Alex Frazier features CB South as well as Norristown’s Larry Gordon and also predicts the winners in this weekend’s District Duals.
By Alex Frazier
Titans triumph – Seniors can have a huge influence on the success of a team. Central Bucks South has eight seniors this year, all of whom have contributed to the Titans’ impressive season.
“This year we have a good core of seniors,” said coach Craig Deacon. “They provide good leadership for the younger kids. They help out wherever they can. They have a good work ethic. As good as they are, they’re still working hard. It’s a plus for the team.”
All of his seniors are so good that Deacon decided not to name any captains.
“I couldn’t really single any out that were better than the other ones,” he said.
He chooses different ones to go out for the coin toss at dual meets. “I divvy it up so they all get a share of that experience,” he said.
The seniors also help out at jayvee tournaments. Each senior has his “own” jayvee team that he is responsible for when they go to tournaments. He even has an assistant. Naturally, the jayvee coaches oversee the senior coaches.
“They have a draft and draft the kids,” said Deacon. “They get a little taste of what coaching is like. They have a good time doing it and the jayvees like it too. They keep track of who has the most wins.”
Coming into the season Deacon knew his team had potential with returning stalwarts like Dom Rigous, Nick Haegele, Greg Frasch and Nick Cassalia.
Rigous (170), who is 24-1, has been someone Deacon can count on match in and match out. But a couple of the other seniors have been mild surprises. Nick Haegele has done a good job at 120, compiling a 22-4 mark. Dylan Swan has also stepped up at 160 with a 19-7 record. Ryan McDonald dropped down to 152 and has been filling in nicely. He is 8-3.
But Greg Frasch (195) has probably been the most pleasing.
“He had a good year last year and this year he’s having an even better year,” said Deacon. “He got bigger, he got stronger in the off-season.”
Deacon also knew he would be adding Haegele’s younger brother Chad, but he didn’t know he would be getting two transfer students from Bellefonte. Over the summer, Billy and Frank Muzika’s father called to tell him they were moving into the district and inquired about open practices.
Chad Haegele has lost just two bouts this year (20-2) and is honorable mention at 106 on the D-1 website. Frank Muzika (132), a sophomore, is unranked but has a 14-9 mark. Brother Billy (182), a senior, is ranked fourth and is 21-3.
After a 4-3 finish last year in the Continental, South is now cruising at 6-0. With just one Continental Conference match remaining against Pennridge, South is in a good position to capture its first league title.
The Titans also went to district duals for the first time. After bouncing Interboro, 48-26, in the first round, South lost to Council Rock South 35-28. The match came down to the last two bouts, which the two teams split.
“We needed to win both of those matches to at least tie,” said Deacon.
At one point South led 21-0.
“It was a good match,” said Deacon. “It was a good experience for the kids.”
Gordon hits century mark – Norristown’s Larry Gordon entered the elite 100-win club last Thursday in the second round of district duals.
“I knew the weekend before because I needed two more wins,” said Gordon. “I was preparing for it.”
It took him just 52 seconds to turn Downingtown West’s Mike McClelland with a bar arm.
“I wasn’t really nervous,” he said. “I was just excited to get my 100th win. I was willing to do whatever it took to win that match. I just wanted to get it over with.”
Gordon’s was the second bout of the night and helped extend the Eagles’ lead.
“I took it more about the team than getting my 100th win,” said Gordon. “I wanted to do my part and set the pace for my team.”
If Gordon had not missed six weeks of his sophomore season with a broken pelvis, he would have surely accomplished his feat sooner.
Gordon is a four-year varsity wrestler. He was 17-17 as a freshman, 12-10 as a sophomore and 51-11 as a junior. So far this year he is 26-7.
He plans on wrestling in college next year, but is waiting until the season is over before exploring his options.
He is considering athletic training or engineering as potential majors.
“I’m still fishing around with it,” he said.
Winning his 100th was a huge accomplishment, but not his only goal. Last year he missed qualifying for states by one place at regionals.
He is currently ranked second on the D-1 website.
“I’m trying to place at states,” he said.
District Duals –The District One Dual Meet Championship continues Friday at Upper Dublin with the quarterfinals beginning at 6 p.m. and the first round of wrestlebacks to follow. Saturday, consolations resume at 1 p.m. with the championship and consolation finals starting at 4 p.m.
Friday’s matchups include No. 9 Council Rock South taking on No. 1 Owen J. Roberts, No. 5 West Chester Rustin battling No. 4 Marple Newton, No. 11 Pennsbury matched with No. 3 Spring-Ford and No. 7 Council Rock North up against No. 2 Norristown.
Owen J. is bound for the finals, having more depth than CR South. Rustin and Marple are a tossup. Rustin may have a slight advantage because of a tougher schedule.
Spring-Ford will advance over Pennsbury with an overall stronger lineup.
Council Rock North and Norristown will be a real battle as each side has the potential for seven wins. The match will come down to bonus points.
Four teams go to the state tournament. My predictions in order of finish are: 1. Owen J. Roberts, 2. Norristown, 3. Spring-Ford, 4. Rustin
Around the league –Norristown won the New Oxford Tournament, outdistancing second place Bellefonte, 124-96.5. The Eagles placed seven wrestlers. Tyler Letrinko finished seventh at 182, while Mike Springer (138) and Larry Gordon (195) took thirds.
Zach Fuentes lost a tough match in the 113-pound finals in an ultimate tiebreaker. Brett Harner captured the 160-pound crown with a 5-0 decision over Cody Schoenberger of Warwick.
Shane Springer turned in an incredible performance, pinning all seven opponents he faced in the first period, including finals foe Mitch Myers of Blue Mountain in 1:59. His fastest fall came when he dispatched Lampeter-Strasburg’s Zach Byers in a measly 10 seconds. His career pin total is now 125, just two away from the state record of 127. He will probably surpass that this weekend.
Jesse Prante also won the 220 title, defeating Andrew Brown of Harrisburg, 6-4.
Panther Dual Meet Tournament
Central Bucks Southtook first in the Panther Dual Tournament at William Tennent. The Titans went 5-0, beating Upper Merion, George Washington, Abington, William Tennent and Lower Moreland.
Chad Haegele (106), Nick Haegele (120), Dylan Swan (160), Dominic Rigous (170), Greg Frasch (195) and Nick Cassalia (220) were all undefeated. Cassalia pinned all five opponents he faced.
SOL Top 5
1. Norristown
2. Council Rock North
3. Council Rock South
4. Central Bucks South
5. Pennsbury
Top Guns
106—Scott Parker, Pennridge
113— Billy Rappo, Council Rock South
120—Kolton Veit, Souderton
126—Josh DiSanto, Pennsbury
132—John Dutrow, Council Rock North
138—Mike Springer, Norristown
145—Justin Staudenmayer, Plymouth Whitemarsh
152—Seth Ehlo, Central Bucks West
160—Brett Harner, Norristown
170—Shane Springer, Norristown
182—Billy Muzika, Central Bucks South
195—PJ Steinmetz, Council Rock South
220—Tim Riley, Council Rock South
285—Andrew Van Buskirk, William Tennent
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