Jason Greatness: Todd’s Talks With Jason Nolf
Do not be complacent about your achievements and not to strive for continual improvement when you get to the top. As soon as you let success go to your head, you sink into following familiar patterns and play it safe. In other words, you risk losing your edge. -Roy T. Bennett Jason Nolf. Nolf. Widely known as a “winner”. And you know why? He despises nothing more than losing. Training to keep it from happening. And for those who have followed his career, it hasn’t happened a lot. No stranger to the top of the mountain, the wrestling mountain, he doesn’t rest. He’s training. Working. Even the best can get better. One of the beautiful things about this sport. And that’s his mindset, who he has been from a young age. And Jason doesn’t just take this approach to the mat, but off it as well. He graduated with a 4.5 GPA in high school. Won Kittanning’s Physics award, the Principal’s Award, and I’m sure more awards they had to invent just to meet his excellence. And so his time at Penn State was about wrestling, and the glory from winning competitions, national championships, sure. But he also earned a Kinesiology degree. Like a lot of kids in PA, Jason got into wrestling at the ripe young age of 6. It’s a way of life here. And like many of those young wrestlers, he took some early losses. But these losses motivated him. “After getting beat, all I could think about was getting to practice and improving.” And the work that he put in started paying dividends over the next few years. Jason won his first Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling title at age 10. And that success snowballed into more and we know where he ended up and the Nittany Lion legacy he left behind. That drive. Just get better and better. He’s quick to credit the club scene in Western Pa for helping get him to where is is today. He spent his time betweenThe Mat Factory, Young Guns, and All American Wrestling clubs. “I stayed almost every summer with Coach Waller at All American, I learned so much and had great partners. We all pushed each other.” A few of those partners were Luke Pletcher (Ohio State), Sammy Krivus (Virginia), and Freddy Stroker (Minnesota). That diligent work definitely paid off. Haha, oh yeah, I’d say so. In high school, he finished with a record of 176-1. Won three Pennsylvania State Championships, and four WPIAL titles. During this same time, Nolf snatched himself one of those prestigious Super 32 championship belts in 2013. The same tournament about to pop off this weekend. His finals match was a 17-7 major decision over a fellow PA kid, showing just how much separation he had created between himself and the closest competition. A lot of times Nolf just makes it look easy, it isn’t. Anyone who has ever competed in this sport knows that. After high school, it would only get harder. Penn State. The Penn State. The one. You’ve heard of it. Your 3rd cousin twice removed who has watched a wrestling match before has heard of it by now. And it was there where he would cement a legacy as dominant as any before him – and that’s saying something. He finished his college career with a record of 117-3, winning 3 individual NCAA titles. But all good things come to end, and Jason’s collegiate career is no different. So, what’s he been up to now. Training. At the NLWC. Or you might find him working on his new business venture, AthletesOcean, with former teammate Geno Morelli. AthletesOcean is a series of online training modules, that include a variety of wrestlers. It offers video tutorials that can be used by coaches, teams, parents, and athletes themselves. When asked about the idea for it he said, “We realized there was an opportunity when Covid began because most athletes had to shut down group practices. We were trying to offer a solution to that problem.” The platform offers instructional videos with athletes teaching their best techniques, subscription groups where you can join and receive exclusive content from your favorite athletes, and a social network where you can follow your favorite competitors – as well as your friends who are on there. Obviously, learning from a variety of past and present Penn State wrestlers, other beasts like Keegan O’Toole, Nathan Tomasello, and Amit Elor is a fantastic opportunity. But if you wanna be like Nolf, if his level of dominance is something you aspire to, you’re gonna need that drive. And there’s no app for that. Rapid Fire Questions: Ice Cream Favorite Guilty Pleasure Food? Golf & Pickleball How Do You Like To Spend Your Down Time? Hawaii What’s your favorite vacation destination? Do the best you can with what you’ve been given and believe in your training What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Sipes Set On Gold: Todd’s Talks With Luke Sipes
Happy is the man who knows how to distinguish the real from the unreal, the eternal, the eternal from the transient and the good from the pleasant by his discrimination and wisdom- B.K.S. Lyengar. Luke Sipes has been a man on a mission for the last several years at Altoona High School. A mission that he would say is still unfinished. Over his first two seasons, he’s placed 5th and 7th in the AAA PIAA state tournament. He has a career record of 77-8 entering his junior season. And he just committed to wrestle at Princeton. You may have heard of it. Needless to say, this is a young man who knows what he wants, and will work tirelessly to achieve it. Luke began wrestling at the age of 6. Like many in PA, he followed in his father’s footsteps. As he says, “I didn’t love the sport at the beginning. It actually took about a year, but there was one practice at Young Guns, I just came out and told my dad – I love it. That’s when it all clicked for me and I was all in after that.” And then the success came. Success that included placing 6 times at the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling tournament. He also found himself a spot on Team PA – traveling across the country, competing against the best out there. Now training at Dave Taylor’s M2, he’s continued to grow and “level up”. Something for which he gives credit to his coaches there. Coaches like Mark McKnight and Brad Pataky. It should also be mentioned there’s some killer workout partners who can’t help but have an impact on a young wrestler’s growth. We’re talking a who’s who in the Keystone State, Pierson Manville (State College), Luke Simcox (Central Mountain), Dalton Perry (Central Mountain), and Tyler Kasak, now at Penn State. Sipes is quick to acknowledge that the Western and Eastern sides of the state have had more success in the past, the venerable “hotbeds” as it were, but vows that Central PA is making a move, a move he’s proud to be a part of. “The opportunities that kids have now in the middle of the state are greater than ever before. There’s just way more opportunities to seek out great practice partners at various high level clubs than in times past.” Clubs like the aforementioned M2, attracting the best because let’s face it, it’s run by the best, who cut his teeth right over there in State College. Coming off the heels of his recent Princeton commitment, Sipes will look to build on his first two seasons and step up as a real state title contender in the best state in the country. First, he’ll get his share of quality competition this weekend in North Carolina. He joins a deep PA contingent making the trip down to Super 32. An experience he’s looking forward to, “I look forward to facing great competition. I love to compete against the very best. It’s like a measuring stick for my progress and the work that I still have to do.” One thing you learn as you talk to these young wrestlers, they are almost never satisfied. It’s impressive. And it’s why I enjoy learning more about them and sharing their journey and mindset. You might think once a kid commits to Princeton, once he’s achieved a particular goal, it’s time to celebrate. Time to bask in the glory of that success. But not these kids, and not Luke Sipes. He wants more. And if I were a gambling man, I’d say his work ethic, attitude, and drive will absolutely get him there. And this week that more will include some of the very best the country has to offer. Oh you know, #2 LaDarion Lockett of Oklahoma. He’s just a world champion. #4 Conner Harer, a fellow PA stud from Montgomery. #6 Cory Thomas of Pontiac, MI and #9 Leo Contino from Buchanan, CA. This field is stacked. And Sipes is set to show it’s also stacked because he’s in the mix with them. He’ll surely be a tough out for any, he’s out to show he has championship mettle. The kind that could result in championship metal, you know like a championship medal. Hold on, where else will you get “medal” wordplay like that? Nowhere. That’s what we do. And who else but Luke Sipes is ready to crash the 157 party this weekend? No one. That’s what he does. Rapid Fire Questions: Oreos Favorite Guilty Pleasure Food? Big Marvel Fan Favorite Way To Spend Alone Time? Top Sail, NC Favorite Vacation Destination? “Be Where Your Feet Are” – Joe Dubuque Best Advice You’ve Received? More From Todd Todd's Talks Sipes Set On Gold: Todd’s Talks With Luke Sipes October 18, 2023/No Comments Happy is the man who knows how to distinguish the real from the unreal, the eternal, the eternal from the… Read More Beyond His Years: Todd’s Talks With Landon Sidun October 17, 2023/No Comments Maturity is not measured by age. I mean sure, we expect that as people get older maturity comes with it.… Read More Call It A Comeback: Todd’s Talks With Louie Gill October 9, 2023/No Comments Last week I had the opportunity to talk with Louie Gill. Louie is not only a great wrestler, he’s a… Read More More From Super 32 2023 Super 32 News & Info 2023 Super 32 Interviews 2023 Super 32 States Sipes Set On Gold: Todd’s Talks With Luke Sipes October 18, 2023/No Comments Happy is the man who knows how to distinguish the real from the unreal, the eternal, the eternal from the… Read More Pablo’s Previews: CA Kids With Best Chance At Super 32 Belt October 18, 2023/No Comments By Pablo DiMaria Pablo’s Previews Some Of The Top Wrestlers from California that will contend for a Super 32 championship… Read More 2023 Super 32: Illinois Preview October 18, 2023/No Comments 2023 Illinois Super 32 Preview I feel like Illinois
Beyond His Years: Todd’s Talks With Landon Sidun
Maturity is not measured by age. I mean sure, we expect that as people get older maturity comes with it. And many of us would say we are more mature as adults than we were as kids. I’d say it for myself. I expect you’d say it for yourself as well. But there’s also those kids we can remember growing up with who just seemed “mature beyond their years.” This isn’t a thesis about what that phrase means or anything, it is a concept at the heart of this story. Landon’s story. A story that we pick up now but that he’s been writing for years. It’s about attitude. It’s about experience. And while Landon may only be a freshman in high school this year, the opportunities he’s had to wrestle on some of the countries biggest stages has afforded him some invaluable experience. Turning him into one mature competitor. Landon began wrestling at 5 primarily because his dad and other close relatives competed in their youth. But around here that’s really just what you do. I remember learning in Wedding Crashers from Bradley Cooper that Maryland does crab cakes and football. Well, Bradley, the WPIAL does pierogies and wrestlin. That often means early struggles on the mat, and for Landon it wasn’t much different, “My dad coached me when I first started. I was decent. But I really didn’t start having a ton of success until middle school.” Success that can be attributed to Landon’s work ethic. Cliches are cliches because they are usually true. And there’s one many of us in this sport know quite well, that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. But what happens when you get talent and still work hard? You get rarified air. The kind that legends get to breathe while us mere mortals cheer them on, and it could very well be those are the heights Landon is headed to. But even hard work isn’t enough. Practice makes perfect, but you perform how you practice. So really it’s perfect practice that makes perfect. And you get more perfect practices, more iron-sharpening training, from partners with your same outlook on the sport, and Landon’s outlook is as mature as you’ll find in an incoming high schooler. So where has he honed his approach to the sport that has him ranked among the nation’s top 5 at 113, “I primarily went to Hutchy’s Hammers, which is a club that my dad started. I also went to Young Guns with Jody Strittmatter.” He also speaks highly of the Norwin program for whom he’ll be looking to wreak havoc on the PIAA for 4 years. “Coach Kyle Martin has so much knowledge that he passes on to us as a team.” Knowledge that has been given a turboboost of sorts through the Knights RTC, which allows Sidun to train a lot more freestyle. And it’s not just Coach Martin but 2009 NCAA champion Jarrod King gives the program a great foundation to build future success on. Success that comes from testing yourself against the best. Enter Super 32. To say that Landon Sidun has had a great middle school career would be a massive understatement. He’s a two-time Super 32 medalist, taking 4th and then 1st. He followed that up with a PA Jr High state title. And as he gears up for 2023-2024, he’s fresh off a Fargo Cadet title setting his sights on Greensboro, NC for what would would be his first Super 32 belt at the high school level. I don’t know how much you follow the NFL, but when Aaron Rodgers signed with the Jets he said their one Super Bowl trophy looked lonely. Perhaps that’s how the belt he won last year is feeling in the trophy case? So this weekend, Landon will be in the 113 field. A field that features world champions, state champions, and just overall lower weight hammers. But he’s one in his own right. Just as much as he’ll have a ton of obstacles to navigate through the bracket, they’ll have him as a similar obstacle as well. He comes in ranked #5 in the country by us and has a chance to even improve on that. And he’s not the type to shy away from great competition, to protect a record or ranking. He wants it. Wants the challenge. And he’ll find it here. Paul Kenny, #1 in the country and a 2023 world champion. Dom Munaretto, a world champion and Illinois state champion ranked 4th in the country. Aaron Seidel, a fellow Keystone State wrestler who has gone 2 for 2 in state titles to start his career and comes in with a 4 by his name. #7 Davis Moytka from Wyoming Seminary, #9 Dru Ayala of Fort Dodge, IA, and #10 JoJo Uhorchuk of Signal Mountain, TN round out the top 10 wrestlers in this bracket. Talk about loaded. So that outlook and mature mindset are the weapons Landon will rely on to reach those famed Super 32 finals – in front of the rabid crowd that sits mat side. “My goal is not to think about the match. It’s to go out and score as much and as fast as I can. That’s the mindset. If I keep doing that, the wins will come.” Being from Western PA, having experience at national tournaments in the past, Sidun is prepared for the biggest of stages. The bigger the better. And he gets the biggest folkstyle challenge of the year this weekend. But this Young Gun will be ready. “Never let an opponent or a particular situation overwhelm you, remain calm and trust in what you’ve trained to do.” Rapid Fire Questions: Ice Cream Favorite Guilty Pleasure Food? Dirt Bike Riding How Do You Like To Spend Your Down Time? Gatlinburg, TN What’s your favorite vacation destination? “Every Move Can Work On Everybody” – Tom Ryan What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? More Todd’s Talks: More Super 32 Content:
Call It A Comeback: Todd’s Talks With Louie Gill
Last week I had the opportunity to talk with Louie Gill. Louie is not only a great wrestler, he’s a smart, well spoken young man who is driven to be the best. Here’s some of what you need to know about Reynolds High and one of Western PA’s finest. Choosing to join the North Carolina State Wolfpack after high school, Louie gives coach Pat Popolizio a great one to hold down the lower weights in Raleigh. Louie enters this season carrying a top 10 ranking at 120 pounds and a record of 93-10. He’s a two time PIAA state finalist, but it’s been awhile since that 1st state title as freshman. He’s anxious to complete an impressive career with bookend championships. Transferring from Hickory to Reynolds prior to last season forced him to the sidelines and having to watch others compete for what he would have been a strong contender for. But that adversity just paints an even more interesting and exciting picture for him, for us as fans, this year. Louie started wrestling at 5 years old. As he gained experience and had some early success, he started working with some clubs in the area – notably Bad Karma and Young Guns. With Bad Karma, Gill had the opportunity to train with Gary Steen (former 2-time PA state champ for Reynolds and now 125 at Penn State) and the University of Pittsburgh’s All American, Cole Matthews. While The Young Guns gave Louie a chance to train with three time PIAA State Champion, Vinny Kilkeary, now at Ohio State and Ty Kapusta who is a two time PIAA state medalist. Louie gives a lot of credit to his success and growth in the sport to his older brother Carter, as well as all the fantastic practice partners he has had coming up. Entering his senior season, Louie’s picked up some big wins. He defeated nationally ranked Keanu Dillard 9-6 in the Ultimate Club Duals. He also picked up a pair of wins over Fargo Champion, Landon Sidun of Norwin 5-2 in early September. A somewhat forgotten man, this off-season, Louie will look to re-introduce himself at Super 32 and then do what select group of wrestlers have in Pennsylvania in March: winning his second PIAA title. And should he do that, you can call it a comeback, just don’t call it a surprise. 5 Rapid Fire Questions: Chicken Wings w/ Ranch Favorite Guilty Pleasure Food? Fishing How Do You Like To Spend Your Down Time? Riding 4 Wheelers Outside of wrestling, what’s a hobby you have? Atlantis, Bahamas What’s your favorite vacation destination? Go out and have fun What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?