CR South Bumped to Consolations by Nazareth

CR South Bumped To Consolations By Nazareth

Council Rock South Head Coach Brad Silimperi is no stranger to the Nazareth wrestling program. He is a 1990 graduate who won a state title in 1987 for legendary Blue Eagles Coach Dave Crowell.  Thus, he knew the challenges his team would face against a tough-as-nails Nazareth team in the AAA Semifinals of the 2017 PIAA Team Championships.  Nazareth dethroned Bethlehem Catholic in the District 11 finals and advanced to this year’s semifinals with one goal in mind - win a state team championship.

With top-ranked wrestlers scattered throughout both teams, this dual appeared to be a chess match on paper, with bonus points the key to success.  And it was Nazareth that posted the most bonus points to win going away 45-19.  The Blue Eagles secured three pin falls, two tech falls, two major decisions and a disqualification.  Nazareth received bonus points in seven of their nine wins in the dual meet. 

South picked up falls from Zack Trampe (132) and Joe Doyle (220), but with just one major decision by Riley Palmer at 152-pounds, it was not enough to go with just two more decision victories by Cary Palmer, who beat Nathan Stefanik 5-2, and Shane Anderson’s 6-4 win at heavyweight. 

South will now wait for the winner of the Cannon Mac/Kiski consolation quarterfinal bout.  The consolation semi-finals start at 11 am with the finals set for 1 pm at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pa.  If CRS can win in the consi-semis, they will have a chance at the bronze medal in this year’s team championships.  Nazareth will battle Bethlehem Catholic (BECA defeated North Alleghany handily in the other semi 50-23) in the finals, a rematch of the D11 finals.  Nazareth will look to dethrone BECA who won the team title last year over District One’s Boyertown 37-20.