Lawrence leads MVI-BeeGraphix Mat Warriors squad

By DAN PALM &
JEREMY SELLEW
jsellew@yourmvi.com
With the culmination of the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic, the wrestling season is officially over for our local grapplers.
Like last season, the cracked staff at the Mon Valley Independent has put together our 2019 Mat Warriors Wrestling All-Star list to honor those wrestlers who had outstanding performances over the past season.
Like last season, we are also recognizing our Wrestler of the Year, Coach of the Year and Breakthrough Wrestler of the Year.
For the second year in a row, Thayne Lawrence of Frazier is our 2019 Wrestler of the Year.
Also for the second year in a row, Lawrence brought a PIAA state championship back to the Perryopolis school.
Lawrence defeated Alec English of Kane by a 7-2 decision in the championship match.
Frazier head coach Buck Watkins said it’s easy to pick one word to describe his two-time state champ.
“Grit. It’s his ability to persevere, overcome and move forward in spite of challenges, failure and any obstacle in front of him,” Watkins said.
Lawrence is now 98-11 in his career after a 30-3 mark this season. He won the PIAA Southwestern Regional crown and entered the PIAA championships as the top seed at 160 pounds. He placed at the prestigious Ironman and was runner-up at the annual Escape the Rock tournament. He also won the Burgettstown tournament.
The 2019 Mat Warriors Coach of the Year is Elizabeth Forward’s Richard Scheuermann.
Scheuermann just completed his 26th year at the helm with the Warriors, his 32nd year overall.
“Coaching awards are just extensions from the efforts of the young men we lead,” Scheuermann said. “I’ve been fortunate to have the great sport of wrestling to allow me to cross paths with many fantastic young adults. I’ll always be grateful for that.”
The Breakthrough Wrestler of the Year is one of Scheuermann’s crew, freshman Dylan Bruce.
Bruce went 34-9 in his first year on the varsity squad and finished seventh in the WPIAL. He qualified for the Southwest Regional and was third in the Warriors’ sectional tournament.
“He’s a very talented, hard worker that got a taste of the next level,” Scheuermann said. “More importantly than his wrestling, he’s a standout in the classroom. His character, unselfishness and caring for his teammates, those are all qualities that will carry him far in life.”
Along with the three award winners, 14 wrestlers were selected as Mat Warriors. One wrestler from each weight class.

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