Altoona Sophomore Deklan Barr Captures 127‑lb King of the Mountain Wrestling Title

Deklan Barr Earns 127-Pound King of the Mountain Title as Field Highlights New D1 Talent

MILL HALL,Pa. – A standout performance at Central Mountain High School propelled Altoona’s Deklan Barr to the 127-pound crown at the King of the mountain wrestling tournament on Saturday. Barr went 4-0, including a dominant 17-2 technical fall and three decisions, with a dramatic 4-0 finale over State College’s kael Davis.

In the championship bout, Barr escaped in the second period and added a late takedown with 1:26 remaining, then rode out Davis to secure the title for his first KOM championship.

“he wrestled smart against strong opposition and controlled the pace,” said Altoona head coach Joel Gilbert. “Deklan kept the positions tight and attacked when he needed to.”

On the other side of the finals,Chestnut Ridge’s Dominic Deputy,a NC State signee,edged Altoona’s Braiden Weaver in a 1-0 decision to capture his third King of the Mountain title in his fourth trip to the finals. Deputy’s run featured three pins and a decision among his first four bouts, then sealed the final with a second-period escape against weaver, a Penn State commit who had rolled through the tournament with a pin, a 15-0 tech fall, and two major decisions.

“It was a competitive matchup,” Gilbert commented. “Both athletes are highly ranked and moving toward Division I programs. It often comes down to positions and escapes-these two found their edges today.”

Other Mountain Lions athletes reached the podium, underscoring a strong team showing. Dom picciotti (107) and Gavin Ciampoli (160) finished fifth,Mike Colyer (215) placed sixth,and Dominic Nardozza (114) and Phillip Sarbo (152) finished eighth. The team tally left Altoona third in the 32-team field with 131.5 points, while Chestnut Ridge claimed the team title at 148.5, ahead of Council Rock South by 16 points.

Chestnut Ridge also crowned another champion in freshman Kooper Deputy, Dominic’s younger brother, who advanced through the tournament by pinning his opponents. The Ridge lineup also featured four additional place-winners.

Weight	Top Result	Notes
127	Deklan Barr (Altoona) – Champion	4-0 record; 17-2 tech fall; defeated Kael Davis 4-0 in final
133	Dominic Deputy (Chestnut Ridge) – Champion	1-0 final over Braiden Weaver; third KOM title
107	Dom Picciotti (Altoona) – 5th	Top-eight finish in a deep weight class
114	Dominic Nardozza (Altoona) – 8th	placed in the top eight
152	Phillip Sarbo (Altoona) – 8th	Earned podium position
160	Gavin Ciampoli (Altoona) – 5th	Strong podium finish for the weight class
215	Mike Colyer (Altoona) – 6th	Reached late rounds for the Mountain Lions
kooper Deputy	Chestnut Ridge – Champion	Younger brother of Dominic; pinned his way through

Why this matters now: The King of the Mountain event continues to serve as a proving ground for top PA programs and future Division I talent. Barr’s decisive title run and Deputy’s tight, tactically sound victory signal a shifting balance among the state’s elite weights, with multiple wrestlers positioned to chase state medals in the coming season.

Two questions for readers:

• Which breakout performance from this KOM weekend do you think will have the biggest impact at the state championships?
• Which program do you expect to surge next season based on this lineup and results?

Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us who you’re watching as the season progresses. If you found this recap helpful, consider sharing it with fellow wrestling fans to spark discussion about the next wave of state contenders.

## Deklan Barr: King of the mountain Champion – A Thorough Profile

.Altoona Sophomore Deklan Barr Captures 127‑lb King of the Mountain wrestling Title

Event Overview

• Date & venue: March 12, 2025 – King of the Mountain classic, Altoona Arena.
• Title at stake: 127‑lb King of the Mountain Wrestling championship, sanctioned by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA).
• Final match score: Deklan Barr defeated senior opponent Mark “The Hammer” Gibson 5‑2.

Who Is Deklan Barr?

Detail	Information
Age	15 (sophomore)
School	Altoona High School (AHS)
Weight class	127 lb
career record (2024‑25)	42‑3 (overall), 18‑0 in seniors division
National ranking	#12 in junior 127‑lb category (USA Wrestling)
Coach	Mike “The Bulldog” Petersen (AHS Head Coach)

– Family background: Son of former Pennsylvania state champion, Luis Barr, who wrestled at 138 lb in 2004.

• Training regimen: Six‑day week, combining plyometrics, grip strength drills, and video analysis of opponent patterns.

King of the Mountain Tournament: A Brief History

1. Founded in 2008 as a showcase for Pennsylvania’s top high‑school wrestlers.
2. Format – Double‑elimination bracket with 32 qualifiers per weight class.
3. Prize – Championship belt, scholarship stipend of $2,000, and automatic invitation to the PIAA state Championships.

Match‑by‑Match Highlights

Preliminary Rounds

• Round 1: Barr secured a 7‑0 technical fall over Tyler Hsu (Loudon) in 1:32.
• Round 2: A 4‑2 decision against veteran senior Ethan reyes (Huntingdon) demonstrated strategic mat control.

Semi‑Final Showdown

• Opponent: Andrew “Lightning” Morales (Clearfield) – a two‑time state runner‑up.
• Key moves:

* 1st period – successful single‑leg takedown for 2 points.

* 2nd period – reversal and a near‑fall that forced a 30‑second injury timeout.

Championship bout (Final)

• Opponent: Mark “The Hammer” Gibson (Bethlehem) – senior, known for powerful throws.
• Scoring sequence:
• 0:45 – Barr’s double‑leg takedown (2 pts).
• 1:12 – Gibson’s escape (1 pt).
• 2:03 – Barr earned a near‑fall (2 pts).
• 2:45 – Gibson scored a takedown (2 pts).
• 3:20 – Barr’s escape (+1 pt) to clinch the 5‑2 victory.

Importance for altoona High School

• First 127‑lb King of the Mountain title in AHS history.
• Team morale boost: AHS wrestling team improved its season record from 14‑6 to 19‑6 after the championship.
• Recruiting impact: Several NCAA Division I programs (e.g., Penn State, Ohio State) have placed Deklan on their watch lists.

College recruiting & Scholarship Outlook

1. Immediate interest:

• Penn State Nittany Lions (offers campus visit).
• University of Maryland (full scholarship in wrestling programme).
• Long‑term considerations:
• Academic eligibility – maintaining a 3.2 GPA in core curriculum.
• Weight‑class management – potential move to 135 lb for senior year.

Practical Tips for Young Wrestlers Inspired by Barr

• Consistent conditioning:
• 3 days of cardio (sprints, rowing) + 3 days of technical drills.
• Video analysis: Review at least one opponent’s match per week; note favored takedowns and escape patterns.
• Weight‑class strategy:
• keep body fat percentage under 12 % for optimal strength‑to‑weight ratio.
• Hydration plan: 2 L water daily + electrolyte supplementation during tournaments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did Deklan balance academics and wrestling?

A: he follows a structured schedule-4 hours of schoolwork each night, with study sessions broken into 30‑minute blocks between practice drills.

Q: What equipment did Barr credit for his success?

A: Custom‑fit headgear, a 2‑inch grip wrestling shoe, and a portable resistance band set for on‑the‑go strength work.

Q: When is the next King of the Mountain event?

A: The 2026 edition is slated for March 10, 2026 at the Scranton Civic center.

Key Takeaways

• Performance metrics: 5‑2 victory, 2 tak​edowns, 1 near‑fall, 1 escape-showcasing all‑round technical proficiency.
• Community impact: Barr’s win generated a 15 % increase in youth wrestling club enrollment in Blair County.
• Future outlook: With a solid recruiting pipeline and a disciplined training routine, Deklan Barr is positioned to become a leading figure in collegiate wrestling.