8 minute read
Squires on a National Stage: Gavin Green ‘27 and Caleb Tyler ‘27
By John T. Uricheck ‘25
Resurgence - revitalization - re-energization: after a few seasons of rebuilding, the 2024-25 wrestling season saw Delone Catholic wres tling experience the success familiar to the program’s history. Two students who took the program to a higher level last season were Gavin Green ’27 and Caleb Tyler ’27.
These Squires are two friends who have been wrestling together for quite some time and plan to finish their high school careers together while bringing the DCHS wrestling program to new levels of success. “We have wrestled together since we were in second grade,” says Green. Green also says, “We both see it as an opportunity to resurrect the DCHS wrestling program.” and Tyler is ranked 12th among all YAIAA sophomore athletesthat includes athletes from every sport, not just wrestling.
As mere freshmen, Green and Tyler competed well at the District 3 AA championships and placed at regionals in their weight classes. Both earned an opportunity to represent the Squires in the most prestigious wrestling tournament in the United States. At the 2024 U.S. Marine Corps Junior and 16U Nationals in Fargo, N.D., both Tyler and Green competed against the best and put on display their hard work, dedication, and skill.
For me, it means so much more than just wrestling for myself. I’m wrestling for my school, so I just feel like it’s just a blessing and a privilege for me to be able to do that.
Tyler says, “For me, it means so much more than just wrestling for myself. I’m wrestling for my school, so I just feel like it’s just a blessing and a privilege for me to be able to do that.” Tyler is proud of the black and gold he wears when wrestling.
Green no doubt loves wrestling as a Squire, too, “Representing Delone Catholic nationally is an honor. I love that I get to represent both my school and my Catholic faith.”
They finished just shy of placements in North Dakota, both losing to wrestlers who finished in sixth place for the whole event. Tyler and Green both lost in ties decided by criteria. Losing that way is nothing to be ashamed of, especially when facing the best high school wrestlers in the nation.
The future for Tyler and Green is exceptionally bright, so bright that according to the York Daily Record, Green is ranked fifth,
After Tyler’s and Green’s successes in their first year of high school wrestling, their hard work has most definitely paid off. Talking about the work he has put in, Tyler says, “It feels amazing knowing that I’m getting the results I want for all the work I put in, but of course, sometimes you fall short, but it’s all a part of the process.”
It is a great feeling when the hard work that I put in pays off. And I learn from the losses - they are important lessons on my journey to being great because they really sting and make me want more and to work harder.
Green’s hard work also paid off with his very successful freshman season. “It is a great feeling when the hard work that I put in pays off. And I learn from the losses - they are important lessons on my journey to being great because they really sting and make me want more and to work harder.” Green emphasizes how a loss is nothing more than fuel to do better.
These Squires, at the beginning of their high school years, each have three more years left to achieve great things. They are incredibly passionate about wrestling and are working towards goals that are unfathomable to most.
Tyler simply stated, “I really wanna win state. But my biggest goal is making the USA world team!”
To reach that goal, Tyler grinds six days a week to perfect everything he does when facing tough competition. “Monday, I lift in the morning before school. I go back home, take my vitamins, and then head to school. Tuesday, I lift after school and then practice. Wednesday, I lift after school and then go for a run. Thursday, I lift, and I wrestle. Friday, I lift and do conditioning. Saturday, I try and find a wrestling room. Finally, Sunday, is my rest day!”
Green’s goals are no less ambitious, “My goal for this season is to be on the podium at Super 32 in Greensboro, N.C., and a champion at USAWrestling Nationals in Des Moines, Iowa.” Those tournaments are two of the most high-ranked and challenging tournaments in the entire country. Green also has his eyes set on being a state champion, “My focus this winter season is to be a PIAA State Champion, which has been a goal of mine since I was a kid. I don’t just want one this year - I want three of them over my three remaining years of high school.”
Green’s training routines vary depending on what he is preparing for. Green says, “My daily routine can vary depending on when I am in school as opposed to being home over the summer.” However, Green still emphasizes that “Regardless, I train seven days a week.” He wrestles at multiple national events and trains differently for each one. Green says, “In the spring and summer, I train Freestyle and Greco-Roman to prepare for the two biggest national tournaments for those styles: the US Open in Las Vegas and Fargo in N.D.”
When the high school competition season approaches, Gavin’s routine changes slightly. “During the fall, I maintain a schedule that consists of three practices at the M2 Training Center on Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday. Then, I work out in the DCHS room on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I usually arrange a practice with a partner and do my own workout.”
Green also focuses on nutrition and technique. “I also must be disciplined about my food consumption – really all year long. I have a few weeks here and there that I treat myself, but to wrestle at an optimal weight, I maintain a high protein/low sugar diet with lots of water! I gave up soda two years ago.” Lastly, Green takes his technique very seriously. He says “The other component to preparing for competition is film study! I watch myself, my opponents, and a lot of college wrestling so that I can visualize the most effective techniques.”
Working towards states and nationals, both Green and Tyler have wrestled in plenty of events hosted by the district. The difference in atmosphere between a district and a national event is unmatched. The stakes are a lot higher, and there is tons of pressure on each athlete. Green contends, “Wrestling nationally is a lot different than wrestling within our locality because many of the kids I wrestle nationally are the best of the best.”
Tyler’s answer is similar; he praises the talent of the other wrestlers and explains how much more difficult it is on a national level. Tyler claims, “It’s completely different, you get to wrestle kids at a higher caliber of competition and you get to see kids you won’t normally see at your local events.” Both applaud the skill of the competition that they meet nationally.
Green’s and Tyler’s wrestling skills are among very few worldwide, let alone in the history of Delone Catholic wrestling. They are among the few Squire wrestlers who have made it to national events at the high school level.
As club sports have grown significantly in recent years, the history of Squire wrestlers in national tournaments is unknown. However, Green and Tyler, who each went 2-2 in the 2024 PIAA AA Championships, are the latest in a long line of Squires who have earned success in state competition. Brian Shermeyer ‘17 placed eighth, and Bryce Perkins ‘17 won a pair of matches in Hershey during their senior year. Over the next three seasons, Green and Tyler aim to join six other Squires who have won state championships and become the first since Tyler Small ‘10 won the 2010 PIAA AA state championship at 125 pounds.
John T. Uricheck ‘25, a senior at Delone Catholic High School, is a journalism intern with the Office of Advancement.
