Here's the unabridged version -- with more questions and answers -- of the interview with Spring Grove's Brian Polashuk that appears in Friday's York Daily Record. He's our YAIAA Division I Wrestler of the Year.
By TOM HUNT
Daily Record/Sunday News
Every athlete wants the senior season to be the best of the career. Brian Polashuk was no different. What he never anticipated was that it would turn into a historical one for the Spring Grove senior and the Rockets’ wrestling program.
In his first appearance at the PIAA Championships, Polashuk did what no other Spring Grove wrestler had been able to do in the 40-plus year history — reach the state finals.
And while he was there, the 125-pounder took it one step further by winning the state Class AAA championship with a 2-1 decision over Middletown’s Tyler Nauman, making a first-period takedown stand up.
During a 31-1 regular season, Polashuk, known by many as “Shuk,� earned tournament titles in the Richmond (Va.) tournament and the Mount Mat Madness event at Mount St. Joseph’s in Baltimore.
He suffered his lone loss of the season in the finals of the Governor Mifflin tournament in overtime to Owen J. Roberts’ Jeremy Stierly. He also led the Rockets to the District 3 Class AAA Team Tournament.
Polashuk won Class AAA sectional and district titles, dominating most opponents at 125 pounds to make his way to Hershey.
Once there, close matches were the route the Rockets’ all-time career wins leader (142) took to the top of the state medal stand.
After decisions of 7-3 and 5-3 put him into the semifinals, he again found himself in the tiebreaker, needing to hold Trinity’s Grant Lowther down for 30 seconds.
This time, he needed all the allotted time as he managed to turn the District¤7 competitor to his back for a three-point nearfall and a 7-4 victory that put him into the state championship bout.
And by winning the state crown, he earned one final accolade for himself and Spring Grove wrestling — a spot in the Pennsylvania lineup for the prestigious Dapper Dan Classic that annually pits the state’s best seniors against a national all-star team.
And now, the Daily Record/Sunday News Division I wrestler of the year tangles with these questions:
What was the score of the first organized match you remember, and how old were you?
It was kindergarten. I might have won by forfeit because there was no one light enough in my weight class.
When was the last time you were pinned, and what were the circumstances?
January of my junior year at Top Gun (in Ohio) in the third-place match. I was winning and got caught in an eckenrode.
What’s your favorite takedown move?
Single leg.
What would be your professional wrestling name?
Captain America
What is the most weight you’ve lost in the shortest amount of time?
I lost 10 pounds in a week during my sophomore year. It was out of season.
What did you do between the semifinal round (Saturday morning) and championship round (Saturday evening) of the PIAA championships?
We went to see the movie “16 Blocks� with Bruce Willis. I wanted to see “The Hills Have Eyes,� but I didn’t think the coaches would like it.
What was your first meal as a state champion?
Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme with a Dr. Pepper.
What’s your favorite sports movie and why?
"Rocky IV," (because of) the workout scenes.
Who was your high-school role model in the sport?
Ryan Gruver (former Spring Grove standout who finished third at states as a senior).
What would you rather watch and why: an episode of Lost, an episode of American Idol or a wrestling instructional video?
Lost. The instructional videos are boring. With American Idol, you can get a recap the next show. Lost is good every time.
What are your future plans or goals for wrestling?
I’m going to wrestle in college (at Rider University).
Spladle or cradle?
I’d rather put someone in a spladle, and I would rather be put in a cradle.
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