Two PIAA Hammers are Staying Home, Plus Some Transfer Portal News
Mt. Lebanon's Mac Stout (Left) and Biglerville's Levi Haines (Right). Mac  Stout photo courtesy of TheAlminac.net. Levi Haines graphic courtesy of Penn State Athletics.  The Keystone State had a good week on the recruiting trail. On Thursday (5/20/21), Penn State received a pledge from Levi Haines, and Pitt secured commitment from Mac Stout on Sunday (5/23/21). Both Haines and Stout are local Class of 2022 studs within the top-5 of their respective weights in the latest TOM national high school rankings. Additionally, some notable transfers made decisions as to their next school  while others have entered the portal.  Penn State Grabs Pledge From Levi Haines (TOM's No. 3 at 152)  Levi Haines is coming off of a 2021 state title at 145 pounds for Biglerville Canners out of District 3 in Pennsylvania. He had a pair of runner-up finishes as a freshman (at 106 pounds) and sophomore (at 126 pounds) at significantly lower weights. In three high school seasons, Haines sits at a combined 100 wins to just five losses. On the freestyle circuit, Haines is a credentialed grappler as well. The future Nittany Lion is a Cadet World Team Member at 71 kg.  Much as he has throughout his entire career, Haines has grown every year. I'd expect that to continue in college. With that, Haines could add some depth to the 157/165 classes, which PSU could use. But, there is sure to be maneuvering over the next few seasons in Happy Valley.  https://twitter.com/theopenmat/status/1395415380613603331 Pitt Secures Commitment From Mac Stout (TOM's No. 5 at 195)  Keith Gavin and the Pitt Panthers received a nod from TOM's No. 5 at 195 in the latest rankings. Stout, a Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania product, was a 2020 PIAA runner-up at 170 pounds, losing to future Nebraska Cornhusker Lenny Pinto. Stout's addition continues what has been a promising Pitt recruiting stretch over the last few weeks An injury at the holiday Powerade Tournament took him out of postseason play. If the Stout and Pitt Panthers connection sounds familiar, that's because it is. Mac's older brother, Kellan, was a 2019 national qualifier for the Panthers at 197 pounds. Mac also has another brother, Luke, who expects to compete at 197 for Princeton next season. Mac's dad was a three-time NCAA qualifier for Clarion in his own right. So, wrestling runs in the Stout family blood.  It looks as if Mac will be the succession plan for the Panthers at 197 once Nino Bonaccorsi, the reigning 2021 NCAA finalist at 197, is lost to graduation down the line. But Mac hopes to capture a PIAA crown at the Giant Center in Hershey first.  https://twitter.com/theopenmat/status/1396659054764859394 Transfer Portal News Since May 17 Joe Roberts, 157/165 - NC State to Illinois Drew Bennett, 141 - Northern Iowa to Iowa Jake Stiles, 165 - Oklahoma to TBA Joe Grello, 174 - Rutgers to TBA Gaige Garcia, 197 - Michigan to TBA Isaac Riddle, 141 Purdue to TBA Ben Barton, 157 - Campbell to TBA

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