Whiz Kid: Mackenzie McGuire Wrestles With Success

A sign of greatness in sports is the desire to achieve greatness.

As a freshman, Upper St. Clair High School's Mackenzie McGuire finished fourth in the WPIAL wrestling championship. That was one spot away from a trip to the PIAA tournament. 

His sophomore season, McGuire qualified for PIAA, but went out in the second round. 

This year, his junior season, McGuire won the WPIAL wrestling championship, and reached the finals at the PIAA level. He lost the championship match and came in second place.

If the trend continues, next year will be a very satisfying one for a very special wrestler.

"At first I was pretty upset, but after I got home and talked with my friends I was pretty cool about things," McGuire said.

Losing in the final match of his junior season didn't sit well with McGuire but given some time to reflect on his many accomplishments this year, he's very happy with what he has achieved.

Growing up, Mackenzie was interested in football and baseball. A shoulder injury hampered any chance to excel in those sports. With support from his father, wrestling became his sport of choice — obviously a great choice.

"I'm going to take a little breather and take it easy," McGuire said.

It may be the off-season, but next year will be a big year. McGuire trains with a teammate running sprints in three to five minute clips which prepares him for three rounds of wrestling at a frantic pace. Wrestlers must be in excellent shape; the ability to go full force for three minutes at a time is tougher than it seems.

"I still have a few things I want to get betterr," McGuire said as he plans his off-season training regimen.

McGuire plans on entering a few summer tournaments to keep his edge, but he's looking forward to his senior season. He thinks anything short of a PIAA championship would be a step down.

After a fantastic regular season in which he accumulated a 31-2 record, McGuire won three matches to reach the final at the PIAA Championships in Hershey this month. Wrestling at the 119-pound level, he lost to Corey Keener of Blue Mountain in the finals by a narrow 3-2 margin.

Next year, Mackenzie hopes to wrestle at the 125-pound level, although he's not sure. He may stay at the 119-level.

Still in his junior year at Upper St. Clair, Mackenzie is still considering many options for college.

"I still have to take my SAT and we'll take it from there," McGuire said.

Any college will be lucky to have such an accomplished and dedicated wrestler as Mackenzie McGuire. Great things are in store for yet another Upper St. Clair Panther.