Mt. Lebanon wrestler wins national title

When it comes to wrestling, there is only one approach for Luke Stout. Whether in practice or a match, the Mt. Lebanon grappler attacks.
“Luke is so much fun to watch because he scores points,” said his high school coach Marc Allemang. “He doesn’t sit back and wait for the match to come to him but rather he goes after the positions he wants and attacks.
“There are a lot of wrestlers that think they can turn it on during a match. Luke drills in practice at the same pace you see him wrestle during a match. It is a hard pace. He moves and is physical with his hands. It’s a lifestyle for him.”
So is winning.
By adhering to his attack-mode, the rising junior added another feather in his wrestling cap. Stout captured a national title.
Wrestling for Team Pennsylvania, Stout won the 170-pound weight class in the Cadet Division. During the Marines Cadet/Junior National Championships held July 12-20 in Fargo, N.D., he racked up a 6-0 record. Stout defeated his opponents by impressive scores of 10-0, 10-0, 8-2, 13-1, 10-0, 12-2.
“He was dominant throughout,” said Allemang, noting that a majority of his victories were by technical fall. “Obviously, he wrestled very well but I think his confidence in himself was apparent. When Luke steps on the mat he believes in himself and he competes hard.
“Regardless of style (Folk, Free, Greco) Stout sets high standards for himself. He is a competitor. He will fight the whole time and wrestle to win. Luke really proved something to himself and certainly made a national name for himself.”
Now, Stout’s name appears alongside of one of Lebo’s largest legends in wrestling as Kurt Angle won a national freestyle title in the Junior Divisiion in 1987 before he went on to capture NCAA championships as well as a gold medal in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games held in Atlanta.
Before his late-July trip to North Dakota, Stout’s name held slight sway on the national stage.
Through two previous seasons of scholastic wrestling, he has compiled a 69-14 record. As a 152-pound freshman, he placed fourth in the WPIAL and qualified for the PIAA championships. As a 160-pound sophomore, he posted a 35-7 record. This winter, he was an Allegheny County and Eastern Area champion and a section runner-up. He again finished fourth in the district but medaled at states, picking up the fourth-place prize.
Stout, though, has put all those accomplishments, including the national title, behind him. He is back in training for the next scholastic season. He wants to be a state champion in each of his final years.
“Luke continues to set high goals for himself,” Allemang said. “He wants two state titles and he knows to earn those there is still work to be done. I know he enjoyed his Fargo tournament and was excited about what he accomplished, but he is not resting on this championship. He’s back to work.”
For himself and for the Blue Devils, Stout is laboring. With guys like Jackson Gray, a section champion; Nathan Hoaglund, who also competed at nationals; Sean McKinney and Mickey Kail returning, Stout and Lebo have the “potential” to have a good season. Plus, Stout’s younger brother, Mac, is expected to fill a spot in the line-up. The rising freshman will wrestle at 152 or 160.
“Most of our line-up will return from last year,” Allemang said. “We have been together as a group for a few years and I think they can really put together a successful year.”
Regarding his individual endeavors, Allemang sees the same for Stout. He acknowledges Stout has the ability to become a state champion but a lot has to happen to win one.
“All I can say is I believe he has the ability. He is a really talented athlete. He has all of the tools.”
All those tools added up to a national title this summer and that certainly made everybody in Mt. Lebanon happy.
“We could not have been more proud of Luke and what he accomplished in Fargo,” Allemang said. “Everyone was so excited for him. [A national title] is a great accomplishment for him and his family, but it also shows the support the wrestling program has for its own. We are a very tight group and it is exciting for the young Lebo wrestlers to see someone they look up to in the program achieve such an impressive feat. It was just a very worthwhile experience for Luke and Nate and for the program.”
NOTE: Joey Fischer of South Park claimed the 100-pound national freestyle title in the Junior Division.