HS Wrestling: Banks, Woll top T102sportsnow.com All-Area Wrestling Team
Panther Valley's Brenda Banks celebrates after pinning Southmoreland's Zoey Murphy in 42 seconds in the 235-pound final at the PIAA Wrestling Championships on March 8 at the Giant Center. (Photo by Bob Lipsky)
Brenda Banks walked onto the Giant Center floor with a bright smile on her face.
The spotlight shone down on the Panther Valley junior as she made the long walk across the arena to the far mat for her 235-pound final March 8 at the PIAA Wrestling Championships.
She shook hands with Southmoreland’s Zoey Murphy — and 42 seconds later it was over. Four matches, four first-period falls and a third straight state championship (the last two PIAA sanctioned). Banks’ victory capped a 36-1 season and raised her career record to 73-2.
On the boys’ side, Blue Mountain junior Owen Woll had plenty to celebrate during the course of the season. Much of it came to fruition Jan. 18 when Woll captured his second gold medal at the Schuylkill League Wrestling Championships. Competing in his home gym, Woll pinned his three opponents in the first period, the final one marking the 100th victory of his career. The coaches also voted him as the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler.
With the Eagles up against state and national powers in Class 3A, Woll rose to the occasion in the postseason, going 4-1 to place third in District 11, then went 3-1 to place second at the Northeast Regional and qualify for states. In Hershey, Woll went 1-2 to complete a 42-9 season that raised his career record to 113-31 with another season to go.
For their efforts, Banks and Woll are the Girls’ and Boys’ Wrestlers of the Year, respectively, on the inaugural T102sportsnow.com All-Area Wrestling Team. For capturing both the Schuylkill League Division I championship and the team title at the Schuylkill League Tournament, North Schuylkill’s Corey Fetterolf has been selected as Coach of the Year.
Fetterolf guided the Spartans to a 12-3 record, including a 30-27 victory over Blue Mountain on Jan. 8 that clinched North Schuylkill’s 24th Schuylkill League Division I crown and its first since 2022. Ten days later, the Spartans crowned five champions and earned the team title at the Schuylkill League Wrestling Championships. The team title marked the 14th time in school history that North Schuylkill has achieved the feat but the first time since 2005.
The Spartans also completed the division/tournament double for the eighth time, but the first time since 2002.
“Thank you for that award, and I accept that on behalf of our entire program!’’ Fetterolf said. “… We are very proud of the season we had as a team this year, winning the Schuylkill League Division I dual championship and finally breaking through and winning the Schuylkill League Tournament championship for the first time in over 20 years. It really took all 20-plus wrestlers in that varsity room to make those goals become a reality this year.
“We are looking to the future and hope to continue to build off of our recent success,’’ Fetterolf added. “Our junior high program is coming off another fantastic season and capped it off with a District 11 AA championship. So, with many returning starters coming back and the mix of wrestlers coming up from the junior high level, we will look to strive for higher goals starting next season.’’
The best news for Banks and Woll is that they’re both juniors and have the opportunity to achieve a lot more before their high school careers are over.
“With all the support I get from the wrestling community as a whole, I never feel like I’m too pressured to do anything,’’ Banks said. “I definitely feel the pressure of performing well and being very diligent with my wrestling. But, honestly, I have so much fun with it. … I live for competing.’’
Woll also stressed the support he’s gotten from the Blue Mountain community to help him get to Hershey for the second time.
“(Helped by) great people, great support system. … I think my faith plays a big role,’’ Woll said after his semifinal win at regionals. I know I’m just out there to have fun, and whatever happens, happens.’’
And after his first-round consolation victory at states …
“It’s awesome,’’ Woll said. “This environment is amazing. I’m very grateful to be here and wrestling.’’
T102sportsnow.com All-Area Wrestling Team
Boys’ Wrestler of the Year — Owen Woll, jr., Blue Mountain (42-9 season, 113-31 career)
Girls’ Wrestler of the Year — Brenda Banks, jr., Panther Valley (36-1 season, 73-2 career)
Coach of the Year — Corey Fetterolf, North Schuylkill (12-3, Schuylkill League Division I championship, Schuylkill League tournament team champion)
FIRST TEAM
Rory Dixon, soph., Mahanoy Area (32-11 season, 60-18 career)
Camron Green, jr., Williams Valley (35-9 season, 77-38 career)
Noah Hanlon, soph., Tri-Valley (35-12 season, 63-28 career)
Austin Martin, sr., Pine Grove (34-8 season, 107-48 career)
Terrell McFarland, jr., Pottsville (35-8 season, 96-16 career)
Cadyn McGraw, jr., North Schuylkill (30-16 season, 70-55 career)
Kyler Quick, jr., Mahanoy Area (34-15 season, 94-44 career)
Bradley Renninger, sr., Blue Mountain (43-12 season, 122-57 career)
Robbie Schaeffer, sr., Pine Grove (33-11 season, 69-43 career)
Aiden Schlier, sr., Tamaqua (32-9 season, 107-39 career)
Nate Sterner, sr., North Schuylkill (32-10 season, 103-51 career)
Sander Stokes, sr., North Schuylkill (25-14 season, 37-29 career)
Owen Wolfgang, jr., Tri-Valley (32-12 season, 79-40 career)
SECOND TEAM
Hunter Blankenhorn, sr., Blue Mountain (28-12 season, 82-55 career)
Bryce Bodenberg, jr., Blue Mountain (25-8 season, 66-30 career)
Brian Brobst, fr., Blue Mountain (27-13 season, 27-13 career)
Jaxson Bruso, jr., Tri-Valley (31-15 season, 81-47 career)
Colin Crisswell, soph., Williams Valley (29-11 season, 54-24 career)
Alex Deritis, jr., North Schuylkill (26-12 season, 44-29 career)
Easton Edwards, fr., North Schuylkill (28-10 season, 28-10 career)
Jacob Hehn, sr., Tamaqua (28-15 season, 94-63 career)
Gaige Mentusky, jr., North Schuylkill (30-12 season, 69-44 career)
Magnus Monger, soph., Williams Valley (30-13 season, 53-28 career)
Aaron Osatchuck, soph., Pine Grove (26-13 season, 40-33 career)
Xzavion Tennis, jr., Williams Valley (27-14 season, 68-41 career)
Hunter Updegrave, soph., Tri-Valley (31-19 season, 49-36 career)
HONORABLE MENTION
Jah Bushati, jr., Mahanoy Area (28-13 season, 49-45 career)
Cole Cook, fr., Pottsville (26-12 season, 26-12 career)
Scout Frantz, soph., Pine Grove (24-13 season, 38-33 career)
Bryce Kile, fr., North Schuylkill (27-13 season, 27-13 career)
Zach Kurtz, soph., Pine Grove (20-13 season, 45-26 career)
Jaden Meyer, sr. (North Schuylkill (26-12 season, 47-27 career)
Brody Schlier, soph., Tamaqua (25-18 season, 49-30 career)
GIRLS
FIRST TEAM
Eve Kurtz, sr., Pine Grove (33-8 season, 79-32 career)
Alisa Williams, jr., Panther Valley (33-10 season, 47-23 career)
Geanna Lemke, fr., Pine Grove (30-8 season, 30-8 career)
Samantha Eisenhauer, jr., Pine Grove (28-12 season, 58-37 career)
Maggie Hoffman-Long, jr., Tri-Valley/Upper Dauphin (19-13 season, 19-13 career)
