By Alex Frazier
Meet…Adam Slezak
It’s a huge challenge to jump three weight classes in one year.But that’s just what Council Rock North’s Adam Slezak has done.
As a sophomore, he wrestled 103, finishing second at sectionals and districts and placing sixth at regionals.
This year it’s taken him some time to get acclimated to bigger, stronger opponents.
“The kids got stronger and you had to wrestle a lot smarter,” he said. “You couldn’t muscle them around as much like when I was at 105.”
Slezak is actually certified at 119, but it was best for the team for Shane Longstreth to wrestle there and Slezak to move up.
In some respects, Slezak is happy with the arrangement. After cutting a lot of weight last year, he can eat this year.
And they both took third at districts.
Entering districts this year, in fact, he had a losing record at 14-16.
Most of those losses came earlier in the year. In his last 11 matches, he is 9-2, which raises his season record to 18-17.
“He had to battle back because he had some tough losses (against some tough kids),” said Council Rock North coach Tom Vivacqua. “He had some matches he didn’t wrestle as well as he could have.”
Slezak is hoping to go deeper into the win column this week at regionals, though he won’t have an easy road.
“He’s had a nice month,” said Vivacqua. “He’s really turned it around. He had to figure out how to wrestle like a 125-pounder. He’s been beating a lot of kids with winning records.”
And he has beaten some kids that he lost to earlier in the season, like Bensalem’s Anthony Prisco and Abington’s John Lee, both of whom he beat in the Section One tourney.
“I definitely have a lot more confidence,” he said.
Slezak and his older brother Allan started wrestling together in elementary school. Their father, who wrestled for Pennsbury, introduced them to the sport and they have stuck with it ever since.
The two of them work out and lift together.
“In school we push each other,” he said, “and in the wrestling room we go hard.”
It wasn’t until last year that he began to take wrestling seriously.
“Before that I didn’t train in the off-season,” he said. “I started doing more clubs and lifting a lot more.”
That’s a big reason for his success this year.
Slezak’s strengths as wrestler are on his feet and on top.
“He has one of the best leg shots on our team,” said Vivacqua, “and he’s pretty tough on top.”
Last year Slezak came up one match short of going to states.
The slate this year may be even tougher.
In addition to the “usual” suspects, Matt Rappo (CR South) and Scott Wolfinger (Quakertown), he will have additional competition from LaSalle’s Casey Kent, David Davidson of North Catholic, Boyertown’s Jeremy Minich and Sun Valley’s Dan Stover.
His weight class is one of the toughest in the region.
“If I want to make it to the next round, I’m going to have to step it up another notch,” he said. “It’s going to be hard I know, but I’m confident I can make it.”
“At regionals, anything can happen,” said Vivacqua. “Put a couple of wins together and beat someone you’re not supposed to beat like you did last week and next thing you know you’re in the consi finals or the consi semis and you win that match and you go. You’re just fighting for your life now.”
100 Club – Congratulations to Council Rock South’s Bobby Lavelle, who reached the 100-win Club in his first match at the District One North Tournament Saturday at Quakertown.
After being denied the century mark in the Section One final by Upper Moreland’s James Nicholson, Lavelle came back to earn it with a fall in 1:02 over Wissahickon’s Paul Wisloski in the first round of districts.
“Kids wrestle a lot of bouts these days, but at the same time, it’s hard to do especially with the schedule we wrestle,” said C. R. South coach Brad Silimperi. “It speaks volumes how good he is.”
Lavelle was proud of the accomplishment, but he views it as just another win on the way to a higher goal.
“It’s not the main goal of my career,” he said. “It’s something that comes along with doing well. Everybody wants it, but it’s not the main goal. I’ll be proud of having it. A lot of great wrestlers are in that club.”
Spartans set record at Class AA districts – Springfield will send a school-record eight wrestlers on to Class AA regionals at Wilson West Lawn this weekend.
The Spartans placed second overall behind perennial champion Octorara. The Spartans scored 153.5 points to outpace 11 other teams including New Hope-Solebury (144), St. Pius X (97) and tournament host Harriton (85). Nine of their 14 wrestlers made it to the medal rounds with all but one placing in the top three and earning a trip to regionals.
Five wrestlers started out in the pigtails facing tournament elimination with a loss. All five came through unscathed and earned seven bonus points for three pins and a major decision. Tommy Green was a last minute insertion at 215 although weighing in at only about 180 pounds and won a hard-fought decision against Church Farm School’s Josh Myers.
Seniors Jacob Bakovsky (135) and Daren Bolton (152) with a combined six wins in the regular season came through with some significant contributions. They both went 2-2 on the day with three pins and a major decision contributing 15 critical team points.
Kyle Jackson (160) and Justin Peyton (171) both came out of the pigtails to ultimately earn medals. Jackson went 3-2 for fourth place, and Justin Peyton went on to beat the second and third-seeded wrestlers to make the finals. Unfortunately, Peyton could not pull off the upset win over Harriton’s Haddon Corbett. It was an exciting finals match that was all tied up in the third period before Corbett took Peyton down and pinned him late in the period.
Not to be outdone by their fellow seniors, Dylan Evans (285), Adrian Wint (140) and Zach MacGregor (112) placed third. All three lost in the semifinals but fought back to earn third place along with Rob Galdo (130).
Adrian Wint was the most improbable regional qualifier after being seeded ninth overall and earning third place while going 3-1 on the day.
Juniors Richie Kassabian (103) and Michael Honeywell (145), along with freshman Jake MacGregor joined Peyton in the finals earning second place for their efforts.
"The entire team stepped up this weekend,” said coach Corey McCaslin. “We have wrestled a very tough schedule through the season to prepare these guys to succeed in the post season. This weekend was step one. Every single guy on our team went out on the mat with a goal of winning districts. Although we didn't accomplish our ultimate goal, I couldn't be more proud of the performance of every single guy on our team."
Springfield wrestles the top wrestlers from District Three and 11 at Wilson West Lawn this Friday and Saturday to compete for five spots at the Class AA state championships.
District North notes – For wrestlers, the lure of food is like the image of gold to a prospector.
While Joe Stolfi’s second District One North championship may have been a forgone conclusion when he stepped on the mat Saturday night at Quakertown, the prospect of a free smorgasbord certainly didn’t hurt his motivation.
Before the 215-pound final, Stolfi and training partner Rob Smothers were talking.
“He was trying to pump me up,” he said. “He challenged me. He told me if I pinned him, he would treat me to an-all-you-can-eat buffet. Sitting in this tournament all day, I was getting pretty hungry.”
Not only did Stolfi pin Methacton’s Brandan Clark, he decked him with a spladle, which Smothers predicted.
• After winning then Outstanding Wrestler at the Section Three tournament, Wissahickon’s Aubrey Watkins was a scratch at the district tournament. The story is he got sick and couldn’t make the weight.
• There were three wrestlers entering districts with unblemished records. They were Rob D’Annunzio (30-0) of Methacton at 103, Josh DiSanto (25-0) of Pennsbury at 112 and Kevin Bree (25-0) of Pennsbury at 215.
Of those three only one was left standing after Saturday’s finals—Josh DiSanto.
“I thought I’d lose a few,” he said, “but I never thought I’d go undefeated.”
The Pennsbury freshman cruised through his second post-season tournament with a pair of falls and a 10-5 decision. And he’s very likely to do that again at regionals.
Even though he’s only a freshman, he is not awed by the big stage. He has probably wrestled more matches than a lot of seniors.
“I wrestle all year ‘round,” he said. “My season never ends.”
Wrestling in high school is somewhat of a break for him.
“I don’t get as many matches in,” he said. “One year I had 273 matches from October to October. It’s strange only having 25 matches. I’m used to having more than a hundred, a 150 and more.”
• Council Rock North coach Tom Vivacqua wasn’t too upset that his team finished an uncharacteristic fifth at the Section One Tournament, primarily because he knew the seeding wasn’t accurate and it hurt his wrestlers.
Come districts, the Indians proved that Vivacqua’s theory had some merit, as they jumped to second place.
What pleased him even more was that all of his regional qualifiers won their last match. Rock North finished with two firsts, three thirds and one fifth.
“We like the odd numbers,” he said. “They were in their battling and they beat kids that beat them the week before. That’s progress. Maybe we’ll take some more steps this week.”
Regional picks – It all comes down to four wrestlers this week. Who will be the lucky four in each weight class to advance to the big dance?
Here are my picks, in no particular order:
103—Corey McQuisten (Rustin) probably wins this weight. Billy Rappo (CR South) sneaks in, as wells as Dylan Steffanino of Upper Perk and Ryan O’Connor of Neshaminy.
112—This is pretty much a District North weight class. Josh DiSanto wins this hands down. Kevin Flack of Tennent, Mike Mathis of CB South and Brian Flanz of LaSalle will also go.
119—Boyertown’s Matt Malfaro and Unionville’s Joe Bonaduce take top honors, but Matt Harkins of Hatboro-Horsham and Bubba McGinley (CB West) will also be represented.
125—Matt Rappo (CR South) should win this weight class. Boyertown’s Jeremy Minich (first in the South), Quakertown’s Scott Wolfinger and LaSalle’s Casey Kent will fill out the qualifiers.
130—Ryan Ginsberg (Upper Merion) will return to states as will Tim Santry (Upper Moreland) in addition to Mason Popham (Unionville) and Matt Cimato of LaSalle.
135—Will CR South’s Josh Dziewa pin everybody at regionals too? I wouldn’t bet on it. Boyertown’s Alex Pellicciotti will escape a pin but not a loss. Wayne Armstrong (Interboro) and Joe Mazzi (LaSalle) are also likely qualifiers.
140—Matt Martoccio (CRS) appears to have the advantage at this weight, but there are several contenders; namely, Joe Marino of Garnet Valley, Brett Harner of Norristown and possibly Rich Jasinski of Pennridge or Vince Knowles of Interboro.
145—This weight class could be up for grabs among a few wrestlers. Brandon Parker of Norristown could repeat this week, but he will have not only have to worry about Pottsgrove’s Thomas Demetrius and Quakertown’s Briar Malischewski, whom he beat by just one point, but also Haverford’s Jim Jones, and Downingtown West’s Eric Dunheimer.
152—Penncrest’s Will Resnick roared through the South tournament with a pin and two tech falls, so he would have to be considered a favorite. But LaSalle’s Shane Springer is the likely winner if they meet in the finals. Rock North’s Greg Lanctot, Pennsbury’s Mark Nicholson and Quakertown’s Eric Koch could all be in the mix for the final two spots.
160—PW’s John Staudenmayer should repeat again this week, with Upper Moreland’s John Bolich also in the hunt. Chichester’s Bob Scheivert won the South tourney. Wissahickon’s Andre Watkins may slip in for a state berth.
171—James Nicholson (Upper Moreland) will be primed for this tournament after losing badly in the semifinals at districts, and he has yet to make it to Hershey. CR South’s Bobby Lavelle is also a favorite to return to states. Quakertown’s Tyler Wolfe is looking hungry and may be primed to get by South champion Robbie Fitzgerald of Downingtown East. District 12 champ, CJ Burns of LaSalle is another contender.
189—Jamie Callender will finally get tested this week against Springfield Delco’s Andre Petroski, whom he beat in last year’s regional finals. This match alone should be worth the price of admission. Boyertown’s Zach Heffner and Methacton’s Dan Cox should round out the field.
215—This will be one of the toughest weight classes. Nick Ruggear of Oxford and Scott Syrek (Owen J. Roberts) should be the two best, though Syrek was injured last week. Souderton’s Joe Stolfi has a great chance to return to states and could be a finalist if he gets by Syrek. North Catholic’s District 12 champ AJ Vizcorrando could well get a ticket to Hershey.
285—Norristown’s Marcus Robbins will come back to win this weight class after stumbling in last week’s finals. Pottstown’s William Carter will be another contender as will be Garnet Valley’s Brendan Walsh and Springfield Delco’s David Dewan.
Top Guns
103—Ryan O’Connor, Neshaminy
112—Josh DiSanto, Pennsbury
119—Matt Harkins, Hatboro-Horsham
125—Matt Rappo, Council Rock South
130—Ryan Ginsberg, Upper Merion
135—Josh Dziewa, Council Rock South
140—Matt Martoccio, Council Rock South
145—Brandon Parker, Norristown
152—Greg Lanctot, Council Rock North
160— John Staudenmayer, Plymouth Whitemarsh
171—Bobby Lavelle, Council Rock South
189—Jamie Callender, Council Rock North
215—Joe Stolfi, Souderton
285—Marcus Robbins, Norristown
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