Conestoga storms past Lower Merion

Conestoga storms past Lower Merion, even without Lofland

With Conestoga’s star, Morgan Lofland, a little dinged up, the Pioneers had the luxury of waiting until the final bout to see if they needed him.

Conestoga won six in a row from 182 pounds to 113, to remove any doubt against the host, Lower Merion.

With a roster of 13 wrestlers with doubledigit wins, the Pioneers had plenty of help as they raced past the Aces, 48-27, in the Central League title, Wednesday.

“I think the whole lineup is strong,” Conestoga senior Ezra Toll said. “We’re not weak anywhere and we’re strong everywhere. We take pride in that.”

Toll is one of four seniors in the starting lineup, and while many of the starting 14 are underclassmen, they’re far from inexperienced.

The result is a 13-3 record, with five wins in six league meets. With two league meets remaining, it’s about tightening things up with the individual postseason starting to peek over the horizon.

“I think we’re working really hard,” Conestoga coach Tom Elicker said. “Individually we have some kids who are looking to do big things and we’re hoping to help them achieve their goals.”

Toll, Matt Hamilton (220 pounds) and Matt Palomo have combined for 48 wins from 160, up, and Liam Kirk has been a nice addition at 195, as a senior. After rushing for over 1,000 yards on the gridiron, Kirk made his debut on the mat as he prepares for his career at the University of Delaware.

“I decided to pick it up this year,” said Kirk, who’s 8-5 on the season. “I heard it translates well, and since I’m playing football next year, I wanted to give it a shot to cross train and see if it helps me get better on the football field.”

Lower Merion (4-3 league, 8-12 overall) got off to a hot start behind Christian Hodges (145), who just became the school’s winningest wrestler last week, and notched his 124th career victory with a first-period pin. Jakob Segal (152) and James Lledo added falls to bump the Aces’ lead to 12, after four bouts.

But Nick Arbes (182), Kirk, Hamilton, Palomo, Alec Calvitti (106) and Matt Boye (113) combined for 31 points the next six bouts to give Conestoga some cushion.

“It’s been nice to know we have those guys,” Elicker said of his big boys. “Hamilton is having a nice season and Palomo is doing a good job bumping up and giving up weight, often. Kirk, in his first year of wrestling is picking it up quickly. He’s a really good athlete, and still a little green, but he’s putting it together.”

Mitch Baker (126) used a quick pin to clinch the dual for the Pioneers, allowing Lofland to rest for a few more days.

Lofland, a state medalist golfer, placed sixth in the region last winter, one spot shy of a trip to states. Elicker has seen his junior, who has 79 career wins, mature through the adversity.

“He’s grown up a bit,” Elicker said of Lofland. “He has his goals, we have goals for him. He’s hellbent on making them happen. If it takes taking a couple matches off to get there, he’s going to do what he has to do to make it happen.”

Conestoga heads to Interboro for a duals tournament, Saturday, and will conclude the regular season February 8, at the Central League Championships, at Ridley High.

NATE HECKENBERGER - FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP Conestoga’s Liam Walker and Lower Merion’s Jack Lledo lock up under a picture of Kobe Bryant in Bryant Gymnasium at Lower Merion.

NATE HECKENBERGER - FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP Conestoga’s Liam Kirk nears a pin against Lower Merion’s Quinn Black at 195pounds.

NATE HECKENBERGER - FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP Conestoga’s Ezra Toll gets a leg against Lower Merion’s Hutton Smith before winning by fall.

NATE HECKENBERGER - FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP Conestoga’s Mitch Baker runs a bar on his way to pinning Lower Merion’s Nate Bradway at 126 pounds.