SOL Wrestling Teams Busy in New Year
by Glenn Kaiser
Pennridge seems to be gaining momentum as the Rams move ever closer to the postseason as a dual and tournament team. With outstanding talent up and down the lineup, and gaining confidence and experience, the Rams seem primed for a tremendous run, all the way to Hershey. The Rams are 11-2 overall as a dual team, and 1-0 in the Colonial with their latest win over Souderton 36-32. With wins over Quakertown, Boyertown and Neshaminy under their belts, along with a narrow loss to Council Rock South, they look like the potential #2-seed in the upcoming District One Team Championships, which get under way at the end of the month on January 26th at the higher seeds’ home gym. The finals will be held at Upper Dublin Feb. 4 with the Elite 8 battling for four spots in 2023 PIAA (AAA) Team Championships.
Pennridge is led by top-gun light-weights Colby Martinelli, ranked #8 at 107-pounds in the state by PA Power, undefeated Cole Coffin (16-0) at 114-pounds is #6 according to the PA Power rankings. In the middle, 145-pounder Sam Kuhns sits at #20 in the rankings, up top Talon Hogan, just a sophomore is #14 and freshman Ryan Rowe has impressed at 189 with a 12-5 record. Others in the supporting cast include big-man Riley Cullen at 13-4, Gio Iadonisi (152) with a 11-5 record. Newcomers Cole Meehan and Quinn McBride have also contributed with winning records. The team approach for the Rams is a formula for success, so keep an eye on this squad as the move closer to the matches that really matter in the postseason.
Quakertown (3-5) is not having the team success they visioned coming into this season, but nonetheless have highly touted grapplers in Colin Gaj (145), Mason Ziegler (121) & Calvin Lachman (215). Gaj & Ziegler are ranked #3 in AAA by PA Power, and Lachman is the #2-ranked wrestler with a 12-2 record. Gaj is a perfect 16-0 and Ziegler is 13-3 with an early season win over Zach Jacaruso from Delaware Valley, who was the 113-pound state champion last year.
Council Rock South remains the clear favorite for the #1-seed in the D1 Team Championships with wins over both Pennridge and Quakertown. However, they know they will have to continue to crank it up a notch when they potentially see one, or both the ‘Ridge and Q-town again in the post-season. South is revving up for their own Escape the Rock tourney this coming weekend. ETR has become one of the most prestigious wresting tournaments in the Nation over the years, and this year’s edition will not disappoint as some of the county’s best grapplers will be on the main stage thru-out the weekend, especially in the finals. Pre-seeds are listed below.
The Golden Hawks are 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the Patriot and will be challenged by both Neshaminy and Pennsbury in league action. But for now, they will individually tow-the-line this weekend with the ultimate goal of garnering the prized championship belt handed out to each champion. Connor Lenahan leads the way ranked #4 at 107-lbs by PA Power, along with Bek Sadriddinov at 160-pounds, he sits at #9. Gavin Cole has been having a breakout season as a sophomore at 152-pounds and is ranked #12 in the state rankings. Young guns Pat Woloshyn (120) has wrestled well against great competition, while sophomore Ben Brillhart has grinded out a 15-6 record at 139-pounds to garner a #16 ranking. Nonetheless, Golden Hawk head coach Brad Silimperi knows that rankings mean little when you step on the mat, and that it is all the hard work that gets your hand raised in the postseason, which is always the goal for Golden Hawk wrestlers.
At the Rock Yard Duals, hosted by CR North over this past-weekend, Neshaminy (8-4) and CB South (7-3) both went 2-2, as the host Indians only picked up one win. The Titans were victorious over CRN 46-18. Pioneer Athletic Conference team’s Spring-Ford and Owen J Roberts both went 4-0, and will be forces to reckon with for SOL teams at the district duals.
Wednesday’s marquee league matches include Neshaminy at Pennsbury (7-2) in the Patriot and Quakertown at Upper Dublin (9-1) in the Liberty. Upper Dublin looks to be the Panthers toughest competition in the Liberty, but Plymouth Whitemarsh is 7-1 overall and will take on Abington (3-3) as they appear to be a team for consideration for the 16-team D1 Team bracket. The SOL is clearly the top league in D1, and could see as many as eight teams make the field should they all apply. The PAC should have four teams in S-F, OJR, Boyertown and Perk Valley, which only leaves four spots, that should include the Ches-Mont’s Sun Valley and Kennent.
Competing SOL teams at ETR along with CR South are CR North, CB West, Pennridge & Quakertown.
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