Upper St. Clair Senior Captures PIAA Wrestling Championship

Mackenzie McGuire ended his high school wrestling career with a PIAA wrestling championship.

The senior defeated Shyheim Brown of Central Dauphin 3-2 in the 132-pound division.

"My teammates and I always talk about how your last high school match is going to be a loss unless you win the whole thing," McGuire said.

And he did just that.

"It was really exciting, probably the most exciting thing I've ever felt," he said.

McGuire said he got very nervous before the championship match, but his teammate Austin Winding helped him get focused.

"Warming up before the match, Austin came up to me and told me I deserve it," McGuire said. "And then I had all the confidence I needed."

McGuire said it was his mental game that helped him get the takedown in the final seconds of the match to seal the win.

McGuire traveled to the state tournament with two teammates this year, Wilding, who received a sixth place finish, and John Kyriacopoulos. It was the first time Upper St. Clair sent more than one wrestler to the tournament since 1994.

McGuire qualified for the tournament his sophomore and junior years; .

"It was hard to wait a whole year to make it back," he said. "This was one of my roughest seasons."

The championship felt extra rewarding after his year of injuries.

However, it's not time for McGuire to get his rest. He's been named to the Pennsylvania All-Stars for the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic at 6 p.m. March 25 at Pitt's Fitzgerald Field House.

McGuire will go on to wrestle for Kent State University next year.

Editor's Note: Upper St. Clair High School senior wrestler Austin Wilding received the KDKA Extra Effort Award today. Look for the story tomorrow on Upper St. Clair Patch.

Share your congratulations with Mack! Tell him in the comments.

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