by Braeden Kantz and Laura Monico, sports editor and social media editor

PIAA state champion wrestler Cody Mulligan became only the seventh wrestler to claim the gold medal four times at the Tool City Tournament.  On Jan. 6,  some of the state’s best wrestlers met in the 39th annual tournament finals where two of Saegertown’s best found themselves on the podium. Junior Kenny Kiser placed second,  and senior Cody Mulligan captured his fourth straight title. After beating rival Julian Gorring from Fort LeBoeuf 8-1 in the finals, Mulligan joins a small group of elite wrestlers who have accomplished such a feat.  

Going into this year’s tournament, Mulligan had beaten all of his opponents in the finals by one point. Mulligan said “Before the match, all I could think about was that I had only won by a point in the finals the last three years, so this year I was looking to dominate whoever I wrestled.” Mulligan is currently ranked No. 4 in the nation with a season record of 24-3. He has the chance to become Crawford County’s first ever two time PIAA State Champion.

The head coach of the Saegertown wrestling team, Jim Mulligan said, “Looking forward our goal is to keep wrestling well throughout the season and ultimately to be selected for the Dapper Dan tournament.” Even after such a feat, Mulligan is still working towards achieving his national level goals. He hopes to win his second state title and be nominated for the Dapper Dan team where the best athletes in the country are selected to compete on a team against Pennsylvania’s best wrestlers. In the wrestling community, being selected for this team is a huge feat.

Mulligan has already accomplished many of his personal goals this season, but he plans to achieve greater things. Mulligan’s Tool City win has credited him as one of Crawford County’s best wrestlers, but he is striving to become one of the nation’s best this year.