Submitted photo Youngsville seventh-grader Johnathan Sullivan is described by his junior high coach Tim Suydan as “one of those kids who just oozes potential.”

YOUNGSVILLE — Youngsville seventh-grader Johnathan Sullivan was recently informed he was selected to the Pennsylvania 14U National Dual Team in Freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling.

The USA Wrestling 14U National Duals will be held June 10-14 in Oaks, Pennsylvania.

“I’m excited to be selected. It means a lot to be able to compete for Team PA,” said Sullivan “My dad and my uncle, Mike, wrestled for Team PA when they were around my age. It’s cool to have the chance to do that, too.”

Sullivan’s father, Dan, made the trip to Fargo, North Dakota with YHS teammates Ryan Scott and Josh Peters in 2002 as part of the Pennsylvania Cadet National Team.

Sullivan’s uncle, Mike Sullivan, also made a few appearances on the Pennsylvania National Team, earning two All-American honors in 2004 at the National Freestyle and Greco Roman Championships in Fargo, North Dakota.

In addition to his family, Sullivan will join a rather exclusive club amongst Youngsville wrestlers. Throughout the history of Youngsville wrestling, there have only been a handful of wrestlers who have represented Pennsylvania on a national stage. Prior to McKenzie Hodak being selected to the 14U Pennsylvania Girls National Team in 2024, Youngsville hadn’t had a national team representative since 2011 when Austin Slocum was a member of the Pennsylvania Schoolboy National Team.

Some of the names will be familiar to longtime Eagle fans, including Brandon Kellogg, Jim Hoffner, Jeremy Woodcock, Jeremy Wyman, Jordan Cooke and Jim Farr.

Sullivan’s recognition didn’t come without a long and demanding road, however. He began wrestling at a young age and worked hard to establish himself as a tough wrestler.

Sullivan’s initial breakthrough came in 2022 when he qualified for the PJW State Championships for the first time. Since then, he has amassed three PJW state championship medals and two Keystone state championship medals. His most recent state medal came this year when he was a state finalist in the 12U 200-pound bracket.

“Johnathan’s one of those kids who just oozes potential,” said Youngsville junior high coach Tim Suydan “He has this really innate ability to time his moves perfectly and manipulate his opponent’s momentum. In addition, he is arguably the most naturally gifted Greco Roman wrestler I’ve ever coached. When the opportunity to apply for the team came about back in February, I encouraged him to ask his parents about applying.

“I figured his credentials alone would at least pass the eye test. He’s hung with and beaten some of the best wrestlers Pennsylvania has to offer at his age and weight. It’s only fitting that he gets to test his skills against some of the best kids the country has to offer.”