Photos provided courtesy of Kim Supko. Check back for a gallery of photos: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f843008868
QUAKERTOWN NIPS PENNRIDGE FOR 2023 (AAA) SOUTHEAST REGIONAL WRESTLING TITLE
SOL Wrestlers Rule District One
by Glenn Kaiser
Souderton, PA-Wrestling’s best of the best in the Southeast Region live here, here in the Suburban One League. SOL wrestlers dominated the 2023 SE Regional tournament in style as Quakertown edged Pennridge by 1 point to win the team title - 129.5 to 128.5-points. Additionally, SOL wrestlers captured eight individual championships with 12 finalists. Quakertown advanced six grapplers to the big dance, the 2023 PIAA (AAA) Individual Championships this upcoming weekend at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. Pennridge will travel to Chocolate Town, USA, with five wrestlers, as will Council Rock South. All in all, 25 SOL wrestlers will see action in the state tournament starting Thursday, March 9, 2023, through Saturday, March 11, 2023.
Quakertown’s 145-pounder, Collin Gaj, remained undefeated at 45-0 with his second SE Regional title earning him the tournament Outstanding Wrestler award with an 18-8 major decision over Sun Valley’s Brandon Carr. Gaj praised his teammates and coaches after the Panther’s secured the team title. Gaj talked about early season dual losses and how they came together in the postseason both individually and as team. Q-town qualified for the 2023 PIAA (AAA) Team Championships with their 4th place finish in the D1 Team Championships as they began building for their individual postseason success. The Panthers finished third at the D1-East Section behind both Pennridge and CR South but found themselves on top after two grueling days at Souderton. Despite a power-outage Friday night and a long day Saturday, SOL wrestlers handled the adversity well.
Quakertown knew they needed every point throughout the event as did Pennridge, and you could see the rivalry play out on the mats. CR South was in the hunt as well, and the competition was fierce. In the end, it may have been Q-town’s Isaac Williams late fall in the 114-pound 5th place bout over Downingtown West’s Chase Sigle that was the difference. Nonetheless, Collin Gaj said that he is excited that the Panthers were able to qualify a “team” to states, giving them a chance to contend in the team race, as he pursues an individual state title. Gaj indicated it is a short week, and that he will prep the same way he has all-season with quality workouts, good nutrition and rest, as he and his team enjoy the moment and get back to business.
Joining Gaj on top of the podium was Mason Ziegler at 121-pounds with his 16-2 major decision over Pennridge’s Quinn McBride. He too will look to rise to the top of the podium in the Giant Center. 
Runners-up for Q-town were Zach Borzio at 152-pounds and Calvin Lachman at 215. Panther Gavin Carroll took the bronze at 139-pounds with his 2-1 victory over CB South’s Jake Neill. Pennridge matched Q-town with two champs, two runners-up and a third-place finisher. The Rams’ Colby Martinelli was worthy of OW consideration with his performance as he won the 107-pound weight class over Ridley’s returning state qualifier Curtis Nelson, 8-5. Martinelli took out Perk Valley’s highly regarded Max Tancini in the semis with a 5-love shutout. Sam Kuhns took out three D1 Sectional champs along the way to his regional title at 139-pounds. Kuhns won late in both his semifinal match with CB South’s Neill 2-1 with a last second takedown, and escaped in OT winning in an ultimate ride-out 1-0 over Oxford’s Austin McMillan. Talan Hogan won the silver medal at 172 after advancing in an overtime win, in the semifinals, against Perk Valley’s Carson Pascoe 6-3 (TB-1). Cole Coffin rebounded for bronze in the rugged 114-pound weight class with a pin-fall win over CRS Golden Hawk Luke Reitter, who placed 8th last year in Hershey at 106-pounds.
Unfortunately, the Rams’ Ryan Gallagher finished in 6th place at 160 after a great run over the past two weeks in the postseason, as he returned to form after recovering from a serious injury last year. Gallagher won his preliminary match with D1 West champ Josh Barlow from Kennett 5-0, but Barlow edged Gallagher in a consi-semi match 4-3, putting him in the blood-round for the last spot in Hershey. CR South Bek Sadriddinov continued his glorious season at 160-pounds, winning the title over Perk Valley’s Gavin Pascoe as he moves on to Hershey in search of gold. The Golden Hawks (98.5-points), surprisingly finished 5th in the team race behind Kennett (114pts.) and Owen J Roberts (100.5pts.) but will head to the Giant Center with Connor Lenahan (107-5th), Rietter (114-4th), Ben Brillhart (133-5th) and Gavin Cole (152-5th).
Central Bucks West freshman Chris Dennis continued to impress with his domination at 114-pounds. He was victorious over 2022 106-pound 5th place state finisher, Haverford’s Cole McFarland 4-3. Dennis beat both Coffin and Reitter along the way to the title. CB East big-man Joe Collins downed Strath Haven’s highly touted, Ben Farabagh in overtime 1-0 (UTB) for the 285-pound title. Collins was able to escape from the bottom to secure his championship. Last but not least, Council Rock North’s Eren Sement won his second SE Regional title, edging Kennett’s Blake Boyer 1-0 as he looks to contend for a state title at 127-pounds.
SE Region Notes: Four freshmen advanced to the finals, featuring CB West’s Dennis (114) and OJR’s Dean Bechtold (189) as champs of this frosh class, and the ‘Ridge’s Quinn McBride (121) and Kennett’s Boyer (127) as runners-up. The Bechtolds made some family history at regionals, as the brothers both won championships, Dean’s older brother, Dillon Bechtold won the 215-title over Lachman. Both Kennett (Ches-Mont League) and Perk Valley (Pioneer Athletic Conference) matched Q-town with six state qualifiers. Conestoga (Central League) impressed with three SQs and a champ at 172-pounds in Hayden McLellan, who beat Pennridge’s Hogan in the finals 6-3. Owen J had the most regional champs (3) with Sam Gautreau (152), who defeated Q-town’s Borzio in the final with a tech fall, along with the Bechtolds.
To view Southeast team and individual brackets: https://www.suburbanonesports.com/article/content/quakertown-wins-southeast-regional-wrestling-crown-00105309
The PIAA brackets will be out Sunday 3/5/23 at www.piaa.org
DISTRICT ONE COACHES ASSOCIATION
Southeast Region Hall of Fame Inductees
Class of 2023
Dave Armstrong (Central Bucks West-1998/University of Michigan & Bloomsburg University-2002)-Wrestler: Dave graduated from CB West with a career record of 127-12 as a 4x Sectional (OW in 1998), 3x District & 3x Southeast Regional Champion. He capped off his scholastic wrestling career with a PIAA (AAA) Silver Medal at heavyweight in 1998 after placing 3rd in 1997. Dave also was outstanding on the gridiron, as he was named the 1997 PA Player of the Year along with All-American Football honors. He was a 2x All-State star, earning a football scholarship to the University of Michigan. After transferring to Bloomsburg, Dave was named to the football PSAC (DE) First Team. Dave is the current head football coach at Archbishop Wood, employed at his family business, Al Armstrong & Son Fuel & Oil, and the father of five children.
Keith Ely (Council Rock 1975/Princeton University 1979)-Wrestler/Official: Keith graduated from Council Rock HS in 1975 with a scholastic overall record of 43-8-1 that included a D1 and SE Regional title to go along with his PIAA (AAA) Silver medal at 167-pounds. Keith was a SQ in 1974 as well, he captained the Indians in 1975, garnering several OW awards and all-league honors in his four-year career at CR under legendary head coach Vic Stanley. He has been inducted into the CR HOF along with his coach. It was at Princeton where his wrestling career took off with a collegiate record of 68-9-2. He was a 3x EIWA runner-up and 3x NCAA (DI) National Qualifier. Additionally, Keith was the Princeton Senior Male Athlete of the Year (Roper) Award winner and named 1st team All-Ivy League, winning several in-season individual tournaments. Keith retired from PIAA Officiating after 26-years (1994-2020) and along the way was a volunteer coach in Newtown, CT, and as a Unionville youth coach. He continues to umpire PIAA baseball after 20-years and has umped two Carpenter Cups. He is currently an Electrician after developing four patents as a mechanical engineer for 22-years. He has been married to his high school sweetheart/wrestlerette Dana for 41-years and counting.
Zack Fuentes (Norristown 2013/Drexel University 2018)-Wrestler: Zack graduated from Norristown Area HS in 2013 with an astonishing 181 wins (181-36 career record). He was a 3x PIAA (AAA) state medalist, 4th in 2011, 5th in 2012 and the state runner-up in 2013 at 113-pounds. Additionally, he was a 3x Sectional and District champion (OW in 2013), a 2x SE Regional champ and Dapper Dan participant in 2013. His scholastic career included medals at the Ironman (3rd), Powerade (4th), Escape the Rock (4th) and 4th at the Beast of the East. At Drexel, Zack was an NCAA (DI) Qualifier in 2018, and as a four-year starter for the Dragons, he placed 3x at the EIWAs, placing third twice in 2016 & 2018. He received NCAA (DI) All-Academic Team honors in 2018. He was a two-year varsity soccer player in high school and wrestling team captain his senior year.
Brett Harner (Norristown 2013/Princeton University 2017)-Wrestler: Brett was a 4x Captain of the Norristown Area HS Eagles, compiling 190 wins in a stellar scholastic career as a 4x PIAA (AAA) State medalist at four different weight-classes, with a career record of 190-24 with 110-pinfalls. Brett was the PIAA runner-up in 2013 at 182-pounds after placing 3rd in 2012 (160lbs), 4th in 2011 (152) and 8th in 2010 at 140. Additionally, he was a 4x Sectional and 3x District and Regional Champion. Brett placed in the top three at the majors, finishing 2nd (2012) and 3rd (2011) at the Beast, runner-up at Powerade in 2011 and 3rd at the Ironman in 2012. Brett also captained the Norristown Golf Team for two years in his four-year golf career and graduated as the Salutatorian. Brett took his student-athlete talents to Princeton, becoming an All-American in 2016 with an 8th place at the NCAAs. During his career as a 3x Captain of the Tigers he posted a career mark of 107-38 as a 3x NCAA (DI) National Qualifier, garnering an EIWA championship at 197-pounds in 2016, and was a 2x Midlands place-winner (3rd-2016/8th-2015). Brett is a trader for Brevan Howard, a global alternative investment management platform based in New York City.
Matthew Rappo (Council Rock South 2011/Bloomsburg University 2015)-Wrestler: Matt compiled a career record of 151-36 wrestling for the Golden Hawks. He was a four-time D1 Champion and 3x Sectional & Regional champ, garnering two PIAA (AAA) state medals, finishing 4th in 2011 (135-pounds) and 7th in 2010 (125lbs.) as a 3x SQ. Matt joins his legendary band of brothers in the D1 Coaches Association Wrestling Hall of Fame. Matt was a 2x Academic All-American while garnering multiple medals scholastically (as a 3x medalist in each event) in the King of the Mountain, Escape the Rock and Bethlehem Holiday Tournaments. At Bloom, Matt was a 3-year starter for the Huskies placing 4th in 2013 at 141-pounds and 5th in 2014 at the EWL Championships. He finished his college career with a 44-44 record overall. Matt is currently an electrician for Local 98.
2023 District One Wrestling Person of the Year
Joe Stabilito, Sr (Associate Head Coach, William Tennent)-Coach/Contributor: Joe, Sr. has 53 years of coaching experience. He has coached locally for youth clubs at Hatboro-Horsham and Upper Dublin, as well in the PIAA for Upper Dublin and William Tennent High Schools, and he is a Silver Level Coach (USA Wrestling) and Gold Level Coach (United World Wrestling). He has been inducted in both the PA-Chapter National Wrestling Hall of Fame and D1 Southeast Wrestling Hall of Fame. He is currently the State Chairman of Pennsylvania USA Wrestling, a member of District One Steering Committee (Secretary), member of Sanction (Girls Wrestling) PA Board (Secretary) and member of PA Chapter HOF Board (Secretary/Web Master). Additionally, he is the member of the State Chairs Executive Council for USA Wrestling and Chair of Chairs for the Northeast Region (USA Wrestling) as well as a member of the WIBN Philadelphia-Events, member of the ICWL League-USA Representative, member of the Junior Olympic Committee- USA Wrestling, member of the Folkstyle Committee-USA Wrestling and a member of the State Chairs Executive Council – USA Wrestling. We thank Joe Sr. for all of his dedication and hard work for the sport of wrestling.
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