Boyertown looking to become four-time regional champion
“Fourpeats” are part of Boyertown’s M.O. again.
The Bears started off the 201617 season in December by winning their lid-lifting Brian Bealer Memorial Bear Duals a fourth straight year. Last weekend, they became another four-time champion by heading the District 1-AAA West Tournament.
Boyertown has a shot at another “fourpeat” this weekend: The Southeast AAA Regional tournament at Souderton. The Bears will pit their eight-man contingent against 52 other 1-AAA West medalists, and another 112 from the district’s Central and East tourneys, in bids to qualify for the PIAA Championships again being staged at Hershey’s Giant Center the weekend of March 9-11.
“This says a lot about the program ... how the kids work, and how hard work pays off,” head coach Pete Ventresca said after seeing his squad claim five individual titles, and the team championship with a 12-point (128.5116.5) edge on Owen J. Roberts.
The Bears’ individual PAC champions — Matt Wilde (113), David Campbell (120), Jakob Campbell (126), Chris Berry (152), Elijah Jones (182) — all duplicated those showings at districts. They’ll be joined at the regional by Christian Fox (third at
132) and fourth-place finishers Hunter Vogels (160) and Michael Porreca (195).
“The kids were exceptional in the last (district) round,” Ventresca said. “I’m proud of the way they worked.”
Jakob Campbell had his own “fourpeat” action going on at the Pioneer Athletic Conference and 1-AAA West tournaments ... “fourpeats” as in the number of championships he’s won at those levels during his scholastic career at Boyertown.
In pursuit of his next “fourpeat” — the number of times he’s medaled at the regional level — Campbell is shooting for a championship in the final leg of his high-school competition. He won silver medals as a freshman and junior, and bronze as a sophomore.
“I have a lot of confidence and excitement,” he said after being accorded Outstanding Wrestler honors at districts, the first time he’s received that award in 11 years of participation in the sport.” I love to go out and compete.”
Campbell could achieve another personal “fourpeat” by qualifying for states. He’s a two-time medalist, placing third as a sophomore and seventh last year.
Owen J. Roberts will take seven wrestlers to Souderton, led by district champs Ryan Resnick (160) and Nick Duliakas (195). It also saw Luke Resnick (120), Antonio Petrucelli (132) and Daniel Mancini (145) make silvermedal showings while Cole Meredith (138) and Jason Zollers (170) scored fourths.
The Resnicks, Duliakas and Mancini were all regional qualifiers in 2016. But none was able to make the next step, Luke Resnick and Duliakas placing fifth while Ryan Resnick was one spot back in sixth.
In his three previous post-seasons, Ryan Finn had only a fifth-place district medal and no regional or state visits to show for his efforts. Suffice it to say, winning the 170-pound bracket last week is making the Pottsgrove senior’s final go-round at the high-school level very memorable.
“It’s a cool experience,” Finn said after scoring both a district championship and the 100th victory of his scholastic career at districts. “But there’s a lot to do.”
Finn will be joined by teammate Chase Banyai, the Falcons’ junior 120-pounder placing fourth last weekend.
Spring-Ford has six regional qualifiers, led by district silver medalists Brandon Meredith (113), Jack Files (170) and Chase Smith (182). Tyler LaRocca added a third at 220, with Jonathan Westlake (145) and Matt Lepore (285) fourth.
1-AAA West runners-up Jacob Folk (160) and Mike Modugno (220) lead Upper Perkiomen, which also saw Jared Kuhns move on with a third at 113.
District champs Justin Altrogge (106) and Eric Fuentes (132) are among Norristown’s four regional qualifiers. Both won Pioneer Athletic Conference gold in the Eagles’ first season as members of the league.
Council Rock South advanced 11 wrestlers to the Southeast AAA regional from District 1-AAA East, led by champions Zack Trampe (132), Cary Palmer (138), Riley Palmer (145) and Joe Doyle (220). The Hawks, who ran away with the East team title by outscoring second-place North Penn 205.5-136.5, thwarted Boyertown’s bid for a “fourpeat” in the District 1 Duals one month ago.
Pennridge, fourth in the East team standings, came away with a trio of champions: Matt Parker (120) — the tourney’s Outstanding Wrestler — Joshua Stillings (160) and Paul O’Neill (195). Council Rock North, with seven regional qualifiers, ranks second behind its South counterparts in that category.
Downingtown West had three individual champions out of eight medal-winning wrestlers advancing from the District 1-AAA Central tourney. Doug Zapf (106), Nick Lilley (132) — Central’s Outstanding Wrestler — and Cole Zapf (195) led the Whippets’ charge past West Chester Rustin, 162.5-131.
Rustin also boasted three gold medalists in Brett Kaliner (126), Tyler Kaliner (138) and Collin Hurley (152). It, Coatesville and Avon Grove all have five regional qualifiers.
***
Bryce Reddington was one of three unbeaten grapplers in the 1-AAA West field last weekend.
The Methacton senior made it through districts unscathed, his closest outcome a 5-0 victory over OJR’s Daniel Mancini in the 145-pound championship bout. At Souderton, he’ll be one of four contestants with perfect records.
Joining Reddington (340) in that exclusive club will be Upper Darby senior Brian Kennerly (220, 31-0), Central Bucks East senior Collin Stevens (182, 33-0) and Coatesville senior Brent Windle (14-0).
A returning Southeast champion and two-time state qualifier, Reddington is not overly focused on his unbeaten status.
“I go out each week trying to improve,” he said after scoring a first-ever District 1-AAA West gold medal. “I can live plenty of time in the past. There are things I need to work on.” NOTES >> The Southeast regional starts 5:30 p.m. Friday with first-round and quarterfinal matches. It resumes 9:30 a.m. Saturday with first-round consolations . ... The medal rounds will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, following the region’s Hall of Fame ceremony and the Parade of Champions. Bouts for first, third and fifth places will be staged.