HS Boys’ Wrestling: Tide’s McFarland captures 4th gold at Schuylkill League Wrestling Championships
Pottsville's Terrell McFarland goes for the fall against Tri-Valley's Max Masser during the 189-pound final at the Schuylkill League Wrestling Championships on Saturday at Martz Hall. At right is referee Rodger Gehring. McFarland won by fall to become a four-time league champion. (Photo by Eli Doyle)
POTTSVILLE — Pottsville’s Terrell McFarland joined an exclusive club.
And this membership lasts forever.
The Crimson Tide’s senior star became a four-time champion Saturday, capturing the 189-pound gold at the Schuylkill League Wrestling Championships at Martz Hall. McFarland notched title No. 4 in his typically dominant style, pinning North Schuylkill’s Connor Dower in 44 seconds in the semifinals and pinning Tri-Valley’s Max Masser in 59 seconds in the finals. He mixed some leg attack with his trademark upper-body throws to get the job done.
For his efforts, the league’s coaches voted McFarland as the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler.
As he came off the mat, McFarland slapped hands and received quick hugs from teammates, friends and family. He continued to his mom near matside, and mother and son shared a long, joyful, tearful embrace.
Nearly four years ago, McFarland burst onto the scene, winning his first league title with a 39-second fall over Blue Mountain’s Bradley Renninger in the 172-pound final. As a sophomore in 2024, McFarland repeated at 172 by decisioning Renninger 6-3. Last season, McFarland swept past Blue Mountain’s Hunter Blankenhorn by technical fall, 15-0 in 4:09.
McFarland has had to deal with a lot of injuries during his career, but he looks healthy and eager to make the most of his senior season. He surpassed 100 career victories earlier this season, and with his two falls Saturday, he improved to 29-0.
According to available records, just 17 wrestlers since 1985 have become four-time league champions. The last was Upper Dauphin’s Bronson Garber in 2017-19. Brian Burns (1998-2001) was Pottsville’s only four-time champion. The others: North Schuylkill’s Steve Cesari (1982-85), Pine Grove’s J.J. Fasnacht (1998-91), Shamokin’s Kirk Stehman (1989-92), Mount Carmel’s Mike Garcia (1991-94), North Schuylkill’s Matt Edwards (1999-2002), Blue Mountain’s Chris Renninger (2000-03), Blue Mountain’s Jeremy Cresswell (2002-05), Mount Carmel’s Josh Malick (2005-08), Blue Mountain’s Cort Choate (2006-09), Blue Mountain’s Josh Kindig (2007-10), Blue Mountain’s Brandon Choate (2008-11), Blue Mountain’s Corey Keener (2009-12), Tri-Valley’s Sammy Hepler (2014-17) and Blue Mountain’s Josh Mason (2015-18).
Meanwhile, Tri-Valley’s Owen Wolfgang and Blue Mountain’s Owen Woll capped their league tournament careers by capturing their third gold medal apiece.
Leading off the finals at 107, Wolfgang got locked up in a spirited flurry against North Schuylkill’s Gaige Mentusky. Eventually, Wolfgang gained leverage and turned the corner for the takedown. As he did, he locked up a near-side cradle and stacked Mentusky for the fall in 1:25.
In his first match of the day, Wolfgang (23-5) posted the 100th victory of his career by pinning Pine Grove’s Joshua Witherow in 1:25.
“The emotion’s awesome,” Wolfgang said after the finals. “Getting the 100th win earlier today felt amazing. Once I got that out of the way, I started rolling, and I was like, ‘OK, now I’m going for this title.’
“I’m so thankful for my team,” Wolfgang added. “They push so hard. We push each other. It’s awesome.”
Likewise, Woll became a three-time league champion, pinning North Schuylkill’s Bryce Kile in 3:27 to earn the 160-pound crown. In his first match of the day, Woll flattened Panther Valley’s Cameron Rolon in 31 seconds to record pin No. 100 for his career. Woll (26-3) scored three falls in all, giving him 102 for his career.
“It’s awesome,” Woll said. “I’m really grateful for everything in my life and my career. I’m trying to take it all in right now, and I’m just grateful. I’m feeling good, getting a lot of practice in, getting ready, gearing up for the postseason. Hopefully a state medal this year.”
