One of Pennsylvania's most storied prep wrestling talents will be staying in state.

Chance Marsteller, who went undefeated and won four state titles for Kennard Dale will train at and compete under the Lehigh Valley Athletic Club banner and coach Jeff Buxton.

Chance was a sentimental favor last month at the NCAA's where he battled back to third after placing fourth last year.

The LVAC put out the following release:

Bethlehem, PA, 4/6/19:  Lock Haven senior Chance Marsteller is one of the most storied wrestlers in PIAA history with a 166-0 career mark as a 4-time state champion for Kennard-Dale High School ’14 and a 3-time Outstanding Wrestler selection). Now the Bald Eagles’ first 2-time All-American in 22 years, Chance has signed a contract as a resident/athlete and coach with the Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club. He reached the agreement with LVWC coach Jeff Buxton on April 5.

An accomplished freestyler who won a University National title in 2017, he first verbaled to Penn State before enrolling at Oklahoma State in Fall ’14. Marsteller then transferred in January, 2016 to Lock Haven and capped two outstanding seasons (72-7) with NCAA 4^th and 3^rd place medals. He drew a sustained standing ovation from appreciative home state fans in Pittsburgh by avenging for third his two prior NCAA losses by fall to Wisconsin’s NCAA 3^rd, 4^th Evan Wick. To earn 3^rd place the #5 seed Chance defeated the #9, 1, 3, 4 seeds including a four-takedown 9-6 consolations win over Iowa top seed, Alex Marinelli. In 2018, Marsteller entered as 9^th seed to earn 4^th place.

The standing ovation he received in Pittsburgh Paints Arena partly recognized his remarkable rebound and rehabilitation from prior substance abuse issues. A significant part of his judge-imposed probation sentence in 2016 involved community service, and he immediately began an extensive role as assistant coach of Kennard-Dale’s junior high wrestling team. He’ll continue to follow up with those youths two hours SW of Bethlehem. As support factors, Chance credits his mother, Suzanne, his stepfather and his fiancée, Jenna Thomassy.

Marsteller was recently named 2018-19 EWL Athlete of the Year; he led his team to their first two Top 20 finishes since 1997 with Cary Kolat. Chance became Lock Haven’s first 2-time All-American since Jamarr Billman in 2000-02 and the 10^th overall. At this year’s Southern Scuffle, Marsteller pushed NCAA 1,1,2 Vincenzo Joseph to the brink before a 6-5 finals loss.  He was a 2-time PSAC champion, OW in ’18 and has been a member of EWL All-Academic Teams

Chance’s success helped bring EWL Coach of the Year honors to Scott Moore and his apparent lead candidacy for the U of Maryland opening. The Eagles finished ahead of seven Big Ten schools including Wisconsin, Northwestern and Illinois. Said Moore, a finalist for national coach-of-the-year: "It's been very rewarding to identify what he needs in his life to be successful and break down and simplify the process for him. It's made me a better coach. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with someone with that skill set. Most impressive has been seeing him develop and mature into a father and leader and captain of the team."

Marsteller will join other resident/athletes and coaches with the Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club coached by Buxton, one of the USA’s most outstanding high school and freestyle coaches: Darian Cruz, 125; Frank Perrelli, 125/33; Guesseppe Rea, 125/33; Mario Mason, 149/57; Chance Marstellar, 157/65; Richie Lewis, 165/74; Kadeem Samuel, 184/97; Zack Rey, 265.