On Monday, Oct. 7, senior Tristan Sirmans announced his commitment to York College wrestling. Sirmans is the first wrestler of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Class of 2025 to continue the sport in college.
“I’m looking forward to the new friendships and athletic growth in my career throughout college,” Sirmans told The Fanscotian.
York College is a private institution located in Spring Garden Township, Pennsylvania that was founded in 1787. The Spartans compete in NCAA Division III athletics in the Middle Atlantic Conference, offering 10 men’s and 12 women’s sports.
“I really liked the campus, the coaches, the academic benefits for athletes and the fact it’s not too far away from home,” Sirmans said.
Under head coach and hall-of-fame alumnus Duane Bastress who is entering his 12th season, the York men’s wrestling team has a record 99-77 and were ranked No. 18 in the country in the 2016-2017 season. Recently, the program has developed several All-American wrestlers despite ending back-to-back seasons with losing records.
Wrestling is the fastest growing high school sport in the country, showing the largest percentage increase of athletes the last two years. For Sirmans, he was introduced to wrestling in second grade when his parents first signed him up. Now, he is in his final year at SPFHS, hoping to make the most out of his last year.
“I hope to accomplish making sure our team is as [good] as possible and be the best leader to my teammates as [I can be],” Sirmans said.
Sirmans has been a part of the SPF wrestling program since his freshman year. Over his three years, he has won 46 out of 63 individual bouts. On Jan. 20, Sirmans placed fifth at 126 lbs. at the Union County Tournament and on Feb. 17, he advanced to semifinals, finishing fourth at the District Tournament.
Behind the success of the team, head coach Marc Fabiano has instilled a robust heritage of inclusion and positivity within the building and the whole community.
The numbers speak for themselves. Fabiano has 140 wins under his name since replacing Thomas Gavor in 2015. Entering his tenth year as the coach and Sirmans his fourth as a wrestler, the team will continue to grow and hold a top position in the Union County rankings.
“[Coach Fabiano] is definitely like no coach I’ve ever had. He’s extremely into everything he does and focused on making us produce better on the mat,” Sirmans said.
As the winter season approaches, the SPF coaches held a mandatory meeting for new and returning wrestlers on Friday, Oct. 18. With the large turnout, the program annually finds itself expanding in the high school.
