Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Henderson edges Rustin in 1-point dual thriller
WESTTOWN >> When West Chester Henderson’s Justin Tran escaped with 54 seconds left, time seemingly slowed down.
“I was talking to my coach Rob (Beighley) and we were saying how the clock was going as slow as possible,” Tran said.
And when West Chester Rustin’s Charlie Baldesari got in on a double with 10 seconds left, Beighley swore seconds felt like minutes.
“When Baldesari shot in deep, the clock couldn’t tick fast enough,” Beighley said.
When zeroes finally filled the scoreboard, Tran had prevailed, 3-2, meaning Henderson claimed a 36-35 victory over the hosting Golden Knights in a thrilling non-league dual meet, Wednesday night. While there was no official title, Henderson was the Ches-Mont National Division champ and Rustin won the American Division, making it not only about bragging rights, but league supremacy.
“It proves we work the hardest and it proves we are the best,” Tran said.
Both teams were without key starters, as Luke Phayre (152 pounds) was out for Henderson and missing for Rustin were Collin Hurley (160) and Owen Walsh (220), as well as Tyler Kaliner, whose been injured all season.
The show went on, and the Golden Knights (13-5) got as good of a start as they could’ve imagined. In four of the first six bouts, Rustin won by fall, three via the cradle, to go up 24-12.
“I’m proud of our kids,” Rustin coach Brad Harkins said. “We were a little short-handed, but guys got the opportunity and they stepped up and battled for the team. Both teams wrestled hard, we just came up a little short.”
Koh Bauman (160), Cash Artis (182) and Gavin Range (220) kept Henderson hanging around with pins of their own, and Ryan Caruso (285) somehow managed to stave off a pin against Rustin’s Gabe Walsh, which turned out to be a huge sequence.
Down nine with six to go, Henderson (18-4) was in position to close out the dual on its terms with its best wrestlers yet to come.
Billy Wilson (106) pinned and Sammy McMonagle (113) scored a 5-1 decision against Jimmy King to bring Henderson even with Rustin for the first time on the night, 27-27.
“It was fun,” Harkins said. “This is what it’s all about. It’s a memorable match, whether you win or lose. They’re going to remember that intensity and fighting for each other. It was a great atmosphere and it was a great night for both teams.”
Rustin had another chance to separate at 120, where Nate Johnson had Brett Patton in a cradle and a headlock in the third, but settled for a major decision.
Killian Delaney gave the Warriors their first lead with two to go with a first-period fall.
The lead was short-lived as Josh Viarengo majored Palmer Delaney to give Rustin a 35-33 to set up the winner-takes-all bout at 138.
“It was a great match,” Beighley said. “Those guys (Rustin) always come to wrestle. It doesn’t matter about rankings or who’s in and who’s out, they’re a well-coached team and they’re always going to battle you.”
Baldesari opened the scoring in the second period with a reversal, but Tran was able to get back on top with 25 seconds left to tie it at two. In the third, Tran escaped with 54 seconds left and fought off a nice shot by Baldesari to extinguish Rustin’s hope of an upset.
“I knew he was a good kid,” Tran said of Baldesari. “I knew I could defend because defense is what I’m best at. When I got the whizzer in, I saw nine seconds left and knew I was winning it.”
Rustin will conclude its regular season Friday at West Chester East, while the Warriors now shift their entire focus to the start of the individual postseason at the District 1 West tournament at Rustin, February 22-23.
“It’s a great ending to a great season,” Beighley said. “It’s the exclamation point. It’s always a good go with (Rustin) and it’s great to get the victory.”