P-O sending 5 wrestlers to Southwest Regional Tournament. How they’re preparing
The Philipsburg-Osceola Mounties are sending seniors Caleb Hummel and Colton Chapman, junior Averi Gable, and freshmen Hayden Koptchak and Jacob Dugan to this weekend’s Southwest Regional Tournament for wrestling.
Hummel will be attending regionals for his fourth consecutive year, while Koptchak and Dugan are attending their first high school regional tournament.
For Hummel, regionals is familiar territory, as he has competed in this tournament his entire high school career. For Koptchak and Dugan, the experience of stepping onto the mat is different.
In a conversation with Hummel, Koptchak and Dugan, the distinctions between the senior and freshman mindset and experience become clear.
Q: How does it feel to be going to regionals for your fourth year?
CH: “I was expecting it. It’s going to be different because it’s my last year.”
Hummel walks into regionals with a clear plan. His goal is to qualify for states, score points and have fun. This mindset serves him well, having reached 150 career wins and competed against some of the top wrestlers in the state.
His experience allows him to know what to expect. He doesn’t wonder what will happen; he focuses on execution.
Q: Do you still get nervous?
CH: “I’m excited. I don’t really get nervous. I know what to expect.”
Q: How has your perspective changed since your first time competing at regionals?
CH: “Your first time, you are definitely nervous because you don’t really know what the outcome is going to be. It is something new compared to junior high. After you do it a couple times, you feel more confident.”
His confidence is apparent in his routine. Before a match, he listens to music, pacing rather than warming up, focusing on clearing his head.
Q: Do you notice the crowd?
CH: “I never do. It’s just adrenaline.”
For Koptchak and Dugan, regionals present a new experience. Both competed in junior high, but recognize that the high school level brings new challenges.
Q: How does it feel to be going to regionals as a freshman?
HK: “I didn’t think it was going to happen at the beginning of the year. I’m nervous, but mostly excited.”
Q: How have you been preparing?
HK: “We’ve been practicing every day. Mentally, just having confidence.”
Q: How have you been hyping yourselves up?
JD: “Listening to music.” The team’s favorite pre-match artist is Drake.
Koptchak and Dugan’s fresh but calm energy has been shaped by their mentors on and off the team.
Q: Who have you looked up to this season?
“Parents and coaches,” Hayden said, adding that he is inspired by college wrestlers, specifically those competing for Penn State. Jacob draws motivation from his father.
Their goals are humble yet ambitious.
HK: “Wrestle my best, try my best, and qualify for states. If not, it’s not the end of the world.”
JD: “Have fun and score points.”
After the freshmen shared their excitement and nerves, Hummel highlighted the lessons that come with experience.
Q: What is a piece of advice you have for the freshmen?
CH: “Go out, have fun. There’s nothing to lose. It’s just a wrestling match at the end of the day.”
What is something you wish you knew at their age?
CH: “I used to get really nervous before my matches, but this year I’ve definitely just gone out to have fun.”
Hummel has learned to combat nerves through gaining confidence in himself and his wrestling abilities, being able to step onto the mat calm and assured. That same mindset is what the freshmen begin to adapt after watching the seniors. Koptchak and Dugan see that confidence can transform nerves into focus, allowing them to take on any challenges.
Coach Justin Fye observes the contrast between seniors and freshmen in a unique light: “We are fortunate to have Hayden Koptchak and Jacob Dugan qualify as freshmen this year. Experiencing the postseason as a freshman can be overwhelming. The crowds get bigger and louder, the referees become more involved, and, of course, the competition improves.
“As a coaching staff, we try to approach it with a ‘one match at a time’ mentality. Both Jacob and Hayden are good enough to be here, and we remind them that the work they have put in has brought them to this point. We are continuing to focus on preparation, confidence and staying composed in big moments.”
He continued: “When it comes to Caleb, he has already experienced success in the postseason and understands what it takes to get to the PIAA State Tournament. Caleb, along with the rest of our seniors, has been an excellent mentor to our younger wrestlers this year. He has taken the time to work with each of our freshmen, talking about technique and how to approach matches both mentally and physically. We are excited to see how Caleb finishes his senior season. He has been close to earning a spot on the podium in Hershey a couple of times, and experience is extremely important at this time of year. Our coaching staff is excited to see what Caleb, Hayden, Jacob, Averi and Colton are capable of this weekend. This is an exciting time of the year. We know what all of them are capable of and want them to continue building on their success.”
Regionals may differ depending on experience, but the goals remain the same. Koptchak said, “I just want to wrestle my best and see if I can do better than last time.” Dugan jokingly added, “I’m excited for after weigh-ins to eat Powerballs.”
Both freshmen and seniors are seeking redemption from any matches they lost at districts. They want to face those opponents again and feel confident that, with their training, they can take them head-on.
Koptchak offered his perspective on approaching the matches: “Be confident. Go out there and wrestle your hardest and try your best and try to score as many points as you can.”
Kai Thoma is a Philipsburg-Osecola High School student. This story is part of the Press Forward PA Wilds scholarship program for high school wrestling coverage.