Manheim Central’s Zack Zeamer makes first State appearance count, knocks off ace Patrick Gould

HERSHEY: In the days leading up to this year’s PIAA Class 3A Wrestling Championships, Manheim Central’s Zack Zeamer didn’t look at the bracket.

Zeamer had no idea who he was wrestling if he won his preliminary match. In fact, after earning the decision and moving into the first round, he didn’t know who his opponent was until two weight classes before he took the mat.

It was East Stroudsburg South’s Patrick Gould, a two-time eighth-place finisher at states and No. 3-ranked wrestler in the state.

But that didn’t matter.

Zeamer, who is ranked 14th according to PA Power Wrestling, wrestled his match. He wore down the more accomplished Gould and came away with a jaw-dropping fall in 6:58 of sudden victory.

“We didn’t look at the brackets,” Zeamer said. “Coach had me just focus on what I’m doing. I didn’t focus on him.

“My coaches get us in shape. He felt a little weaker toward the end, and stamina took over, a little bit of heart, and it worked.”

Not bad for a wrestler making his first trip to Hershey’s Giant under the bright lights of the state tournament stage.

Gould got two early takedowns in the first 56 seconds. Zeamer didn’t panic, escaping twice and hitting a single into a cradle for a four-point move and a 6-4 lead at the end of the first.

“I was in on a single, and he dipped his head,” said Zeamer, who had a career best sixth-place finish in regionals two years ago. “Muscle memory took over.

“When I put him in a cradle and got some backs, it was, ‘let’s finish this match and see what happens.’ God gave me the peace to just wrestle my thing, so it worked.”

Continued Zeamer, “I told coach I was glad I had that [preliminary] match. It got all of the whatever out of me … First time here, and now, it’s just another tournament.”

Gould didn’t go away. The Northeast Region champ bounced back with an escape and a takedown in the second to take a 7-6 lead.

In the third, Zeamer earned the escape he needed to tie the match. Gould had a chance for a takedown in the last 10 seconds of regulation but couldn’t bring the Barons ace to the mat.

“I’ve been really working on my defense, wrestling bigger guys and letting them get in on my legs,” Zeamer said. “Against these 132 pounders, it’s a little easier to defend shots. That helped out.”

Gould was gassed in sudden victory. He got in on a double along the edge but didn’t have the strength to bring Zeamer down.

Instead, Zeamer fell forward, putting Gould on his back. With two seconds left in the extra frame, Zeamer scored the fall to blast into Friday’s quarterfinal round.

“He kept laying there,” said the surprised Zeamer, who is now 37-6 on the season. “Someone yelled pin him, and I said, ‘okay.’

“This is the biggest win of my career, but I’m focused on tomorrow. I want a state medal so bad, and this is another notch in that step, so I’m excited.”

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