Smith, Buchholz grapple with greatness

 

By NATE HECKENBERGER

Getting to the PIAA wrestling championships is one thing. Making it out alive with some hardware to show for it -- now that’s another story.
The list of studs who left Hershey without a medal could probably make an all-star team that would win state championships in other parts of the country.
But this is Pennsylvania, where there is no such thing as an accidental top-8 finish.
That’s why after both Octorara’s Josh Smith (171 pounds) and Great Valley’s Carl Buchholz (215) finished fourth this year, there was no way to decipher which junior’s accomplishment was more impressive. As a result, Smith and Buchholz share the honor of being named this year’s Daily Local News Wrestlers of the Year.
Don’t let the missing “A” fool you when you see Smith (37-4) wrestled in the Class AA tournament. A medal in that tournament is every bit as distinguished as those in Class AAA.
And Smith did a remarkable job working his way through a very difficult weight class, both locally and at the state level. After finishing eighth a year ago, Smith’s only Pennsylvania losses came at the hands of the first-, second- and third-place finishers in the Class AA tournament.
“Being with Josh and seeing all the same kids since middle school,” Octorara coach Mark Durante said, “you get to the point where your better kids are doing all the right things and you expect it. We’re in the practice room to beat the better kids. It’s what’s expected and, at the same time, it’s nice to see it’s not a letdown when it happens.”
Buchholz (41-3) was just as dominant in Class AAA and, like Smith, entered the postseason with only one regular-season loss. At one point he won 23 consecutive bouts, including nine in the postseason.
At times, Buchholz just flat-out overpowered opponents with his big frame. Other times he was smart enough to wait for his foe to make a mistake before making him pay. Often times it never came off as flashy, but Buchholz just kept winning. Never more impressive than notching four straight in the consolation bracket to reach the third-place bout.
“He’s not a slick wrestler,” Great Valley coach Joe Tornetta said. “He’s more of the brawler-type wrestler. When push comes to shove, he did a great job throwing his weight around.”
Buchholz already holds the Great Valley school record with 109 career victories. He also won Section 4, District 1 Central and Southeast Regional titles. His rematch against Council Rock North’s Jack Callender with a state medal on the line proved to be his marquee victory of the season. Buchholz beat Callender, 5-4, at regionals, but after hearing whispers of fluke flying around, he quickly disproved any such notion.
“That was my favorite match of the year,” Buchholz said. “After regionals, the stuff going around that I couldn’t do it again and all that. I guess I showed the best wrestler won.”
Like Buchholz, Smith will have a state championship at the top of his goals list next season. With two medals already under his belt, Smith is poised to make a run. He was just a win away from reaching the state finals this season, and that just motivated him more.
“It just makes me hungrier,” Smith said. “It makes me want to work hard for all 52 weeks.”

To contact correspondent Nate Heckenberger, e-mail sports@dailylocal.com.