Plum Junior Olympic wrestlers prove to be among best in the state
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A trio of Plum youth wrestlers — Nicholas Pifer, Braeden Watters, and Ethan Schwartz — recently qualified for and participated in the Keystone state tournament in Reading, and the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling state tournament at Pitt’s Petersen Events Center.
Schwartz, in the 10U 55-pound division, now is a two-time Keystone and PJW state qualifier and state place winner.
He found himself on the podium in fourth at the PJW tournament.
Schwartz took sixth at both tournaments in 2023.
“Ethan is a fierce competitor, an extremely hard worker and a great teammate,” said Robbie Waller, a coach at All-American Wrestling Club where Schwartz trains.
“The future is extremely bright for him because of these attributes and his family’s unwavering support.”
In addition to Plum and All-American, Schwartz trains at the Silent Victory Training Center.
Watters, in the 12U 115-pound division, qualified for the Keystone state and PJW state tournaments for the first time.
He placed seventh at the PJW tournament.
“Braeden exemplifies all the attributes a coach looks for in a wrestler,” Plum Junior Olympic coach Matt Palermo said.
“He can compete with anybody in this sport, he’s never out of a match, and he knows how to grind out the tough wins. The ceiling is extremely high for him.”
Watters also trains at Diamond Athletic Club, Young Guns Wrestling Club and Silent Victory.
Pifer now is a three-time Keystone and two-time PJW state qualifier.
At the 12U 95-pound division, he fell just shy of the podium at both tournaments. But he did secure top-10 placements.
Pifer concluded his youth career as a Keystone Wrestling League champion, a member of Team Pennsylvania and a two-time Most Outstanding Wrestler during the dual season.
“Nicholas is every coach’s dream,” Silent Victory coach Shane Valko said.
“He is the kid if you ask him to run through a wall, he will for you. He’s hardworking, a leader in the room, and someone the younger kids look up to. He is one kid, I promise, who will make a serious splash as he gets older. He has only hit 10% of his true potential. Every year he is jumping levels, and this year has been no different.”
In addition to Plum and Silent Victory, Pifer trains with Young Guns Wrestling Club, Roughhouse and Hutchy Hammers.