Duggan Embraces Chance to Face State Champ Nolf
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Photo by Joe Hermitt (PennLive)
By Jeremy Elliott, jelliott@pennlive.com
on December 14, 2013 12:24 a.m.
MILL HALL: There was a buzz in the Central Mountain High School gymnasium when wrestling fans looked at the 145-pound bracket for this year’s King of the Mountain Wrestling Tournament.
At the top and the No. 1 seed, Kittanning’s Jason Nolf, a two-time state champion that has only lost once in his high school career.
On the bottom, No. 2 seed, Cumberland Valley’s Patrick Duggan, a two-time state placer and runner-up last season.
You can understand the anticipation of seeing these two studs in a Saturday afternoon final. After all, it isn’t often that you get two top wrestlers in Class AA and Class AAA squaring off against one another.
“Obviously, I know who he is,” Duggan said after registering a pair of pins to punch his ticket to the semifinals. “I knew he was going to go to 145, and I look at it as a way to test myself.
“He is the No. 1 guy in the country. I’m going to go out and put everything I have into that match.”
Continued Duggan, “It’s good to gauge yourself and see what you need to work on so early in the season. If gives you a chance to see what parts you need to improve on.”
First, Duggan has to get by Ft. LeBoeuf’s George McGuire. And if you think he is overlooking his semifinal bout, think again.
That isn’t the way Duggan approaches his craft.
A week ago, the Eagles junior won the Cumberland Valley Kickoff, but it wasn’t one of his better performances. So, you can bet he is taking nothing for granted.
“It was a rough tournament,” Duggan said. “I just didn’t feel myself and was sluggish, tired. I couldn’t really put my finger on it.
“I did everything right at practice this week, and I’m real focused. I came in mentally prepared, and I’m pleased with how I wrestled today.”
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