The last few months have been quite the whirlwind for former Mount Pleasant wrestler Noah Gnibus, both on and off the mat.

Gnibus recently made the decision to continue his wrestling career at Pitt-Johnstown but the process was a long and stressful one for the recent state-qualifier.

“Obviously it’s relieving and it’s a stressful process to know which college feels right,” Gnibus said. “Once I went to Pitt-Johnstown I realized that was home."

The process of making his college decision was pushed into his senior year, but the season didn’t start how Gnibus would of liked. Hindered with a hip injury at the beginning of the year, Gnibus would then contract a staph infection that prolonged his absence from the mat. Gnibus credited his family and coaches for getting him through the recovery process.

“They really helped me out and I really appreciated the coaches and the support I had and they pushed me through all of it,” Gnibus noted. “It was a big deal for me to have that support. If I didn’t have that I don’t know where I would’ve been."

"I did a lot of yoga, it makes a huge impact. Once I did it, I realized it really makes an impact and a change. You feel relieved and stretched out, it’s a great benefit to athletes in my opinion."

Once Gnibus was able to overcome the early season adversity, he got right back to work on the mat.

Gnibus returned to the lineup on January 12th and would post a 17-5 overall record and a career-high .773 winning percentage last season. After finishing second in the WPIAL at 189 pounds in Class AA, he went on to make his first appearance in the PIAA tournament in March where he lost in the blood round.

“Working out with Dayton Pitzer every day, that was a big help," Gnibus said about his three-time PIAA champion teammate. "He always helped me out and my coaches Tommy Province and Zack Snyder, they really were a key in my training. I had my mindset on being a state placer and that was my end goal. I didn’t get it, but I was grateful for how I finished with what went on this season.”

Gnibus is hoping for a more normal year when he arrives at Pitt-Johnstown this fall. His sister, Hannah, figures to play a role in helping Noah adjust to college life as she plays on the Mountain Cats softball team. Hannah was a standout for Mount Pleasant, helping the Vikings capture a PIAA championship in 2021.

“We’ve always been close, and she said that it is a close family once you get up there. She was very supportive and happy with the decision I made.”

Wrestling isn’t the only thing that Gnibus is excited about as he enters a new chapter of his life. As he embarks on his new journey, he is excited to branch out and meet new people, but he’s also happy that he will have family with him while he begins this next stage of life.

“Meeting new friends and new people and getting to the next level of wrestling,” he said. “I’m just excited to be there starting something new other than high school.”