SOL Teams Have Success On Opening Weekend
by Glenn Kaiser
Boyertown H.S. is the venue that always seems to set the tone, with their annual Brian Bealer Memorial Bear Duals, for the dual season here in District One. And this year was no different, as four traditional district powers and one dark horse rose to the occasion in early dual action December 7, 2019.
There was no doubt that Owen J Roberts (Pioneer Athletic Conference) and Council Rock North (Suburban One League-National) were there to test their mettle, and see where they are as dual teams early on in the season. For sure, these two teams will be in the mix for the D1 dual title in February 2020.
Owen J (5-0) squeaked by CR North (4-1) 40-36 in the finals with North forfeiting two matches. It came down to the last bout at 113-pounds where Owen J’s Mason Karkoska put a major decision on North’s Anthony Burke 9-0. The Indians jumped on an early 21-12 lead over OJR with three falls - Kyle Hauserman to start the match at 120, Larry Tsai (138) and Sammy Hayes (145), a Pittsburgh recruit, followed by Cam Robinson’s 9-4 decision over Antonio Petrucelli. Robinson has committed to Iowa State and Petrucelli will be off to Pittsburgh for his collegiate career. The Robinson/Petrucelli match was the biggest match of the dual tourney for sure with two of the state’s best wrestlers. These two will most likely separate in weight class for the postseason.
The Wildcats scored three consecutive pins in the upper weights to push ahead 36-24 as Tommy Dempsey (182) down in weight, Dylan Bauer (195) and Francis McCoy (220) sparked the team to set up the final match knotted at 36 points apiece, after back-to-back falls by CRN’s Max Harrar (285) and Dylan Siverd (106). It should be noted, CR North was without standout wrestler Luke Lucerne this past weekend, and this match could go the other way next time they meet. Lucerne will be attending the U.S. Naval Academy next year.
Owen J. Roberts 40, Council Rock North 36
on Saturday, December 7, 2019
Brian Bealer Memorial Bear Duals (Championship Round - Championship)
at Boyertown HS
120 - Kyle Hauserman pinned Joshua Jackson, 2:42 (0-6)
126 - Matthew Englehardt pinned Tomasso Meara, 1:57 (6-6)
132 - David Forrest won by forfeit (12-6)
138 - Larry Tsai pinned Jack Dalton, 0:55 (12-12)
145 - Sammy Hayes pinned Connor Leister, 5:51 (12-18)
152 - Cameron Robinson dec. Antonio Petrucelli, 9-4 (12-21)
160 - Connor Quinn won by forfeit (18-21)
170 - Dillon Sheehy dec. Austin Boaman, 10-7 (18-24)
182 - Tommy Dempsey pinned Brendon Hardy, 3:54 (24-24)
195 - Dylan Bauer pinned Alex Roe, 3:27 (30-24)
220 - Francis McCoy pinned Blake Silber, 1:55 (36-24)
285 - Max Harar pinned Richard Nathan, 2:17 (36-30)
106 - Dylan Siverd pinned Zachary Sturm, 1:01 (36-36)
113 - Mason Karkoska maj. dec. Anthony Burke, 9-0 (40-36)
Owen J. Roberts wrestlers in bold.
In first round action, Interboro let everyone know they will be a tough out throughout the season in D1 as they narrowly lost to CRN 34-31, as North sat out Dillon Sheehy (West Point appointee) for the match. Interboro went on to go 3-2 on the day. downing Souderton (1-4) 70-12, Dallas 75-4 and Boyertown 38-37. CR North defeated Souderton 65-14, Dallas 78-6 and host Boyertown 43-26. The win over Boyertown was significant in the landscape of District One, as Boyertown has traditionally been a D1 stalwart in the postseason team championships.
Harry S Truman’s freshmen phenom Hayden Mann was a perfect 5-0 on the day despite the Tigers 1-4 dual record. Mann is one to watch this season in the 138-pound weight class.
Cumberland Valley Kickoff - Council Rock South started its season off where they traditionally do at Cumberland Valley (CV), and the Golden Hawks did not disappoint with a 4th place team finish (151 points) and lone champ in Kyle Waterman up at 126-pounds, runner-up Matt Collajezzi (170), along with some solid placers throughout their roster. Waterman made the decision to get big this season as he prepares for college at Appalachian State. He looked good with the added weight and muscle beating Nazareth’s Andrew Smith in SV overtime 8-6. The Golden Hawks impressed, finishing in the top-5 - ahead of the host CV (5th-124 pts.), and just a half point behind 3rd place finisher Cannon Mac (151.5 pts.). Seneca Valley won the team title with 217.5 points and Nazareth was the team runner-up with 198 pts. All of the top five teams were participants in the 2019 AAA PIAA Team Championships. Cannon Mac was 4th in Hershey last year.
Collajezzi, just a sophomore and another one of South’s top grapplers, was impressive in this extremely talented field at CV. He managed to win silver at 170 after dropping his finals’ match 10-3 to Nazareth’s Connor Herceg. The Golden Hawks put four other wrestlers on the podium with Cavan Kinne (5th-106), Mohammed Savriddiniov (5th-132), Joel Marrtsinovsky (3rd-160), and Gianna Gilch (5th-182). Gilch is headed to VMI next fall.
The Pioneer Athletic Conference’s Spring-Ford had a strong showing both as a team and with individual success, finishing 6th overall with 115 points. Spring-Ford will battle Council Rock South in another primetime dual meet here in D1 tonight, which will also shape the team race, between two of best in the Southeast Region.
Pennridge also represented the SOL in District 3’s premier event. Logan Green was the only Ram wrestler to place, garnering the 5th place medal at 195. Green avenged a 5-4 quarterfinal loss to Bishop McDevitt’s Riley Robell, downing Robell 1-0 in the medal round.
Battle of Bethlehem Duals - Neshaminy and North Penn hooked up in the consolation finals at Freedom H.S. with Neshaminy picking up where they left last season, establishing themselves as a team to be reckoned with in D1. They easily dismissed the Knights 42-27 over a thin North Penn squad. The ‘Skins Zach Martin defeated William Morrow (NP) 4-3 in a premier early season match-up at 138-pounds. Neshaminy went 4-1 on the day with their lone loss coming at the hands of Freedom 46-23.
Cedar Crest Duals - Two SOL-American foes ran into each other in the finals at Cedar Crest, as Abington demolished Plymouth-Whitemarsh 58-15 there. Abington will challenge defending league champs Wissahickon and Hatboro-Horsham for the American team title this season. Abington.
Franny Lutz Holiday Championship Duals -Many Some SOL teams stayed local with D1 and D12 teams, rather than travel to D3 or D11 to test their skills. Upper Moreland put together a nice tournament, going undefeated with three victories winning Pool B with wins over Penn Charter 60-17, Martin Luther King 52-27 and Central Bucks West 45-30.
It was an action-packed weekend and it’s just the start of the season, league duals and tournaments highlight the second week of competitions with holiday tournaments on the horizon.
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