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L-L wrestlers using both wins and losses as motivation


A large number of L-L wrestlers will be competing in the District 3 Class AA and AAA championships this weekend and this is where some dreams begin to form into realities.

One of those wrestlers with higher aspirations is Solanco’s Bo Spiller (30-6). The junior 220-pounder won his first sectional title last week and was part of a Solanco team that won their fifth straight Section 3 Class AAA title.

Spiller is also the reigning L-L 220-pound champion.

“I feel great after Leagues and Sectionals,” Spiller said.  “I feel like I'm starting to hit my stride and I'm in the best shape I've been in all year.”

Spiller qualified for states last season as a heavyweight but explained that making the podium at states is a goal he has had since before the season.

“That has been my goal all along and I feel as right now, I'm in a good spot for that to happen, “Spiller said.” I've been busting my butt in the room and I'm ready to get after it against some great competition.”

Unlike last season, Spillers won’t have Hempfield’s Joey Goodhart (32-2) in his way. Spiller and Goodhart met in the district heavyweight finals last year with Goodhart coming out victorious.

Spiller got some retribution this year after defeating Goodhart in the 220-pound finals in the L-L Tournament.

Still wrestling at heavyweight, Goodhart won’t have it any easier this year. In his way is huge road block in three-time state champion, Thomas Haines (34-0) of Solanco. Haines and Goodhart met in the sectional final last week with Haines taking an 11-4 decision.

“The match with Haines was pretty interesting just because of how good of friends and training partners we are. We were friends all day until about an hour or two before the match. But during the match, we were all business and acted like we have never spoken,” Goodhart said.

Goodhart’s match with Haines marked just the third time all year that the Solanco senior didn’t score bonus points in a match.

“The match with him (Haines) was a good gauge on where I am at right now. He is one of the best kids in the state,” Goodhart said. “It definitely has prepared me to make a post season run.”

Despite having a numerous championships to his name, Goodhart isn’t taking anything lightly while his overall goal is still looming.

“The ultimate goal is still to win a state title. After the loss at leagues, it refocused and motivated me to work even harder,” Goodhart said. “Although the ultimate goal is to win a state title, I need to stay focused this weekend and take it one match at a time.”

Goodhart will face Section One third-place winner Giovani Alvarado (21-14) from Gettysburg in the first round on Friday in Hershey.

“I don’t really know a whole lot about him but at this point in the year, there are no easy matches and I’ll have to be on my game,” Goodhart said.

In his final high school wrestling postseason, Goodhart admitted that there is some anxiety but also explained how that fuels him.

“This year, I get more anxious than anything. There is some pressure on me being a returning regional champ but pressure is something that is earned through success and I have learned to embrace it.”

Here are the 220 and 285-pound District 3 Class AAA Brackets.