This week’s wrestling notebook highlights Pennsbury, the Continental Conference race as well as Norristown’s quest for another conference crown. To view photos of Wednesday night’s Truman/CR North and Pennsridge/Hatboro-Horsham matches, please visit the Photo Gallery.
SOL NOTEBOOK
By Glenn Kaiser
SOL National: Falcons Take Flight
Pennsbury appears to have taken command of the National Conference with a victory over Council Rock South Wednesday night 44-25. The match started at 120 lbs with Pennsbury’s Jason Bing, who recently dropped down from 126, winning a 4-1 decision over Harry Murray. Pennsbury never looked back as Josh Disanto secured a fall at 126 lbs. followed by Anthony DiEmidio’s technical fall at 132. This strong trio of lightweights re-established Pennsbury as one of District One’s best dual teams.
Council Rock South’s Dan Martoccio dropped down to 113 pounds over the weekend and gave the Golden Hawks a win by pin in the night’s final match. Martoccio’s presence at the 113-pound weight class makes this class one of the best in the SOL, District One, and perhaps the State. At 106, South’s Nick Palmer edged tough Eric Mongiello 4-2, and top gun at 195, PJ Steinmetz, pinned the Falcons Mike O’Brien in 2:45, but it was to little to late as Pennsbury had already built a 32-10 lead at that point.
Pennsbury travels to Council Rock North next Wednesday to possibly secure the league title and dethrone the Rocks, who have dominated this league over the past several years.
SOL Continental: Crazy Continental!
On any given night, it seems any Continental Conference team can win against another. In league action Wednesday night, Pennridge traveled to Hatboro-Horsham looking to improve on its already solid dual meet record. Hatboro-Horsham had the same idea coming off a 3-2 showing at the Octorara Duals, including a win over non-conference SOL foe Wissahickon 39-26. However, it was all Pennridge as the Rams won the first three bouts starting at 106. H-H could not match the Rams intensity as the Pennridge’s Chase Fettes started things off with 7-4 decision over Hatters freshman Nick Giuliani.
The Rams followed with top gun at 113, Scott Parker, decking freshmen Issac Reese in just 23 seconds. H-H’s top wrestler Phil Torresani moved up to 120 to face a very tough Ben Ross. Ross dominated from all positions to post a 10-1 decision. Kevin Mowry was able to post a come-from-behind 15-12 win over the Rams Ethan Clemmer at 126. But the Hatters could not mount a charge after H-H’s Jason McLaughlin pinned Tom Roeter at 138 lbs. Pennridge freshmen Harry Gentile upset H-H’s Brad Humski 4-0 at 145 to stop the momentum. The Rams (2-1 SOL) recorded three falls up top to beat the Hatters going away 49-15, dropping the Hatters to 1-2 in the league. Pennridge Head Coach Dan Goetter appears to have the Rams ready to make a strong run towards the upcoming District Duals.
Meanwhile up at Souderton H.S., Central Bucks West earned its first league win with a surprise lopsided victory over the Indians 49-24. The Bucks Jason Douple scored a huge win at 138 with a 6-3 decision over Souderton’s Bobby Jenne.
Thursday night, it was more of the same as Quakertown traveled to Warrington to hand Central Bucks South its second league defeat 39-25. Quakertown out wrestled the Titans as the Panthers jumped out to an early lead and cruised to their second league win.
The league is still wide open with CB East losing to North Penn 45-24 at home Thursday night. The parity in this league seems unimaginable as any single dual meet, on any given day, can make you shake your head.
SOL American: Norristown Still The Team To Beat
Upper Moreland once again came into the 2012-13 season hoping to knock off the Eagles and win its first league title in ages. But it was more of the same from one of the state’s best tournament teams, as Norristown eliminated the Bears hopes with a 45-34 victory. Rashon and Rasheed Lusane secured key victories for the Eagles at 170 and 220 respectively. Rashon earned a fall in 1:10 and Rasheed won 3-2 over Zach Beben, tallying nine critical team points for Norristown. Mike Spinger (152) and Brett Harner (182) recorded falls, and Zach Fuentes (113) received a forfeit as the Eagles top point getters continued their fantastic season individually.
With a win already secured earlier in the season against Upper Dublin, the Eagles only other threat to unseat them, they are also primed to once again to enter the District Dual Championships with aspirations of returning to the State Duals.
District Duals
The District Duals are right around the corner with the first two rounds on Jan. 24 and the finals set for Feb. 1 and 2 at Upper Dublin High School. Some of the teams expected to enter the duals from the SOL are: Council Rock South, CR North, Pennsbury, CB East, CB South, North Penn, Pennridge, Norristown and Upper Dublin. The SOL has been traditionally well represented at the duals and typically sends at least one team to the State duals. The SOL will challenge teams from the PAC 10, this year’s strongest District One league with powers Owen J Roberts, Spring-Ford, Upper Perk, and Boyertown.
Other teams under consideration for the team duals could be last year entries: Neshaminy, Truman, Bensalem, Upper Moreland and Hatboro-Horsham.
SOL Top 5 Dual Teams:
1-Pennsbury
2-Norristown
3-Council Rock South
4-North Penn
T5-Council Rock North
T5-Central Bucks East
Under consideration: Pennridge & Upper Dublin
Top Guns:
106 Collyn Dorney (Quakertown)
113 Zach Fuentes (Norristown)
120 Jason Bing (Pennsbury)
126 Josh Disanto (Pennsbury)
132 Joey O’Brien (North Penn)
138 John Dutrow (Council Rock North)
145 Mike Springer (Norristown)
152 Dan Schueren (Wissahickon)
160 Justin Staudenmayer (Plymouth-Whitmarsh)
170 Dom Rigous (Central Bucks South)
182 Brett Harner (Norristown)
195 PJ Steinmetz (Council Rock South)
220 Tyler Callender (Council Rock North)
285 Andrew Van Buskirk (William Tennent)
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