Published: June 06, 2009 12:11 am      

Keklak picks Kent State

When T.J. Keklak had to make a decision about where he wanted to wrestle in college, it came down to one thing: What felt like home.

That’s why the Westmont Hilltop senior chose Kent State over Maryland.

“The assistant coach who recruited me, Josh Moore – a Penn State guy – reminded me of my high school coaches,” Keklak said Friday. “I loved (Westmont Hilltop) coach (Matt) Beaujon, coach (Mark) Miller and coach (Derrick) Callihan. It seemed right. It was a perfect fit.”

Under head coach Jim Andrassy, Kent State went 13-4 last season, including 5-0 in the Mid-American Conference. The Golden Flashes finished 12th in the NCAA tournament, with a pair of All-Americans in former Indian Valley standout Nic Bedelyon (125 pounds) and Jermail Porter (285).

“That’s one of the things they stressed,” Keklak said. “This used to be one of the bottom-feeder programs, but anymore, they’re really on the rise.”

In addition to Bedelyon, another former Pennsylvania standout should be a big part of the Kent State program in years to come. Mallie Shuster, a 2008 PIAA Class AAA champion at Big Spring High School, went 33-9 in open tournaments while redshirting this season.

Shuster is a 157-pounder, which would give Keklak – who plans to wrestle 149 in college

– a great workout partner.

“He’s a tough kid,” Keklak said. “That would be great to work out with him every day. Just being around guys like that, that could really help me.”

Beaujon said that has been Keklak’s attitude since he broke into the Hilltoppers’ lineup four years ago, winning 30 matches as a freshman.

“He’s always looking to improve. That’s what makes him a pleasure to coach,” Beaujon said of Keklak, who placed eighth in the state tournament this season after winning District 6 and Southwest Regional titles. “He’ll keep working until he cracks that lineup and becomes an impact wrestler.”

Keklak isn’t planning on waiting a few years to break into the Kent State lineup.

“There’s nobody returning (at 149),” he said. “They didn’t have a consistent starter. I’m going to be competing for a spot with some other incoming freshmen. I figured if I work hard enough and bust my butt over the summer, it could be me. Why not?”

Keklak, who is also playing AAABA League baseball this summer, thinks he can find the time to concentrate on both sports.

“That’s something my dad and I talked about. Hopefully, there’s enough time in the day to do both,” he said. “Wrestling absolutely is my priority right now but I’m going to be at baseball every day.”

Keklak, who finished second to former teammate Kyle Patton on Westmont’s career victories list with 124, was also a standout in the classroom. He was a member of the National Honor Society and had a QPA of about 95 percent.

He wanted to major in athletic training, but the demands of wrestling in college would limit his ability to complete such a time-consuming course. Instead, he’s looking to major in kinesiology and go back for his master’s in athletic training after his wrestling career ends.

“If I have the chance to wrestle Division I, I’m going to take it and go back later for my master’s,” he said. “Wrestling is four years, but academics are going to last me the rest of my life.”

Keklak, who is the son of Alex and Kerry Keklak of Southmont, is the fifth Westmont wrestler to join a Division I wrestling program in the past three seasons. Zac Bennett, who also just graduated, has committed to wrestle for North Carolina, while Patton (Pitt), Mike Brant (Navy) and T.J. Polacek (Penn) are already in the college ranks.

“That’s just awesome, to have five guys in Division I wrestling programs,” Beaujon said. “It’s a testament to the kids and what they’ve done in the classroom and on the mats. You’ve got to earn your way into those programs.”