Second state title chances motivating McCoy

   FISHERTOWN - Despite already owning a state championship and numerous other accolades, Justin McCoy isn't completely satisfied with his high school wrestling career just yet.
   That's great news for fans and followers of Chestnut Ridge's star 152-pounder, not so good news for opponents.
   McCoy got another step closer to more history during today's District 5 Dual Meet championship as he tied former teammate Aaron Burkett for the school record with 152 career wins. McCoy is 30-1 this season and 152-17 overall, and he sits only two victories behind ex-North Star wrestler Chris Lascari for the all-time mark in District 5.
   "When I first started my varsity career, I wasn't thinking about that," McCoy said after a 63-12 win over North Star for the district team title. "I just wanted to have fun and do my best each match. It's just kind of come along the way. It's an honor to be up there on that list."
   To echo his words, McCoy has certainly done his best each time out. He already has his name listed three times on banners in the Richard W. Fisher Gymnasium, symbolizing his trio of state medals (6th in 2015, 7th in 2016, and 1st in 2017). Should he take the podium again next month in Hershey, McCoy will become the first Chestnut Ridge wrestler to win four individual state medals.
   Furthermore, if the senior repeats as state champion, he'll be only the second multiple time PIAA winner from Bedford County. Northern Bedford legend Jan Clark won three straight state championships in the late 1970's and is the only local wrestler to own more than one gold medal.
   McCoy, a strong athlete in three sports (football and baseball also), hasn't rested on his prior accomplishments, and he's also taken advantage of Chestnut Ridge's strong schedule that includes the King of the Mountain and PowerAde tournaments in December.
   "I definitely worked on moving my feet more, and getting faster," the University of Virginia recruit said. "I've focused on being more physical, and non-stop moving the whole time. That's one thing that can really get you to the next level. You see that in (Penn State's) Jason Nolf.
   "I've been wrestling pretty well and I think I'm in a good spot right now. I just want to give my best effort each match and hopefully the wins will come with it."
   Before focus shifts to the individual season, Chestnut Ridge is hoping to earn its third state team medal in six trips to the Giant Center. The Lions haven't done so since a memorable run to the Class AA finals in 2015, a year in which McCoy was a freshman 120-pounder.
   "That was so fun and one of the best years of my life," he said. "We came out today and wrestled really well, and I think if we can continue to do that and get guys to step up and give us more energy, we'll have a great chance."

   NOTE: I covered the District 5 Duals for the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat. My story on that will be available in Sunday's edition and on www.tribdem.com.