Thomas focused for a long postseason journey

    Garrett Thomas couldn't wait to hit the wrestling mats this winter, which is a likely factor as to why the Bedford junior already appears to be in midseason form.
    Thomas is continuing to show just that, as his most recent performance was a third-period pin of Cambria Heights' Joe Davis at 132 pounds to close out Bedford's 40-27 dual victory on Tuesday night. Thomas was leading, 5-1, at the time of the fall. Davis got too high on top to begin the third period, and Thomas made him pay for it by stacking him up.
    Both wrestlers competed at 120 pounds in the postseason last year, with Thomas and Davis being runner-ups in District 5 and District 6, respectively. Earlier in the season, Davis captured a Thomas Subaru Tournament title, and he will be one of eight returning winners when the event returns to Bedford in just over two weeks.
    Thomas improved his 2012-13 record to 12-2, and he is now 72-19 in his high school career. That said, Thomas is expecting to erase the disappointment of the end of last year, where his season ended at the Southwest Regional with a 1-2 record. His final bout was a 4-1 loss to Meyersdale's Collin Day. Thomas had beaten Day in the District 5 Duals in early February.
    "It's definitely my goal right now to get to states," said Thomas. "I lost to some kids I should have beaten (at regionals), and kids that I had beaten earlier in the year were in that bracket. It was a tough way to end the season, but I'm more ready for it this year."
    His biggest win of the season to date was on December 18 when he battled Chestnut Ridge sophomore Trent Crouse tooth and nail into overtime. Thomas managed to score the winning points in a 5-3 sudden victory as both wrestlers showed unbelievable mental and physical tenacity in one of the best bouts that many onlookers said they have seen in a long time.
    While pinning Davis is his latest triumph, Thomas has been a hammer in Bedford's lineup again this season, with he and classmate Ryan Easter, already a two-time state placewinner, providing as potent of a one-two punch as any team in the area.
    His lone two losses this season happened at the rugged King of the Mountain Tournament. The first was a one-point setback against 2011 state placewinner George McGuire of Fort LeBoeuf.
    "My season's been going pretty good so far," Thomas added. "I've had some good wins and hopefully, I can continue to get better and keep winning when we get to the end of the season."

   Bedford's Garrett Thomas, right, holds the arm of Chestnut Ridge's Trent Crouse during a bout last month. Thomas beat Crouse in an overtime bout.