From Lebo, with love
From Lebo, with love
By Eleanor Bailey
Almanac Sports Editor
ebailey@thealmanac.net
Shamil Zaynullaev left such a mark at Mt. Lebanon that the Blue Devils are contemplating giving him a ‘shout out’ when Chartiers Valley comes to town to wrestle on Valentine’s Day. The Feb. 14 match begins at 7:30 p.m.
Had his family not moved to Scott Township two years ago, Zaynullaev would be among the seniors that Lebo recognizes next Wednesday. The loss of Shamil in their line-up impacted the Blue Devils.
Losing Zanullaev was an “adjustment,” admitted Lebo mat boss Marc Allemang. The initial transition was tough, he added, because Shamil had friends, not to mention teammates, at Mt. Lebanon.
His brother, Bakhtiyar, and his cousin, Zeynul, had excellent careers at Lebo. In fact, they both are near the top of the school’s list of all-time career winners. Zeynul found himself on the podium at Powerade, in the WPIAL finals and as a placewinner in the PIAA tournament.
“Shamil watched the success of his family and it motivated him,” said Allemang. “He wanted to follow in their footsteps and get his name on our record books.”
After his ninth-grade season, he took wrestling more serious and by his 10th grade, he was Lebo’s leader in wins.
“We counted on Shamil to win,” Allemang said. “We knew he could wrestle at a high pace and put points on the board.”
So when Shamil transferred to Chartiers Valley, Lebo felt the loss.
“It was tough for us as a team because Shamil was a key piece to our upper weights,” Allemang said, noting how Nate Hoaglund was blossoming into a standout heavyweight. “We thought we had something developing in the upper weights so losing Shamil was an adjustment.”
Since Shamil left for CV, Allemang was confident that he would continue his progress and become even more successful under mat boss Billy Evans.
“Coach Evans cares about his wrestlers so I knew Shamil and his younger brother would eventually make the adjustment they have. They are both in a good place and I can’t thank Coach Evans, his staff and wrestlers enough for making that transition easier for them.”
Allemang only sees success ahead for Shamil, who is fresh off winning the Allegheny County championships and finishing first in the Buckeye Local Panther Classic this past weekend. He says last year’s experiences are fueling the 195-pounder’s progress.
“I know he wanted to be at Hershey wrestling for a chance to place in the PIAA,” Allemang said. “Sometimes you need to get close like that and feel that disappointment to get refocused and remotivated.
“The county championship was a confidence booster for him and I believe he is as tough a wrestler as anyone in the weight class. He has another month to train and sharpen his skills. Knowing how hard he works, it has been cool to see him continue being successful. I would be very happy for Shamil if he were to find himself on the podium at Hershey in March.”