JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Thursday night marked the end of the beginning for the Pitt-Johnstown women’s wrestling program.
The Mountain Cats beat Penn State Altoona 22-10 at the Sports Center in a dual meet that featured just two contested matches.
PHOTO GALLERY | Pitt-Johnstown women wrestlers best Penn State Altoona
“I told them beforehand that it won’t be like this ever again,” said coach Shane Valko, whose team went 2-2 in the program’s inaugural season. “We already have 10 girls coming in for next year and 10 more on the way that are ready to commit. I’m going to have a full team next year, and we’re going to compete with anybody. So, don’t worry about this. Crowds will be better next year, and we’re going to have a really good team next year, so it’s going to be exciting.”
The Mountain Cats already have some strong individuals who are seeking postseason runs. Tamara Humphries, who received a forfeit against Penn State Altoona, is 17-4 this season and ranked 19th nationally. Emma Hoppe, who bumped up a weight and scored a 10-0 technical fall over Aliana Romero, is 22-4 and ranked 20th at 145 pounds. Makayla Paclib, who missed Thursday’s dual, is 18-3. Rome Alvarez is 18-11 after her victory on Thursday.
“We’re ready for the postseason,” Valko said. “We have four girls that are going to be top five in the region.”
Penn State Altoona beat Pitt-Johnstown 20-19 in Altoona Jan. 7, in part because Richele Reyes beat Rome Alvarez 11-0. The two wrestled again at the Pennsylvania Collegiate Championships, and Alvarez won 12-6.
They met again Thursday night, with Alvarez winning 12-5. Alvarez scored a takedown and a turn, but Reyes countered with a four-point takedown and a step-out point for a 5-4 lead.
That didn’t faze Alvarez.
“I never really look at the points in my matches,” she said. “I’m just always looking to score. Whether I get scored on by four points, two, or even five, I’m always looking for ways out.”
Alvarez scored a takedown to seize the lead late in the first period, then scored off two leg attacks and a go-behind in the third period to close out the victory.
Penn State Altoona sent wrestlers at 131 and 138 pounds, but neither competed. Greater Johnstown graduate Isabella Taranto won by injury default in one second over Gianna Slusser – although Slusser pinned her in an exhibition match at the end of the night – and Janayah Nobles – a second-semester transfer student from Wilkes University – beat Emma Spannick by injury default in one second.
Hoppe closed out the dual meet with three takedowns – including one that went feet-to-back for four points – and a leg lace in the technical fall over Romero.
The dual was a late addition to the schedule, as Pitt-Johnstown’s final home date was supposed to be Nov. 12. Instead, the Mountain Cats got one more opportunity at the Sports Center.
“Having the chance to wrestle here, our first year, to wrestle at home, is a great feeling,” Hoppe said.
Hoppe and Alvarez each came to Johnstown from Melbourne, Florida, where their coach was Penn Cambria graduate Jason Custer.
“Just getting to wrestle for this program is a great feeling,” Hoppe said.
“My coach told me that I should come here.
“He knew Coach Shane, and he knew it would be a good team for me to go to.”
