Liberty’s Gonzalez Commits to Bucknell

Grimaldi Gonzalez may not be the biggest name in Pennsylvania Wrestling but the Bethlehem Liberty senior has compiled an impressive career in two years of varsity action. As a sophomore Gonzalez was a Bethlehem Liberty Hurricane Holliday Classic runner-up at 119 lbs. and qualified for the Northeast Regional Tournament finishing the season with a (28-10) record. Last season Gonzalez was once again a Bethlehem Liberty Hurricane Holliday Classic runner-up, this time at 120 lbs. During the post-season Grimaldi captured his first District 11 Championship and, at the Northeast Regional Tournament, the junior was dominate en route to a (10-2) finals victory over Nazareth’s Chase Zemenak at 120 lbs. Gonzalez entered his first ever PIAA State Tournament with a (33-3) record and was able to advance to the Championship semi-finals after receiving a forfit in the first round and earning a major decision in the quarter-finals. In the semis Gonzalez lost (3-2) to eventual State runner-up and former State Champion Connor Schram. In the consolations Grimaldi won his first bout and reached the third/fourth place finals to face a familiar opponent in Chase Zemenak. After two periods of action Zemenak was forced to injury default and Gonzalez earned his first PIAA State medal finishing in third place.

As a senior, Gonzalez will most likely compete at 126 lbs. for Liberty and should be a favorite to repeat as the Northeast Regional Champion and PIAA State medal winner. At Bucknell he should fit into the 125 lbs./133 lbs. range for the Bison Wrestling squad.