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By STEVE HEISER

There aren’t many folks who make life-changing decisions at 8 years old.

For Montana DeLawder, however, one of the pivotal moments in her life came before she reached her ninth birthday.

“I was 8, and my family used to watch the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) on TV and we would always talk about wrestling,” she said. “Then one day I brought home a flyer from school about wrestling. No one from my family wrestled, and I thought wrestling was about kicking and punching (like UFC). So, I wanted to give it a try.”

She would quickly find out that wrestling — at least on the scholastic level — didn’t involve kicking and punching, but she also quickly discovered that she enjoyed the sport immensely, even though it was dominated by males.

Over the years, she proved to be more than competitive against her male counterparts, but when she got to compete vs. females, she became dominant.

Now the Gettysburg High School graduate is one of the finest female wrestlers in the United States.

The King University senior is ranked second in the nation at 124 pounds among female wrestlers from NCAA schools. Tuesday night, she earned a 10-second pin vs. Newberry to finish off an 31-4 regular season for the Tornado.

The psychology major will now carry a 113-18 career record into the postseason with one paramount goal – becoming a national champion for the school located in Bristol, Tenn. – a school that’s long been known as a national female wrestling powerhouse.

It’s a goal that’s certainly not beyond reach. She’s already a three-time college All-American in the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships. She finished seventh as a freshman, fourth as a sophomore and third as a junior. Finishing in the top eight earns All-America status.

Looking to make the final step: Now she’s hoping to make the final step to the top of the podium.

Getting there, however, won’t be easy. She’ll likely have to find a way to beat North Central’s Amani Jones, the defending champion in DeLawder’s weight class. Jones pinned Delawder in the third period of last year’s NCWWC semifinals. It’s one of Jones’ seven consecutive wins vs. DeLawder.

Despite that record, DeLawder feels good about her chances of beating the top-ranked Jones. DeLawder also said she never considered moving weights to avoid Jones, who was third at last year’s world championships.

“I want to beat her, so I wouldn’t want to move weights,” DeLawder said. “I think we know each other very well. We used to wrestle a lot in high school, and I got the best of her in high school. I definitely think the match could go my way. I just have to go out confident and wrestle smart.”

King’s interim head coach, Gracie Figueroa, also believes that DeLawder has what it takes to win a national crown.

“I absolutely believe this is her time to break through for a title,” Figueroa said. “We know she’s a stud and will scrap with anyone that steps across from her.”

DeLawder’s road for a possible national title will begin with the NCWWC Regional Championships on Saturday, Feb. 22, followed by the NCWWC National Championships in Iowa on Friday and Saturday, March 7-8.

Going against the boys: Getting to this point, where she’s considered one of the better female wrestlers in the nation, hasn’t been easy.

Because of the lack of female competitors for much of her career, DeLawder spent most of her time wrestling boys and she more than held her own. At Gettysburg High, she finished her career with an 85-52 record vs. the boys for a strong Warriors program. Her 85 wins were a state record for female wrestlers.

Wrestling against the boys, for the most part, was a positive experience for DeLawder.

“Growing up I got used (to wrestling against boys),” she said. “As I got older, the boys got stronger and that created some adversity. I had to learn how to deal with that. I had to be much more technical because I wasn’t going to win on strength.

“But there wasn’t any real disrespect. I was very blessed growing up because people got used to me in the area. When I went out of the area, I would sometimes hear a few little comments, but in the area, I felt very supported.

“… I had it way better than a lot of girls I’ve met, who told me some (unfavorable) stories. My male teammates were very supportive, as were all of my coaches.”

One coach she has particular fondness for is her former head coach at Gettysburg, Chris Haines, who has created a wrestling powerhouse with the Warriors. He’s also a big supporter of female wrestling.

“He is the reason where I’m at,” she said. “He is my go-to guy for any type of advice in life or wrestling.”

DeLawder also said much of the credit for her success must go to her parents, Phoenix and Meagan.

Inspiring young girls: When she got to wrestle vs. other girls, DeLawder was nearly unbeatable, winning four MyHouse Pennsylvania State Championships. The PIAA did not start to sanction girls’ wrestling as a varsity sport until after DeLawder left Gettysburg High.

DeLawder finds herself in a similar situation in college. The NCAA will begin to sanction women’s wrestling next year, the year after DeLawder’s final year of eligibility at King.

“It’s kind of funny, but I’m happy to see (other females) get the opportunity (to compete in PIAA- and NCAA-sanctioned events),” she said.

When she started in the sport, it was relatively rare for DeLawder to see other female competitors. As she’s gotten older that’s changed dramatically. For some young girls, DeLawder’s pioneering excellence has been an inspiration.

“I didn’t really see it until I coached a little,” DeLawder said. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve had girls say they are looking up to me. It’s really eye opening and means lot.”

Those young girls who look up to DeLawder are likely joining the sport for the same reasons that she did.

“I like the team aspect, but it’s still also very much an individual sport,” DeLawder said. “Everyone on the team plays a part and it’s a family-oriented environment. But you really are in control of the results. It’s on you because you are all alone.”

Olympic future? No matter what happens in the upcoming NCWWC event, DeLawder doesn’t anticipate leaving the sport anytime soon.

“I’m going to stay in wrestling. I’m going to compete for another Olympic cycle or two,” she said.

DeLawder believes becoming an Olympian is “achievable.”

“It’s pretty much been my goal since I was 8,” she said.

“There are some things I need to get dialed in. Focusing on wrestling all the time (and not having to deal with school) will help. Getting a nutrition and strength coach could be a big game-changer. I think it’s very realistic.”

Her coach, Figueroa, agrees with her star’s assessment.

“She is smart and mature, and I know she understands how much of a commitment that road would be, but I think she has the type of tenacity and work ethic to accomplish anything she wants to,” Figueroa said.

The first step for DeLawder after college may be earning a berth for the world championships. That’s not out of the question for someone who may soon become a four-time college All-American, was a two-time national duals champ in high school and was an under-23 national champ in college. She was second in her bid last year to get a world berth.

DeLawder has already gotten the opportunity to compete internationally in Spain (in the Spanish Grand Prix) and in Colombia (for the Pan Am Games). She got silver medals in both events.

Eventually, once she’s done competing, DeLawder says she’ll likely look to get into coaching. It’s a role that Figueroa believes she’s well suited for.

“I think she would also excel in the coaching field because of her immense knowledge and experience in the sport but also her ability to be personable and motivational. She’s a very intelligent and supportive young lady,” Figueroa said.

She’s also a young lady who was once an 8-year-old girl who made the unusual decision to wear a singlet and headgear, while wrestling almost exclusively against boys.

It’s a decision she’s never regretted.

By STEVE HEISER

At 22 years old, Brayden Long has already solved an equation for life success that eludes many folks, even after decades of searching.

It’s his own formula, mixing heavy doses of faith, family and football, along with a fierce focus on academic achievement. During his standout playing career at New Oxford High School and Slippery Rock University, that combination produced some extraordinary results.

Now, Long is ready to move on to the next chapter in his young life. He’ll face new challenges, but he’ll still lean heavily on the tried-and-true values that made him a star quarterback.

Long has decided he wants to mentor college football’s next generation as a coach. He’s determined to attack his new role the same way he attacked his old one.

“I want to grind and work my way up to being a head coach someday,” he said. “I’m shooting for the stars.”

Long knows that his journey to the stars will start at the bottom rung of the coaching ladder, likely as a graduate assistant or quality control analyst. He’s already sent out some feelers and received some encouraging feedback. He’s hoping to land a coaching job by this spring.

“I really wanted to be around college athletics,” Long said. “It’s where my passion is. … I want to pay back football and what it’s given me by helping the next generation of athletes.”

The program that eventually hires Long will employ a young man with a resume packed with accomplishments, both on and off the field.

An impressive football resume: At New Oxford, Long was a three-sport standout in football, basketball and baseball. He finished his all-state prep football career with 6,595 passing yards and 67 passing touchdowns, giving him, at the time, the Adams County records in both categories. In the classroom, he was a member of the National Honor Society.

Those achievements earned Long a couple NCAA Division I offers, but he eventually signed on with NCAA Division II powerhouse Slippery Rock, which is in western Pennsylvania, about 50 miles north of Pittsburgh.

It’s a decision that he never regretted, despite seeing little playing time during his first three years with the program.

“I had the chance to compete for the starting job as a freshman. I lost that job … but I took it as a challenge and an opportunity,” Long said. “I never thought about getting in the (transfer) portal. I believe in seeing things through. I learned from those guys in front of me and it paid off in my last two years as starter.”

Those last two years were something to behold. He led “The Rock” to consecutive 12-2 seasons, including an NCAA D-II quarterfinal berth in 2023 and a semifinal appearance in 2024. Slippery Rock’s 2024 season, and Long’s college career, ended with a 48-38 loss to a Ferris State team that went on to win the national D-II crown. The win vs. Slippery Rock was Ferris State’s closest game during its playoff run. “The Rock” finished ranked No. 3 in the nation in D-II.

Long finished his Slippery Rock career as the program’s all-time leader in career completions (631) and completion percentage (67). He’s also second in program history in career TD passes (64) and career passing yards (7,527).

Those statistics helped him become a two-time finalist for the Harlon Hill Award, given to the best player in all of D-II football.

Long’s commitment and contributions to the Slippery Rock program didn’t go unnoticed by his head coach, Shawn Lutz.

“Brayden is a guy that went against the trends in college football right now,” Lutz said on the Slippery Rock football website. “Instead of transferring when he didn’t start his first two years, he stuck with our program, kept learning and working hard and has now become one of the best quarterbacks in program history. Not only is he an exceptional football player, but he is an even better student and person.”

Excelling off the field: The “student and person” that Long has become shows up repeatedly in his off-the-field accomplishments at Slippery Rock.

He was named a 2024 national finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which goes to the college football player with the best combination of academics, community service and on-field performance. It is considered by many to be the “Academic Heisman.” Long was the only D-II player among the 16 Campbell finalists honored during a ceremony in Las Vegas. He received a post-graduate scholarship worth $18,000 from Fidelity Investments. The eventual Campbell winner was Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe.

Long graduated from Slippery Rock in May of 2024 with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average, earning a degree in sport management with a minor in leadership. He then enrolled as a post-graduate student in the physical activity and fitness management program in the fall of 2024 while playing his final season of collegiate football.

His off-the-field achievements at Slippery Rock weren’t just confined to the classroom.

He co-launched “Team ROCK,” a student-athlete-led ministry on campus, while he also served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. His volunteer efforts include participating in the Special Olympics, the American Cancer Society Relay of Life, Read Across America and assisting with youth sports in Slippery Rock and in his hometown of New Oxford.

Faith and family: Long is quick to admit that his success story was not written alone.

His faith has played a huge role.

“I rely a lot on my faith and my relationship with God,” Long said. “I felt very called to get away from playing and very called to get into coaching and impact the game in a different way. … I’m leaning on my faith and trust in God to lead me down the right path.”

Long also is determined to be a good husband and a father. He knows that a coaching career, with its time and travel demands, will make that challenging.

“I’m definitely aware of what comes with coaching and I’m ready for it,” he said. “In coaching it’s important to have a balance with family life, while also maintaining my relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Alongside his faith, Long also says he has an incredibly strong support system at home with his parents, Chris and Kathy.

“My entire life they’ve been my No. 1 supporters,” Long said. “(What they’ve done for me), it leaves me speechless to this day. They’ve been my rock. I wouldn’t be where I am without them, that’s for sure.”

Giving up playing to focus on coaching: Long did give some consideration to attempting a pro football career.

It is rare, but not unheard of, for D-II quarterbacks to make it in the NFL.

Long’s individual statistics and team success at Slippery Rock were certainly worthy of attention from pro scouts, and he boasts bona fide NFL size (6 foot, 3 inches, 220 pounds).

However, after his recent internship at Westminster College in that school’s athletic department, and some conversations with his parents and his support system, Long decided that his future would be in coaching.

He already has experience in that realm, working with many young players in Adams County over the years, including New Oxford quarterback Luke Frey.

Long also believes his leadership qualities, which were first developed at New Oxford under head coach Jason Warner, will serve him well in his next endeavor.

“I think I have shown the ability to make everyone around me better,” he said.

If Long reaches his ultimate goal, and becomes a college football head coach, he knows that the seeds for that success were planted in Adams County. He kept that idea in the front of his mind while excelling at Slippery Rock.

“I wanted to do it for New Oxford and do it for the younger kids there,” he said. “I wanted to be a good role model for them and be a positive influence on their lives.”

He also has some good advice for those young athletes – advice he wishes he could have given to his younger self a decade ago.

“Have fun and take everything day by day,” he said. “There are times when you want to look ahead or look back. Instead, be grateful for the moment that you’re in. For good or bad, it will mold you into the man you will become.”

The man that Long has become is ready for the next step in a new and exciting journey. It’s one he feels ready for, largely because of the local support he’s received from family, friends and coaches.

“I haven’t done this by myself,” he said. “It’s been an awesome journey. I’m blessed.”