Mt. Pleasant's Geary gears for tough bracket

You don't have to remind Joe Geary how tough the 140-pound weight class is at the PIAA Class AA Southwest Regional.

When you have a three-time state champion, Juniata Valley's Garrett Scott, in the bracket, it's not hard to recognize the difficult task ahead.

But the senior wrestler from Mt. Pleasant isn't backing away from any challenges. He's actually looking forward to the upcoming battles in the hopes of qualifying for a trip to Hershey next week for the state tournament.

All Geary (31-10) has to do is finish in the top five.

"All the guys from the WPIAL are tough and I've beaten all of them before," said Geary, who placed fourth at the WPIAL tournament on Feb. 25. "I've worked really hard on my conditioning this week and I'm in the best shape of my life. That's all I can do now."

Geary begins his quest today with a first-round battle against Bellwood-Antis' Josh Ervine (26-5), the third-place finisher from District 6. The winner advances to the quarterfinals tonight against District 5 champion Brent Willison (29-1) of Hyndman. Willison is ranked No. 7 in the state by Off The Mat rankings.

Scott, a Penn State recruit, is ranked No. 1 in the state. He's had tough senior season. Scott owns a 20-0 record, but has missed much of the season after suffering a broken jaw during a practice at a wrestling club near State College.

Geary said he knows getting the first takedown in the match will be the key of any match in Johnstown.

"I know what it takes to qualify for the states, and I know I can do better," Geary said.

Geary is one of 11 wrestlers from Mt. Pleasant trying to qualify for the state meet. The others include the Sheridans (Colin and Zack), Vanellas (Lee and Ty), Donnie Ament, Allen Park, Jeff Marker, Nic Harr, Stefen Firmstone and Paul Snyder.

Mt. Pleasant coach Mark Mears said the regional tournament is fun because there are some unfamiliar wrestlers there.

"I tell them to be ready for anything," Mears said. "I encourage them to stay focused."

Freshman Zack Sheridan (112 pounds) said that Ament and Lee Vanella have told him to wrestle his style.

"I'm sure I'll be a little nervous," Sheridan said. "I've wrestled in a lot tournaments all over the country, and I'm hoping to qualify for states.

"The team has had a great season and I'm trying to keep up with everyone else on the team."

Sheridan said the 112-pound class is tough, and everyone seems equal. Burrell's Jordan Shields is seeded No. 1 in the weight class.

Ament, Scott and Derry's Troy Dolan are returning state champions entered in the tournament.

PIAA AA Southwest Regional

= When: Today and Saturday

= Where: Cambria County War Memorial, Johnstown

= Times: First round, 2 p.m.; Finals, 7 p.m.

= The skinny: The top five wrestlers advance to the PIAA Class AA Championships on March 9-11 at the Giant Center, Hershey