The Official Website of The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association - District IV
One of the best ever: D4 standout hopes for 3rd state title
By: Brian Fees | Towanda Daily Review | March 7, 2018 | Photo courtesy Brian Fees
District 4 has a great wrestling history with a number of great wrestlers over the years.
Montoursville senior Gavin Hoffman has made sure that any list of the best wrestlers in the district's history can't be complete without him.
Hoffman is undefeated this year. He has lost a total of nine matches in four years.
This year Hoffman will be going for his third straight state title, and his fourth state medal (he finished sixth as a freshman). He's lost just three times in the past three years. The Montoursville senior is committed to Ohio State for college wrestling and he is the number one ranked 197 pound wrestler in the nation.
The past two weekends Hoffman put on a show as the District 4 and Northeast Regional Championships.
In the district final he pinned his opponent in under 40 seconds.
In the regional final he took it a step further, pinning his opponent in 16 seconds.
Only one time the past two weekends has Hoffman needed to go into the second period, beating Line Mountain's Ethan Long by technical fall in 2:05 in the semifinals of regionals.
Only one time the past two weekends has Hoffman needed to go into the second period, beating Line Mountain's Ethan Long by technical fall in a2:05 in the semifinals of regionals.
"Going into this weekend I wanted to see how many points I was able to score in as little time," Hoffman said. "I was aiming for every tech fall within the first period. The semis it took me five seconds more than that, which didn't bother me."
Even by Hoffman's standards the 16 second fall in the final was fast.
"That's awfully quick," he said. "It was just there. I like putting on a show and I like scoring a lot of points, but when the pin is there I have to take it and that's what I did in the final."
For Hoffman his final state meet is something he's excited about. But, while everyone is expecting him to bring home a third straight state title, he's more worried about his teammates having success as well.
"I am excited, it's my last one, I want to make this one memorable," Hoffman said. "Just going out there, competing the best I can and hopefully getting a third consecutive state title. Hopefully the other kids, Wyatt (Lutz), Dylan Bennett, Cameron Wood all get on the podium and we get a couple other state titles coming home to Montoursville."
With all the success he's had over the years Hoffman knows that plenty of eyes are on him at every event he goes to, and that's just how he likes it.
"It's just a blast," he said. "Everyone around here, they know me, they come up and shake my hand. That's the stuff I really appreciate."
Hoffman has always felt appreciated in District 4 and has loved his time wrestling in front of the fans of District 4.
"The people in District 4 and the region, they make you feel so special and it's great to compete in front of them," Hoffman said. "I know people stick around (to the higher weights) to watch me and I am just grateful for everyone that encourages me and supports me."
While Hoffman has been dominant all postseason, this week he just wants one thing more than anything else. He wants to enjoy his final state meet.
"That's the one thing with states, I'm not too focused on the outcome," he said. "Like the coaches have been saying to me, just go out there, have fun, score as many points as I can. So, I am looking forward to having fun more than anything else."
About the Author
Brian Fees is the sports editor of the Daily & Sunday Review in Towanda, PA.
Archives
