Knoch's Elliott to W&J
JEFFERSON TWP — Injuries slowed Blaine Elliott’s wrestling career.
They certainly didn’t end it.
Knoch’s senior 132-pounder will continue his academic and mat career at Washington & Jefferson College next year.
“The pre-med program there is outstanding and I want to get into medical school when I’m done there,” Elliott said. He carries a 3.5 grade point average.
Elliott becomes only the third wrestler in the history of Knoch’s program — joining Grayson Hixon (Penn State-New Kensington) and Brittney Faust (Missouri Valley) — to move on to college wrestling.
“He’s battled some injuries in his high school career. Otherwise, he’s a 100-win wrestler here,” Knoch coach Mark McLaughlin said.
Assorted injuries limited Elliott to 24 matches his senior year as he put together a 17-7 record. He qualified for the WPIAL Tournament for the first and only time of his prep career and won a couple of matches there.
A dislocated elbow cost Elliott the bulk of his freshman year on the mats, but he posted 24 and 25-win campaigns as a sophomore and junior. His record was 66-27 over his final three years, 72-35 overall.
“I feel healthy now, like I’m still getting better as a wrestler,” Elliott said.
“Blaine is walking into a good situation at W&J,” McLaughlin said. “The coach is turning that program around and he is as committed to those kids in the classroom as he is on the wrestling mat.
“That’s a good thing for Blaine because he’s an exceptional student.”
Tommy Prairie completed his second year as W&J’s wrestling coach this season. The Presidents finished 5-6 and junior 149-pounder Josh Etzel placed sixth in the NCAA Division III Tournament, becoming W&J’s first All-American wrestler in 11 years.
Elliott figures to compete at 133 pounds next season. Jacob Spearman, the Presidents’ 125-pound freshman, was 28-7 this year and placed second in regional competition.
“We have nobody coming back at that (133) weight class and we’re figuring Blaine can come in and contribute for us right away,” Prairie said. “He fits the mold of the type of kid we look for.
“We recruit kids who are good in the classroom and who carry a good work ethic. We want kids who want a good education and who want to get done in four years.”
Elliott is one of three incoming freshman recruits expected to compete at 133 pounds.
“That’s our ideal projection, anyhow ... You never know what a kid’s going to come in at after being off for six months,” Prairie cautioned.
“My goal is to start as a freshman,” Elliott said. “I want to set the bar high for Knoch wrestling, put together a good college career.
“Coach (Prairie) has brought in a strong recruiting class at this weight. But this is a clean slate for me and I want to show future classes at Knoch where wrestling can take you.”
Elliott plans to major in biology. He is receiving an academic scholarship from W&J.
He also considered Mercyhurst and Thiel before selecting W&J.
