Noelani Knott finds plenty of ways to keep herself focused.
The Dallastown junior needs it. Since she’s in the 235-pound class for Dallastown’s girls wrestling team, she’s frequently near the end of the schedule for tournament bouts.
Her first day at the 2026 PIAA tournament on Thursday, March 4 was no different. All throughout the morning and afternoon, as the bouts shifted from 2A boys to the girls’ rounds, Knott was in the final slate of matches alongside those also in the highest weight class.
So, Knott used what she typically relies on to keep her mind fresh during extended wait periods − music.
She doesn’t have a particular favorite song, but Knott says she leans toward techno music to keep her focused. As long as it’s loud, the junior tunes in.
“I kind of just keep it on, have that bass bumping in my ear and vibrating my headphones,” Knott said. “It keeps me from falling asleep.”
To her credit, it’s worked for her before. Knott is fresh off a regional championship and is back at states in back-to-back years. She won her first-round match with a pin in 4:59.
As for after her matches, Knott says she intends to get a bite to eat. She’s well under her weight, so she figures she can dig in before the ensuing rounds.
“I want a steak,” Knott said. “A nice, juicy steak.”
Dallastown girls following through on return to states
Knott isn’t the only member of the Wildcats who spent the opening leg of the PIAA tournament on a tear. Kenna Hoffman and Avery Baldwin both won their opening matches by pin − Hoffman in 37 seconds flat and Baldwin midway through the second period − to keep three of four Wildcats wrestlers in the championship bracket.
It’s not surprising for the trio. All three qualified last year, and Knott and Baldwin both reached the podium at sixth place in their respective weight classes. However, all three know they can place higher this year. Knott knows her own strength and endurance have improved enough to push her farther.
“The whole bus ride here was like, ‘If we win our first and win our second, we’re good,'” Knott said. “We’re automatically placing, and I really, really want to win this year. That is my only mentality and it’s the only thing pushing me to get through this.”
How Hayden Yacoviello-Andrus adapted to dropping weight classes
Hayden Yacoviello-Andrus feels more comfortable wrestling at 139 pounds.
Not that he hasn’t excelled elsewhere. Last year, the Bermudian Springs senior qualified for the PIAA tournament at 145 pounds and even made the podium with a fifth-place finish overall. But after dropping back down to 139 pounds for his final year, Andrus is no longer wrestling against those with a size advantage over him.
“Last year, I was very undersized at 145,” Andrus said. “I think it bit me a little bit in the butt once I got to the higher-level kids, like they’re huge. But this year, I’m definitely still undersized for 139, but there’s no question in my mind I can wrestle anyone in this weight class.”
Plus, having some familiar competition has helped him along. Delone Catholic’s Gavin Green, who Andrus has wrestled three times this season, including twice in the postseason, has been right alongside him the entire time. The two have wrestled with and against each other for years, and Andrus most recently got the edge after wins by sudden victory in both the 2A sectional finals and regional semifinals.
Is there a rivalry? Sure, but it’s all friendly. Andrus knows Green won’t hold back whenever they square off.
“That’s the goal, man,” Andrus said. “Me and (Green) train together all the time, we want to be there. Having someone to push you every week, especially in tournaments, nobody gets that except for us.”