Babay discovers his niche
BUTLER TWP — Perseverance and patience.
Butler senior Ethan Babay exhibited both as he awaited his turn to become the Golden Tornado wrestling team’s starter at heavyweight. He was stuck behind Jacob Pomykata — who reached the state tournament as a senior — for two years.
“Everybody wants to be out there on the mat and Ethan was no exception,” Butler coach Scott Stoner said. “He knew the deal. There was no way we could drop him into another weight class and Jake was established.
“He worked with Jake in the room. He learned from him. He knew he was only going to have one year to make it happen.”
And he was hungry.
Babay won 34 matches this season — his only one as a starter for the Tornado — and placed fifth in the WPIAL Tournament. The top four place-winners advanced to the PIAA tourney.
Babay didn’t get there — but he did get an opportunity to wrestle in college. He recently signed a letter of intent to continue his academic and wrestling career at Fairmont State University.
“My goal this year was to qualify for the state tournament and I fell short of that,” Babay said. “I have to push past it and that’s been hard. It still bugs me, but I am proud of the season I’ve had.
“And I’m definitely hungry to keep wrestling.”
Also a lineman in football for Butler, Babay was receiving collegiate looks from Edinboro, Clarion and West Liberty. He had an injury-plagued senior season “and a lot of those schools lost interest in me,” he said.
Washington & Jefferson showed a little interest in Babay for wrestling, but he was locked in on Fairmont State.
“It came down to whether I was going to do the sport in college or just go for academics,” he said. “I had a good conversation with the coach and I’m excited to continue.”
Gennaro Bonaventura, a former Waynesburg University assistant coach, took over as Fairmont State head coach this season and guided the Falcons to a 13-13 overall record in dual meets, 4-2 in the Mountain East Conference. He was named MEC Co-Coach of the Year.
Bonaventura was a wrestling teammate of current Butler assistant coach Alex Evanoff at Waynesburg.
“He’s a good guy and a good frend,” Evanoff said. “I know he has a lot of interest in Ethan. Gennaro is a big man and works with heavyweights, so that will play to Ethan’s favor.
“He’s a go-getter and so is Ethan. Those two will connect. This is a great fit.”
Mason Atkinson was a freshman heavyweight at Fairmont State this season. He returns and the Falcons recruited another heavyweight from Southmoreland High School.
“There will be good competition there, for sure, but my goal is to start right away. That should be everybody’s goal,” Babay said. “I know it’s the next level and it’s gonna be different, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.
“I had great coaching at Butler. They got me ready. Coach Stoner took me with him to the state tournament to watch Jake last year. I learned so much just from watching all of those wrestlers out there. We’re talking about the best in the country.
“I’m a big analyzer. I love to watch and learn. That experience really helped me,” Babay added.
Babay plans to major in nursing. His goal on the mat is to become a national qualifier at some point.
“I’m excited that Ethan decided to continue on with wrestling,” Stoner said. “I always love when our athletes choose that sport to move forward with. He’s going to a program where his hard work will pay off.
“This is a kid who never gave up on the sport and took advantage of his one shot at a big year. I’m proud of him.”
