By Alex Frazier
Meet…Paul WisloskiWissahickon coach Anthony Stagliano credits Paul Wisloski’s “extremely fanatical” work ethic for the turnaround season he’s having.
As of last week, the Trojan senior (along with teammate Pat Fennell) led all Pennsylvania wrestlers in wins with 26.
“That was a shocker for me,” said Wisloski. “It feels good to have my name out there with all the work I’ve been putting in during the off-season. Finding out I had the most wins in the state was a proud moment for me.”
Wisloski has made great strides since his 0-2 freshman year. Each year he has progressed. As a sophomore he was 7-6 and last year he was 20-17, finishing fourth in sections.
“Up to this year, he’s had a good career but he hasn’t been one of those standouts that was good as a freshman and all the way though,” said Stagliano. “He’s continued to get better through the years.”
“I feel like it’s my best season, being a senior and all,” said Wisloski. “This year I feel like I have a lot more support from my coaching staff. My family has helped guide me along the way, especially my dad.”
Wisloski started wrestling freestyle and Greco Roman over the summer after his freshman season.
“It was a great experience in the off-season when a lot of other wrestlers were relaxing and not doing so much,” he said. “It was something that not only could boost my experience but also get me out there to stay in condition. I took to it pretty well.”
Last summer he finished second in the state, qualifying for the national tournament in Fargo, ND.
After surviving a 22-hour bus ride to get there, he went through two days of practice before the tournament started. Unfortunately he went two and out, narrowly losing his second match by a point.
But he thinks the experience will be valuable to him this year, especially if he achieves his goal of qualifying for states.“Some things that worked in freestyle and Greco incorporate into my freestyle that I’ve benefited from,” he said.
Besides wrestling, Wisloski dedicated himself to weight lifting and conditioning. He and his father went to LA Fitness five or six times a week during the summer and fall.
Last year he was a bit light for his weight, so he wanted to make sure he was as big and strong as his competitors this year.
“He’s constantly in the gym either running or lifting to the point where I almost have to back him off sometimes,” said Stagliano. “He’s an extremely hard worker.”
“I feel like everything’s coming together,” said Wisloski. “It’s like the crucial part of my wrestling career that’s allowing me to do what I need to do out there on the mat.”
Besides working for himself, Wisloski is also a cheerleader for the team.
“I’m proud to represent Wissahickon as a high school and show everyone else out there that we’re not out there to mess around,” he said.
And as a captain of the team, he works on building the school’s reputation. It’s a role he’s used to.
“On the school ground, I always liked to be the leader of the group,” he said. “I always wanted Wissahickon wrestling to be that team that’s talked about during school. Being captain was always my interest and goal, to be in charge of the people and lead them through the hard times and set a goal for them. I feel I can push the guys in the room.”
“He’ done a phenomenal job of being a leader,” said Stagliano. “He has real good leadership qualities.”
Wisloski along with teammate Sean Saunders was a member of the debate team for three years but dropped it this year to focus on his last year of wrestling.
Wisloski plans on wrestling in college next year.
“I’d love to wrestle in college, not only to keep my physique but also to see how far my experience can take me,” he said
His first choice at this point is Delaware Valley, which not only has a great wrestling program, but also is also strong in his major, biology. He has also been accepted at Bloomsburg.
Eventually he wants to get a master's in zoology.
“Some sort of animal research,” he said. “I’ve always been fascinated with animals since my younger childhood days. I’d rather work for something I’m happy in and not the money, and that’s one of the more exciting possibilities to choose from.”
A 3-2 win over Norristown’s Tyler Letrinko last week, climaxed by a third period takedown, may be just the boost Wisloski needs to catapult him to Hershey.
“It was a milestone for me because I knew Norristown had a pretty tough team,” he said. “When it came up to me, my coaches said I had wrestled exceptional out there. It was a change from a lot of the other kids I’d been wrestling because that was the one that said in my mind this is where I’m going to be getting ready for the post-season, not messing around in the room anymore.”
Wisloski realizes if he wants to wrestle in college, he needs to make a statement in the post-season.
“This where I need to leave everything I‘ve been taught on the mat in the room,” he said. “This is where I start getting ready for more intense opponents.”
District Duals – Should Thursday’s opening round of the District One Dual Meet Tournament be postponed because of the weather, the following schedule will take effect:
All teams scheduled at West Chester Rustin and Pottsgrove Middle School will compete on Friday, Jan. 28, using the same schedule as Thursday. There may not be a one-pound allowance. All teams scheduled to compete at Hatboro-Horsham will compete on Monday, Jan. 31, using the same schedule as Thursday. There will be no one-pound allowance.
The schedule for the remainder of the District One Dual Meet Tournament, which starts up on Friday, Feb 4., 6 p.m. at Council Rock South is as follows:
Weigh-ins for all teams are at 5 p.m.
6 p.m. – Quarterfinals on four mats
8 p.m. – Semifinals on two mats
Saturday, Feb. 5
10 a.m. – Weigh-ins for consolation teams (AAA)
11 a.m. – AAA Consolation First Round
12 Noon – Weigh-in AA
1 p.m. – AA Semis and Second Round Consolations
2 p.m. – Weigh-in for finalists
3 a.m. – AAA final, third place and AA final
Another centurion – Upper Dublin’s Nick DiMuzio joined the 100-Win Club last weekend. He went 5-0 at the Spartan Clash, pinning all five opponents he wrestled in the first period. For that feat he was named Outstanding Wrestler.
His 100th win came in his second to last bout when he decked Interboro’s Carmen Fieo in 45 seconds.
DiMuzio’s career record now stands at 101-32, with 56 pins.
Around the league –
Octorara Invitational
Neshaminy placed third as a team with Upper Moreland just behind in fourth place.
For the Redskins, Colby Lederer (130) and Nick Russell (160) captured championships. Harry Wilson (112), Ryan O’Connor (119) and T.J. Magdelinskas (152) finished second, while Brendan Hastings (145) and Tyler Stabilito (285) took thirds.
Upper Moreland’s John Bolich (189) took home gold and Anthony Dill (130) placed third.
Lackawanna Trail Tournament
Souderton finished tied for second. Joe Stolfi (215) went 5-0, including a pin of Class AA returning state champion Eric Laytos of Lackawanna Trail. Joe McNamara (285) and Kolton Veit (112) and Ben Kabakjian (125) were 4-1.
Spartan Clash
Upper Dublin finished second and the Cardinals’ Nick DiMuzio finished first at 130 with a 5-0 mark.
Final Four at Easton
Council Rock South went 3-2 in the tournament. The Golden Hawks defeated Lake Stevens (WA) 48-22, Jackson Memorial (NJ) 39-32 and Parkland 33-30.
In the match against Jackson, Tom Dingui’s fall at 215 gave the Hawks a 36-32 lead, and Tommy Trampe’s decision at 285 sealed the win.
Against Parkland, Tim Riley’s fall at 189 was the meet winner as the Hawks dropped the final two bouts by major decisions.
South’s two losses were to Easton (44-23) and Blair Academy (53-5). Matt Martoccio was the only wrestler to score points against powerhouse Blair when he tech falled Mark Stillerman.
Norristown 57, Wissahickon 17
Norristown Area defeated Wissahickon to take over sole possession of first place in the Suburban One American Conference. The Eagles have not lost a league dual meet over the past three seasons. Recording falls for the Eagles were Zach Fuentes (103) Kelvin Howard (112), Doug Forlano (130) Mike Springer (140), Brandon Parker (152) Brett Harner (160), Juan Carbajal (189), Larry Gordon (215) and Gavin Queenan (285).
Wissahickon’s Brendan Weiss (145) recorded the Trojans only fall, while Cody Franko (125) and Patrick Fennell won by major decisions. Paul Wisloski (171) edged Tyler Letrinko 3-2 in the final bout.
Top Five SOL
1. Council Rock South
2. Norristown
3. Souderton
4. Upper Moreland
5. Council Rock North
Top Guns
103—Billy Rappo, Council Rock South
112—Trey Balasco, Council Rock South
119—Adam Slezak, Council Rock North
125—Matt Harkins, Hatboro-Horsham
130—John Dutrow, Council Rock North
135—Matt Rappo, Council Rock South
140—Lucas Wisniewski, Plymouth Whitemarsh
145—Matt Martoccio, Council Rock South
152—Brandon Parker, Norristown
160—Brett Harner, Norristown
171—John Staudenmayer, Plymouth Whitemarsh
189—John Bolich, Upper Moreland
215—Joe Stolfi, Souderton
285—Quentin Bryant, Harry S Truman
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