Tyler Alberts is on the road to Hershey with a medal on his mind. The Ellwood City junior will be competing in the PIAA wrestling championships on Thursday through Saturday and in a way, he’s been preparing most of his life for this.
Alberts started wrestling in first grade through clubs. In the Ellwood junior high wrestling program, he advanced to the state competitions. Last year, as a sophomore, Alberts advanced to states but lost the preliminary round. He won the first consolation match but lost the second.
Now, with a taste of states, he’s more prepared, knows what to expect and is stronger, literally. Alberts was in the 113-pound weight class last year but moved up two classes to 126-pounds.
“I’m wrestling different people, but they don’t feel any bigger,” Alberts said. He added that occasionally he’ll encounter someone stronger than him, which hadn’t happened before. Alberts focuses on speed and technique to defeat opponents with superior strength.
“He keeps getting better and better,” Craig Alberts, Ellwood City wrestling coach and Tyler’s father, said.
Alberts is taking states one round at a time, with an eye on finishing in the top eight of twenty and claiming a medal. His postseason performance is already ahead of last year’s. In 2015, he placed third in the WPIAL Class AA Championships and sixth in the Southwest Regional. This year, he claimed second and fourth.
“It feels good to have moved up on the podium,” Alberts said. “I know that I’m better.”
Preparing for a state competition is a year-round commitment. Alberts lifts and does CrossFit as cross-training. He also wrestles in clubs which gives him excellent competition. In the regular season, Alberts, who has a match record of 31-6, doesn’t face serious competition often. By the post-season, and especially at the state level, everyone is excellent and a challenge.
“I mentally prepare for a match by focusing on my opponent and how I’m going to win,” Alberts said. “If I know someone has a certain move they’re good at, I’ll adjust my strategy. But anyone can catch you off guard.”
Although Alberts will be making the trip without teammates, he has forged friendships with wrestlers from other schools, including Cody Kammaro from Freedom, a 145-pound junior whom Alberts trains with.
Alberts left for Hershey today and matches begin tomorrow.
Alberts departing Lincoln High School surrounded by applauding students and accompanied by Taylor Petrak. Petrak, a swimmer, qualified for the swimming PIAA but will leave next weekend. Submitted.
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