Jared Fulton's trip to the PIAA Championships at the Giant Center March 10-12 may have been shorter than he would have liked but head coach Tony Mendez knows that his experience is invaluable.

"He's a junior and will be back in the room next year," said Mendez. "Now he knows what states is like and what you need to do to get there. He can share that experience and use it as motivation to get further next year."

Fulton (152) opened with a 5-2 win over Nate Shippey of Interboro in the Round of 32 Thursday, March 10. He held a 2-1 lead after two periods and secured the win with a takedown in the final seconds.

In the Round of 16, Fulton dropped a 5-0 decision to eventual second place finisher Matt Repos of Central Dauphin.

His trip to states continued with the second round of consolations on Friday where he suffered a 15-6 defeat to Chad Ozias of Connellsville, the eventual seventh place finisher.

"Jared held a brief lead in the second period and then near the end of the third he was down by three and went for the win," said Mendez. "He wound up giving up five points, but he was going for the win.

"You always go in expecting to medal but the competition is so tough," he added. "Jared was right there. He puts in the time, attends camps and does the weightlifting all to give himself the best opportunity."

After going 15-5 last year, dictated by Covid, Fulton racked up a 38-10 mark this season and currently sits at 67-27.

Fulton won a Lancaster-Lebanon League title, was second at sectionals and placed fourth at the regional meet.

DISTRICT SWIMMING

Solanco's swim team of one, Addie Scott, punched her ticket to the PIAA Swimming Championships with a pair of solid performances at the District Three Championships held at Cumberland Valley High School March 4-5. Scott, a junior, swam both of her events on Saturday and just 40 minutes apart. She posted a 52.67 in the 100 free and then recorded a 58.12 in the 100 back, leaving her in sixth place in both events.

Last year in the district meet Scott was fourth in the 100 free and fifth in the 200.

INDOOR TRACK

Pennsylvania Track and Field Coaches Association recently voted on the 2021-22 indoor track and field all-state teams where Solanco's Katie Urbine, for her stellar efforts in the pole vault, was named to the First Team.

She also recently placed sixth at the Nike Indoor Nationals in Saten Island, New York, clearing 12 feet, ı inch.

Also, of note on the indoor track scene - former Solanco standout Anna Cooney, a member of the Widener track and field team, placed fifth in the shot put at the 2022 NCAA Division Three indoor championships on March 12, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Cooney tossed the shot 45-7.25 and in doing so, claimed her first All-American honor in indoor track and the second one of her career after also placing fifth in last year's outdoor nationals. She becomes only the fifth Widener woman to earn All-American status in indoor track and field.

BASKETBALL

For their efforts on the hardwoods, three Solanco athletes, as voted on by the coaches, received all-star recognition. Jayden Yoder, the team's leading scorer (11.1 ppg avg. with 34 threes) was a Section Three honorable mention selection while Olivia Lasko, the girls' leading scorer with a 10.5 ppg avg, received first team and all-academic team recognition. Kendall Jansen was voted to the all-defensive team.

The girls team also received the Sportsmanship Award.

On the college front, Solanco alumn, Jenna Dombach, a sophomore at Lancaster Bible College, was one of nine named to the United East women's basketball All-Sportsmanship team for the 2021-22 season. The all-sportsmanship team recognizes student-athletes who epitomize the ideals of sportsmanship. Student-athletes selected to the team demonstrate fair play, graciousness in victory and respectfulness in defeat. Each has been chosen by their coach as a respresentative who emodies the Division III spirit.

WRESTLING AWARD WINNERS

Solanco's wrestling team wrapped up the 2021-22 season with their end of the year awards banquet at Fireside Tavern on Tuesday, March 15 where head coach Tony Mendez and his staff announced the following award winners.

Wade Adams, a regional qualifier at 152, was this year's recipient of the Ivan Steel "Iron Man" award. He also received a three year dedication award. Adams finished with 37 career wins and 15 career pins. He was a AAA Section II 6th place finisher in 2020, an LL tournament 7th place finisher in 2021 and this year was an academic all-star and a Section II 4th place finisher.

Robert Castagna (189) received the Ray Long Most Improved Wrestler Award and a four year dedication award. Castagna was a L-L League Second Team all-star, a 5th place finisher in the L-L League tournament and was a 2nd place finisher in sectionals in addition to qualifying for regionals. Last year Castagna, who finished with 55 career wins and 18 pins, was a L-L League honorable mention all-star.

Receiving the Carlton Shindler Outstanding Wrestler and MVP award was Jared Fulton, this year's PIAA state qualifier. The junior was 4th in regionals, 2nd in sectionals, a L-L League first team all-star and a L-L League tournament champ who also received the Most Pins Award.

Connor Musser (132) received the Team Choice Award and Steven Williams (126) received a three year dedication award. He capped his career with 42 wins and 23 pins. Williams was a second team all-star and last year finished 4th in sectionals and 5th in the L-L League tournament.

With 72 career wins and 34 pins, Weston Bare (120) also received a three year dedication award. Bare was a first-team and academic all-star, finished 2nd in the L-L League tournament, was second in sectionals and was also a regional qualifier. Last year he was 4th in the league tournament and 3rd in sectionals. Bare was also a regional qualifier in 2020, a third place finisher in sectionals and a 4th place winner in the league tournament.

Junior high award winners included Braedon Bickford (Keith Kreider award), Logan DellaVecchia (Team Leadership Award) and Tyler Kreider (Coaches Choice award. Bickford and DellaVecchia also received three year dedication awards.