Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Whippets aiming for state berth
Downingtown West in consolation semifinal; Rustin eliminated
“If we can get out and make it to states, that will be the moment that did it for us. That fight and that belief he showed to get that win in overtime, that’s what everybody needs to have.” – Downingtown West coach Brad Breese
LOWER POTTSGROVE >> It took just over four hours from the start of Friday night’s action, but Downingtown West finally found its spark.
In the third to last match of the consolation dual meet against Spring-Ford, West got a big time overtime win by Doug Zapf (113 pounds). The junior took down Rams’ returning fourth-place PIAA medalist, Brandon Meredith, in sudden victory to not only avenge a loss last year, but clinch the contest for the Whippets.
Sixth-seeded West knocked off No. 7 Spring-Ford, 34-21, to stay alive for Saturday’s action. Earlier in the night, the Whippets came up short for the second time this season to No. 3 Methacton, 3028, in the championship quarterfinals, but found enough to put them a win away from qualifying for the PIAA Duals.
West Chester Rustin was eliminated from the tournament after close losses to No. 1 Boyertown and No. 4 Owen J. Roberts, while
the Whippets will face No. 5 Garnet Valley, Saturday at 1 p.m. at Pottsgrove High.
“If we can get out and make it to states, that will be the moment that did it for us,” said Downingtown West coach Brad Breese of Zapf’s win. “That fight and that belief he showed to get that win in overtime, that’s what everybody needs to have.”
West led 28-18, with three to go, thanks to pins from Nick Lilley (132) and Cole Zapf (195) along the way. Doug Zapf gave up the first takedown to Meredith, who won their matchup at regionals last season, 5-1. Zapf scored a questionable takedown in the second, and the pair went to overtime knotted at four. There, Zapf scrambled out of a deep shot by Meredith and ended up on top for the winner.
“First of all I was nervous about the dual,” Doug Zapf said. “If I lost it would’ve been close at the end and I didn’t want that. It felt great to get the win after he dominated me at regionals.”
The Whippets took a long and relatively disgruntled trek to the second day of the tournament
after a disheartening loss to Methacton in quarters.
Methacton won the first matchup in December by one point, and West had high hopes of reversing the result. Instead, the Whippets were more flustered than motivated and a few mental lapses cost them.
At 170, Methacton’s Michael Blakemore edged Gio Angelini, 2-1, with the difference a penalty point from Angelini. A match later, West’s Joe Shafer was taken down with just seconds left to bump a decision to a major decision.
West’s bench looked like their pet dog just died after the dual, and was fortunate to recover in time.
“I’m feeling a little dejected,” Breese said. “We wanted to win that match to prove that that team was not better than us. (Methacton) came out ready to go and did a good job of minimizing points and getting them where they could. They were definitely more ready to go than our guys.”
Rustin was eliminated, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. With three bouts to go, the Golden Knights held a 27-21 lead over Boyertown, the winner of the last three district titles. The Bears scored the final 17 points to end any
upset attempt.
In the consis, Rustin quickly jumped on Owen J. Roberts, who had just lost somewhat of a shocker to Garnet Valley, 39-23, in quarters.
Brett Kaliner (132) pinned Antonio Petrucelli and Tyler Kaliner (138) held off Cole Meredith, 4-2, to give Rustin a nine-point lead.
The Golden Knights would eventually lead 23-15 with six to go, but the Wildcats had too much firepower down the stretch.
“It’s not a moral victory,” Rustin coach Brad Harkins said. “We wanted to come up here and compete and we did that. I’m proud of the way our kids handled themselves and how they approached both matches. They battled their hearts out.”