Valley High School wrestling coach Steve Ansani said he feels Ken Massey will be a perfect fit for the Seton Hill College wrestling program.

"Ken is a late bloomer and Seton Hill is making its varsity debut in wrestling this coming season," said Ansani.

Massey recently graduated from Valley High School after starting for three years on the varsity.

"Ken began wrestling in 10th grade, so he still has a lot of room for improvement. Attending Seton Hill will allow Ken to grow with the program. It's a great fit for both."

Massey likes the idea of being a part of Seton Hill's wrestling debut.

"It's exciting to know that I'll be a part of Seton Hill's program in its infancy," said Massey, who is also receiving a partial scholarship. "I will be wrestling at either 184 or 197 and there's only one more kid in my weight class, so I have a chance to be a starter right away."

Massey struggled in his high school varsity debut, as he posted a 4-14 record while competing in the 215-pound weight class. The following year, he dropped to 189 and improved to 13-17. Massey also qualified for the WPIAL Class AA tournament by placing second in his section, but made a quick exit after two consecutive losses.

Massey leaves tomorrow for the USA Wrestling Junior National Championships at North Dakota State University in Fargo.

"This will be my second trip to Fargo," said Massey. "I qualified last year and lost all four matches, twice in freestyle and twice in Greco-Roman, but I was competing at 215 pounds. I will be cutting to 189 this year."

Massey earned his national berth by winning the Greco-Roman title at the Pennsylvania Amateur Wrestling Federation state championships in June.

"I also took fifth in the freestyle tournament," said Massey. "Only the top three finishers qualify for nationals, but I will also get to wrestle freestyle, because a couple of kids who finished ahead of me are not going to Fargo."

Massey has been working out at least three times a week with the Bones Wrestling Club, which is run by Ansani, who also coaches Pennsylvania's Cadet team.

Massey is one of three wrestlers from Bones Wrestling Club to qualify for the USA Wrestling National Championships. Norman Switzer, who will be a senior at Valley, qualified for Junior Nationals, but decided not to attend due to an injury.

"Norman is a two-year starter who began wrestling in ninth grade," said Ansani . "It's too bad he can't make it to Fargo, but the extra work he's put in during the offseason will no doubt help him in the upcoming high school season."

Switzer has posted a 34-28 record in two seasons with the Vikings competing at 103 as a sophomore and at 119 last season.

Also qualifying from Bones is Harvey "Tre" Coles, a Penn Hills resident who will be a freshman at Central Catholic next month. Coles will be taking the trip to Fargo to compete in the Cadet Division at 215 pounds.

"Tre is also a football player," said Ansani. "You will be hearing from him in both sports in the near future."SEE XXXXX, PAGE X-