They share a lot in common. They almost shared the accomplishment of winning state gold.

Ciampoli did capture a gold medal when he beat West Scranton’s Tommy Schecterly, 9-3, in the 160-pound finals of the PIAA Class 3A Championships at the Giant Center. It was Altoona’s first state title since Steve Maurey won in 1974.

Minutes later, Scott found himself tied, 1-1, with Faith Christian Academy’s three-time state champion Adam Waters in the third period. Waters ended the drama with a takedown and beat Scott, 4-1.

Because of their postseason run toward the top of the medals stand, Ciampoli and Scott are sharing Altoona Mirror all-star honors. They’ve been named the Co-Wrestlers of the Year on the Mirror’s 43rd annual All-Star Team.

Mirror file photo Kyle Scott of Tyrone controls Shane Rimmey of Penns Valley.

“That’s awesome,” Scott said. “It’s kind of funny. I was thinking today about whether I would get it or not. I think it’s cool, especially sharing it with Gavin. I’m pretty close with him. We travel a lot together. We’re pretty good friends. We go to the same wrestling club (M2 Training Center) and sometimes I take him to Johnstown (to train at The Compound).

“It’s cool,” Ciampoli said. “I’m pretty good friends with Kyle. We both work pretty hard together.”

Scott was warming up while Ciampoli was wrestling and didn’t get a chance to see him wrestle.

“I got pumped up when I saw that he won,” Scott said. “I got a picture with him before I actually wrestled. I was super happy for him. He deserves it. He works just as hard as I do.”

Being the first state wrestling champion at Altoona in 52 years and only the third in the history of the program has caused a stir in the wrestling room, the school and the city.

“I’ve been getting a little more attention than I had been getting in the past,” Ciampoli said, “but nothing much has changed. I’ve been getting a lot of congrats and support, but I think all these people were there for me before I won anything.”

Ciampoli’s state title has certainly gotten the attention of college programs.

“Colleges are starting to pick up a little bit,” Ciampoli said. “I’m going to take my time to visit and try to make the right decision for my future.”

Ciampoli’s goal coming into the season, after finishing seventh at 139 in Hershey last season, was to be a state champion. A note with the words PIAA state champion was taped up in his locker.

In his first 29 bouts after making the jump to 160, though, Ciampoli had a 23-6 record. Four of those losses were to PIAA state medalists. Maybe it was iron sharpening iron early, but Ciampoli’s success took off in the last half of the season, winning his last 15 bouts.

Ciampoli went 38-6 with 14 technical falls and 11 pins and rolled to his third District 6 Class 3A title, his first West Regional title and the state title.

“A lot of it was just the mental side of it,” he said. “I definitely did think I made a lot of good adjustments and got a lot better throughout the season. It was pretty exciting to see that I’ve been doing all these little things right and they’re finally starting to pay off.”

He dominated, but he recently revealed he was dealing with bursitis in his knee.

“I was dealing with a little bit of an injury throughout the postseason,” Ciampoli revealed. “My knee was bothering me. It wasn’t too serious, but it was a little bit of a burden sometimes. You’ve just got to push through. It’s just wrestling.”

For Scott, it was a season of firsts — winning his first Laurel Highlands title in addition to his first District 6 and Southwest Regional title. He broke A.J. Schopp’s school and Blair County career wins record in his first bout at the state tournament. Scott finished with a career record of 163-27.

“I really enjoyed winning all of my matches,” Scott said. “It was pretty sweet. It kind of got repetitive, but there really weren’t too many people who could challenge me until the finals of states. Something really important to me is setting goals. When you don’t have something to work toward, it’s kind of hard to get the motivation. When I see a goal that I have I get fired up.”

Scott, who had 19 technical falls and 17 falls, was 46-0 going into the state finals against Waters. It’s very rare when a wrestler in Pennsylvania can go undefeated. Heck, Even Waters had two losses.

“I kind of looked at this year before the season started and said I could go undefeated, and that Waters match is going to be a tossup,” Scott said. “That fires me up that I’m undefeated and I’m at the top of the food chain while guys are trying to take me down. I’ve never really experienced anything like that in my history of wrestling.”

Scott said he was back on the mat in two workouts on the Monday after the state tournament. He might wrestle in the Fargo Nationals this summer before going to wrestle for the University of Pittsburgh.

“Whatever is next I’m ready,” he said. “Give me two weeks and I could wrestle in another state championship right now.”

Another thing Scott and Ciampoli have in common is their year-round dedication to wrestling.

“I practice all year-round,” Ciampoli said, “so I guess it’s already started. I’ll start locking back in and picking things back up next November when the season starts. In today’s age, you have to go year-round if you want to be near the top or at the top. Everyone else is doing that, and if you’re not, you’re falling behind.”

“You can see the difference between guys who only train during wrestling season and guys who do it all year-round,” Scott said. “We’re just jumping levels and are ahead of these guys.

“If you’re watching the NCAAs, these freshmen are a different breed. They’re better than the guys that are seniors in college. There’s a whole different evolution of wrestling coming up. I’m proud to be a part of it, and it just shows how good we are.”

Ciampoli, who picked up his 100th career win in the state semifinals and has a career record of 101-28, has another season left.

He has another state title in his sight.

“I’m definitely excited I’ve got one more season after this,” Ciampoli said. “I feel like I can repeat what I did this year.”

Past wrestlers of the year

Mirror Wrestlers of the Year

Year Name School

2025-26 Gavin Ciampoli Altoona

Kyle Scott Tyrone

2024-25 Luke Sipes Altoona

2023-24 Andrew McMonagle Huntingdon/Williamsburg

2022-23 Braiden Weaver Altoona

Luke Sipes Altoona

2021-22 Suds Dubler Glendale

Zeke Dubler Glendale

2020-21 Brock McMillen Glendale

2019-20 Brock McMillen Glendale

Kaden Cassidy Bedford

2018-19 Brock McMillen Glendale

Jared McGill Chestnut Ridge

2017-18 Justin McCoy Chestnut Ridge

Parker McClellan Altoona

2016-17 Max Murin Central Cambria

Jacob Oliver Huntingdon

2015-16 Jacob Oliver Huntingdon

2014-15 Max Murin Central Cambria

Jonathan Gabriel Bedford

2013-14 D.J. Hollingshead Altoona

2012-13 T.J. Brandt Altoona

2011-12 Tony Risaliti Central Cambria

2010-11 Evan Link Penn Cambria

2009-10 A.J. Schopp Tyrone

2008-09 A.J. Schopp Tyrone

2007-08 Gary Pfahler Chestnut Ridge

2006-07 Nathan Link Penn Cambria

2005-06 Brian Shaw Hollidaysburg

2004-05 Garrett Scott Juniata Valley

2003-04 Garrett Scott Juniata Valley

2002-03 Nate Morris Central Cambria

Garrett Scott Juniata Valley

2001-02 Jarrett Musselman Claysburg-Kimmel

2000-01 Eric Gibbons Bedford

1999-00 Jon Condo Philipsburg-Osceola

1998-99 Eric Frick Hollidaysburg

Derek Tipton Claysburg-Kimmel

1997-98 Charlie Brenneman Hollidaysburg

1996-97 Chris Musselman Claysburg-Kimmel

1995-96 Jody Strittmatter Cambria Heights

1994-95 Shad Benton Central

Ike Crissey Bedford

1993-94 Brian McGarvey Glendale

1992-93 Dave Distler Huntingdon

1991-92 Tony Albertelli Penn Cambria

1990-91 Jason Kutz Altoona

1989-90 Brian Murphy Cambria Heights

1988-89 Tony Owens Tyrone

1987-88 Jason Shea Huntingdon

1986-87 Doug Rosenberry Altoona

1985-86 Dave Yahner Cambria Heights

1984-85 Ken Myers Tyrone

1983-84 Jeff Husick Tussey Mountain