Norristown captured the SE Regional team title, and the SOL had nine champions. To view photos of all the action, please visit the Photo Gallery.
SOL DOMINATES AT SOUTHEAST REGIONAL
by Glenn Kaiser
Suburban One wrestler’s from all three conferences shined at this weekend’s Southeast Regional Wrestling Championships held at Pottstown High School. SOL wrestlers captured nine individual championships, while Norristown captured the team title, finishing ahead of the PAC 10’s Owen J Roberts. Plymouth-Whitemarsh’s Justin Staudenmayer was named the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler after winning the 160-pound title by technical fall 16-1 in 4:54 over Abner Thompson of Academy Park.
Norristown’s team title was highlighted by Zach Fuentes win over Pennridge’s Scott Parker 3-1 in the 113 pound weight class final. Fuentes avenged his loss to Parker in last year’s SE Regional final. Parker and Fuentes are most likely not done with each other as they both head to Hershey with state title hopes. Parker beat Fuentes last year at the Giant Center and went on to finish fourth as Fuentes captured fifth in 2012.
Norristown advanced four wrestlers to states and crowned three champs out of their four finalists at regions. Mike Springer (145) and Brett Harner (182) were the other two champions for the Eagles while freshmen Rashon Lusane was the runner-up at 152 pounds. Norristown will be in the hunt for a top three team finish at the 2013 PIAA (AAA) Championships. North Penn capped its post-season run prior to the state tournament by advancing three wrestlers to Hershey. Joey O’Brien (132) lost in the finals for the third straight week to CB East’s Francesco Fabozzi, and will be joined at the Giant Center by teammates Jeff Reimel (152) and Alex Price (182). Both Reimel and Price won their third place consolation finals to grab spots in the state championship brackets. The top three in each weight class advanced to Hershey from the SE Regional.
Pennridge’s Ben Ross captured his third straight title in as many weeks, defeating Michael Marino (Garnet Valley) in the 120 pound finals with a 4-3 victory. He will join workout partner Scott Parker in Hershey this coming week (Thursday March 7 thru Saturday March 9, 2013). Pennridge’s head coach Dan Goetter was inducted into the District One Wrestling Hall of Fame and was honored prior to the start of the championship finals. Former Pennridge head coach John Rittenhouse presented Goetter with his award. Rittenhouse, Quakertown alum (D1 Hall of Famer), coached Goetter when he became Pennridge’s first state champion. Council Rock state champions Mike and Rick Rappo also were inducted with this year’s Hall of Fame class, as was former Cheltenham AD Rich Marburg for his contributions with officiating. Quakertown alum Jamy Ritter joined the class. He is now an assistant coach at Upper Perkiomen. Norristown alum Tim Harner, son of Norristown head coach Mark Harner, rounded out the SOL inductees.
Council Rock North will send two wrestlers to Hershey, as John Dutrow kept his unbeaten streak alive with a title at 138 with a solid major decision over Shane Rhunke (Great Valley) 9-0. Tyler Callendar will return to states after his consolation finals victory, a 5-2 decision over Downingtown East’s Matt Bartolotta at 220 lbs.
William Tennent advanced both of its SE Regional qualifiers to states, with heavies Marc Issac (195), and Andrew Van Buskirk (285) both runner-ups at regions. Issac was pinned by CR South’s PJ Steinmetz, who looks to better his bronze medal from the 2012 PIAA Championships next weekend.
The only other District One wrestler to remain undefeated this past weekend was CB South’s Dominic Rigous, who defeated Penncrest’s Joe Gartland for the second time this season 1-0 in the 170 lb finals. Quakertown will have two representatives at states with Collyn Dorney (106) and Tyler Seislove (138) both bronze medalists at regions. Other SOL state qualifiers include Pennsbury’s Jason Bing (120-3rd) and Josh DiSanto (126 runner-up) and Neshaminy’s Ryan O’Connor (145 runner-up). All in all, the SOL will send 22 of the 42 qualifying wrestlers to Hershey.
Six of the top 10 teams at regions where SOL teams, Norristown (1st) from the American Conference, North Penn (4th) and Pennridge (5th) from the Continental Conference, and CR North (6th), CR South (T-7th), and William Tennent (10th) from the National Conference.
Other place winners from the SOL who finished 4th and did not qualify for states included: CRS’s Dan Martoccio (113), CBE’s Evan Wilson (126), and Wissahickon’s Dan Schueren (152). Other notables missing out on the trip to Hershey were Tommy Stokes (126), Bensalem, Phil Torresani (113), Hatboro-Horsham, Tim Ambacher (120), CRN, Aaron Rodriquez (132), Wissahickon, Sam Jacobson (182), Upper Dublin, and Nick Cassalia (220), CB South.
Best of Luck to everyone in Chocolate Town, USA…see you in Hershey!
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