A team win propels Horan

FROM THE MORNING CALL

On the way to an individual medal that eluded him for three years, Zach Horan helped organize a team pursuit that surprised even his head coach.

For Nazareth's Senior Night match against Freedom in January, Horan helped persuade head coach Dave Crowell to let all 12 available seniors wrestle that night. Crowell was hesitant, because postseason weights and district-duals seeds were at issue. But a text from Horan eased the coach's nerves, and 12 seniors competed in the Blue Eagles' 60-10 victory.

"It would be 'common sense' that Horan should be focused on the ending of his own record-breaking career," Crowell later wrote in an email. "… Thank God for those special people who have UNCOMMON SENSE."

Horan is an obvious choice as The Morning Call's Class 3A Wrestler of the Year. After three years as a state runner-up, the Nazareth senior concluded his high school career with a 49-0 season and a PIAA gold medal at 130 pounds. He clinched the title with one of the more difficult halves of any bracket in Hershey.

But for Crowell and assistant coach Adam Colombo, who cried with Horan after he won, the title was more than an individual achievement.

"He really is one of the most team-oriented wrestlers I've seen," said Colombo, who planted the Senior Night idea with Horan.

Individually, Horan has carved a place in Nazareth's record books. He holds the single-season mark for wins (49) and is tied with Tim Darling for career victories (169). Horan also became Nazareth's first four-time District 11 champ.

At states, Horan faced back-to-back meetings with fellow nationally ranked wrestlers Cameron Throckmorton of South Western and Solomon Chishko of Canon-McMillan. In the semifinal against Chishko, whom he had defeated three times in the regular season, Horan gave up an early takedown to fall behind in a bout for the first time since the 2010 state final.

As the second period began, Horan turned to Crowell and Colombo, who were yelling instructions. At that point, he was ready to focus on himself. Horan reversed Chishko in the second and agonized through two minutes of riding time in the third for a 3-2 victory that sent him to the final.

"l just decided I was going to find a way to win this match," Horan said. "I wasn't just going to give up my dreams of a state title."

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