Seth Lansberry won only one postseason title this year, and that was the Southern Sectional, but that didn't stop him from being a a repeat pick as Wrestler of the Year on The News-Item's 2012-13 All-Area Team.
Lansberry wrestled his way to a 38-5 record and state runnerup finish in Class AA at 138 pounds, and only the presence of his former Line Mountain teammate Zain Retherford at that weight kept Lansberry from likely district, regional and state titles. Retherford, wrestling for Benton, handed Lansberry three of his five defeats, in the finals of each tournament on the way to his second state title.
But Lansberry was not disappointed with his season. As he said after the state finals, "This is a pretty good tournament to finish second in."
Along the same line of thinking, Lansberry is a pretty good wrestler to head an all-area team. His second-place finish at the state tournament gave him his second Hershey medal, after finishing seventh in 2012. He won another Top Hat Tournament title to open the season at Williamsport, and was second to three-time state champion Mike Racciato of Pen Argyl at the King of the Mountain Tournament.
He recorded 14 pins, four technical falls and eight major decisions.
He finished his career with a 137-37 record and will continue his wrestling career at Lycoming College, where he hopes to major in marine biology.
Lansberry is one of five repeat selections on the team, along with Line Mountain's Cameron Newman and Erik Smeltz, and Southern Columbia's Kent Lane and Jake Becker. Joining them on this year's team are Southern Columbia's Blake Marks and Brett Shepard; North Schuylkill's Austin Hummel, Tanner Dean, Jordan Shinkus and Nathan Gadinski; Shamokin's Zach Biddiscombe; and Mount Carmel's Blake Panko and Allen Yancoskie.
Kent Lane, Southern Columbia, soph.
Lane was the last unbeaten wrestler in the area, taking a 37-0 record to the state tournament, where he finished sixth at 126 pounds to finish the season 40-3. Along the way he won Southern Section, District Four and Northeast Regional titles. Has a two-year record of 73-10. Two-time state qualifier had 18 pins, two technical falls and three major decisions.
Cameron Newman, Line Mountain, soph.
Newman also qualified for the state tournament a second time, and took eighth at 106. Posted a 36-10 record with 12 pins, three technical falls and three major decisions. Sectional and regional champion, third at district meet. Career record 64-27.
Jake Becker, Southern Columbia, sr.
Qualified for state tournament, where he dropped two tough bouts. Undersized at 285, posted 37-5 record this season and finished his career 102-37. Among his wins were 21 pins and a major decision. Sectional runnerup, third and district and regional meets.
Blake Marks, Southern Columbia, fr.
Posted a 36-8 record, with three of eight losses coming in sectional, district and regional finals to Milton junior Ryan Preisch. He led the area with 26 pins, one of which came at the District Four meet against defending state runnerup Kyle Barnes of Hughesville. Also had a technical fall and two major decisions.
Auston Hummel, North Schuylkill, jr.
Posted a 37-6 record, qualifying for the state tournament at 160 with a fourth-place finish in the Southeast Region. Also fourth in District 11-AA field. Had 25 pins and a major decision.
Tanner Dean, North Schuylkill, sr.
State qualifier at 220. Posted a 28-13 record, including 15 pins and three major decisions. Finished third at District 11 tourney, fourth at Southeast Regional.
Erik Smeltz, Line Mountain, sr.
Despite a shoulder injury which limited his effectiveness late in the season, he finished with a 26-10 record, with 12 pins, a technical fall and two major decisions. Sectional runnerup at 170
Zach Biddiscombe, Shamokin, jr.
Posted 25-13 record, with 20 pins and a major decision. Sectional runnerup to state runnerup Brandon Smith of Lewisburg, and fourth at district meet to qualify for regional. Had pins for all four of his wins at latter event.
Brett Shepard, Southern Columbia, jr,
Regional qualifier at 113. Had a 29-10 record with 17 pins and two major decisions. Sectional runnerup and fifth in district.
Jordan Shinkus, North Schuylkill, sr.
Had a 30-6 record with 19 pins, one technical fall and one major decision. Finished fifth at District 11-AA meet.
Blake Panko, Mount Carmel, soph.
A regional qualifier at 138, he posted a 28-11 mark. Had 13 pins, two technical falls and five major decisions. Second at sectional to Lansberry at 138, fourth in district.
Allen Yancoskie, Mount Carmel, fr.
Had a 20-11 record with eight pins and a major decision. Finished third in section at 182.
Nathan Gadinsky, North Schuylkill, soph.
Sophomore had 28-6 record with 18 pins and one major decision, splitting time between 220 and 285. Third at Schuylkill League Tournament.
Honorable mention
Line Mountain - Blake Carl, Britton Heim; Mount Carmel - Seth Stablewski, Tyler Wariki; Shamokin - Anthony Anonia, Jordan Glosek, Bill Leon, Luis Martinez; Southern Columbia - Diego Otero, Nick Becker.