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Lehighvalleylive.com:
AP Photo | BILL ADAMS
Mark Hartenstine works to control Tye Boyer of Indian Valley during
a 140-pound bout at the 2009 PIAA Class AAA State Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey
Easton Area High School senior Mark Hartenstine decides
to wrestle at University of Maryland
Friday, November 13, 2009
By MICHAEL BLOUSE
The Express-Times
Mark Hartenstine, a senior at Easton Area High School, still has some unfinished
business to take care of at the scholastic level.
But the standout middleweight decided recently on his college future: Hartenstine signed a letter of intent Thursday
to wrestle at the University of Maryland.
Hartenstine, who owns a 92-28 career record at Easton, said he chose Maryland over Lehigh, Rutgers and Arizona
State.
"It was a pretty easy decision," he said. "I really liked the coaching staff down there, it's a
real nice campus and they had the academics (engineering) I was looking for."
Maryland is coached by Kerry McCoy, a three-time All-American at Penn State and a former assistant at Lehigh.
The Terrapins, who compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference, finished 10th in last season's NCAA Championships,
tied for the best finish in school history. Maryland was 10-8-1 in dual meets in McCoy's first season as head coach
and he was named ACC Coach of the Year.
Todd Beckerman, an assistant under McCoy, wrestled at Nebraska with Bryan Snyder, a son of Easton assistant Barry
Snyder.
The other connection to Maryland is Alex Krom, who will be a senior this season. Krom was an NCAA semifinalist
last season and finished fourth in the nation at 141 pounds.
"We're real comfortable with Maryland," Easton coach Steve Powell said.
"When I visited, I was with Kromie most of the time," Hartenstine said. "And Jimmy Sheptock of Northampton
is down there, too. We're pretty good friends."
Before Hartenstine heads off to Maryland's College Park campus, he has his sights set on a couple of senior season
gold medals.
As a sophomore, he finished first in the Reno Tournament of Champions and second in District 11. As a junior, Hartenstine
won the Manheim Central Tournament and finished second in both districts and regionals.
He was eighth in the state at 140 pounds.
"The goal is always a state title but I'm looking for our team to make a run also," he said. "I
definitely want that district title as well as a regional title. That's what I'm gunning for."
Powell said he expects Hartenstine will wrestle at 140 or 145 pounds this season.
"He's worked as hard as any of our kids," Powell said. "Mark's looking to put it all together."
Michael Blouse can be reached at 800-360-3601 or mblouse@express-times.com.
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Mcall.com:
Easton Area High School senior Mark Hartenstine signed a letter
of intent Thursday to wrestle for the University of Maryland. Hartenstine placed eighth at the PIAA Class 3A wrestling
championships last season. (Contributed photo / November 13, 2009)
Easton's Hartenstine to wrestle at Maryland
By Mark Wogenrich
OF THE MORNING CALL
November 13, 2009
Lehigh Valley wrestlers flocked to Maryland when Pat Santoro, now at Lehigh, was
the head coach and they're continuing under second-year coach Kerry McCoy. The latest is Mark Hartenstine.
The Easton High senior committed to the Terrapins on Thursday and will join four other Lehigh Valley wrestlers
on the roster, including former high school teammate Alex Krom. Hartenstine signed his letter of intent on the
second day of the college early signing period, which runs through Nov. 18.
''Alex showed me around and introduced me to the other wrestlers,'' Hartenstine said. ''The team opened up and
made me feel like I wanted to be there.''
Hartenstine (140 pounds) finished eighth at the PIAA Class 3A championships last March. He has a 92-28 career record
and is a three-time Southeast regional qualifier.
At Maryland, Hartenstine said he expects to compete in the 141-pound weight class. That's where Krom, now a redshirt
senior for the Terps, won the ACC title and placed fourth at the NCAA Championships last season. In addition to
Krom, Maryland also features local wrestlers Matt Bogusz (Parkland), Kyle John (Bethlehem Catholic) and Jimmy Sheptock
(Northampton).
''That had a big impact,'' Hartenstine said of the local connection. ''I have wrestled in tournaments with Jimmy
Sheptock, and Alex will be around for another year to help me out.''
Hartenstine, who also visited Lehigh, Rutgers and George Mason, said he wanted to make his college choice before
his senior season. He made an oral commitment to Maryland in late summer.
''It takes a whole lot of pressure off him, and he can concentrate on wrestling and academics for his senior year,''
Easton wrestling coach Steve Powell said. ''Mark has worked for what he achieved. He's a good athlete who's also
organized at practice and with his time management. He sets a good example for his teammates.''
Last month, Hartenstine placed third at 140 pounds at the Super 32 Challenge in Greensboro, N.C. He said he expects
to wrestle at 140 or 145 this season, for which he has set high goals.
''I'm still driving for state, regional and district titles that I haven't gotten yet,'' Hartenstine said. ''I
also want to make another run for the team title.''
mark.wogenrich@mcall.com
610-820-6588
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