Who is State College's Cole Urbas? A Sophomore Semifinalist at 182 lbs.

HERSHEY:  Numerous wrestling fans asked “where did sophomore Cole Urbas come from?” The State College sophomore was a Northwest Regional Qualifier in 2016 at 160 lbs. competing in a loaded weight. In fact the top two guys at his weight would go on to finish 1 and 2 in the State.

Cole said he took a lot away from his freshman season competing with guys like Trent Hidlay and Kaleb Young. “I learned that I have to control the things within my control. I knew those guys were better than me, they deserved those wins.”

In the off-season Cole didn’t stress about wrestling and instead had fun lifting weights four days a week and playing football. It shows in 2017 as the tall but filled out sophomore moves up two weights to 182 lbs. this season.

Cole grabbed the attention of wrestling fans across the State when he travelled to Chambersburg and upset senior State Medalist Drew Peck (6-4) on January 19th.

“As soon as I saw that date on the schedule I circled it and said this is the date I have to perform” 

It was the signature win of his young career.

“I was nervous but I went out and wrestled like it was any other match; control neutral and dominate on top”

Fast forward almost two months and Urbas is undefeated having won the Northwest Regional Championship at 182 lbs. and rolling into the PIAA State Semifinals. In the quarterfinals against #5 Elijah Jones (Boyertown) Cole continued to accomplish what he set out to do, collecting a takedown in the first period and riding tough on top.

“I’ve grown to love the top position. I feel real comfortable in the crab and riding with a claw.”

He feels so confident in the top position that there was no hesitation in the third period as he held a (4-0) advantage. He immediately put his hand up and rode Jones out tough to end the match (4-0).

It’s a huge improvement from a season ago but Cole isn’t that surprised to find himself leaving Hershey with a medal. “I just take it one match at a time and one opponent at a time.”

Cole’s next opponent is a handful as he meets #1 Nino Bonaccorsi (Bethel Park) who last season was a PIAA State Runner-up and clinched his third straight PIAA State Medal with a second period fall in the quarterfinals.

His passion for the sport is evident as Cole smiles while talking about wrestling with his younger brother Lance, a 2017 PJW Junior High State Runner-up, in the living room growing up.

“I just love the sport, I have fun wrestling.”