PIAA State Champion and WV Native Ryan Diehl Transfers to Maryland
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One of the most talked about wrestlers in Pennsylvania during the 2012 & 2013 seasons was Trinity’s Ryan Diehl. In fall 2011 the touted wrestler transferred from Berkeley Springs, West Virginia where he was a 2x State Champion
In 2011 Diehl made the decision to enroll at Trinity (Camp Hill) and compete in the PIAA’s Class AA Division. While having two West Virginia State Championships is nice – winning in Pennsylvania was another level of impressive. Diehl made the transition look easy. In his first season of PIAA competition Ryan amassed a (41-0) season record picking up a PIAA State Championship in the process at 113 lbs. His toughest match of the season came in the PIAA State semifinals where he defeated sophomore and returning PIAA State Champion Jason Nolf (Kittanning/Penn State) by a narrow (6-4) score. It was the last time ever in his career that Nolf would not have his hand raised.
In 2013 Diehl secured a spot in wrestling history winning his second straight PIAA State Championship. The senior advanced into the PIAA State Finals where he took on Bethlehem Catholic junior Zeke Moisey at 126 lbs. The highly anticipated match-up didn’t last long as Diehl picked up a fall in only 0:46 seconds. Moisey attempted a cement mixer but Diehl countered with a headlock to claim the PIAA State Championship.
At the end of the day Ryan Diehl ended his career a 4x State Champion, twice in West Virginia and twice in Pennsylvania, with a career record of (174-5). With most NCAA Division I coaches knocking on his door Ryan Diehl committed to compete for Kerry McCoy at Maryland. Despite being offered a full scholarship Diehl was unable to meet the academic criteria forcing the wrestling superstar to make a critical decision. Faced with the adversity of not fulfilling his dreams of competing for a NCAA Championship could have set Ryan back mentally but it only motivated him to work harder.
Diehl decided the best solution would be to tackle his academics at Liberty University where he would compete for the Flames in the NCWA. Ryan wasted no time proving his ability on the mat competing at 133 lbs. where he earned a NCWA National Championship in his rookie campaign. For his efforts Diehl was named the NCWA “Wrestler of the Year” finishing the season undefeated (34-0). After cruising into the NCWA National Finals Diehl faced the #1 seed Sam Shames of MIT who was also undefeated on the year and a returning NCWA National Champion. Diehl earned the NCWA Championship with a (15-10) decision of a high scoring contest.
Moving up to 141 lbs. in his sophomore season Ryan again had no issues again advancing into the NCWA National Finals picking up three pins and a tech-fall before earning a major decision (11-1) in the finals. The domination by Diehl earned him being named the Tournament’s “Most Outstanding Wrestler” award. Diehl ended the season with a (16-3) record bringing his career total at Liberty to (50-3). Ryan’s only defeats of 2015 came to Missouri’s LeRoy Barnes, a medical forfeit, and to NCAA Division III National Champion Carey Palmer (Delaware Valley/Hunter College).
This past season two wrestlers Diehl defeated in high school soared to new heights as Zeke Moisey (Bethlehem Catholic/West Virginia) was a NCAA National Runner-up and Jason Nolf (Kittanning/Penn State) turned heads during a redshirt season.
Although it is two years later than Ryan would have wanted the end destination has been reached. Diehl will only get better with the guidance of head coach Kerry McCoy and a practice room full of talent. The jump from NCWA to NCAA and the BIG 10 will not be easy but Ryan is used to a challenge.
I can’t wait to start the next journey of my life. This was always my dream and finally I am chasing… https://t.co/ElD8BBpWDq
— Ryan Diehl (@TheRealDiehl02) August 19, 2015
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