Moon Area sophomore Haley Smarsh is a standout in more ways than one.
First, Smarsh is the only girl on the Tigers’ 25-wrestler roster this season. But it’s her production that makes her stand out. Smarsh put together a 28-1 record last season and made it all the way to the finals of the state tournament, only to lose there.
She posted four pins at regionals on her way to the PIAA tournament.
“She’s vital,” Moon coach Mike Muraco said of Smarsh. “She has been working hard and wrestling for years, and what she ends up doing is she kind of gives an example for everyone else. She shows what happens when you work hard and what happens when you don’t get caught up in obstacles — don’t make excuses. Just work hard and good things will happen.”
Smarsh has wrestled boys throughout her career and now has dominated the girls wrestling landscape since girls have their own state championships now.
Muraco said having 25 wrestlers on the roster is helpful.
“We’re pretty much filling every weight class with a few weight classes where we have a couple of extra wrestlers, which is great for us,” Muraco said. “Our numbers have been really trending upward the past couple of years, and not just at the varsity level, but junior high and the youth. It’s really nice for the program with where we’re sitting with those numbers.”
Sophomore Liam Costa (160 pounds) is a returning starter who finished eighth in the WPIAL last year and racked up a 32-11 record. Junior Cael Yanek (127 or 133) placed seventh in the WPIAL two years ago. Yanek posted a team best 35-8 record.
Sophomore Bryce Thomas, who finished 28-11, and junior Michael Olszewski, who wound up 28-14, both return as well.
Muraco sees a team meshing together.
“They’re all trying to fill the weight classes to help the team, so that way we can be successful as a team, and not just individuals,” Muraco said. “In the practice room, they hold each other accountable. We’re really starting to see guys correct each other or help each other, where if they notice their partner maybe doesn’t hit the move correctly, they’re pointing that out to each other, which is what you want to see. That’s how the team grows.”
The Tigers’ roster features six seniors. Elijah Thomas, who was 19-17 last year, and Joey Maritato, who was 21-17, are captains who return to the starting lineup. Tavis Lindsay missed last season due to injury, but Muraco expects big things from him.
Julius Minarik, Xavier Moyer and Nathan LaFayette round out the six seniors.
Muraco has been impressed with the senior leadership, especially from captains Thomas and Maritato. Muraco said the captains this year have more experience than last season.
“The seniors this year have already been leading the team the past couple years, so this isn’t new to them,” Muraco said. “It’s not like they’re stepping in to fill anybody else’s shoes. They’ve already been, and they’ve already been taking charge.”
There are 19 underclassmen on the roster who are all competing for spots in the lineup.
“It helps and we get some competition in the room too,” Muraco said. “We have some guys that are competing for weight classes where it’s not just there. They don’t just have to make weight to be a starter, they have to compete, and they have to work for it. That only makes the team stronger.”
Muraco said he is excited with the section alignment with Montour, West Allegheny and Blackhawk. Montour and West A are right down the road.
“We’re all within 10-15 minutes of each other, type of thing,” Muraco said. “It gives us a chance to have a good rivalry there with two local schools. It’s always a pretty good competition — these guys know each other. They end up going to some wrestling clubs, so they wrestle together. It usually ends up being a great match.”
The Tigers are ready for the competition.
“Our focus is just to compete, get better and score points,” Muraco said. “The wins will come. Take care of the little things we’re just worried about, and get better every day, scoring points in every position, and then wins will come.”
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