Glenn Kaiser highlights the SOL’s top finisher sat the Southeast Regional Tournament. Photos from CR South & CR North are provided courtesy of Kim Supko Photography and Tracy Valko. Check back for galleries of Saturday’s action.
2021 SOUTHEAST REGIONAL WRESTLING
18 SOL Wrestlers Advance to Super Region
By Glenn Kaiser
It was a grind for all - wrestlers, coaches, tournament staff, but mostly for wrestler’s parents and fans of wrestling this Saturday at both Council Rock North and South, as COVID restrictions limited the showcase of local student/athletes at the Southeast Regional wrestling tournament.
Nonetheless, SOL wrestlers excelled at their sport, as they competed with the SE Region’s best wrestlers Saturday. The end result, 18 SOL wrestlers moved on to the PIAA East Super Region next Saturday at Quakertown. The top four wrestlers advanced to the undefined 2021 PIAA AAA Individual Championships. Since the traditional state tournament will only consist of eight wrestlers from around the state, the Super Regions (EAST & WEST), will essentially be the first round of a 16-man state bracket. Consider all these wrestlers state qualifiers in a most unusual postseason.
Four SOL grapplers captured regional titles Saturday and five earned silver medals. First to be crowned a champion was Quakertown’s undefeated Mason Ziegler, who edged SOL foe and freshman Sam Kuhns (Pennridge) 1-0 in the 113-pound championship. SOL wrestlers then ran off three straight final victories, starting with state superstar Kyle Hauserman (Council Rock North) kicking it off with a 138-pound title. Hauserman blanked Boyertown’s Chance Babb 7-0 in the title tilt. Instead of a rematch of last weekend’s District One North championship match with Domenic DeFalco (Quakertown), it was Babb, who basically turned the 138-bracket upside down with his win over DeFalco in the quarterfinals and faced off with Hauserman. The good news, DeFalco qualified for the Super Region, placing fourth here.
One of the more unexpected titles for the SOL came at 145-pounds where Bensalem’s Connor Eck was phenomenal, with his unbelievable defense, as he took the 145-pound title from West Chester Henderson’s Sam McMonagle. Eck used a terrific takedown in the first period and an escape to hang on to a 3-1 victory. Eck showed unbelievable athleticism and balance as he defended McMonagle’s relentless leg attacks. On at least two occasions, he was in a full split, fighting off takedown attempts, as he fought off the hands of McMonagle. Eck is clearly on a mission to win a state title. North Penn’s William Morrow was solid all day as he captured the bronze medal with a 6-2 win in the consolation finals at 145 over West Chester East’s Andrew Luke.
Neshaminy’s rugged Zac Martin made it three in a row for the SOL at 152-pounds with his win over Interboro’s Dom D’Agostino 7-2. Martin took an early lead with a takedown, followed by back points to win his title over D’Agostino who was just as rugged and experienced as Martin.
At 106-pounds, arguably the most talented weight-class (152lbs could just as well been the toughest), upsets abounded. Tony Burke (Council Rock North) reached the finals with his impressive 6-1 win over neighborhood rival Cavan Kinne (CRS). Burke dropped a close 8-6 decision to Cole Smith (Spring-Ford) in the finals, garnering silver. Unfortunately, Kinne and Pennridge’s Cole Coffin both were eliminated after suffering consolation semifinal losses. CR South’s Matt Colajezzi was unable to down Jack McGill (Spring-Ford) in the 160-pound championship match, as McGill won 5-2, as he had to settle for second place.
One of the most explosive matches of the day was between Central Bucks East’s Quinn Collins and CR South’s Lucas Doyle in a 215-pound semifinal bout. Collins used a last second takedown to overcome Doyle’s spectacular lateral drop to win 8-7. Collins also had a late takedown in the second period to keep his early lead. Collins could not keep pace with Sun Valley’s Ryan Catka in the final as he advanced with a silver medal. The 215-pound weight class saw a trifecta for SOL wrestlers advancing. Carl DiGiorgio (CB West) was outstanding on the day with his only loss to Catka, as he downed SOL foe Lucas Doyle for the bronze 11-4.
CR North’s heavyweight Max Harar had to settle for second-place as well, as he was downed by Upper Darby’s Julien Laventure 12-6 in the 285-pound final. Quakertown’s Frederick Retter advanced to the Super Region as he finished third.
Others to advance included fellow Panther Zach Borzio at 126-pound with his third place finish, Eddie Galang (North Penn), who was third at 132-pounds, CB East’s Mason Stiein, third at 160-pounds. CR North’s Blake Silber surprised many with his 4-3 win over Perk Valley’s Grant Euker, the D1 North champ, to advance.
The team title was won by a very solid Spring-Ford (95.5 points) squad that crowned three champs. Quakertown (69 pts.) finished third just ahead of fourth place Council Rock North (67 pts.). It’s back to Quakertown next Saturday for the East Super Region which will feature wrestlers form District 11, which should make things very interesting…
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