North Xtra: Hampton's Hart shows power in Powerade Tournament
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Hampton High School's Jacob Hart, left, goes against Greater Latrobe's Scott Mohring in the 195-pound match at the Powerade Tournament this past Friday at Canon-McMillan High School. Hart won the match by decision, 7-5.
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Jacob Hart has shown great potential since breaking into Hampton's starting lineup as a 189-pound freshman, but lacked a signature victory, a win that would allow him to step into the upper echelon of WPIAL wrestlers.
Hart, a 195-pound junior, took that step at the Powerade Christmas Tournament, which took place last week at Canon-McMillan High School. Hart recorded five victories in the two-day tournament, including three against seeded wrestlers, to become the first Hampton wrestler to win a Powerade title.
"We have five lists in our wrestling room that recognize Hampton's section champions, WPIAL place-winners, PIAA place-winners, Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic participants, and Allegheny County champions," Hampton coach Joe Bursick said. "Jake wants me to add a list for Powerade place-winners."
Bursick agreed to add a Powerade Tournament place-winner list after watching Hart dominate the 33-man bracket.
"This is the biggest win of my career," said Hart, who improved his season record to 14-0 and career mark to 73-16. "It puts me on the map. Hopefully, this will be my coming-out season."
Hart, seeded No. 4, registered two quick pins in the opening two rounds of the tournament. He pinned Bethel Park's Alex Coyne at 52 seconds in the first round, then needed only 0:29 to put Blue Mountain's Zac Yackenchick on his back in the second round.
In the quarterfinals, Hart won by injury default against No. 5 seed Matt Lucas of Maryland's Mount St. Joseph.
"I was expecting to face the top seed in the semifinals," said Hart, referring to Frank Mattiace of New Jersey's Blair Academy. "He was upset in the quarterfinals by [No. 8 seed] Norristown's Larry Gordon."
Hart had no problem with Gordon in the semifinals, as he recorded a 5-0 shutout.
"The parade of champions was so cool with the spotlight and smoke as we ran out to the mat," Hart said. "It's an experience I will never forget."
First Published January 5, 2012 12:00 am
