Grove City High School junior Caleb Kolb placed third at the PIAA Class AA individual wrestling championships Saturday at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Kolb defeated Beth-Center's Aaron Hrutkay, 3-2 in the third-place bout at 160 pounds.

Kolb managed a takedown in the first period and led 3-1 entering the final period over Hrutkay, the WPIAL runner-up.

It is the highest a Grove City wrestler has finished at states in the last 10 years.

"I made states last year and went 1-2," Kolb said. "I didn't want to go this year just for the ride. I wanted to medal."

Ironically, Kolb's one win at states in 2007 came against Hrutkay in the consolation round when the latter was unable to continue the match because of an injury.

Since last season's bout ended early, Kolb didn't have all that much to go on entering Saturday's rematch.

"I didn't see him wrestle all that much," Kolb said of Hrutkay. "I have a few friends who have wrestled down that way a few times and they told me what to look for, but that's about it.

Kolb, who won the District 10 championship last month, improved his record this season to 39-5 with the win.

"He's very bright and talented," said Grove City coach Marty Ruley. "And it's nice to be able to coach a kid like that."

Kolb began his varsity career wrestling at both 145 and 152 pounds as a freshman before moving on to 160 last year.

"He didn't start wrestling until the seventh grade," Ruley added. "Most kids start before that."

Kolb is the son of former Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive lineman Jon Kolb.