The two grapplers were battling their way through the PIAA Class 2A postseason tournaments, one on either side of Warren County’s most storied rivalry.

Fast forward to today and the two have shed the red and white and blue and gold colors that pit them against each other and have each donned the green and a grey singlet of the Mercyhurst North East Saints. They’re still competing in postseason tournaments too, though now they’re headed to the NJCAA National Tournament in Council Bluffs, Iowa March 1-2.

In addition to joining six of their teammates at nationals, the pair have quickly made an impression on Mercyhurst head coach Aaron Cooper.

“Spencer and Aaron are great kids both on and off the mat,” he said. “They both wrestle and work hard and are team leaders in the room.”

Photo courtesy Mercyhurst North East Aaron Morris

Morris, wrestling at 149 pounds, went 15-15 during his freshman season, with a 9-4 NJCAA record.

“Aaron is one of those wrestlers that has no quit in him,” Cooper said. “When he steps on the line he is prepared to go hard for seven minutes. He is a tall kid for 149 and knows how to use his leverage. He should do well at the National tournament, with the right line and a little luck he can get on the podium.”

Head, at 157, heads to nationals with a 26-7 overall record, 8-1 in NJCAA, and is currently ranked sixth in the Intermat rankings. He also won the Eastern District 1 championship to secure his berth in the National Tournament.

“Spencer is a mentally tough kid who is very dangerous on the mat (and) is never out of a match,” Cooper said. “He has the ability to put anyone in the country on their back. He has had a great season and been ranked as high as fourth in the country this year.”

Head had a number of goals he wanted to accomplish during his first year with the Saints, and checked one of those off the list at the district tournament Feb. 17.

Photo courtesy Mercyhurst North East Spencer Head

“He accomplished one of his goals this past weekend winning the Eastern District 1 championship,” Cooper said. “The next step is to achieve his goal of NJCAA All-American.”

Whether either wrestler is able to find his way to the podium in Council Bluffs is yet to be determined. But if they do walk out of the Mid-America Center with a medal, it will no longer be to opposite sides of the mat.