Ross Scheuerman became the first state place-winner in Allentown High School’s wrestling program, in at least 20 years and moved to within seven victories of becoming the first to reach the 100-win career mark during last weekend’s NJSIAA Individual Wrestling championships at the Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.

Allentown High School’s Ross Scheuerman (l) tangles with Ottis Wright of Montclair in their 160-pound bout in the quarterfinals of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s state wrestling tournament at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on March 6. Scheuerman went on to place seventh in the state. JEFF GRANIT staff “I had the time of my life,” said Scheuerman. “It was so much fun, wrestling in front of so many people. It was an amazing feeling.”

Wrestling in the 160-pound division, Scheuerman earned that distinction over the weekend when he won four of six bouts, capped with a 3-2 decision over Ervin Goree of Burlington Township in the wrestleback consolations on Sunday, March 7.

He succeeded despite a nagging right thumb injury that caused a shooting pain every time he shot his favorite move of the weekend — an outside single in which he swings his man to the right and then grips his left leg. It led to a takedown with 20 left for the comeback victory over Goree.

“I hurt my thumb a couple of weeks ago and it’s been bothering me for every match, but I fought through it,” said Scheuerman, who ended this season at 35-4.

It certainly provided plenty of excitement for coach Larry Kimport.

“It’s only my second year as head coach and some coaches are out there 25 years and their kids never get to the states,” said Kimport. “On the mat, he’s a great rider, a great controller with takedowns, although his takedowns were not quite as good in the regions.

“He’s tough to score on,” said Kimport. “He doesn’t give up a lot of points.”

A two-time District 25 champion who was fourth in the district as a freshman, Scheuerman just missed making the state championships last year when he was fourth in Region VII, wrestling at 140 pounds. He was 31-3 last year. He qualified for the state finals this year as a region runner-up. Teammate Tyler Maul qualified for the state championships a year ago and did not make it this year.

Ironically, this is not Scheuerman’s No. 1 sport, football is. He had a standout football season as a running back and safety and feels that would be his sport in college despite this season’s success in wrestling.

Scheuerman said he started wrestling at a young age because his friend did it in the Robbinsville Recreation program. The junior said he saved his best wrestling for the end of the season. He said he had no trouble cutting weight, although he was up to 175 pounds in the fall.

“I think he has looked at the peak of what he can do this season,” said Kimport. “He was real consistent this year right from the get-go. His main sport is football and he accomplished so much in wrestling even though he doesn’t do it year-round like some of the other wrestlers. Once he gets off the mat [at the end of the season], it’s a long time before he gets back on it [for next season]. He’s a hard worker, a good wrestler. I hope he can continue. This builds his confidence.”

“This season definitely opened my eyes,” said Scheuerman. “I never realized I could be this good. Now I want to compete for the school’s first state title.”

It was a great weekend for Scheuerman, who had a hectic day taking his driver’s license test in the morning on Friday, March 5, which also was his birthday, before heading down to Atlantic City and scoring a pair of victories, a pin over Dane McDermott, of St. Joseph’s of Montvale, in 3:23 and then a dramatic 2-1 decision High School in triple overtime. Scheuerman pulled that victory out with an escape with 10 left in the third overtime. He forced the overtime with an escape point late in the third and final period.

In the quarterfinals on Saturday, Scheuerman lost a 3-1 decision to Montclair High’s Ottis Wright and bounced back in the wrestlebacks to pin Paulsboro’s Matt Cosgrove in 2:24. Later on Saturday, Scheuerman dropped a 3-2 decision to Don Bosco Prep’s Frank Mattiace to put him in the seventh-place consolation bout against Goree on Sunday morning.

“The two kids he lost to he could’ve beaten if his right hand was healthy, but we can’t make excuses,” said Kimport. “He took the sting out of our losing season where we got just six wins.”

Kimport felt Scheuerman’s memorable run set an example for some of the other returning young wrestlers on the team who had fine seasons, including juniors Len Gigantino at 125 pounds and Sam Shonk at 140, and freshmen Justin Miller at 119/125 and Frank Juba at 189.