Lock Haven and Naval Academy wrestling teams square off in a regular season match

By Julia Beiler, Sports editor

Lock Haven returns to Red Lion this Friday for another year of Rumble in the Jungle. This year they take on a new opponent, the Naval Academy. 

The second annual Rumble in the Jungle will kick off Friday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Fitzkee Center at Red Lion Senior High School. This NCAA Division I wrestling match is a huge event for Red Lion. 

Many days of hard work are being put into getting ready for Friday night’s wrestling match. With an event so large, greater steps are being taken to make this event stand out and be successful. 

Last year’s event brought lots of attention to Red Lion, as the rivalry match between Lock Haven and Arizona State brought in many spectators from all over. Local fans also came to see Kennard Dale graduate Chance Marstellar compete. 

High School Biology teacher Mr. Brad Lloyd, a former wrestler for Lock Haven University, holds the title of an all-time winningest wrestler with 146 wins and was a three-time All-American top eight in the country, second and third in the country offered commentary. He is excited to see his alma mater’s team come to Red Lion.

“What makes Lock Haven appealing to be involved is that most people on the team are from this state,” Mr. Lloyd said.

Many graduates from PIAA District III are on both the Naval Academy and Lock Haven University teams. That makes the matchups between the two teams unique within the players. 

From Lock Haven, senior Kyle Shoop is a returning All-American wrestler and is currently ranked 12th in the nation. Lock Haven also has senior Alex Klucker, who is ranked 16th in the country. Shoop went to Boiling Springs and Klucker is from East Pennsboro, both from PIAA District 3. Senior Jared Siegrist is also from Pennsylvania, Siegrist is a graduate from Manheim Central.

From the Naval Academy, freshman Jacob Koser is from Pennsylvania coming from Northern York.

Although, as successful as it was last year, it is not expected to be the same turn out again. 

“I don’t think it will be as large as last year,” Red Lion athletic director Arnold Fritzius said. “Partly because of the matchup, partly because it is earlier in the year, and partly because of the annual Army-Navy football game happening this Saturday.” 

This is only the second year of this event, but according to Fritzius, this event will be something that happens annually. “We already have one team committed to coming next year,” Fritzius said. 

Tickets range in price from $10 to $125 and can be purchased here.