Brandan Rozanski allowed just four points in two matches at the PIAA Class 3A Wrestling Tournament. However, he was eliminated from the 113-pound weight class in just 4 1/2 hours.

            The Upper Perkiomen sophomore's early exit had far more to do with the level of competition he faced than his own performance. Of the 20 wrestlers in Rozanski's class, seven were nationally ranked.

            "When you compete at the state tournament, you're facing the best kids in the country, in my opinion," Indians head coach Steve Adam said.

            An hour after his elimination March 10, Rozanski received some consoling words from Adam. The coach told his wrestler that qualifying for states as a sophomore was a tremendous accomplishment.

            Then Adam reminded Rozanski he has two more years to earn a medal. The coach turned and pointed towards the medal stand at the Giant Center. The wrestler smiled, according to the coach

"I expect Brandon to get there next year," Adam said.

            Rozanski (34-8) failed to score a point in his initial state tournament appearance, losing both matches by a score of 2-0. He opened with an overtime loss to Brady Joling, a junior from Chartiers Valley, in a pigtail match. Cole Smith, a junior from Spring-Ford, ended his season in the consolation round.

            "I definitely felt like Brandan was in both matches," Adam said of Rozanski, who wrestled at 120 pounds for most of the regular season. "He proved he could go with anyone in his class. The talk among the coaches was that 113 pounds was the toughest weight in states."

            In his opening match, which started at 4 p.m., Rozanski allowed a takedown in overtime to end the match. The points came on a scramble, which Adam described as the sport's "x-factor."

"Brandan wrestled well in all three positions," the coach said.

            Joling, who did not go for a takedown during regulation, took a shot during the extra time. He gained control of Rozanski's left leg and scored the decisive points 20 seconds into overtime, according to Adam.

            In the consolation round Smith, a sectional and regional champion, registered a takedown with 30 seconds remaining to snap a scoreless tie. Rozanski nearly recorded a reverse at time expired that would have forced overtime. However, he was out of the tournament by 8:30 p.m.

            According to Adam, Rozanski's inability to register a point does not accurately reflect his effort. Adam described the wrestler's offensive style as wide open.

            "He didn't hold back," the coach said. "But points do not come easy at this level. Brandan took plenty of shots, and had leg control several times. However, that's only 25 percent of the battle (towards securing a takedown)."