Beckman to Lehigh
Mar 8th, 2010 | By viratas | Category: College Wrestling, Open Mat Originals
Accomplished Junior Makes Early Pledge to Mountain Hawks
Willie Saylor, Editor
When I first saw Mason Beckman (winning his first Manheim Tournament Title), I thought he was a good little wrestler. But to be honest, I didn’t expect him to be this good. Beckman has established himself as one of the premier high school wrestlers in the country and possesses an uncanny wrestling conscientiousness as exemplified in his impeccable technique.
He’s undefeated this year, including winning Ironman’s toughest bracket, and another Manheim title. He’s the anchor of a Reynolds’ (PA) team that has been Top 3 in Class AA all three years of his high school career.
Monday afternoon, his was happy to tell me he would be taking his talents to the next level by wrestling for Coach Pat Santoro and staff at Lehigh University.
“I just new it was going to be Lehigh,” Mason says of his early decision. “I wasn’t completely anticipating verballing early, but no one was going to top the way I feel about Lehigh. The mixture of tradition, fan base, facilities, and academics is top-notch.”
Beckman is 143-12 in his career and has placed 2nd and 3rd in the PA state tournament in his freshman and sophomore years, respectively. He notes the turning point in his career came after what, for him, was a disappointing freshman year.
“I lost a lot my freshman year; eight times. And I was really disappointed. So, my dad said to me, ‘how good do you want to be? Do you want to be a good high school wrestler, or do you want to prepare yourself to succeed at the next level?’ I told him I definitely wanted to be successful after high school. So that’s when my training intensity really took off.”
The results of that training, with a former wrestler, who is originally from nearby, Franklin Township, ‘a couple times a week’ last summer, are being realized now. Beckman is poised to make a state title run. He’s cruised through sectionals and districts, winning each for the third consecutive time. The PIAA state tournament begins this Thursday.
Lehigh is getting one focused young man. His wrestling talents are small in comparison to his academics. With either, his attention to detail and preparation are unequal among his peers. Good pick up Lehigh and Good Luck Mason!!