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HS WRESTLING: Bluhm, Ross brothers fuel Lackawanna Trail

Feb. 26—Five District 2 titles, nine trips to regionals, one state tournament berth.

Not bad for two pairs of brothers.

Lackawanna Trail wrestlers Michael and Max Bluhm and Deegan and Seth Ross are among the best wrestlers in the Lackawanna League, and they helped resurrect a program that didn't win a division title for 20 years and turned it into a District 2 Class 2A powerhouse.

Their success and effect on the program brewed from an early age. Through the years, they supported each other and still serve as practice partners. The brothers' bonds and push to make each other better led them to a combined 202-59 record in their high school careers.

"He's really supportive and it's really fun to wrestle with him," Max said about his brother. "He beats me up, but it's OK."

While their relationships aren't antagonistic, the competition between them throughout their lives helped them become the wrestlers they are today.

"You always want to do better than your brother," Seth said.

In Bluhm

Before reaching the mat, Michael and Max started their careers at home — in an area of the house most families use for relaxation.

"We used to have wrestling matches in the living room," Michael said. "So all the time we've been competing against each other and also bringing each other up and helping each other do well against the other competition."

They picked up the sport in the same year, Michael a kindergartener and Max a preschooler. Max took to wrestling quicker, adding to his medal count before Michael.

"He was definitely more into it in the younger ages because he always used to go to states and place at states and stuff like that," Michael said. "I got into it a little later than him, but we both started at the same time, just not as competitive."

The wins came for Michael, who pinned his way to a district title at 113 pounds as a freshman. He also placed fifth in the region, one spot from a trip to Hershey. He earned first-team coaches all-star and All-Region selections that season. Despite his success, the Lions struggled, finishing fifth in Division II.

A year later, Max, the Ross brothers and a talented group of freshmen propelled Lackawanna Trail to the top of the division, as it captured its first league title in 20 years. The Lions also placed second at District 2 Class 2A duals before winning the team title and qualifying 12 for regionals at the District 2 Class 2A individual championships. Among the regional qualifiers, Michael added his second district crown, this time at 132, while his brother placed third, losing only to state bronze medalist Wyoming Area's Jaden Pepe at 106.

"He just pushes me," Max said of his brother. "I've always looked up to him. I always want to try and catch up with him because he's doing so good in tournaments."

While Michael holds the edge when it comes to district titles, Max, a sophomore, closed the gap Sunday. He rallied from a 2-0, third-period deficit against Blue Ridge's Jackson Maby at 120 for his first district gold.

"He never quits," Michael said. "Obviously, we got to see that in the district finals match. I'm super proud of him and being down in that match and getting that reversal and locking up the cradle that was really special."

Michael, a junior, claimed silver Sunday, losing to 2020 state qualifier Lake-Lehman's Zach Stuart at 145, but advanced to regionals for the third straight season.

Double Ross

Twins Deegan and Seth earned first-team coaches' all-star honors and went undefeated in league matches as freshmen.

Deegan carried that momentum into the postseason, where he made a run to the state tournament. He pinned his way to the district title at 113 and survived an ultimate tiebreaker at regionals to punch a ticket to Hershey. He outdueled Midd-West's Conner Heckman, ranked 10th in the state this season according to PA Power Wrestling, in the consolation semifinals to qualify and placed fourth in the region. He also won his opening match at states.

The sophomores dominated league opponents again this season, as both had identical match results — four wins by forfeit, two pins and one major decision.

Deegan added another district title Sunday, topping Lake-Lehman's Mason Konigus by technical fall in the 132 final.

"He works hard every day, just puts time in," Seth said. "He tries to do his best whatever he does. He makes me want to do better and do as good as he does in tournaments."

Seth doesn't have a district title, but tough competition stood in his way during his freshmen and sophomore seasons. In 2020, Seth placed third at districts at 145, losing only to Lake-Lehman's Josh Bonomo, a state qualifier last season. He earned silver at 160 Sunday, dropping a 4-1 decision to Lake-Lehman's Nick Zaboski, a three-time district champion.

"He's a really good wrestler," Deegan said. "He wrestles against almost always older kids that are supposedly on paper going to be a lot better than him and he always just goes in there and fights and just gives it his all."

That doesn't mean Deegan isn't happy he has the edge, for now.

"I definitely want to be more successful than him," Deegan said with a laugh. "It's just more competition than anything. We get mad at each other sometimes but it just pushes us more."

Next up

Michael qualified for the Class 2A Northeast Regional for the third time, while Max, Deegan and Seth will make their second trips to Williamsport Area High School. The tournament starts at 9:30 a.m.

The Lions also send district champions Cole Henry (106) and Kody Cresswell (172); silver medalists Ethan Lee (126), Mason Zajac (189) and Jonah Houser (215); and bronze medalist Robbie Schneider (138) as Lackawanna Trail cruised to its second straight team crown Sunday. The Lions compiled 230.5 points, 87 more than second-place Lake-Lehman.

Max takes on Montgomery's Caden Finck, ranked 16th in the state, in the quarterfinals, while Michael faces Milton Area's Kyler Crawford, ranked 13th in the state.

"You've just got to let it all hang out at regionals," Michael said. "You can't leave anything on the mat. I've been flirting with (states) the past two years but this year I'm still going to try. You've got to leave it all out there."

A top seed, Deegan faces a rematch with Heckman in the quarterfinals, while Seth wrestles Muncy's Ty Nixon, ranked No. 9 in the state.

The top three finishers in each weight class advance to the East Super Regional, which is scheduled for March 6 at Pottsville's Martz Hall.

The Class 3A Northeast Regional is Saturday at 9:30 a.m. The top four placers advance to the East Super Regional, which is scheduled for March 6 at Quakertown High School.

Contact the writer: jbaress@timesshamrock.com