was here deserved to be here," Zelcs said. "Kids I beat were very well in the match. Everyone's good down here and anybody can beat anybody."
Zelcs hoped he would place higher than eighth but said he is not totally disappointed with the result.
"I'm happy but I'm not satisfied," Zelcs said.
Gerber was pleased with the improvement and hard work Zelcs put into wrestling.
"He had a massive improvement over last season," Gerber said. "He worked so hard in the weight room in the off-season and he wrestled his rear end off every year. To see him get a medal around his head, I was really proud of him."
Bush said his expectations will be at the highest in the next two seasons. He finished 37-5 this season and has a 67-11 record thus far.
"My goal was to be in the finals, I thought I had a pretty good shot at it," Bush said. "Obviously, I didn't get that but fourth is still pretty good. In the next couple years I hope to be in the finals and win it."

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