Mt. Lebanon wrestler eyes bigger prize
Kellan Stout (in blue) defeated Cade Belshay, 7-0, in the finals of the 182-pound weight class during the Powerade tournament. With his victory, Stout became the first Mt. Lebanon wrestler to win a Powerade title.
Mt. Lebanon’s Kellan Stout turns Cade Belshay in the 182 pound bout at the Powerade tournament. Stout won his match with a 7-0 decision.
Mt. Lebanon’s Kellan Stout wrestles Cade Belshay in the Powerade tournament. Stout won by a 7-0 decision in the 182 pound weight class.
While Kellan Stout recorded another first for Mt. Lebanon wrestling to usher out the old year, the 18-year-old senior welcomed 2015 with an eye toward the future and reversing his worst result. Lebo’s only Century Club member with more than 100 career victories and most recently inaugural Powerade Champion desperately desires to finish on top this season.
Stout had that opportunity last March, but lost for the fourth time to Zack Zavatsky from Latrobe in the 182-pound finals at the PIAA championships in Hershey. Zavatsky is now a freshman wrestling for Virginia Tech.
On winning last week’s Powerade title, Stout said it was nice to know that he got that first title for Lebo. “It’s exciting,” he said. “I like to be that guy.” But, he added, “I have goals to win a WPIAL and state championship.
“Last year’s PIAA left a bad taste in my mouth. Absolutely,” he continued, “it’s frustrating losing four times to the same person. In a way, I’m glad it happened, because it gives me something to strive for. In a way, it has lit a fire under me. My eyes are on March.”
“Kellan has big goals,” agreed his coach, Bill Lewis. “Last March, he walked away from Hershey feeling as if he had unfinished business before his high school career ends. His battles (with Zavatsky) served to motivate him. Kellan’s worked hard. He made a big commitment to getting better.”
After his state championship loss, Stout committed to a rigorous post-season practice schedule. He trained with his Pitt Bull Wrestling Club, out of Central Catholic High School, lifted and ran at Mt. Lebanon, and worked out at open gyms at the University of Pittsburgh. Plus, he devoted himself to only one sport. When he entered high school, he stopped playing baseball. He quit football after his junior season.
“Wrestling is a hard sport, so it has worked out well that I was devoted to one sport. For the first time, I wasn’t participating in or getting ready for another sport in the summer. So I was able to wrestle at the highest level possible.”
Over the Memorial Day weekend, Stout participated in the Virginia Duals. Later in the summer, he rolled up an 11-0 record at the Disney Duals and helped his squad finish fourth in the nation. He even trained against collegiate wrestlers at Pitt.
“It was tough and frustrating at times, Sometimes, I wondered ‘what am I doing here.’ I wasn’t scoring any points. I focused on getting a takedown. When I did, it was like collecting dew. No torrential downpour, but the improvement came in increments.”
By late December, it was evident Stout had mastered his sport to the point he could compete on a national level. He swept through the Powerade Tournament, which featured the finest wrestlers in the region, state and country.
In the first round, Stout scored a 12-2 win against Central Catholic senior Marty Shulik. After back-to-back tech falls against Lane Reinwald from Fort LeBoeuf and Michael McAleavey from Peters Township, Stout posted a major decision, 8-0, against Waynesburg’s Colin McCracken in the semifinals. In the finals, he blanked California’s Cade Belshay, 7-0, to capture the 182-pound title.
“We are real proud of Kellan,” said Lewis. “He wrestled well. He controlled all his matches. He put together a nice tournament against quality kids.
“Kellan does all the little things right in terms of doing a great job of mentally managing the tournament. He had the right mix of enthusiasm and confidence. He did a nice job of controlling the pace and tempo of his matches. He was sharp. Clutch when he was tested. His technique is at a good point.
As early as the second grade, Stout started honing his skills. His technique and his mental approach to the sport, he credits his father. Bryan Stout was a four-time all-American at Clarion University. He is in his seventh season as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh.
“My inspiration comes from him,” Stout said of his father. “My dad motivates me. He gives me pep talks. I’m big enough now that he can wrestle with me. I don’t think about (having big shoes to fill). It’s just nice to have someone in the house that I can talk to about the sport.”
In the Stout household, there was much discussion regarding college plans. Recruited by Pitt and Cornell, the young Stout picked Penn State as his college choice. Stout said he ‘struggled’ with his decision, because he trained at Pitt and because his father also coached there. However, he welcomed wrestling in a new environment and the challenge of competing for a national power. The Nittany Lions have won six NCAA titles, four from 2011-2014, under head coach Cael Sanderson.
“Both my parents were helpful and we talked things out,” said the son of Jennifer Stout. “Ultimately, the choice was up to me. I’m happy with my decision. I have no regrets. I think I made a good decision for the whole family.
“I’m the oldest of four, so that played into it a lot,” continued Stout, who has two younger brothers, Luke and Mac, who wrestle in the middle school. “With all the schools, I had a check list and with Penn State, I could picture me there. The best wrestlers and coaches are there and it’s a tremendous opportunity for me to achieve my goals.”
Lewis agreed with Stout’s selection because Penn State is the proper place for him to pursue a national championship.
“Penn State offers the right mix,” said Lewis. “It certainly was a tough decision for him, but Penn State is a great school with a great coaching staff and club. We are thrilled and real excited for Kellan. Penn State offers the right balance and the opportunity for him to reach his personal and team goals.”
Long before he vies for a national title, perhaps even an Olympics’ berth, Stout has his sights set on a state championship. A PIAA title would complete a career that has included many firsts for the Lebo grappler. Stout was the first freshman ever in the school’s storied career to place at the WPIAL championships when he finished fourth. Lebo’s winningest wrestler, Stout is a two-time Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association’s state all-academic team member, maintaining a 3.9 QPA. He scored his 100th career win in last year’s state semifinals with a 5-0 win against Alex Price from North Penn. And, he is now the school’s first Powerade champion.
“It’s exciting,” Stout said. “I think I’m seeing the fruits of my labor and all that comes from training hard. Plus, this gives me a lot of confidence. It sends a message to other kids and gives me confidence going into other tournaments and competitions this season. I’m just going to continue training hard and doing the best I can do.”
Lewis has no doubt Stout will. “Kellan continues to improve. He realizes he can get better,” he said. “He’s consistently working on trying to improve himself. He keeps that balance of working hard, resting, recuperating. He’s aware of the journey and his development. He has big goals for himself and he wants to realize them.”
“My ultimate goal is to be a national champion,” Stout said. “But, I’m taking it one step at a time. First, I want to win a WPIAL and PIAA championship. I’m focused on that.”
NOTES: Zeynul Zaynullayev of Mt. Lebanon placed sixth at 285 during Powerade.
Canon-McMillan had four placewinners. Logan Macri, a 106-pound freshman, Matt Oblock, a 132-pound sophomore, and Brendan Furman, a sophomore heavyweight, each took seventh place. Tommy James, a 182-pound junior, finished eighth.
Peters Township’s Mike McAleavey took sixth at 182 while Bethel Park’s Paul Dunn finished fifth at 160. Jake Wentzel of South Park was runner-up to Vincenzo Joseph at 152 and Greg Bulsak finished fourth at 170.