Matt Kosarik surprised his doctor and coach with his quick recovery from a back injury to reclaim his spot in Fort Cherry's lineup at heavyweight.

The month layoff, due to a back injury sustained Dec. 8 at the Chartiers-Houston Tournament, even surprised Kosarik.

"At first, the doctor told me I would be out for the season," said Kosarik, who has been a mainstay in Fort Cherry's starting lineup since his freshman year. "I just did everything they told me to do in physical therapy.

"I'm pleased and surprised with how quickly I was able to come back."

Kosarik returned to the lineup on Jan. 3 and continues to be one of the top heavyweights in the WPIAL. He entered the week No. 3 in the WPIAL Class AA rankings at 285 with a 15-1 record.

Three of those wins came over the weekend at the Washington County tournament, as Kosarik retained the heavyweight title he won last year.

"I'm very happy with my showing at the county tournament and felt 100 percent," said Kosarik, who has 92 career wins. "It was a strong tournament that will help prepare me for the postseason tournaments."

Kosarik capped the weekend with a 4-2 win over Washington's Sam Miller in the final.

"Matt is naturally bull-strong," Fort Cherry coach Rick Chaussard said. "He's put some time in the weight room, but also works construction over the summer, so he's always in good shape."

Kosarik broke into Fort Cherry's starting lineup as a 189-pound freshman and posted a 16-15 record. He placed fourth in the section that year, falling one win short of a WPIAL berth.

Kosarik split time at 215 and 275 with teammate John Keifer as a sophomore. He competed in the postseason at 275 and placed third in the section. He finished with a 24-24 record after posting a 2-2 mark in the WPIAL Class AA Tournament.

"Matt took over at heavyweight last year and showed a lot of self confidence he's never shown before," said Chaussard. "You could see he was turning the corner."

Kosarik moved to 275 full-time last year and won a section title, placed third in the WPIAL, and second in the Southwest Region, which earned him a berth in the PIAA tournament. He lost two of three at Hershey, but finished with a 37-5 record.

"It was good experience for me," said Kosarik, of his quick exit at Hershey. "I saw what it takes to win a tournament of that magnitude and I've worked very hard to have another opportunity."

Kosarik ended last season as the second best Class AA heavyweight in the Southwest Region, but began this season ranked No. 3. Keystone Oaks' Myles Caragein, last year's WPIAL Class AAA champion, is No. 1 after the Golden Eagles dropped in classification. Mount Pleasant's Paul Snyder, the defending WPIAL and Southwest Region AA champion, is No. 2.

"I lost [a 7-1 decision] to Snyder in the regional final last year," said Kosarik, who plans to continue his wrestling career at Thiel College. "I haven't wrestled Caragein since junior high, and I won in double overtime. I'm sure I'll be facing both of them a few times in the postseason."

Kosarik was one of three Fort Cherry wrestlers who captured titles at the Washington County tournament. He was joined in the winners circle by teammates Andrew Lucarini and Adam Hoffman.

Lucarini captured the 103-pound title with a dominating 17-8 victory over McGuffey's Alex Dunaway in the finals.

"I call Andrew 'the leech,'" said Chaussard. "I have to wrestle him sometimes in practice and I can't get him off me. Andrew's been to states for cross country twice, so he's always in great shape. He can outrun the Energizer Bunny."

Hoffman dropped one weight class to 145 and claimed the title with a convincing 12-1 victory over Avella's Kyle Appleby.

"Adam has been considering dropping all season," said Chaussard. "I told him what to expect either way and he decided to drop to 145."

Chaussard was thrilled to have three champs, but a bit disappointed that no other Rangers placed among the top four in their weight classes.