Solanco's Dom Flatt earned elite status on Saturday, March 13 at the Giant Stadium in Hershey. The senior, wrestling at 103, earned a fourth-place medal at the PIAA Championships, becoming Solanco's highest state place-winner since Bo Spiller's second place effort in 2015.

"You go into this tournament where everyone is a state medalist," said head coach Tony Mendez. "The rankings and records go out the window. You take things one match at a time. This was a huge accomplishment for Dom."

Flatt, after a scoreless first period, earned a 7-1 decision over Council Rock North's Tony Burke in the quarterfinals and then had a rematch with Cael Nasdeo of Williamsport in the semifinals. Flatt defeated Nasdeo in the semifinals of the Super Regionals. But that was a week ago.

"Dom fell behind 8-0 in the first period and lost 12-0," said Mendez. "He's a long, strong kid and he turned Dom several times. He was very upset after that. He knew he beat him before. Now he had to bounce back. That was the key," Mendez explained. "We had a little break and Dom came back in the afternoon and wrestled very well."

With five nearfall points in the third period, Flatt defeated Luke Sirianni, of Abington Heights, in the consi semis setting up yet another rematch. In a battle for the PIAA bronze medal, Flatt squared off against Seneca Valley's Tyler Chappell. The senior defeated Flatt 3-1 in the finals of the Super Regional on a takedown with nine seconds left. This third-place bout was just as close. Tied at 2-2 in the first, Flatt used an early escape and a takedown to go up 5-2. Chappell escaped with a minute left in the second and used an escape and a takedown with 1:16 left in the third to prevail 6-5.

"Dom wrestled so much better this time," said Mendez. "I felt he outwrestled Chappell and Dom felt good about the way he wrestled."

So, with a 2-2 record for the weekend, Flatt finished his career with 98 wins. He was 22-7 on the season and earned eight falls, pushing is career pin total to 41. Flatt, a second team L-L League All-star, was a second-place finisher in the L-L League Tournament, the AAA Section II tourney, and the AAA West Super Regional before earning a fourth place PIAA State Championship medal.

He was a state qualifier in 2020 and was a First Team all-star that year. He also finished second in the AAA SC Regional in 2020. Flatt, a four-year varsity wrestler, was a L-L League Tournament Champion in both 2019 and 2020. Those accomplishments earned him the Carlton Shindler Outstanding Wrestler Award announced at the team's end of the year banquet on March 16.

Coach Mendez also recognized a handful of other accomplished wrestlers at the banquet. Jackson Houghton (132), a AAA D3 Section II champion, received the Iron Man Award named after former coach Ivan Steel. Jackson, with 63 career wins and 32 career pins, also received his three-year dedication award. He is a three-time, First Team all-star and a three-time AAA SC Regional qualifier.

This year's Most Improve Wrestler Award, in memory of Ray Long, went to Steven Williams. The 152-pounder was an AAA D3 Section II fourth place finisher.

Also receiving a three-year dedication award was Ronnie Fulton (138) with 82 career wins and 46 career pins. Fulton, a two-time AAA SC Regional Qualifier, was a L-L Tournament third place finisher this season and an Honorable Mention all-star.

Junior high award winners included Raif Groves, Caden Rutt, Luke Scott and Hunter Touchton receiving three-year dedication awards and Ben Williams and Landon Dunlap receiving two-year dedication awards. Scott received the Keith Kreider Award, Groves was awarded the Team Leadership Award and the Coaches Choice Award went to Braedon Bickford.

TRACK

Solanco' track team has a new head coach but she's no stranger to the program. Jen McDowell, Solanco's first and only head junior high track coach, takes over for Ivan Haines (retired). The seventh-grade math teacher at Smith Middle School is a Solanco and Lock Haven University graduate and looks forward to the season.

"Not being able to compete last year, due to the pandemic, will have an impact on this season," said McDowell. "We had a large number of freshman last year, now sophomores that are learning new events. But all the teams in the league are dealing with this.

"Our focus this year is on individual goals," she continued. "Our numbers are low, so we need to be realistic in our goal setting. If athletes are working on individual goals, then the team will also succeed."

Despite their youth, Solanco has a handful of returning athletes ready to make an impact. "Ryan Vanover, John Revoloria-Marles, Jadan Forren and Faith Roth return in the sprints," said McDowell. "Greta Plechner in the high jump and pole vault, Trent Henry in the jumps and Madi Davis in the throws also return as well as Joey Hartigan in distance and Carly Rose and Haylee Byers in sprints/hurdles. Other key throwing athletes include Connor Smith, Brian Coleman and Cole Gladfelter," she added.

"We had a strong sophomore class that did not get a chance to show off their talent last year. They include Katie Urbine (PV/sprints), Josiah Forren (sprints/jumps), Anthony Solis-Morales, Jimmy Hartigan, Alanna Brown, Alyssa Harpe and Emma Baxter (distance), Marissa Cannizzaro, Maya Torres, John Sankus (throws), and Kara Peace (sprints)," McDowell noted. "We also expect freshmen Lillyan Souillard, Christine Wagner and Wyatt Tomison to make an impact in distance runs as well as Shane Roth in jumps and sprints. Without competing last year there are many unknowns, but we are anxious to get started."