After making an appearance at the state tournament in Hershey last year and not placing, Southmoreland 220 pound competitor Ryan Mauro hopes to make a name for himself this weekend as he competes for state gold.

“Last year was a learning experience for me since it was my first year making states at varsity level,” said Mauro. “I had a lot of nerves, but this year I hope to improve myself and make it further.”

Coming out of the season, Mauro is currently 16-11 and working to add more wins to his overall record of 40-22.

“My biggest competition this season was definitely Dominic Deluca of Derry,” said Mauro. “He’s a tough competitor, but I stayed with him the best that I could through my matches.”

Deluca had encouraging words to say about Mauro.

“He’s a tough wrestler and athlete,” Deluca told the Tam O’Shanter. “He’s challenged me because he puts kids in dangerous positions. You can’t let up on him.”

As the tournament gets closer, Mauro still continues to have nerves.

“I know that I’m wrestling the best of the best now,” said Mauro. “I’m going to have to take this tournament one match at a time and wrestle as perfectly as I can.”

Mauro said that his dad and brother have “made him the wrestler that he he is today.”

“My dad and my brother, along with (personal)n coach Rob Waller, have gotten me to the point of where I am today,” said Mauro.”They push me and never let me get down on myself no matter what goes on at my matches and tournaments.”

The wrestlers are set to leave March 8 and will start wrestling early the following day.

“I’m definitely still nervous for the tournament, but I feel like any wrestler is who gets to compete at this big of a tournament,” said Mauro. “My goal for states is to place, and if I can do that I can only improve from there.”