Meet Butler County’s top boys wrestlers, including wrestler of the year, from the 2024-25 season
Santino Sloboda may not use a textbook strategy on the wrestling mat, but no one can argue with the results.
The Butler junior and University of Pittsburgh commit, already with great freshman and sophomore seasons under his belt, turned in his best season yet this winter.
Competing at 127 pounds, Sloboda went 50-1, winning Class 3A section, district and regional titles in the process. His only loss of the campaign came in the quarterfinals of the PIAA championships, where he earned a third-place medal.
Sloboda was an obvious choice as the Butler Eagle’s Boys Wrestler of the Year.
“I thought my season went very well, though it sucks I couldn’t win (a state title) and go undefeated,” he said.
Butler coach Scott Stoner has learned he doesn’t need to deal with Sloboda the way he does most of his wrestlers.
“He’s a different animal,” he said. “He does a lot of things on the mat that are frustrating for me as a coach, but then you look at what he’s accomplished. Sometimes, I just have to back off and let him do his thing.”
Sloboda made his first state tournament in the youth ranks when he was 7. Since then, he has become accustomed to wrestling late into the season, now owning two WPIAL titles and three state medals at the varsity level. He will carry a record of 128-7 into his senior year.
He attributes his unorthodox style, which includes taking a lot of chances and often scoring from a bad position, to a background in gymnastics.
“I was super-flexible as a young kid, and at the wrestling club I was involved with at the time I learned to scramble a lot in my matches,” Sloboda said. “So far in my high school career, there always seems to be one kid who’s just a bit better than me. But I’m wrestling five days per week year-round now. I just need to keep at it, and I think I can turn it around next year.”
Meet the rest of the Butler County boys wrestling all-stars of the 2024-25 season:
Was 33-13 this season. Finished second at sectionals and fifth in WPIAL Class 2A.
"He wrestled at the youth level, then took a couple of years off," North coach Darin Lyles said. "He didn't come back until his freshman year, and I believe he fell in love again with the sport this season. He has a good feel for attack moves that work."
Was 44-11 this season. Placed first in section, second at WPIALs and fifth at regionals. Qualified for the Class 3A state tournament for the second straight year and finished his high school career with a record of 137-42. Committed to wrestle at Pitt-Johnstown.
“He can put a kid on his back just like that and is very exciting to watch,” Stoner said. “He loves practice as much as competitions.”
Went 24-8 and placed fifth in Class 2A sectional tournament. Now owns school records for pins in a season (21) and a career (54).
"His goal every time out was to put a kid on his back," Knoch coach Josh Orris said. "He's a bona fide leader in the room with an infectious personality."
Closed his high school career by going 37-12, placing third in section and sixth in WPIAL Class 3A. Reached the regional tournament for the third time in four years. Committed to wrestle at Point Park University.
“The kid is amazing on his feet, and he never gets tired,” Mars coach Ben Rings said. “He’s on our Top 5 list in all the major categories and serves as a model on how to get there.”
Went 29-13 and placed second in Class 3A sectional.
"He has explosive power that not a lot of kids have," SV coach Kevin Wildrick said. "The sky's the limit for him, it's just a matter of him putting in the work."
Had a record of 33-8. Was first in section and second in WPIAL Class 2A.
"He worked hard in the offseason developing his game," Orris said. "He's mostly a defensive wrestler, and we're working on his offense. That will help him take the next step."
His 34-12 record included a second-place effort at sectionals and seventh in WPIAL Class 2A.
"Michael is very athletic for a 107-pounder," Lyles said. "I had high hopes for him this season and am not surprised at all at the success he had."
Compiled a 32-11 record. Placed third in section and eighth in WPIAL Class 3A. Was not pinned this season. Ten of his 11 losses came via decision.
“Nick had a great year as a sophomore,” Stoner said. “The WPIAL was loaded at 107 this year, and he was first at the Southmoreland Tournament, which included 33 teams, and he also placed at Chartiers-Houston. He definitely has the talent to get to the Southwest Regional.”
Had a record of 35-8 while placing first at region tournament (section) and fourth in District 10 Class 2A. Qualified for the Northwest Regional tournament for the third straight year.
“He puts in the work inside and outside of the season,” Rockets coach Denton Zeronas said. “I’m proud of what he accomplished, and the goal of getting to states is something he can shoot for as a senior.”
Went 35-11 this season, including a third-place finish at sectionals and fifth in WPIAL Class 2A.
"He did better this year, especially emotionally," Lyles said. "He doesn't know who he's wrestling when he takes the mat, but he gets after it. He has a bulldog mentality."
Turned in a 28-7 record. Finished second at sectionals and fourth in WPIAL Class 2A.
“His day-to-day work ethic helped him a lot,” Summit coach Arthur Stewart said. “He stayed positive, even after one of his few losses.”
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