P.O. Male Athlete of the Week: Levi Shoemaker
When you find something that works, you tend to stick with it.
That was Levi Shoemaker's motto last Saturday and it served him well. The Shippensburg senior wrestler carved out a 5-0 record Saturday at the Gettysburg Duals and went 6-0 for the week, earning him the honor of Public Opinion Male Athlete of the Week.
"I've definitely been stronger on top this year," Shoemaker said. "At the tournament, I rode every single kid out and got some back points, too. That really helped in every match. I was able to put in double legs and then just run a power half. Every kid I wrestled I got with the same move."
It added up to a technical fall, two major decisions and a pair of decisions. That helped the Greyhounds to a 4-1 record, with their only loss a 39-30 verdict to Bermudian Springs. Three of the wins were tight (41-29 over Carlisle, 32-30 over New Oxford and 36-31 over Gettysburg), so Shoemaker's points were needed.
Shippensburg coach Tony Yaniello said, "He's been strong on top with legs and he's been able to turn people. He was in a couple of big matches over the weekend and he was able to do that. And he was only weighing about 163."
Which could mean a drop to 160 for the postseason tournaments.
Shoemaker is just happy to be heading into the home stretch of the season.
"We're past the holidays so it's all uphill from here," he said. "It felt good to be back wrestling and having all the rust knocked off. I was one win from getting to districts last year. I'd like to make it out of districts this year, but we'll just take one step at a time."
One other step the Hounds hope to take is to qualify for the District 3 team championships.
"We really want to get into that, and the success we had Saturday will help," Shoemaker said.
Levi Shoemaker, Shippensburg
Sport: Wrestling
Grade: Senior
Weight: 170 pounds
Height: 5-foot-11
Parents: Michelle Shipley and Joshua Shoemaker
Interests: Shoemaker enjoys doing things in the outdoors, like hunting and fishing - "Basic Ship stuff," as he called it.
Surprising fact: He hopes to join the Air Force after graduation.
Statistics: Shoemaker completed a 6-0 week by putting together a 5-0 record Saturday at the Gettysburg Duals, helping the Hounds to a 4-1 record and second place ... He had a pin in an earlier dual against Waynesboro, and had a technical fall and two majors at Gettysburg ... He is now 14-7 with five pins.