HERSHEY — A year ago, only one Canton athlete went to Hershey, but it wasn't for wrestling.
Timmy Ward was undergoing Cancer treatments at Hershey medical center just down the road from the Giant Center where the PIAA state wrestling championships are held.
This year, a year removed from being at Hershey medical center, Ward was competing at the PIAA state tournament and earning a podium finish.
“I’m happy to be able to medal and also just happy to be able to be down here with my coaches teammates and my family,” said Ward.
Timmy Ward was undergoing Cancer treatments at Hershey medical center just down the road from the Giant Center where the PIAA state wrestling championships are held.
This year, a year removed from being at Hershey medical center, Ward was competing at the PIAA state tournament and earning a podium finish.
“I’m happy to be able to medal and also just happy to be able to be down here with my coaches teammates and my family,” said Ward.
For Ward, it was a lot of weight off his shoulders once he knew he would get to bring home some hardware.
“It was a huge relief and a whole storm of emotions. I have worked really hard to get to this point and once I knew I would get to the podium, it was a great feeling.
Coach Lyle Wesneski knew what this moment meant for Timmy and for the community overall.
“I’m ecstatic for him (Timmy). Its been a long weekend and a long year. He put together three really good days and competed well,” said Wesneski.
Wesneski knows its been a great turnaround after not bringing any wrestlers to Hershey a year ago.
“This is a good way to end the year, now we can get healed up and get back to lifting and the things we need to do to be back here next year.”
Wesneski wants to be back here next year but hopefully on the top step.
“We have a lot of kids that are in the room working hard but we cant be complacent. A lot of the other teams in the league (NTL) are working hard. What we do in the summer will be the basis of our success next winter,” said Wesneski.
Wesneski knows that he will have a strong team next season and the kids they took to states are clearing the path for the younger generation of Canton wrestlers.
“Timmy, Storch and Derrick are laying the groundwork for our program. The younger ones gotta keep working hard and we will be there the next six years or so.
“It was a huge relief and a whole storm of emotions. I have worked really hard to get to this point and once I knew I would get to the podium, it was a great feeling.
Coach Lyle Wesneski knew what this moment meant for Timmy and for the community overall.
“I’m ecstatic for him (Timmy). Its been a long weekend and a long year. He put together three really good days and competed well,” said Wesneski.
Wesneski knows its been a great turnaround after not bringing any wrestlers to Hershey a year ago.
“This is a good way to end the year, now we can get healed up and get back to lifting and the things we need to do to be back here next year.”
Wesneski wants to be back here next year but hopefully on the top step.
“We have a lot of kids that are in the room working hard but we cant be complacent. A lot of the other teams in the league (NTL) are working hard. What we do in the summer will be the basis of our success next winter,” said Wesneski.
Wesneski knows that he will have a strong team next season and the kids they took to states are clearing the path for the younger generation of Canton wrestlers.
“Timmy, Storch and Derrick are laying the groundwork for our program. The younger ones gotta keep working hard and we will be there the next six years or so.