The Foxes’ wrestling team traditionally ends each calendar year by participating in the West Mifflin Steve DeAugustino Classic, where roughly 30 teams and 300 grapplers compete for top awards. This season, Fox Chapel Area had some impressive performances, particularly by senior Eddie Farrell, who battled his way to become the champion in the 220-lb weight class. It was his first championship win as a varsity wrestler.
“It felt pretty good to finally stand on the podium as the champion,” says Eddie, whose year-end record was 10-1, six of them pins. “It really gave me the feeling that my hard work was finally paying off.”
He also was thinking ahead about his goal of winning even bigger tournaments. Last year, at the Fox Chapel Area-hosted Allegheny County Wrestling Tournament, Eddie placed fourth in his weight class. Coach Michael Frank says that tournament will be his first big test this year and a preview of what’s to come at WPIALs. Last year, Eddie finished eighth at the regional tournament, two matches short of going to states. Every year he gets closer to his ultimate goal of placing high enough at WPIALs to make it to states – the top four place winners in each weight class advance to PIAAs. The last Foxes’ grapplers to compete at states were Zach Carcy in 2016, and Mike Mahon in 2016 and 2017.
“I’ve known Eddie for a while,” says co-head coach Frank, “and he’s put in the time necessary to finish first and come into his own right as a wrestler. He’s really working on his technique now and proving himself to be a leader. He’s always been physically tough and strong, and his work ethic is great. He is usually the first to get to practice, the last to leave, and often will stay behind with a few others to get in some extra time with the coaching staff.”
Eddie believes two of his biggest assets as a student-athlete are his drive for success and his work ethic. He says mental toughness is his best personal characteristic, adding, “Mental toughness gives me the ability to bounce back after a tough loss and pushes me to work harder. I’m always working to improve.”
Notable
Before the weekend concluded at West Mifflin, four other Fox Chapel Area wrestlers took their places on the medalists’ podium. Seniors Luke O’Connor finished fourth at 182 lbs., and Josh Miller was fifth at 152 lbs. Additionally, junior Jose Morales was sixth in the 126-lb. weight class, and sophomore Ray Worsen placed eighth at 120 lbs.
As a team, the Foxes finished in 10th place.
At the end of 2019, senior Alex Wecht (160 pounds) holds a 7-0 record and has five pins. Josh stands at 10-4, with nine pins, and Luke has three pins and a 9-3 record.