WRESTLING:
Twenty mat men
headed to Regionals
By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor
At sectionals held March 14 at Abington, Council Rock North eeked out a half-point victory over CR South to take the Section One-AAA team title.
The Golden Hawks turned the tables on North on Saturday Feb. 21 however, winning the District One team title. Additionally, South had six grapplers win district trophies. North had a lone D-I champ in senior Zach Haynes, who took the 119-pound championship.
“The postseason is the entire reason we do what we do - from training to scheduling, it's the only thing that matters,” stated CR South skipper Brad Silimperi.
The Hawks are led by CR South senior Mark Helfrich, who captured the 145-pound district championship.
South’s other D-I champions were Matt Rappo (125), Matt Martoccio (130), Jim Vollrath (152), Ed Shupe (160) and Bobby Lavelle (171).
“This was simply vindication for them because they truly believe that they are the best team in District 1,” commented Silimperi.
The six grapplers for the Hawks will compete in the Class AAA Southeast Regional, Feb. 27-28 at Oxford Area High School, near the Pennsy-Maryland border. The top four finishers in each weight class advance to states, slated for next month in Hershey.
According to Silimperi, Rappo is wrestling in one of the deepest weight classes in the tournament. Still the CR South coach believes his 125-pounder will be ready.
“I think he is wrestling the best he’s ever wrestled at this point and peaking when it counts.
“I’m confident he will continue to wrestle well as he usually rises to the level of his competition.”
With just one loss on the season, senior 152-pounder Jim Vollrath (35-1) has perhaps the best chance to take home the Keystone Gold.
“Jimmy has been simply dominating up to this point. His strength, speed, conditioning has been unmatched so far this year. He can simply go, go, go and he's just so darn physical. His opponents better be ready and better be in good shape, otherwise six minutes can seem like an eternity.”
Senior Ed Shupe should also go far at 160 pounds. The recent transfer from Pennsbury compiled a record of 31-3 and won his first district trophy Feb. 21 at North.
“Eddie is lightning quick and really good on top. His unorthodox style makes him tough to beat.”
After taking a runnerup trophy after dropping a 3-0 decision to Abington 145-pounder Cody Carrigan, senior Mark Helfrich turned the tables and posted a 2-0 decision on the Ghost grappler in the D-I finale.
“Mark is really coming on strong. His performance at districts was a major reason for us winning the team title.”
After wrestling up all season long, junior Bobby Lavellle is back where he belong at 171 pounds.
“Now that he's at his fighting weight, he looks great. He’s very quick on his feet and good on bottom. He's learned to be more greedy when fighting for points and this will become a huge factor as we get deeper into the postseason.”
South sophomore Matt Martoccio (18-2) has recovered in time from a hand injury to make a run at states in the 130-pound division.
“Now that his hand is healed and he's been through the long months of January and February, he's back to where he should be in terms of conditioning and strength.”
CR North, meanwhile is sending seven of its mat men on to regionals including junior Jamie Callender, who lost a close decision to Springfield’s Andre Petroski. An 8-6 winner over Callender in the 189-pound final, Petroski was named the tourney's most Outstanding Wrestler.
The Indians are led by Zach Haynes, the 119-pound champion, after a dominating 15-3 decision over Upper Moreland’s Tim Santry.
North 215-pounder John Kaschak also made his way to the finals, where he was pinned by Springfield DelCo’s Kaje Sponheimer.
Taking third place trophies for North were Shane Longstreth and Greg Lanctot. Longstreth posted a 6-4 decision over Upper Moreland's Jake Ellis. Lanctot posted a 14-3 major decision win over Radnor's Chadd Baribault. Fourth-place finisher Sean Doerr is also headed to regionals, despite dropping a 5-0 decision to Springfield Delco's John McCoach.
Harry S Truman is sending three wrestlers on to regionals, including 103-pound D-I champion James Bak, who pinned all three of his opponents including CR North lightweight Adam Slezak. HST sophomore Sean Edmondson also advanced to regionals after falling in a close decision to Springfield Delco's Dan Dortone in a battle for the 112-pound belt. HST senior Matt Marks, a D-I runnerup after getting tech-falled by CR South's Matt Rappo in the 125 pound finale, will also represent the Tigers.
Neshaminy will send three wrestlers to regionals, led by John Lindquist, the 140-pound district runnerup after getting pinned by Ridley's Sean Renish.
Redskins 119-pounder Nick Russell will also head to regionals after edging Luke Bilyeu, of Haverford High, 5-3, in a D-I quarterfinal and downing Dan Stover, of Sun Valley, 5-4 in a consolation semifinal. Bilyeu got his revenge in the third place bout, however, pinning Russell in the second period.
Neshaminy 103-pounder Colby Lederer also advanced after decisioning Calvin Harrison, of Glen Mills, 5-2, in the D-I quarters and pinning Eric Lee, of Haverford, in the consolation semis. Harrison also exacted revenge, posting a 7-5 decision over Lederer in the third place bout.
Pennsbury’s only regional qualifier is Josh Mitchell, the third-place finisher at 285 pounds. After falling in the quarters to Upper Darby heavyweight Phil Kitain, Mitchell won a 3-0 decision over Paris Covington, of Sun Valley and a 2-1 victory over David Dewan, of Springfield Delco. Finally in a battle for third place, Josh downed William Tennent heavyweight Rick Dracup, 3-1.
Starting today at 3:30, all 20 grapplers will take to the mat trying to punch their ticket to states set to take place March 5-7 at Hershey’s Giant Center.
***
SE Regional
Class AAA Tournament
Feb. 27 and 28 at
Oxford Area High School
Regional AAA Qualifiers
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH
Mark Helfrich (145) *
Matt Rappo (125) *
Matt Martoccio (130) *
Jim Vollrath (152) *
Ed Shupe (160) *
Bobby Lavelle (171) *
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH
Adam Slezak (103)
Zach Haynes (119) *
Jamie Callender (189)
John Kaschak (215)
Shane Longstreth (112)
Greg Lanctot (140)
Sean Doerr (135)
***
NESHAMINY
Colby Lederer (103)
Nick Russell (119)
John Lindquist (140)
TRUMAN
James Bak (103) *
Sean Edmonson (112)
Matt Marks (125)
PENNSBURY
Josh Mitchell (285)
* District Champion
Sports Editor
At sectionals held March 14 at Abington, Council Rock North eeked out a half-point victory over CR South to take the Section One-AAA team title.
The Golden Hawks turned the tables on North on Saturday Feb. 21 however, winning the District One team title. Additionally, South had six grapplers win district trophies. North had a lone D-I champ in senior Zach Haynes, who took the 119-pound championship.
“The postseason is the entire reason we do what we do - from training to scheduling, it's the only thing that matters,” stated CR South skipper Brad Silimperi.
The Hawks are led by CR South senior Mark Helfrich, who captured the 145-pound district championship.
South’s other D-I champions were Matt Rappo (125), Matt Martoccio (130), Jim Vollrath (152), Ed Shupe (160) and Bobby Lavelle (171).
“This was simply vindication for them because they truly believe that they are the best team in District 1,” commented Silimperi.
The six grapplers for the Hawks will compete in the Class AAA Southeast Regional, Feb. 27-28 at Oxford Area High School, near the Pennsy-Maryland border. The top four finishers in each weight class advance to states, slated for next month in Hershey.
According to Silimperi, Rappo is wrestling in one of the deepest weight classes in the tournament. Still the CR South coach believes his 125-pounder will be ready.
“I think he is wrestling the best he’s ever wrestled at this point and peaking when it counts.
“I’m confident he will continue to wrestle well as he usually rises to the level of his competition.”
With just one loss on the season, senior 152-pounder Jim Vollrath (35-1) has perhaps the best chance to take home the Keystone Gold.
“Jimmy has been simply dominating up to this point. His strength, speed, conditioning has been unmatched so far this year. He can simply go, go, go and he's just so darn physical. His opponents better be ready and better be in good shape, otherwise six minutes can seem like an eternity.”
Senior Ed Shupe should also go far at 160 pounds. The recent transfer from Pennsbury compiled a record of 31-3 and won his first district trophy Feb. 21 at North.
“Eddie is lightning quick and really good on top. His unorthodox style makes him tough to beat.”
After taking a runnerup trophy after dropping a 3-0 decision to Abington 145-pounder Cody Carrigan, senior Mark Helfrich turned the tables and posted a 2-0 decision on the Ghost grappler in the D-I finale.
“Mark is really coming on strong. His performance at districts was a major reason for us winning the team title.”
After wrestling up all season long, junior Bobby Lavellle is back where he belong at 171 pounds.
“Now that he's at his fighting weight, he looks great. He’s very quick on his feet and good on bottom. He's learned to be more greedy when fighting for points and this will become a huge factor as we get deeper into the postseason.”
South sophomore Matt Martoccio (18-2) has recovered in time from a hand injury to make a run at states in the 130-pound division.
“Now that his hand is healed and he's been through the long months of January and February, he's back to where he should be in terms of conditioning and strength.”
CR North, meanwhile is sending seven of its mat men on to regionals including junior Jamie Callender, who lost a close decision to Springfield’s Andre Petroski. An 8-6 winner over Callender in the 189-pound final, Petroski was named the tourney's most Outstanding Wrestler.
The Indians are led by Zach Haynes, the 119-pound champion, after a dominating 15-3 decision over Upper Moreland’s Tim Santry.
North 215-pounder John Kaschak also made his way to the finals, where he was pinned by Springfield DelCo’s Kaje Sponheimer.
Taking third place trophies for North were Shane Longstreth and Greg Lanctot. Longstreth posted a 6-4 decision over Upper Moreland's Jake Ellis. Lanctot posted a 14-3 major decision win over Radnor's Chadd Baribault. Fourth-place finisher Sean Doerr is also headed to regionals, despite dropping a 5-0 decision to Springfield Delco's John McCoach.
Harry S Truman is sending three wrestlers on to regionals, including 103-pound D-I champion James Bak, who pinned all three of his opponents including CR North lightweight Adam Slezak. HST sophomore Sean Edmondson also advanced to regionals after falling in a close decision to Springfield Delco's Dan Dortone in a battle for the 112-pound belt. HST senior Matt Marks, a D-I runnerup after getting tech-falled by CR South's Matt Rappo in the 125 pound finale, will also represent the Tigers.
Neshaminy will send three wrestlers to regionals, led by John Lindquist, the 140-pound district runnerup after getting pinned by Ridley's Sean Renish.
Redskins 119-pounder Nick Russell will also head to regionals after edging Luke Bilyeu, of Haverford High, 5-3, in a D-I quarterfinal and downing Dan Stover, of Sun Valley, 5-4 in a consolation semifinal. Bilyeu got his revenge in the third place bout, however, pinning Russell in the second period.
Neshaminy 103-pounder Colby Lederer also advanced after decisioning Calvin Harrison, of Glen Mills, 5-2, in the D-I quarters and pinning Eric Lee, of Haverford, in the consolation semis. Harrison also exacted revenge, posting a 7-5 decision over Lederer in the third place bout.
Pennsbury’s only regional qualifier is Josh Mitchell, the third-place finisher at 285 pounds. After falling in the quarters to Upper Darby heavyweight Phil Kitain, Mitchell won a 3-0 decision over Paris Covington, of Sun Valley and a 2-1 victory over David Dewan, of Springfield Delco. Finally in a battle for third place, Josh downed William Tennent heavyweight Rick Dracup, 3-1.
Starting today at 3:30, all 20 grapplers will take to the mat trying to punch their ticket to states set to take place March 5-7 at Hershey’s Giant Center.
***
SE Regional
Class AAA Tournament
Feb. 27 and 28 at
Oxford Area High School
Regional AAA Qualifiers
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH
Mark Helfrich (145) *
Matt Rappo (125) *
Matt Martoccio (130) *
Jim Vollrath (152) *
Ed Shupe (160) *
Bobby Lavelle (171) *
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH
Adam Slezak (103)
Zach Haynes (119) *
Jamie Callender (189)
John Kaschak (215)
Shane Longstreth (112)
Greg Lanctot (140)
Sean Doerr (135)
***
NESHAMINY
Colby Lederer (103)
Nick Russell (119)
John Lindquist (140)
TRUMAN
James Bak (103) *
Sean Edmonson (112)
Matt Marks (125)
PENNSBURY
Josh Mitchell (285)
* District Champion
Labels: Wrestling
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