By Alex Frazier
Meet…the Watkins
Wissahickon’s twin brothers Andre and Aubrey Watkins are back after almost a year’s layoff.
And they’re out for bear.
“It’s pretty much of a redeeming year for me,” said Andre. “My goal has always been to make it to states by my senior year. It’s my last shot and I’m pushing hard.”
The Watkins’ wrestling season was cut short right after the season-opening Southeast Classic Tournament last year because of family issues, which have since been resolved.
They were allowed to practice but couldn’t compete in matches or tournaments.
They also continued wrestling in the off-season.
“Everything turned out better now,” said Aubrey.
The Watkins are identical twins although they celebrate different birthdays. Even people close to them have difficulty telling them apart.
“Pretty much coaches, teammates get confused,” said Aubrey. “We have similarities but different weight.”
Aubrey is the lighter of the two. He will be wrestling 140, while Andre, who started the year at 160, will most likely drop to 145.
Andre is the more experienced of the pair. He started grappling in eighth grade when Aubrey wasn’t “too into it.”
However, after watching Andre wrestle, Aubrey came out at the end of his freshman year.
“I liked to watch my brother wrestle,” said Aubrey. “It’s my biggest influence.”
His debut was forgettable as he lost the last and only match of the year to Norristown.
“I didn’t know too much then,” he chuckled in reflection.
Though not as experienced, Aubrey is gaining momentum.
“He’s one of the toughest, if not the toughest, to score on and take down,” said Wissahickon coach Jim Swiggard.
After experiencing heart pain at the Southeast Classic this year, Aubrey had to forfeit his second match. He has been cleared by the doctor, who could provide no explanation, and should be returning to action this weekend at the Harriton Duals.
Aubrey is only 1-1 so far this season.
“It’s no biggy,” he said. “Right now I’m focused on winning and I have the capability to win, so I’m not worried about my record.”
As you might suspect, the two brothers are best of friends and provide each other with good workout partners
“We play around a lot, roll around and try some moves,” said Aubrey.
“He’s been my drilling partner in the room,” said Andre. “He learned everything I did, which makes it really competitive. We push each other to our maximum capability.”
“They go at it when they wrestle in the room,” said Swiggard. “They both keep moving and don’t stop. People love watching them wrestle. I’m sure there are kids on the team looking up to them.”
Both brothers want to wrestle next year, and they both want to attend the same college.
They have been accepted at Bloomsburg, which is currently their top choice. They have a meeting with the coach on Jan. 17.
“We were accepted the day after Christmas,” said Andre. “That was my best Christmas present.”
Aubrey plans to major in political science.
“I like politics,” said Aubrey.
The two interned for their former youth football coach, family friend and state representative Mike Gerber (D-148) one summer and enjoyed it.
“I loved it,” said Aubrey “It was good.”
While Andre enjoyed it too, his bent is toward art.
He is an avid cartoonist and will pursue that angle in college.
“I do draw a lot,” he said. “It’s a big hobby of mine.”
While each of the Watkins is individual, there’s one thing they both have in common.
“They’re great,” said Swiggard. “Not only are they nice kids but are good wrestlers. They’re the ideal kids that you want to represent your program.”
Both Watkins have set high goals for their final high school season.
“Andre’s and my goals are to make states,” said Aubrey. “Andre is already proven. He’s setting an example for himself right now. And when I come back, hopefully I’ll set my example.”
Wetzel Tournament notes – First timers – Several wrestlers won their very first tournament. Bensalem freshman Mike Pritchard was one of them. In his first varsity tournament at the Southeast Classic he finished third.
He moved to the top of the podium at the Wetzel, thanks to some gutsy wrestling in overtime. Pritchard gave up two stalling points in the third period to put himself in that position, but used a nice switch in the first 30-second overtime period for the go-ahead points. Then he had to hold on as he was nearly reversed by Downingtown East’s T.J. Nelson in the third OT.
In what was arguably the most exciting bout of the night, Hatboro-Horsham senior Bryan Wu won his first tournament after going 0-2 at the Wetzel a year ago in his first varsity season.
He faced top-seeded Will Dill of Upper Moreland in the final. En route he had knocked off the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds.
Wu was losing 4-0 when he rolled through on Dill’s headlock in the second period, caught his own headlock and pinned him in 2:52.
“I was getting tired and I thought he was getting to me,” said Wu. “Then he got me on my back and I usually roll out of that, and that’s what happened. I had it in pretty tight. I didn’t have any doubt that he was getting up.”
When the ref slapped the mat, the crowd went berserk.
“I have never felt like that before,” said Wu. “The crowd was going crazy. I was pretty excited.”
Not as excited as he would later be when he was awarded the Most Pins in the Least Amount of Time and the tournament’s MVP.
Wu admitted it took him a while to get going after the shock of teammate Matt Harkins getting pinned at 119.
“I was kind of upset and couldn’t focus on my match until halfway through the first period,” said Wu.
• Ghosts rebuilding – After several successful seasons, Abington is starting to rebuild.
And the Ghosts have two excellent freshmen to focus on.
112-pounder Mike Metz went 3-3 in the tournament to finish fifth and heavyweight Angel Carlo came in fourth. Carlo is already 5-11 and 230 pounds, so he will likely grow into the weight as his career advances. He is now 5-4 for the season.
Coach Jeff Franko called the two “special stuff.”
The Ghosts also have a potential blue-chip youngster in Bryan Osei. Wrestling fans will certainly recognize that name as his brother David finished second in the state at heavyweight last year. He is now playing football at Rutgers. He made it back for the tournament to watch his “little” brother finish fifth at 215.
Around the league – In one of the toughest holiday tournaments in the area, Council Rock South placed fourth at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic.
Josh Dziewa paced the Golden Hawks with a championship title at 140 pounds.
Rock South also had seven other place winners. Matt Rappo (125) and Bobby Lavelle (215) finished third; Matt Martoccio was fourth; Billy Rappo (103) and Tim Reilly (152) were fifth, Shane Gilmore (160) finished seventh; and Tray Balasco (112), Tom Dingui (189) and Tom Trampe (285) came in eighth.
In the same tournament, Quakertown 160-pounder Edwin Gonzalez finished second, losing to Hazleton's Pat LaBuz 11-3 in the final.
Tyler Wolfe was third at 171 and heavyweight Gregg Walker came in fourth. Eric Koch finished sixth at 152. Briar Mailschewski (145) and Robert Basile (215) came in eighth.
The Panthers finished eighth as a team with 94 points.
North Penn was 23rd. The Knights Drew Daubert (135) advanced as far as the quarterfinals. Joey O’Brien (103), Daubert, Dominic Colangelo (160) and Will Bachert (171) were eliminated in the fourth round of consolations.
• There were five SOL teams in the Delco Duals. Harry S Truman led the parade with a fourth place-finish, losing 34-31 to ELCO in the consolation match.
Upper Dublin defeated Marple Newtown 37-29 to capture fifth place. Springfield’s Dylan Evans (285) ensured the Spartans’ 35-33 victory over Strath Haven, which advanced them to the ninth-place match, which they lost 52-22 to Academy Park.
Upper Merion also took it out on Strath Haven. Troy Cheely’s pin of Kyle Floyd at 112 allowed the Vikings to sneak past Strath Haven 42-41 for 11th place.
• After some early weight certification issues, Pennsbury heavyweight Josh Mitchell made his debut a short one against Bayard Rustin, pinning in just 30 seconds. Although the Falcons lost the match 44-18, Josh DiSanto (112), Cody Jackson (125) and Kevin Bree (215) kept their undefeated records intact.
Pennsbury also won the Ridley Tournament, compiling 224 points to Ridley’s 176. Central Bucks South finished fourth with 125.
DiSanto and Bree were the lone Falcons to escape undefeated DiSanto majored Chris Menture of Ridley 12-2 in the 125-pound final, while Bree decisioned Manos Attiliadis of Harriton 7-2 at 215.
Anthony Dimedio (103), Anthony Argenti (145), Mark Nicholson (152) and Conlan Cornman (160) also claimed titles.
Mike Mathis (119) was the lone C.B. South winner, as he majored Jeff Lieb of Pennsbury, 10-1. Teammates Jeff Sklencar (125) and Blake Wise (152) finished second.
• Norristown finished second in the Dallastown Tournament. The Eagles’ Brandon Parker (152) and Marcus Robbins (285) garnered championships, while Brett Harner (140) and Joe Pierce (160) finished second.
Tyler Letrinko (215) came in third, with Matt Grill (189) finishing fourth.
As a team, Norristown finished second.
TOP Five SOL
1. Council Rock South
2. Council Rock North
3. Quakertown
4. Norristown
5. Upper Moreland
Top Guns
103—Billy Rappo, Council Rock South
112—Josh DiSanto, Pennsbury
119—Matt Harkins, Hatboro-Horsham or Mike Mathis, Central Bucks South
125—Scott Wolfinger, Quakertown
130—Tim Santry, Upper Moreland
135—Luke Wisniewski, Plymouth Whitemarsh
140— Josh Dziewa, Council Rock South
145— Matt Martoccio, Council Rock South
152— Eric Koch, Quakertown
160— Greg Lanctot, Council Rock North
171—John Staudenmayer, Plymouth Whitemarsh
189— Jamie Callender, Council Rock North
215—Joe Stolfi, Souderton
285—Marcus Robbins, Norristown
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