Donnel making huge impact on mat as a freshman
BUTLER TWP — Champions aren't born, they're made.
Such is the motto of the OMP Wrestling Club. And longtime member Levi Donnel is following that mantra.
“He's pretty much dedicated his life to the sport,” Butler Junior High wrestling coach Donnie Geibel said of the Golden Tornado freshman.
Donnel began wrestling at age 6. He's been a club wrestler for approximately seven years and has placed as high as fourth in the junior state tournament.
He did not wrestle for Butler's junior high team last season, dedicating his time to club wrestling.
“I know he was the No. 1 seed in the WPIAL tournament in seventh grade and there were 52 teams in that tournament. I held him out of the finals because of injury. That's the only reason he didn't win it,” Geibel said. “That's the kind of talent he has.”
That's the kind of talent he's showing right now.
Donnel is off to an 18-1 start with 11 pins at 113 pounds for the Golden Tornado. He saw some action at 120 pounds during the Virginia Duals last weekend.
He won all six of his matches in that event, three by pinfall.
“We bumped him up to get him some tougher competition and Levi rose to the occasion,” Butler coach Scott Stoner said. “He faced kids with records like 16-1, 15-2, and beat them.
“Levi has a tremendous skill set. We're just trying to build on that. While he's got a lot of tools in his box, we want to add more tools to his box.”
While Donnel competed in numerous national events as a youth wrestler, he admits to some surprise over his quick start as a freshman.
“I expected to do well, but not this well,” he said. “The competition is going to get harder. I'm just trying to adjust and adapt as I go.
“My goal in every match is to get a pin. Six points is the most you can get in a match and that's what's best for the team.”
Stoner described Donnel as “a sponge when he's around the coaches” and likes his mind-set on the mat.
“He's adjusted really well to varsity competition. I'm not surprised at that because he's a really competitive kid,” Stoner said.
Donnel's goal this season is direct and to the point: He wants to medal at the PIAA Tournament.
“Getting on the podium at states is what it's all about,” he said. “I know the section and WPIAL meets are nmportant because you have to succeed there to even get to the state tournament.”
Cole Baxter holds Butler's career wrestling win record with 160. Donnel may one day chase that figure.
“He'd have to stay injury-free, of course, but if you look at it, he may wrestle enough to get 40 wins this year. That's more than Cole had as a freshman,” Stoner said.
“Levi is so focused, so dedicated. He's already technically sound. I've seen him make adjustments on moves to win matches that most wrestlers just don't do.”
Donnel knows what it takes to succeed.
“Practice, practice,” he said. “I'm refining moves and learning new ones. I know a lot of combinations to get pins. You need to stay a step ahead of your opponent.”
“He's got the speed and he's aggressive,” Geibel said of Donnel. “Now he's getting more physical. We're excited about what the future holds for him.”
