Council Rock South Wrestling Preview

12/01/15 11:54pm Posted by editor

COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH WRESTLING PREVIEW

Head Coach:  Brad Silimperi (14th year)

Assistant Coach:  Trap McCormack, Darrell Martoccio, Gregg Osbeck, Ed Schneider, Bryan Knoblauch, Mike Rappo, Mack Moore, Ben Kenis

PIAA AAA, Southeast Region, District 1 East, Suburban One National Conference

History

Council Rock South opened in the fall of 2002

  • PIAA AAA State Champions (2005)
  • 3x Southeast Region Team Champions (2008, 2009, 2010)
  • 6x District Team Champions (2007-2011, 2014)
  • 2x District 1 Dual Champions (2008, 2011)
  • 10x Suburban One League Champions
  • 8 Individual PA State Champions
  • 31 Individual PA State Medalists
  • 59 Individual PA State Qualifiers
  • 22 Individual Region Champions
  • 40 Individual District Champions
  • 38 Academic All Americans

2014-15

  • PA AAA State Dual Qualifiers
  • Southeast Region Tournament - 5th
  • District 1 Duals - 2nd
  • District 1 East Tournament – 2nd
  • Suburban One National Champions
  • Cumberland Valley Kickoff Classic -4th, King of the Mountain Tournament – 8th, Bethlehem Holiday Classic – 4th, Virginia Duals – 2nd, Escape the Rock – 4th
  • 15-4 Dual Meet Record; 193-81 overall

Projected Lineup:

106     
113      Mike McKinney (10) 9-7; District Qualifier
120      Ben Radner (10)27-11; League Champ, District 2nd, Regions 4th, PIAA State Qualifier
126      Cary Palmer (11)
132      Zack Trampe (11) 45-5; League Champ, District Champ, Region Runner Up, PIAA State Runner Up
138      Riley Palmer (11) 28-0; CV Champ; KOM Champ, Bethlehem Classic Champ; ETR Champ
145      Nick Verdi (12); Shane Flanagan (12)
152      Luke Martoccio (12) 30-12; League Champ, District 4th
160      Dylan Schwartz (12) 42-7; League Champ, District Champ, Regional Champ, PIAA State Qualifier
170      Robert Cooper (11); Tom Sibert (12); Keith Bennet (12); Tyler Gettman (11)
182     
195      Joey Doyle (11) 26-13; League Champ, District 3rd, Regional 5th, PIAA State Qaulifier
220      Brandon Kohn (12)
285      John Anderson (12)

2015-2016:  Hawk Wrestling Outlook

This year marks the 14th year of Golden Hawk Wrestling here at Council Rock South. Coming off another strong season, which culminated in a 2nd consecutive state dual appearance, our Golden Hawks will look to build off last year’s momentum, and perhaps even surpass last year’s accomplishments. Now that we have qualified as a team for state duals in back to back seasons, our Hawks are hopeful to make it three straight, and earn a state dual team medal for the 3rd time in team history.

As always, our goal remains the same-- to wrestle the best competition during the regular season as preparation for the post-season. We will continue to compete in some of the most challenging tournaments in the country –starting with the Cumberland Valley Kick-Off Classic, then King of the Mountain, the Bethlehem Holiday Classic, Parkland Duals, and finally our very own Escape the Rock Tournament. Our JV wrestlers (known as Future Varsity Wrestlers) will be tested as well. Most importantly, they will get as many matches as possible so they are ready to step into the varsity lineup when called upon.

With the graduation of three starters, including State Qualifier Ben Kenis and 2X Regional Qualifier Thaison Nguyen, our big guys will really need to step up. With this being said, we are very excited for this year’s senior class. Led by returning state qualifier Dylan Schwartz and returning Regional Qualifier Lucas Martoccio, our seniors will play crucial roles in both individual and team competitions all year long. The coaching staff will continue to expect big things from these returning, veteran Hawks. Arguably one of the deepest teams we’ve had includes our entire senior class: John Anderson, Brandon Kohn, Shane Flanagan, Jacob Coopersmith, Keith Bennett, Tom Sibert, and Nick Verdi.

In addition to our senior leaders, we are also very fortunate to have two of the most talented individual classes in team history. Our junior class is led be returning State Finalist Zack Trampe, returning State Qualifier Joe Doyle, and former State Medalist Riley Palmer. Zack was our 3rd state runner-up in team history and only the 2nd Golden Hawk to reach the state finals as a sophomore. Over his two year career, Zack already has 81 career victories. Joe Doyle will look to improve on a great sophomore season as well. After he failed to make it out of the League tournament as a freshman, Joe took huge steps forward last year as he won the League, finished 2nd at Districts, and qualified for the State tournament.  Riley Palmer ended last year’s regular season 28-0. As a freshman, he placed 7th at the State tournament. The coaching staff is very excited to see what these three and the rest of our impressive junior class can do this year.

Our sophomores are led by returning State Qualifier Ben Radner, and returning District Qualifier Mike McKinney. Ben had one of the best rookie years in team history, as he won the League, reached the District finals, and placed 4th at the Regional tournament on his way to qualifying for States. In our 14 year history, only 4 Golden Hawks have reached the state tournament as freshmen. Mike McKinney wrestled junior varsity for the majority of last season. But, he trained hard all year long and did everything the right way. When he was called upon, he stepped right into the varsity lineup and exceeded expectations on his way to qualifying for the District tournament. The coaching staff is very enthusiastic about these two young guns and are confident they can do big things now that they have a full high school season under their belt. 

In addition to the names listed above, we also want to point out the hard work and dedication of Hawk wrestlers that put the time in all year long. Young men like Senior Jacob Coopersmith and Junior Carey Palmer train year-round and constantly lead by example. In addition to these two upperclassmen, we are eager to see what our newest crop of rookies can do. It is the consistent depth of our freshman and sophomore classes that give us the potential to be competitive on a district and state level every year.

Like the previous 13 seasons, we are fortunate yet again to have a great group of committed wrestlers and a loyal community (boosters, alumnus, parents, administrators, etc.). It is this dedication and support that makes the difference every year and we are more than thankful and appreciative. Over the last 13 years, we have created an incredible tradition that is demonstrated not only by our consistent success, but also by the number of our former wrestlers that come back to help with our program. Although we are very sad to say goodbye to Donovan Gilmore and Trey Balasco, we wish them the very best and are extremely grateful for the time they have given to this program. We would also like to wish Coach Gilmore the best of luck and congratulations as he steps into a new challenge as Head Wrestling Coach at Richboro Middle School.

We are also sad to see Coach Mike Rappo go, but only partially, because we have some good news. Although we will miss his presence in the room every day, we are fortunate to welcome him back at various tournaments throughout the year. We are also happy to welcome back Bryan Knoblauch, Mack Moore, and Ben Kenis as they return as coaches, not to mention the numerous parents that continue to help the program even when their sons have graduated. This year we will call on Hawkeye Nation yet again to help us run the Escape the Rock Wrestling Tournament which will help raise funds in the name of Lewy Body Dementia.

We look forward to seeing you on the mats!

-CR SOUTH WRESTLING COACHING STAFF

2015 SOL National League Champions
2015 District 1 East Runner-Ups
2015 SEPA Regionals-5th place
2014-2015 Record =15-4 (7-0 in Suburban One)

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