Rune Lawrence’s final year of high school almost came to an end in December during the semifinals of the Ironman Tournament.
The star athlete from Frazier was in a tough match against Max Shulaw, a two-time Ohio state champion. He was clearly winning when Shulaw's questionable move caused Lawrence, a four-time champion in the PIAA, to injure his knee, as per Frazier coach Buck Watkins.
Although Lawrence managed to defeat Shulaw with a score of 10-5, the injury prevented him from participating in the finals, causing him to miss the Powerade Tournament and more than a month of the season.
Watkins mentioned, “I knew Rune was hoping to win both Ironman and Powerade. The injury stopped that from happening.”
In late January, Lawrence returned and easily won his fourth PIAA title, earning the Outstanding Wrestler award at the state meet and being named TribLive Wrestler of the Year.
Lawrence now has the opportunity to compete against Shulaw once again, as Shulaw replaces Sawyer Bartlett from South Dade High School, Florida.
The rematch between the two is set to take place at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Peters Township’s AHN Arena for the 2024 Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic.
Shulaw, who is committed to Virginia, previously wrestled for St. Francis Desales in Ohio.
Lawrence, along with three-time state champions Jack Consiglio of Malvern Prep, Connor Harer of Montgomery, and Sean Kinney of Nazareth, are the top wrestlers on the Pennsylvania squad.
Lawrence expressed, “I’m excited to compete in the Classic. I'm going to keep working hard.”
Lawrence has committed to West Virginia.
Two other WPIAL wrestlers, three-time WPIAL champions Cooper Hornack of Burrell and Chris Vargo, will join Lawrence in the event. Hornack, a 2023 PIAA champion, was transferred from the WPIAL team to replace the injured Luke Simcox from Central Mountain. Gaven Suica from Burgettstown has been added to the WPIAL team in place of Hornack.
Alex Braun from Woodbury, Minn., who holds a career record of 256-37, is among the top wrestlers on the U.S. squad and will face Consiglio. Gage Wright from Parkersburg South, a Virginia Tech commit, holds the top national ranking in the 172-pound category.
Wright and heavyweight Koy Hopke from Amery, Wisc., have both won state championships three times.
Others selected for the WPIAL team include Jorden Williams from Chartiers-Houston (114), Tyler Kapusta from Franklin Regional (121), Andrew Binni from Canon-McMillan (127), Mason Kernan from Bethel Park (133), Suica (139), Hayden Coy from Penn-Trafford (145), Eli Carr from Hempfield (152), Isaiah Pisano from Hopewell (160), Bodie Morgan from Trinity (172), Nathan Campbell from Norwin (189), Juliani Marion from Franklin Regional (215), and Brenan Morgan from Central Valley (285), who is the sole PIAA champion on the team.
The WPIAL All-Stars will compete against the New Jersey All-Stars at 4 p.m.
The event will start at 3 p.m. with the Pennsylvania Girls All-Star team facing a squad of all-stars from Ohio.
Notable members from the WPIAL on the Pennsylvania team include Ana Malovich from Butler (122) and Leyna Rumpler from North Allegheny (155).
2024 Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic
3 p.m. Saturday, Peters Township High School
USA All-Stars
114: Abram Cline, Granite Hills HS, Chula Vista, Calif., 121-12
121: Beric Jordan, Noble HS, Okla., 164-4
127: J.J. McComas, Stillwater, Okla., 136-22
133: Adrian Meza, Valiant College Prep, Ariz., 109-19
139: Kyler Larkin, Valiant College Prep, Ariz., 112-16
145: Alex Braun, Woodbury, Minn., 256-37
152: Miguel Estrada, Frontier HS, Bakersfield, Calif., 71-3
160: Charlie Millard, Homestead, Mequon, Wisc., 175-5
172: Gage Wright, Parkersburg South, W.Va., 149-8
189: Karson Tompkins, Midlothian, Texas, 155-2
215: Max Shulaw, Sr. Francis DeSales, Columbus, Ohio, 187-10
285: Koy Hopke, Amery, Wisc., 168-2
Pennsylvania All-Stars
114: Ayden Smith, Notre Dame-Green Pond, 152-18
121: Louie Gill, Reynolds, 143-17
127: Chris Vargo, Bentworth, 133-12
133: Mason Gibson, Bishop McCort, 72-10
139: Cooper Burrell, Hornack, 156-27
145: Jack Consiglio, Malvern Prep, 131-18
152: Ryan Gavrick, Central Dauphin, 162-19
160: Conner Harer, Montgomery, 188-5
172: Hunter Hohman, Grove City, 136-15
189: Tucker Hogan, Daniel Boone, 155-5
215: Rune Lawrence, Frazier, 145-8
285: Sean Kinney, Nazareth, 125-5
WPIAL All-Stars
114: Jorden Williams, Chartiers-Houston, 100-40
121: Tyler Kapusta, Franklin Regional, 120-33
127: Andrew Binni, Canon-McMillan, 133-34
133: Mason Kernan, Bethel Park, 124-18
139: Gaven Suica, Burgettstown, 143-41
145: Hayden Coy, Penn-Trafford, 100-39
152: Eli Carr, Hempfield, 113-18
160: Isaiah Pisano, Hopewell, 108-27
172: Bodie Morgan, Trinity, 94-34
189: Nathan Campbell, Norwin, 96-40
215: Juliano Marion, Franklin Regional, 136-35
285: Brenan Morgan, Central Valley, 113-12
