River Hawks Champion Wrestler Honored by School District, Commissioners

 

by Jonathan Weaver

Armstrong High’s first state champion received plaques and praise from school officials and the Armstrong County commissioners last week.

Jacob Robb, a senior from Kittanning, was crowned the PIAA Class AAA champion in the 220-pound weight class after an undefeated state tournament at Hershey’s Giant Center March 12.

A former Kittanning Wildcat, Robb was the PIAA Class AA runner-up in 2015 and the fifth-place finisher in 2014.

“Last year, I ended up second – I was one match away from meeting my goal. It was very disappointing,” Robb said. “It motivated me a lot more to get the gold.”

The road to the state championship was not familiar, however – since the opening of the new school moved athletes from Class AA to Class AAA, and opponents from schools such as Franklin Regional, Kiski, and Penn Hills.

“I had all new opponents – it made it a lot different,” Robb said.

Still, Robb only lost one match during the regular season – to Boyertown Area’s Jordan Wood at a tournament in December.

Robb looked forward to facing the former PIAA Class AAA 220-pound champion this post season, but Wood suffered a season-ending rib injury in March.

“I wanted to get that win back,” Robb said. “I was very disappointed. I wanted to be undefeated and he beat me. If I would’ve beat (Wood), it would have equaled out.”

In November, Robb accepted a full scholarship to attend Mercyhurst University in Erie, where he will wrestle for the Division II Lakers. Robb practiced with current Lakers’ wrestlers Dakota DesLauries, Brian Beattie and Jeremy Landowski when they attended Burrell High.

Robb will redshirt his freshman year so that he can prepare to wrestle heavyweight.

“I always have to work hard – there’s no easy way out,” Robb said.

Last week, Robb received praise and congratulations from school officials – including Superintendent Chris DeVivo - and County Commissioner Chair Pat Fabian.

Fabian – who would coach Robb on the varsity football sidelines – called Robb “a very good leader” by his example and work ethic.

Robb will not pursue football in college, however.

Armstrong Wrestling Coach Brandon Newill, a former Mt. Pleasant wrestler and a four-time All-American champion wrestler at University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, coached Robb all four of his high school seasons.

It was Coach Newill’s sixth trip to the state championship, as he also coached Kittanning wrestling champion Jason Nolf.

He said Robb was “hyper-focused” during the title run. Robb pinned three competitors during the three-day tournament – including Michael McAleavy from Peters Township in the championship finals.

“He knew what his goals were, and he was going to achieve that goal no matter what,” Coach Newill said.

Coach Newill is preparing for a younger team during the 2016-17 season, but still has high expectations for student athletes.

Robb, a wrestler for 10 years since he was a student at West Hills, got into the sport under the coaching of his father – former school board director Larry Robb.