This week’s notebook highlights SOL regular season highlights and recaps each weight division at the upcoming SOL Championships.
Wrestling Notebook (2-13-14)
As we enjoy another snow day, I have put together some notes, recaps, and individual postseason information. With the latest winter blast, in the form of a Nor’easter, threatening the rescheduling of the Suburban One League Championships, have no fear, we will get in the first qualifying tournament for the PIAA State Championships no later than Monday! Tournament Directors, Athletic Directors, and School Districts will dictate how it all plays out. Keep in mind that Saturday schedules may change, and tournaments may be wrestled Sunday, and in the worst-case scenario Monday (President’s Day).
SOL League Titles Secured
Congratulations to Council Rock South (National), Plymouth-Whitmarsh (American), and Pennridge and North Penn (Continental Co-Champs) for winning their respective league titles. CB East dashed the hopes of Quakertown to share a piece of the title in the Continental, edging the Panthers 34-29 Monday night on the Patriots’ Senior Night.
It was a tight battle with back and forth victories for both teams on the back end of the match. Zach Shaffer sealed the victory for East at 113 with a 5-3 decision over Johnny Fracella in Fracella’s first varsity bout of his career. The victory came after Collyn Dorney pulled Quakertown to within two points (29-31) at 106 with his 14-6 major decision over Zach Shaffer with one bout remaining and the outcome of the dual still on the line. Earlier in the match, Quakertown’s Luke Garges came back to pin Ned Moore at 152 pounds after Garges was taken down by Moore in the first period. Evan Wilson returned to the mat for the Patriots and posted big bonus points at 138 with a first period fall, and Francesco Fabozzi decked Jimmy Flood at 145 to push the Patriots lead to 19-6. The score was tied at 22 all after Gavin Caroff (Qtwn) overpowered Antonio Nicosia (CBE) at 182 with a second period fall, and East never looked back after Sam Presti (CBE) followed up with a pin of his own at 195 to post more bonus points for the Patriots.
Francesco Fabozzi capped his Senior dual meet season with never having lost in East’s gymnasium, quite a feat.
Plymouth-Whitmarsh gave first year head coach Justin Giovinco a league title after beating Upper Moreland 36-25 and going undefeated in league action (7-0). The Golden Bears were hurt in this one by forfeiting two weight classes, and Gianpiero DiBattista posted bonus points with a fall at 132 to cap his stellar season for the Colonials.
Council Rock South turned away Neshaminy Tuesday night 44-21 in what the Redskins had hoped would be a match they would win, as they matched up well with the Golden Hawks. But CRS posted huge bonus points in falls by Riley Palmer (106), Zack Trampe (120), and Dan Martoccio (126).
In Other League Action:
Upper Moreland won the “Battle of the Border” versus Hatboro-Horsham 40-37 as Chris Flemmings’ stunning fall over H-H’s Matt Swiacki at 138 clinched the victory in the final match of the dual. H-H was forced to forfeit two weights at 106 and 113, which has hurt them all season. Shawn Sukert avenged an earlier season loss to Ernest Brown at 132, winning 11-8 to put the Hatters up 37-34 heading to the finale. This out-of-conference SOL rivalry has been revived and will continue on as the Battle of the Border. The rivalry was reborn last year by Hatters manager Becky Pallis, who created the Wrestle for a Cure match for her Senior Project.
The Hansbury’s made a large contribution to Bensalem’s historic victory over Pennsbury last Saturday. Head Coach Doug Hansbury returned to Bensalem to take over the helm of the Owls wrestling program this season, and he, along with his son Dylan, a sophomore, have made it a happy one. Dylan tech falled Connor Romano 15-0 at 126 to cap the come-from-behind 32-29 victory, as the Owls trailed the Falcons 27-29 up to that point. It was the first time Bensalem beat Pennsbury since 2008.
Unfortunately, for some teams, the winter weather took its toll as they had to forfeit matches due to scheduling conflicts, but all in all, it was a great wrestling season here in the SOL.
Several SOL wrestlers eclipsed the 100-win mark this season. They include Phil Torresani (Hatboro-Horsham), Kolton Veit (Souderton), and Dan Martoccio (Council Rock South). Forgive me if I forgot anyone, and get me the info so they can be recognized.
The Real Season Begins
The Suburban One League Championships will be hosted this Saturday February 15, by Pennridge (Continental), Council Rock South (National), and Wissahickon (American). Although the SOL does not recognize team titles, the fans, wrestlers, and coaches will be keeping track of the team scores as wrestlers look to advance to Districts. Oddly enough, the National and Continental place winners (top 4 advance) will move on to Hatboro-Horsham for the District One East Championships, while the American Conference place winners will head west to Oxford for the District One Central Championships.
Here’s a look at some of the wrestlers that will look to advance to Districts, and some to contend for a spot in Hershey:
106-Collyn Dorney (Quakertown) looks to climb the podium this year with a return to the Giant Center. The field is stacked here with many young guns, Riley Palmer (CRS) and Kordell Rush (Pennridge) will surely continue their rivalry through out the postseason. Souderton frosh Brandon Bach will be in the mix as well.
113-Continental freshmen Matt Parker (Pennridge) and Harrison Campbell (Qtwn), along with CR South’s Nick Palmer will contend, but they will have to go through undefeated Dylan Nuttal (Truman) and Neshaminy’s veteran Sam Rudolph.
120-Scott Parker is in a class all by himself here. With a scholarship to Lehigh and two state medals (3rd & 5th) in his bag and a 138-10 career record, he will most certainly be in the chase for an elusive State Championship. But Hatboro-Horsham’s Phil Torresani, with Hershey aspirations of his own, and newcomer freshmen Zach Trampe (CRS) will both stand in the way of Parker. These three are perhaps the top three 120 pounders in the Southeast Region. It remains to be seen who else in the Region ends up at this weight for the postseason.
126-Obviously, one of the deepest weight classes in the SOL with state qualifiers and place winners in Kolton Veit (Souderton), Ben Ross (Pennridge), and Dan Martoccio (CRS). Any one of these guys could not only be District Champ, but Regional Champ as well. Veit has the edge on Ross with a late season 9-3 dual victory to his credit, while Martoccio has a 2-1 record this season over Ross with his latest victory a 3-2 UTB in overtime in the District Duals.
132-Tommy Stokes (Bensalem) is in prime form for a return to Chocolate Town, USA. CR South will counter with Harry Murray, and Upper Dublin’s Colin Devlin is having a nice season at 27-2. Gianpiero DiBattista (P-W) could make some noise here.
138-The #2, #3, & #4 District One ranked wrestlers are Evan Wilson (CBE), Tim Ambacher (CR North), and Dustin Stone (Truman). Wilson has returned from injury, and will be tested by Ambacher and Stone at Districts. Upper Moreland’s Chris Flemming is a solid pick to advance to Districts.
145-Francesco Fabozzi (CBE) is the clear favorite to return to Hershey as the SE Regional Champion. He will look to climb higher on the podium than his 5th place finish a year ago. The Continental Conference Championships will shake out who could follow Fabozzi all the way to Hershey, as H-H’s Brad Humski is wrestling at very high level and will have to contend with CB West’s Riley Barth in the League semifinals. Sean Ginsburg (Upper Merion) is another Senior, with veteran experience here.
152-An extremely deep weight class through out the SE Region and loaded in the SOL. Returning state place winner (5th) Mike Springer (Norristown) has the edge here, Jeff Reimel (North Penn) & Bryan Jastrzbeski (CBW) will battle at Leagues and at D1 East. Luke Garges (Qtwn) has impressed this season as well.
160-With 152 stacked, there has been movement by wrestlers up and down in the Region. Connor Bodnar (H-H) moves up here and will have to contend with super soph Kyle Gentile (Pennridge). Dom DeLaurentis (Upper Moreland) is peaking in his junior season, and Pat Fennel (Wissahickon) will look to go deep in the post-season. Nate Russell (Neshaminy) is always a tough out, and Josh Shalinsky (Bensalem) could be a sleeper here.
170-Rashon Lusane (Norristown) is the favorite here, but Jesse Huber (Truman) and Juan Maysonet (Tennent) will be tough. Justin Hester (Upper Moreland) has quietly had a great season. Souderton’s Phil Stolfi is the #1 Seed in the Continental.
182-Alex Price (North Penn) is unanimously the #1 guy in the SE Region. Richie Strain (Tennent) will push Price. Kody Lupfer (Nesh) and Gavin Caroff (Qtwn) can contend with good efforts. P-W’s Austin Pollock will be in the mix.
195-Ezra Outlaw (Pennridge) moves down here, and H-H’s Zach Tuerke moves up for what should be a good League battle. But others lurk here. Ben Kenis (CRS), Noah Kissleback (Nesh), Chris Barr (North Penn), and Micah Jones (Qtwn) are solid. Cristabol Morales is an unknown for William Tennent. AA Springfield’s Eddie Graham will look for a league title in the American Conference.
220-William Tennent’s Marc Issac is looking for a return trip to Hershey. He will be challenged locally by Mark Remmey (CBE). Springfield’s John McClinton is a solid selection to win the American Conference crown.
285-Shaheed Hill will lead the area big men out of Norristown. Joe Kracz is a good one from Pennridge. James Dutrow (CR North) leads the way in the National. Sophomores Bruce Graeber (Nesh) and H-H’s Nick Schuck will most likely battle to get to Regionals. CB South will enter Sean Penniston. Upper Dublin has Nick Carpenter.
Top 3 Tournament Team Rankings in each Conference:
American
1-Norristown
2-Upper Moreland
3-Plymouth-Whitmarsh
Continental
1-Pennridge
2-North Penn
3-Quakertown
National
1-Council Rock South
2-Tuman
3-Neshaminy
*Just a note about my tourney team rankings: In small eight-man brackets, it is hard to predict who will win, let alone who will be second or third. It will most likely come down to the wrestle backs. The team that can capture the most 3rds may be the difference, but team’s that can crown champs with bonus points can get ahead of the field as well.
So don’t be surprised with teams like CB East, CB West and Hatboro-Horsham in the Continental who are solid tournament teams with good individuals. Council Rock North always rises up in the postseason as well. William Tennent will also make noise in the National. And if Justin Giovinco, a two-time state champion, can motivate the Colonials at P-W, they may very well may win the fictitious team title in the American.
So go shovel some snow and get out to watch some great local wrestling here in the SOL. Talk with you next week when we turn it up a notch for Districts…
Please forward any interesting facts about individuals or teams to me as we progress through the post-season so I can recognize them. Glenn Kaiser bug14k@comcast.net
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