Pennridge’s Stillings in a class by himself
Becomes first wrestler in school history to be named All-American in Greco and Freestyle
There have been some great wrestlers to come through the Pennridge werstling program, but last weekend Josh Stillings did something that no other wrestler in the school’s history has accomplished—making All-American in both Greco and Freestyle at the National Championships in Fargo.
“I was the first wrestler to wrestle Greco for Pennridge because most kids like Freestyle,” Stillings said. “It’s a cool accomplishment.” Besides just making school history Stillings can add yet another achievement to his very decorated career and one that is far from complete as he enters his junior year at Pennridge this fall.
Stillings wrestled a total of 14 matches over the course of last week, seven matches in each discipline as he made to the thirdplace match in both Greco and Freestyle.
In the semis of Greco he squared off with friend and fellow PA wrestler Jake Hendricks.
“I was the first wrestler to wrestle Greco for Pennridge because most kids like Freestyle. It’s a cool accomplishment.” – Pennridge’s Josh Stillings
Stillings and Hendricks also helped the PA team finish seventh in the team rankings.
Stillings and Hendricks met in Freestyle too in the third-place match.
Hendricks got the best of Stillings twice as Hendricks took Greco 4-4 and Freestyle 2-2. Hendricks was awarded the victory because he scored last.
As challenging as pulling off the double AllAmerican feat might seem Stillings said it was his goal heading into the tournament. In order to qualify for All-American status the wrestler must finish in the top eight of the style the wrestler is competing in.
Stillings managed a top four finish in both.
“My goal was to double All-American but I wasn’t expecting to place as high as I did so I definitely exceeded my goals.”
Up next for Stillings, Junior Olympics in Houston starting Aug 1 where he will compete for team MAWA (Middle Atlantic Wrestling Association). A big deal for most but light work for Stillings as he describes it as “a fun tournament.”
“My goal is to go undefeated but we’ll see,” Stillings said.