Check out PW senior John Michael Staudenmayer’s opening entry in what will be a periodic journal on wwwSuburbanOneSports.com chronicling his season as he goes for the gold in Hershey after finishing third last year. To view his first entry, click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/content/life-mat-with-pws-john-michael-staudenmayer
By Alex Frazier
Welcome to another wrestling season. I’m sure everybody is excited to start the show rolling this weekend. This year we hope to provide even better wrestling coverage.
I welcome and encourage suggestions for stories and features from coaches, wrestlers and parents. Did someone win his 100th match? Let us know. Is there a great come-from-behind or overcome-adversity story? Is a team doing something for a charity? Please tell us.
This year’s format for coverage will be a bit different. Instead of going to a dual meet each week, I will feature one meet from each conference, usually on Wednesday night, especially since most league matches are wrestled then.
In addition, I will write a wrestling notebook each week that will normally be posted on Tuesday and will include news about the weekend tournaments or matches. Feel free to contact me if something special or important happened so that I can mention it. Scores and bout results don’t always tell the whole story.
Welcome new coaches – Each year I like to recognize the new coaches in the league. This year there are five.
National Conference
John Gillespie, Abington
John Gillespie was an assistant under Jeff Franko for 13 years before taking over the job this year as interim head coach. Prior to coaching at the senior high, Gillespie coached for two years at Abington Junior High School. He also volunteered as a coach for one season at La Salle College High School.
“I am trying to build upon the program and success of coach Franko,” said Gillespie.
Fortunately Gillespie will have an experienced staff to work with. Long-time assistant Chris O’Donnell and Bill Brennan have remained on the staff providing additional continuity to the program. Key additions to the coaching staff are Bill Miller, a 2007 Abington graduate, Rich Delgado and Tony Rudy.
“This year is going to be another year in a rebuilding process we started last year,” said Gillespie. “The team has worked hard all off-season and I have seen a lot of improvement in a number of wrestlers from last year. I think we will be much more competitive this year and I am looking forward to seeing how all the hard work this off-season pays off.”
Continental Conference
Dan Goetter, Pennridge
American Conference
Kirk Stehman, Cheltenham
Kirk Stehman has coached both football and wrestling in his career.
He played football and wrestled at Shamokin Area High School, where he holds the career rushing record in football.
His wrestling credentials are most impressive. He was a two-time state champion, compiling a career record of 116-10-1. He was the first wrestler in Shamokin history to record 100 wins.
He played football one year at Kutztown before transferring to North Carolina, where he wrestled three years. He finished with a career record of 44-30, qualifying for the NCAA tournament in his senior year.
He began his coaching career at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, where he coached football and wrestling from 1997-99. In 2000 he moved to Salem High School (Va.) for one year, coaching football, wrestling and track.
He then moved back to Pennsylvania to William Allen High School. He was assistant football and head wrestling coach for six years.
From 2006-2009, he was assistant football coach at Martin Luther King High School.
This year he’s hoping to rejuvenate Cheltenham’s program.
“I think our kids are working hard, and we hope to be more competitive this year,” he said.
Dave Bolich, Upper Moreland
Dave Bolich has a laundry list of wrestling credentials as he takes over the recently successful Upper Moreland program.
Much of his experience comes at the club level.
He was founder of the Upper Moreland Wrestling Club, the Bears Freestyle Wrestling Club and was president and coach of the Hatboro-Horsham Wrestling Club.
He has also been the head and assistant national team coach for the PA USA Team.
Last year he was head coach of the National Championship Schoolboy Greco, Schoolboy Freestyle, and Cadet Greco teams.
He is semi–retired from 23 years in his family contracting business, and his interests include whitewater canoeing, mountain biking, his backyard pond and travel.
“I am fully committed long term to the continued success of Upper Moreland Wrestling,” he said.
Some of his goals include:
• Wrestlers learning the correlation between effort, doing right things, and enjoying the rewards of such.
• Teachers at UMHS seeing students who are better academically and behaviorally because of wrestling
• Community Pride
• A team consisting of 35 athletes divided among varsity regulars, varsity alternates, and junior varsity
•Always at least one state qualifier, most often multiple qualifiers with a medal or two
• Most years a top 8 Southeast PA duals team
• Always some team members who will eventually compete in Division 1, 2 and 3 university programs
Anthony Stagliano, Wissahickon
Anthony Stagliano wrestled at Springfield from 1973-76 and placed fourth in the state his senior year.
He went on to compete at West Chester, which was at the time a Division One program. In 1981 he was co-captain of the team and finished second in the ECC.
He then became an assistant coach at Shippensburg University for two years, before taking over as head coach for the 1984-85 season.
In 1987, he became an assistant coach at La Salle High School for five years before taking over the program at Upper Dublin from 1992-97. He then left to be an assistant under Bob Lorence at Plymouth Whitemarsh from 1997-2009.
Last year he was an assistant at Wissahickon and took over the varsity job this year.
Wrestlers to watch – Here are a few SOL wrestlers to keep an eye on this year, based on last year’s performances.
Billy Rappo of Council Rock South may finally have grown into his weight class. This will be Rappo’s third year at 103. He came on strong at the end of last season to finish eighth at states. He should be moving up this year.
Pennsbury’s Josh DiSanto stormed through the post-season tournaments, taking three firsts before going 1-2 at states. He should be standing on the podium in Hershey this year.
Kevin Flack of William Tennent finished eighth last year at states. He and DiSanto could have quite a few more battles this year.
Neshaminy’s Ryan O’Connor may be ready to take the step to states this year, as could Council Rock North’s Adam Slezak.
Hatboro-Horsham’s Matt Harkins has already been there, placing fourth last year. Can he move up? It will be tough. He is ranked third in one pre-season poll.
Mike Mathis of C.B. South finished seventh in states as a sophomore but didn’t get out of regionals last year. Can he make it back in his final year?
Council Rock North’s John Dutrow went 1-2 at states last year and is looking to step up on the podium this year.
There could be another battle between Council Rock South’s Matt Rappo and Quakertown’s Scott Wolfinger this year. Wolfinger won the overall battle last year finishing sixth in the state to Rappo’s seventh. They could provide spectators with some great competition in the post-season.
Plymouth Whitemarsh’s Lucas Wisniewski just missed out on states last year with a fifth pace finish in regionals. He could very well finish his senior year at Hershey.
Council Rock South’s Matt Martoccio finished sixth last year in the PIAA and is ranked third in the preseason. He’s a tough competitor and could live up to his billing.
Seth Ehlo of Central Bucks West turned some heads last year when he finished eighth at states as a sophomore. He is ranked third heading into this season.
Norristown’s Brett Harner finished an astonishing eighth place at states as a freshman last year. He has a potentially great career ahead of him.
Teammate Brandon Parker is likely to get himself a state medal this year after going 2-2 last year.
John Staudenmayer of PW, John Bolich of Upper Moreland and Joe Stolfi all have a great chance to bring home a gold medal at Hershey to continue the SOL’s steak of champions. Staudenmayer finished third last year and is ranked first in the preseason, Bolich went 2-2 at Hershey and is projected to finish second this year, while Stolfi came in fourth last year and is ranked second heading into the season. Stolfi also won Junior Nationals over the summer and is headed to Bucknell next year.
Souderton’s Joe McNamara, Council Rock North’s Stephen Kaschak and Harry S Truman’s Quinton Bryant all could make some noise in the post-season. McNamara finished sixth at districts, Kaschak was fourth in sections and Bryant was fourth in districts a year ago.
Predictions
National Conference
1. Council Rock South returns six highly experienced wrestlers. Billy Rappo placed eighth at states, brother Matt was seventh, and Matt Martoccio was sixth. Tim Reilly was also a state qualifier. Shane Gilmore was sixth at districts and Tom Dingui placed third in sectionals. Matt Martoccio’s freshman brother Dan may also make an impact in the lower weights.
2. Council Rock North also returns six strong wrestlers, led by state qualifiers John Dutrow, Shane Longstreth and Greg Lanctot. The Indians also return Adam Slezak (third districts), Anthony Dutrow (fifth districts) and Stephen Kaschak (third sections). Freshman Tyler Callender hopes to follow in his brother’s footsteps and some day win another state title.
3. Neshaminy has a host of post-season qualifiers returning, led by state qualifier Nick Russell. Ryan O’Conner finished second at sections and districts, Colby Lederer was fifth at districts, Connor Koellner and Kevin O’Connor both finished fourth at districts and Tyler Stabilito was second in sections.
4. Pennsbury lost several good wrestlers to graduation but also return three tough competitors in Anthony DiEmidio, who won sections last year, and Josh DiSanto who qualified for states as a freshman. He should definitely be taking a medal this year. Also, Conlan Cornman, who finished fifth at districts, will be back in the lineup.
5. William Tennent will have a young team this year. Kevin Flack and Shawn Stefanelli are the only grapplers to return with post-season experience. Flack finished eighth at states last year, while Stefanelli was fourth in sections.
6. Harry S Truman returns three district qualifiers and one regional qualifier. Quinton Bryant placed fourth at districts at 285 and Dan Balek finished sixth.
Sean Edmondson might also have gone to regionals or beyond except he had to injury default in the district wrestlebacks. Steve Evens also placed fourth in sections at 112.
7. Bensalem has four district qualifiers returning in Mike Pritchard (third sections), Shane Hughes (fourth sections), Nick Lippincott (second sections) and Anthony Prisco. The Owls can also look to the development of promising freshman Tommy Stokes, who will probably wrestle at 103.
8. Abington will be in a rebuilding mode again this year. Bryan Osei will anchor the upper weights at 215.
Continental Conference
1. Quakertown lost most of its tough upper weights, but should be strong at the middle and lower weights. Scott Wolfinger is the cream of the crop and will be looking to improve on his sixth place finish at states last year. Briar Malischewski will battle for his first state appearance after finishing third in districts last year. Three other district qualifiers are Alex Brulliea (third sections), Tyler Seislove (second sections) and Matt Jorgenson (third sections). The Panthers will also be augmented this year by incoming freshman Collyn Dorney, who will probably wrestle at 103.
2. Souderton lost some key players but returns a handful of competitive wrestlers, headlined by Joe Stolfi, who finished fourth at states last year. Chris Force (140) and Sidney Outlaw (171) both finished third in sections, freshman Austin Beyer placed fourth in sections and heavyweight Joe McNamara finished sixth at districts. The Indians also get a blue-chip freshman in Kolton Veit, who will wrestle 112 or 103.
3. Pennridge will be led by Rich Jasinski who is hoping to get back to states this year after missing out last year. Three more prospects should help give credibility to a team that should be much improved this year under new head coach Dan Goetter. Alex Barday finished third at districts last year, Dylan Moore was fifth and Andrew Houghey placed fourth in sections. The Rams will also have a blue chipper 103-pounder in freshman Scott Parker.
4. Hatboro-Horsham returns Matt Harkins for his senior year. Harkins placed fourth in the state last year and is ranked third in one pre-season poll. The Hatters will also have Dave Carney (fourth sections) and Mike Lynch (section champ).
5. North Penn lost several grapplers that did well in the post-season. Tyler Romano is the only wrestler returning that made it past sections. He finished fifth at districts. North Penn does have a very promising freshman prospect in Alex Price, who could well anchor the upper middleweights at either 160 or 171.
6. Central Bucks East returns one regional and two district qualifiers. Nick Dau placed fourth at districts and Mike Laurinaitis and Zack Mysza both finished fourth in sections.
7. Central Bucks West returns Seth Ehlo who had a remarkable sophomore season with an eighth place finish at states. He is ranked third in the state in one pre-season poll. The Bucks also have incoming freshman Bryan Jastrzebski, who could make an immediate impact at 103 or 112.
8. Central Bucks South has a tower at either end of the lineup. Mike Mathis hopes to return to states this year after missing it last year in regionals. William Bendon finished second in sections last year.
American Conference
1. Norristown and Upper Moreland will once again vie for the top spot, but the Eagles will probably soar to the top because of the firepower they return. Brett Harner headlines the group. He placed eighth at states last year as a freshman. Another state qualifier, Brandon Parker, looks to move up to the podium this year after going 2-2 at states last year. Other post-season place winners include: Zach Fuentes (fourth districts), Tyree Gardner (third sections), Larry Gordon (third sections), Tyler Letrinko (fourth sections).
2. Upper Moreland lost four excellent wrestlers but returns regional qualifier Will Dill and state qualifier John Bolich, who is ranked second in the state at 160 in one pre-season poll. Those two will form the nucleus of another strong team. The Golden Bears have a host of “unknown” wrestlers that should make them competitive with PW and Norristown.
3. Plymouth Whitemarsh is nearly ready to challenge for the top spot, but not quite yet. The Colonials return three district qualifiers, one regional qualifier and a state place winner. Justin Staudenmayer won sections, Scott Leeds and Dylan Peay finished third, while Lucas Wisniewski placed fifth at regionals, missing states by one bout. John Staudenmayer is PW’s leader, placing third last year at states. He is ranked No. 1 at 160 entering his final season.
4. Wissahickon lost the Watkins brothers but have three district qualifiers returning in Brennan Weiss, Sean Saunders and Paul Wisloski. All four placed fourth in sections.
5. Upper Dublin is a young team that could challenge the Trojans for fourth place. The Cardinals have high expectations for moving up this year. They will hang their hopes on senior captain Nick DiMuzio, who enters the season with 89 wins.
6. Upper Merion will still struggle to compete with the upper echelons of the league. The Vikings welcome back two district qualifiers. Nick Vuotto placed second in sections and Gianni Labricciosia was sixth in districts.
7. Cheltenham welcomes a new coach this year, who will hopefully get the program back on track. The Panthers return one district qualifier in Orin Liburd.
Pre-season SOL Top 5
1. Council Rock South
2. Council Rock North
3. Norristown
4. Quakertown
5. Neshaminy
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