Gary Kiefer started wrestling when he was in grade school, but lost interest in the sport after spending four years in Fort Cherry's midget program.

"I didn't wrestle for three years, but eventually realized that I missed it," said Kiefer, who is a junior at Fort Cherry High School. "I'm a very competitive person and I missed the one-on-one competitive nature of wrestling. It's my fault if I lose, and the opposite if I win. I have control of my own destiny."

Kiefer has steadily improved since resuming his wrestling career in eighth grade. He was so impressive in one year on the junior high team that varsity coach Rick Chaussard promoted him to the varsity as a freshman.

"Gary was ready for the varsity, but struggled keeping his weight down," Chaussard said.

Kiefer had a 12-13 record in the 152-pound weight class, but did not wrestle in the Section 1-AA tournament at the end of the season.

"I hit a big growth spurt in the middle of the season and couldn't hold my weight," he said. "It was a big struggle for me to keep my weight down."

Kiefer's growth spurt continued throughout his freshman year and ended just prior to the start of his sophomore year. Kiefer, who also is a running back on the school's football squad, returned as a 189-pounder, a jump of three weight classes.

"Gary worked very hard to get ready for his sophomore season and it showed on the mat," Chaussard said.

Kiefer won a Section 1-AA title and placed fourth in the WPIAL Class AA tournament. He finished the season with a 29-10 record after a 2-2 mark at the Southwest Regional.

"There was a strong group of seniors at 189 last season," Kiefer said. "Four of the top six finishers were seniors."

Kiefer's first loss in the WPIAL tournament was to a junior, Valley's Kyle Dudley, the eventual runner-up, in the semifinals. He also lost in the consolation final to Avella senior Alex Temple.

"Gary is a coach's dream," Chaussard said. "He does exactly what we want him to do and is a very quick learner. He's a dedicated athlete who thrives on competition and works very hard to be the best wrestler he can be."

Kiefer has been almost perfect this season. He entered the week with a 20-1 record and is ranked No. 2 in the WPIAL in Class AA at 189 pounds. Dudley is ranked No. 1.

"If he continues to progress and wrestle the way he has this season, Gary has a good chance of placing high in both the WPIAL and Southwest Region tournaments," Chaussard said. "I really want to see him win a WPIAL title and wrestle in the [PIAA] tournament."

Kiefer's only loss was to Somerset's Nick Bair in the semifinals of the Bedford tournament. He battled back to take third place.

"Gary has a laid-back style," Chaussard said. "He takes his time and waits for the perfect opportunity to take a shot. He's a very patient wrestler who doesn't make many mistakes."

Kiefer entered the Tri-County tournament with high hopes, but had to withdraw midway through the competition with the flu.

"Gary won two matches on Friday while battling the flu," Chassard said. "He returned the next morning and had lost 7 pounds. We immediately sent him home and he slept for 24 hours straight."

Kiefer, the youngest of three brothers who also wrestled at Fort Cherry, enters the postseason with hopes of winning a WPIAL title and qualifying for the PIAA tournament.

"My goal is to keep progressing through every round and go as far as I can," he said.

Kiefer is also an accomplished football player.

"I start at halfback and outside linebacker," Kiefer said. "I really enjoy both sports."

Kiefer would like to continue his athletic career in college, but isn't sure which sport to choose.

"It's neck and neck," he said. "How I do in the postseason tournaments will play a big part in my decision. Fortunately, I've got plenty of time to consider my options."

Mike White's "High School Sports Edition" videos are featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.