Somerset County All-Star Banquet

There was plenty of familiarity at the annual Somerset County All-Star Wrestling Banquet, which was held in Somerset on Friday afternoon.
Not because all of the wrestlers and coaches in the back room at Hoss's Steak and Sea House all know each other pretty well - though they do - but because the ceremony was so similar to last year's event.
Somerset went home with the American Trophy as team champion for the second year in a row for the Golden Eagles and North Star's Nick Roberts was named the Outstanding Wrestler for the fourth consecutive year.
The award is given to the top finisher from the county, so Roberts, who won his third PIAA championship in Hershey earlier this month, was a shoo-in for the award.



"I’m just really thankful for all the people that have helped me: all of my coaches, my family, friends. I just hope I can do good in college," said Roberts, who has accepted a scholarship to wrestle at Ohio State University.
The Golden Eagles went 18-4 to win the team championship in a strong year for the county.


"I feel the county has stepped up," Somerset coach Brian Barron said. "If you look, from school to school, there are multiple names that stand out when you hear them. As a whole, I’d say the county is coming around and looking better and better each year."

Team records

                                        W     L    Pct.
Somerset.........................18     4    .783
Meyersdale......................16    5     .762
Conemaugh Township...12     6     .667
Berlin Brothersvalley......15     8    .652
North Star........................9      5    .643
Shade...............................3     21   .125

First Team Honorees

Nick Roberts             44-1     North Star              State 1st          Senior
Jacob Craig               39-6     Berlin                     State 4th          Senior
Cory Berchick          44-4     Conemaugh Twp.   State 6th          Senior
James Otten              36-11   Shade                      Regional 3rd   Senior
Michael Sutton         34-7     Somerset                 Regional 4th    Sophomore
Collin Day                34-12   Meyersdale             Regional 4th    Junior
Tanner Cahill           37-6     Conemaugh Twp.   District 1st      Junior
Jacob Nickelson       23-10   Somerset                 District 1st       Junior
Stephen McKenzie   33-6     Meyersdale             District 1st       Senior
Jake Hayman            30-5     Somerset                District 2nd      Senior
Kyle Drenner            30-11   Conemaugh Twp.  District 2nd      Senior
Josh Darr                   26-11   Somerset                District 2nd      Senior
Seth Deist                  25-15   Meyersdale            District 2nd      Sophomore
Bryce Fochtman        29-17   Berlin                    District 2nd       Freshman

Honorable Mention

Tevin Mostoller          25-19    North Star             District 3rd       Freshman
Trace Heffner             22-17    Berlin                                            Senior
Patrick Blough            22-13    Somerset                                       Senior
Joe Pakstis                   20-13    Shade                                            Senior
Kody Ofsanko             23-7      Conemaugh Twp.  District 4th     Sophomore
Gavin Berkley             34-8      Meyersdale             District 4th     Sophomore