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P.O. Male Athlete of the Week: Cameron Tinner


After the first weekend of the wrestling season, it's apparent Shippensburg's Cameron Tinner has progressed.

After a good sophomore season last year in which Tinner was 20-13, placed fourth in the Section I Tournament and made it to the District 3 Tournament, the Greyhounds' 220-pounder made a statement Saturday by romping to a title in the Cumberland Valley Tournament. Tinner is the Public Opinion Male Athlete of the Week

"He's so much more mature this year, and has a year more experience as a wrestler," Ship coach Tony Yaniello said.

Tinner was awarded the No. 1 seed at 220 for the event, and he said, "I was happy at first, and a little surprised. Then I stared thinking I had something to prove and I didn't want to disappoint my team and have a letdown."

That certainly didn't happen. After a bye, Tinner won three bouts -- a technical fall, a major decision and a pin in just 1:03 over Mechanicsburg's Akira Bastiany in the final, in which he took the Wildcat down to his back and stuck him.

"I felt pretty good," Tinner said. "I did well on my feet, but I need some work to be cleaner. I didn't feel out of shape, although I'll be working hard this week to get ready for Carlisle (a tournament this weekend)."

Yaniello is impressed with Tinner's style because he's not just a typical big wrestler trying to overpower his opponent.

"He's a very skillful wrestler and he's a student of the game," Yaniello said. "He wrestles like a 126-pounder, but he's at 220. He shows some finesse, which is good to see with a big guy."

Tinner, who said football is his main sport, nevertheless has some serious goals for the wrestler side of him.

"Last year I was a district qualifier and got some experience," he said. "This year I want to place high enough to get to states -- that's been a lifelong goal of mine."

He's off to a good start.

Cameron Tinner, Shippensburg

Sport: Wrestling

Weight: 220 pounds

Height: 6-foot-2

Grade: Junior

Parents: Clyde and Trisha Tiinner

Interests: Tinner plays football for the Hounds, and likes to do things with friends and family.

Surprising fact: He usually listens to pop music before competitions and will wear the same socks if he won the last time he wore them.

Statistics: In last weekend's Cumberland Valley Tournament, Tinner sailed through the 220-pound weight class, with a 16-1 technical fall, a 13-2 major decision in the semifinals and a pin in the championship round in just 1:03 over Akira Bastiany of Mechanicsburg.