Tyrone's A.J. Schopp is known not only for his ability on the wrestling mat, but also his focus when he's there.
That focus has helped him win 118 career bouts in three years and place three times at the PIAA Championships, including two second-place finishes.
Schopp's focus will be on capturing that elusive gold medal this season rather than worrying about where he'll continue his college career. He has verbally committed to wrestle for Division I Edinboro University over the University of Pittsburgh.
"It was one of the biggest decisions that I've had to make," Schopp said. "It drove me crazy. It will determine the rest of my life because I'll be there four or five years. I wanted to make sure it was the right fit.
"Out of my list of schools, [Edinboro] was number one the whole time. I like the coaches, and I know a lot of the wrestlers from summer camps. I spent a week during the summer there. It's a good program."
Schopp said he decided on Edinboro shortly after the Pitt coaches came to visit him. That's when the Edinboro coaching staff came to State College for a camp, and he liked what he heard. He also made visits to Virginia and Old Dominion.
"Hopefully, when I get there, they'll get me prepared for college wrestling," Schopp said. "The coaches will be a real help. [Head coach] Tim Flynn is one of the best, and they have many All-Americans."
"I think he made an excellent choice," Tyrone coach Blair Packer said. "Edinboro is on the up and have had a lot of success in the NCAA tournament the past couple years. Tim Flynn is an excellent coach, and he's proved it over his tenure."
Two other area wrestlers are on the current roster in Juniata Valley's Garrett Scott and Philipsburg-Osceola's Mike Horton.
Schopp said he didn't consider wrestling for Penn State and new coach Cael Sanderson.
"They weren't one of my choices," Schopp said. "There are a bunch of kids who are going to go there. I knew I would get in because of Cael going there."
There's no plan, Schopp says, to redshirt his freshman year. He says he'll likely go at either 133 or 141.
"He has wrestled with the best and has been throughout the nation," Packer said. "A lot of times kids will get to college and it's daunting for them. I think he has an excellent chance."
"I should be able to fit in the lineup," Schopp said.
Schopp was the last unbeaten area wrestler last season before falling to Keystone Oaks' Anthony Zanetta, 4-3, in the 119-pound finals of the PIAA Class AA Championships. As a freshman, he dropped a 4-3 decision to Shady Side Academy's Frank Martellotti in the 103-pound state finals.
The Mirror's 2008-09 Wrestler of the Year, he finished with a 39-1 record and an area-leading 27 pins. Voted the Outstanding Wrestler at the District 6 Tournament, Schopp, who has a career record of 118-11, recently placed third at the Super 32 Challenge in Greensboro, N.C. He's looking forward to getting the wrestling started.
He's placed three times in the National High School Wrestling Championships, including a sixth-place finish last season, in Virginia Beach.
"I'm really ready," Schopp said. "I want to get out of high school to get to college, but I'm anxious for my senior year."
