Haubert primed for a deeper run
Danny Haubert walked into a wrestling room for the first time when he was 4 years old. Two older brothers opened that door for him.
The Palisades junior has had a blast ever since.
Haubert enjoyed his experience at last year’s PIAA Wrestling Championships. He is hoping this March to walk away with more than just memories.
“I want to be back there, definitely,” he said, “and be on the podium. That’s a big goal. I’d be happy placing in the top 5. Anything can happen out there. It doesn’t matter who you are wrestling. You have to go out there with a winning mindset.”
Haubert learned that the hard way. He was eliminated last year by Bishop McDevitt’s Lucas Lawler, whom he beat twice the previous week at the Southeast Regional tournament.
The Pirates junior, who was a 2022 District 11 runner-up and Southeast Regional Class 2A third-place finisher, is the leader of a relatively young, inexperienced team, but one that still should be competitive in the Colonial League.
Haubert’s key to success is to be better on his feet, something he worked on in the offseason and preseason.
“I struggled with finishing shots and scoring from my feet,” he said. “That is one thing that improved a lot.”
Haubert was third at the season-opening Tom Best Jr. Memorial Top Hat Tournament, losing only to eventual champion Macon Myers of Central York 8-4
in the semifinals. He beat Saucon Valley’s Jared Rohn in overtime in the consolation semifinals.
The Pirate lost in last year’s Top Hat quarterfinals to eventual state champion Isaac Cory of Montoursville and later to two other state qualifiers, so he’s made progress.
“I go into those tournaments just focused on that next match,” Haubert said. “I go day by day. I don’t think about the end of a tournament.”
When the time comes, however, Haubert is hoping for a better ending to his junior season.
1. Familiar faces in the corner
Head coach Nick LaFevre has two new assistant coaches: Nathan Haubert, a 2018 state champion at Palisades, and Christian
Gretzinger, a former Pirates standout in football and wrestling.
“That’s two bulldogs,” LaFevre said. “That’s good to have that contrast in coaching styles because I’m different. I like having that balance.”
Haubert is the oldest of the three brothers. The three-time PIAA medalist with more than 100 career wins is finishing his degree at Lehigh. Brother Ben Haubert is a sophomore starter at 174 pounds for the Citadel.
Cousin John Haubert is in the Palisades lineup.
Sister Riley Haubert is a firstyear member of the Pirates’ girls wrestling program.
2. Pirates’ lineup
There are a few holes, but potential for solid seasons at the other nine weight classes.
Freshman Brock Schneiderwind
is at 107. He won four consolation matches to finish sixth at the season-opening Top Hat tournament.
Junior Diego Dominguez is at 121. He won three matches at the Top Hat.
“I think he’s our most improved wrestler,” LaFevre said. “He hasn’t missed one practice. Did tournaments in the offseason without even telling me.”
Sophomore Savannah Witt, a returning state champion who is nationally ranked among the girls, and junior Dakota Campbell are at 127. Sophomore Angelo Ziccardi is at 133.
“We kept Ziccardi down on junior high last year to continue to develop with coach [Jason] Magditch,” LaFevre said. “He finished eighth at junior high districts. We’ve been doing that a lot lately. We are keeping three or four other kids down this year, one of whom could fill a hole in our lineup.
“We’ve [brought freshmen up] in the past and we’ve lost kids because we’ve thrown them to the wolves as freshmen,” he said. “Just because they weigh 189 pounds, they look it but they are not ready for the varsity. We want to develop that raw ability, so next year they have a year of confidence.”
Sophomore John Haubert, third a year ago at districts, is at 139. Teddy Mussleman, another sophomore who moved here from New Jersey, is at 145.
Musselman returns to the sport after a few years off. He did not take time off during the offseason, which impressed LaFevre.
Senior Logan Winters returns at 152 along with junior Marco Campos. Sophomore Lane
Frankenfield and senior Nate Armstrong are at 160 and 172.
Danny Haubert is at 172 and 189.
Two upper weight wrestlers from last season did not return.
“We’ll find ways to maneuver our lineup to be competitive,” LaFevre said. “These kids understand that dual meets are for the team. We’re used to being in matches that are 38-36, 36-34. We lost a lot last year within six to eight points. The mentality and attitude of those in the room are that they want to be there, want to be better, want to work hard. They are super coachable. They’ve been putting in the work. They are quality kids, good teammates. We have the right culture in the room right now.”