In the grappling world, Tanner Pyles is know as a ‘pinner’, a ‘fall guy’. Pyles wrestles to deck people, to earn the ultimate submission, to win without question.

And what he sets out to do, Pyles usually accomplishes.

Last week, Pyles, Annville-Cleona’s pin-master extraordinaire, enjoyed an absolutely marvelous and historic week. Pyles wasn’t named the Outstanding Wrestler at the 20th annual Lebanon County Tournament, but he could’ve.

Pyles went 5-0 on the day and won the 152-pound weight class, with – get this – five pins. It marked the second year in-a-row Pyles had won a Lebanon County championship in just such a fashion, and it was Pyles’ third local title overall.

But that wasn’t all. Amongst Pyles’ five wins was the coveted 100th of his career, and it gave him a sparkling 35-2 seasonal record. Of Pyles’ 35 wins, 28 of them – or 80 percent – have come via the pin.

Pyles does his work with aggression, experience and by relying on his natural abilities. Those attributes should serve Pyles well when he opens what he hopes will be an extended postseason journey at the District Three Class AA sectional tournament hosted on his home mats at Annville-Cleona next weekend.

 – Jeff Falk