‘It’s just a sport’
Bethlehem Catholic’s Ryan Anderson focused after his first loss in over a year
Ryan Anderson became the nation’s top-ranked 145-pound wrestler by coming at opponents with a Tasmanian devillike approach.
Chill off the mat, the Bethlehem Catholic senior did not stop inside the circle until referees said to, or until foes said, ‘no mas.’
That approach added up to two state medals, including 2018 gold, in three varsity seasons.
Anderson’s domination continued this year when he captured the nation’s top two tournaments — the Walsh Jesuit Ironman and Beast of the East — with relative ease.
The Golden Hawk then made a tactical error.
“Since Ironman and Beast, I toned it down,” Anderson admitted. “I guess in my head I thought I couldn’t be beat.
“I thought I would never lose.”
A funny thing happened on the way to an expected unbeaten senior season: He lost.
It took six weeks, but Anderson’s attitude caught up with him. Northampton sophomore Jagger Condomitti, a tireless worker, was rewarded for his dedication with a 5-4 win in the PIAA Class 3A team tournament championship match.
“That really was a wake-up call,” Anderson admitted.
Two weeks later, Anderson won another District 11 3A title with a 5-3 win over Condomitti in the final.
It may take another two victories over the Konkrete Kid — including at this weekend’s Class 3A Northeast Regional tournament at Liberty’s Memorial Gym — before the Iowa State recruit can have a second state gold medal placed around his neck.
Anderson was given a warning when he needed a third-period rally in a Dec. 20 dual meet to beat Condomitti 7-5, but the message did not resonate.
It has now.
“I think he got humbled a little bit,” Bethlehem Catholic coach Jeff Karam said. “He has the most humility of perhaps anyone I’ve ever coached, but his confidence was shaken.”
Anderson shook Condomitti’s hand after the state team final and patted him on the back as a sign of respect — and perhaps as a thank you for getting the Golden Hawk to realize there was much work to be done.
A few things, however, did not change.
“I got some mint, soft-serve ice cream,” Anderson said about the night of his loss. “I don’t cut weight.
“And, I slept good that night.”
Anderson also slept fine on the eve of last weekend’s showdown with Condomitti.
In between, the Bethlehem Catholic standout found his way to the practice room every day — which was not a given earlier this season. Once inside, he worked like he had something to prove.
Anderson didn’t wrestle great at the District 11 tournament, Karam said, but he was engaged in the task in front of him instead of living on past glory.
“Ever since that loss,” Anderson said, “I got back in the wrestling room, wiped the board clean, and learned, worked, lifted. I feel good now.
“When [Condomitti] beat me, I got in the mindset that I was never going to let that happen again.”
Condomitti did not make it easy in the district final.
The Northampton competitor is not relenting to Anderson, who acknowledges Condomitti’s skill set and toughness.
It is Condomitti’s strength and upper-body attacks that have slowed Anderson’s train ride toward a season-ending No. 1 national ranking.
Karam wants to see Anderson get back to willing his style on opponents rather than wrestling someone else’s style.
For now, though, all in Bethlehem Catholic’s corner are happy to see Anderson engaged and focused.
“I have to thank [Condomitti] for that one,” Anderson said.
“He stuck it to me in the state finals. It really had me putting the work in like I used to.”
Even after Anderson – with a 109-14 career record — suffered his first loss since Jan. 20, 2018, he did not lose perspective.
“I never get down on myself about wrestling,” he said. “It’s just a sport.”
Anderson wants to step down from the top of the podium inside Hershey’s Giant Center later this month with a symbol of his re-dedication to a sport he has dominated for most of his high school career.