Bellefonte High sophomore Wyatt Long has been a crucial part of the wrestling program throughout this year’s season. With his leader mentality, he has been a light to his teammates off and on the wrestling mat. He has managed to be a part of leading his team to a dual meet record of four wins and two losses through the first half of the year.
Some of his personal achievements consist of placing at all of the big tournaments this year that Bellefonte has attended. He took 7th at King of The Mountain, 4th at Southern Tier Memorial, 3rd at Laurel Highlands Classic, and finally 5th at Conestoga Valley. So far, Wyatt has one of the best personal records on the varsity team with a stunning 22 wins and only 7 losses.
Wyatt got into wrestling at a very young age due to his older brother Gage Long who graduated from Bellefonte High in 2023. Gage was also an excellent wrestler on the varsity wrestling team. Over the years, wrestling has been so much more than just the competition aspect for Wyatt. He has learned many life lessons that will carry on with him throughout the rest of his life.
“Wrestling taught me discipline, dedication, and hard work. It has made me into the person I am today, which is someone who doesn’t take things for granted, someone who does not slack off in anything they do, and finally someone who gives it their all everytime in everything they are a part of,” Wyatt said.
One of the main reasons that Wyatt thrives in the wrestling room and on competition days is because even after losses, he manages to keep a positive attitude and is always looking to move forward and keep improving.
“I am having a really good season so far compared to last year, but there is always room for improvement. The wrestling team is young but we are still finding a way to get better every day, and I am looking forward to see how the team grows throughout the next few years.”
Although Wyatt is a great wrestler here at Bellefonte High, he has many other hobbies that he enjoys doing outside of the wrestling room and classroom.
“My other hobbies are riding my dirt bike, hunting, fishing and playing Fortnite. I also like to go to Raising Canes on the weekends with my friends.”
Overall, Wyatt is a stand out athlete here at Bellefonte and is filling the shoes that his older brother left behind very well. Whether it is wrestling, hunting, fishing, or any of his other hobbies that he enjoys doing, Wyatt always manages to be a light to others by keeping a positive mindset and is a great role model for younger youth wrestlers looking up to him.
Throughout the next couple years we will all be looking forward to seeing him add on to the legacy that he is on pace to leave behind, which is a great teammate and overall person but an even better wrestler.
