KENMORE, N.Y. — St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute senior Austin Zimmerman is making a name for himself this wrestling season.
According to St. Joe's, he has become the first-ever MMHSAA athlete, across both boys and girls interscholastic athletics to win four consecutive individual CHSAA State Championships from freshman through senior year.
Zimmerman dominated the 116-pound weight class during the NYS Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) Wrestling Championships held at St. Anthony’s High School in Huntington, Long Island in early February.
He took down his first two opponents via fall, achieving a technical fall in the semifinal in under four minutes, and winning the final match with a 10-4 decision.
“To be the first to accomplish anything in this sport is very special. MMHSAA athletes have been competing at the CHSAA Wrestling Championships since 1981 and no one from the MMHSAA has ever won more than three titles," says Pete Kennedy, St. Joe’s Head Wrestling coach.
"Additionally, athletes in all of our MMHSAA individual sports compete in CHSAA Championships and no one has won four in the same individual event across four consecutive seasons. You have to be really good, consistent, healthy and sometimes lucky to win four. This accomplishment is due to Austin’s incredible work ethic, drive, determination, and wrestling ability.”
Zimmerman became only the 16th wrestler to win four All-Catholic Championships since the tournament's creation in 1967.
This weekend, he will head to the New York State Federation Tournament for the third consecutive season. Last year, he earned a fifth-place finish in the Championships held in Albany.
Zimmerman has committed to Edinboro University to continue his wrestling career following his time at St. Joe's.
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