Shane Young will begin college at West Virginia University at the end of the month, but this Penn-Trafford High School graduate will be making two significant trips before summer classes begin on June 29.

"I'm going to Colorado Springs for four days [June 15-18]," said Young, who captured three PIAA Class AAA titles and four WPIAL crowns during his career. "Then I'm going to Florida to wrestle in the Disney Duals for Team Quest [beginning June 21]. It will be a short, but busy summer for me."

Young was one of 49 individuals chosen nationwide by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum as a state winner of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award. One individual was chosen from each of the 49 states that sponsor high school wrestling, and Young was the Pennsylvania honoree.

The High School Excellence Award is named in honor of former Olympic and World champion Dave Schultz. Each award recipient was evaluated on excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, character, citizenship, and community service. As part of the award, each wrestler will participate in an all-expense-paid leadership camp from June 15-18 at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

"I'm really looking forward to both trips," said Young, who finished his career at Penn-Trafford with a 153-19 record. "I will have a chance to train at the Olympic Training Center. They also have a banquet planned for the state honorees. It should be a good time."

The camp agenda will feature instruction sessions with coaches and wrestlers from the U.S. Freestyle and Greco-Roman teams. There will also be presentations on sports psychology, strength and conditioning, nutrition, leadership development and public speaking.

Young will have a few days to himself during his trip to Florida.

"We will be wrestling four days, then have two days to check out Disney World," Young said. "I've been there a couple times before, but it's always a lot of fun."

Young could have waited until the fall term to begin college, but decided to start in the summer.

"I just felt it would be better to start during the summer term," Young said. "It will also give me a chance to begin training for my freshman season. I have a chance to start as a freshman, so I want to be ready."

Five members of the Burrell High School wrestling team participated in the National High School Coaches Association Sophomore Nationals, which took place March 31-April 3 in Virginia Beach.

Three of the five earned All-America status by placing among the top eight in their weight classes, including Dave Makara, who won the 125-pound title.

"I wasn't expecting to win, but thought I could do well," said Makara, who won a WPIAL Class AA title and placed seventh in the PIAA during the past season. "I had the most kids [60] in my weight class. It was a great experience."

Makara won six matches during the three-day competition, including a 10-6 win against Illinois entry Edwin Cooper in the finals.

"This was the first national tournament I've competed in," Makara said. "I did attend [USA Wrestling] Junior Nationals in Fargo [North Dakota] when my brother Joe wrestled. He finished fourth in freestyle that year."

Makara was joined on the winners platform by Burrell teammates Brian Beattie and Travis McKillop. Beattie placed second in the 215-pound weight class, while McKillop finished third at 135.

"It was great to have four teammates competing along with me," Makara said. "My brother Joe came along and served as our coach. It was a lot of fun."

Beattie won four matches in the 27-man 215-pound weight class before losing in the title match to Connor Medbery of Colorado in the finals.

"Travis lost in the first round, then came back through the consolation bracket and won eight matches," Makara said. "It's never easy coming back through the losers bracket, especially at a tournament of this magnitude."

Jeremy Landowski and Cole Harkins also competed at Sophomore Nationals, but neither placed.