TAKE IT TO THE MAT
Despite seemingly daily changes, coaches, wrestlers ready to start the season
Palisades was pumped to go to the Reno Tournament of Champions, among other tournaments.
Notre Dame-Green Pond was excited about road trips to Ironman, Beast of the East, Powerade, plus home dual meets with powerhouses Bethlehem Catholic and Malvern Prep.
Saucon Valley was ready to defend at the Tom Best Memorial Top Hat tournament.
The list goes on and on of the scheduled events that are now off.
What is left of the 2020-21 high school wrestling season began this weekend with Palisades wrestling a non-league tri-meet with Brandywine Heights and host Schuylkill Valley.
The Colonial League regular season begins Monday. The slate continues through Feb. 2.
The four-team league tournament is Feb. 1 at Catasauqua.
Palisades has at least 16 duals on its revised schedule, including the Selinsgrove COVIDDuals 2 later this month with four other teams.
Many teams , however, are competing only against teams in their league or county before next month’s postseason.
But as the past nine months have taught everyone, things can change quickly.
Notre Dame-GP is the defending league champion. Saucon Valley is the returning District 11 Class 2A team champion.
Colonial League capsule previews
BANGOR
Coach: Richie Smith, 4th year (34-31).
Last year: 4-4 Colonial League, 5-11 overall.
Top returnees: Jr. Landon Uhler; Jr. Caidan Poff; Sr. Jared Reto.
Key newcomers: None.
Additions: Jr. Gabe Woolverton.
Subtractions: Fr. Joey LaPenna (transferred to Notre Dame-GP); Morgan Edwards (transferred to Blair Academy).
About the Slaters: They are young again, but a lot of inexperienced competitors took strides last season and
should be ready to continue that progression in 2021.
CATASAUQUA
Coach: Joe Russo, 4th year (26-29).
Last year: 5-3 Colonial League, 9-9 overall.
Top returnees: Sr.Jacob Nye (113120); Sr. Austin Brett (District 2A fourth; hurt, not able to compete at regionals; 120-132); So. Gavin Fehr (District sixth; 126-138); Jr. Cole Brown (126-138); Jr. Jaryn Hartranft (District runner-up, Southeast Regional third; 138-145); Jr. Dominic Melendez (172-189). Key newcomers: Fr. Mikhail Hartranft (106-113); So. William Bear (145-152); Jr. Dominic Gorr (152-172); So. Christian Fye (160172); Fr. Miles Melendez (152-160); Fr. C.J. Beller (injured; 189-215). Additions: None.
Subtractions: None.
About the Rough Riders: They again will be in league contention and have several individuals who have postseason potential, led by Hartranft who was a win away from a state medal and Brett, who is hurt but hopeful to return for the postseason. ... They have a mix of returnees and newcomers, many of whom are part of the football program and worked with Russo for years.
NORTHERNLEHIGH Coach:
Scott Snyder, 5th year (13-66)
Last year: 1-7 Colonial League, 2-18 overall
Top returnees: Sr. Brenden Smay (120); Jr. Trevor Amorim (District 11 2Arunner-up; 152); Sr. Josh Schaffer (District 11 runner-up, Southeast Regional fourth; 285).
So.Jonathan
Key newcomers:
Zemlansky (145).
Additions: None.
Subtractions: The majority of the wrestlers opted to not compete due to COVID-19 concerns.
About the Bulldogs: They won’t win during the dual-meet season, but some have a chance to make a deep run in the individual postseason. Schaffer was two wins from a PIAA medal.Amorim was two wins from a state berth. Smay is aiming to make it out of districts for the first time.
NORTHWESTERN
Coach: Jim Moll, 12th year (109104)
Last year: 5-3 Colonial League, 8-6 overall.
Top returnees: Sr. Ben Griffith (152-160); Jr. Mason Brensinger (152-160); So. Buck Miller (District 11 2Afifth; 170); Jr. Eli Dellicker (District 11 sixth; 138); Sr. Isaiah Johri (220).
Key newcomers: Fr. Dalton Clymer (145); So. Dart DeLillo (189).
Girls in the program: So. Josie Wehr (120); So. Katie Brensinger (138).
Additions: None.
Subtractions: None.
About theTigers: There are 12 combined freshmen and sophomores out of 17 on the varsity roster, so they are young. But there is talent there in all classes. Moll is looking forward to seeing Griffith, Johri and Miller after they committed themselves in the offseason.
NOTREDAME-GP Coach:
Matt Veres, 3rd year (28-10)
Last year: 16-4 overall, 8-0
Colonial League, Colonial League champions, District 11 Class 2A team runners-up, PIAA team tournament fifth place; PIAA individual tournament team champion.
Top returnees: Jr. Ryan Crookham (2-time PIAA, Southeast
Regional and District 11 Class 2A champion; 100 career wins); Jr. Adam Schweitzer; Jr. Evan Maag (District 11 and Southeast Regional champion, PIAA 5th); Sr. Brett Ungar (PIAA 3rd, District 11 and Southeast Regional champion; former NewJersey champion);
So. Nick Fegley; Jr. Brandan Chletsos (PIAA 3rd; District 11 and Southeast Regional champion);
So. Bryson Vaughn (20-6); Sr.Josh Bauman (District 11 runner-up, PIAA qualifier); Sr. Tony Morello; Jr.Jacob Wehr; So. Holden Garcia (District 11 champion, Southeast Regional fifth); So. Jared Blobe; So. Nolan Berkenstock; Sr.Jason Sine (District 11 runner-up, Southeast Regional third); So. Mason Ludlow. Key newcomers: Fr. Josh Ludlow; So. Eddie Melhelm; Fr. Nate Thomas; So. Connor Gregory; Fr. Gino Giuressi; Fr. Tanner McQueen. Additions: So. Garrett T et te mer (25-6at DelawareValley Regional, New Jersey ); Jr. Josh Hoffert (sat out last season after transferring from Freedom); Fr.Ayden Smith (2-time juniorhigh champat Dieruff; PJW champion); Fr.Joey LaPenna (District 11 junior high champion, PJWthird place at Bangor). Subtractions: Jr. Derek Berlitz (transferred to Southern Columbia); Sr. Lex Rivera.
About the Crusaders: The Crusaders have standouts all the way through 172. Sine will be a state contender at 215. If they can be competitive at 189 and 285, they will challenge four-time defending PIAA Class 2Ateam champion Reynolds. ... Ungar is healthy after a preseason injury. Crookham and Vaughn could be out another two
or more weeks.
PALISADES Coach:
Nick LaFevre, 3rd year (15-19 at Palisades, 26-28 including one year at Emmaus).
Last year: 2-6 Colonial League, 6-9 overall.
Top returnees: So. Logan Winters (113-120); So. Nate Armstrong (126-132); Sr. Bela Pavlinsky (138); Sr.Jon DeNato (District 2Athird in 2019; 145); Sr. Mason Smeland (District sixth; 152); Sr. Danny Kelleher (District sixth; 160); Jr.
Alex Armstrong (160); Sr. Ben Haubert (District and Southeast Regional champion; 172); Sr. Gavin Kreschollek (215-285); Sr. Austin Winters (215-285).
Key newcomers: So. Mason Lambert (132-138); Sr. Aidan Blaikie (160); Jr. Riley Campbell (172);
Fr. Danny Haubert (JH District champion, PJWrunner-up; 189). Girl on the roster: Jr. Morgan Magditch.
Additions: None.
Subtractions: So. Ashton Campbell (transferred to Bethlehem Catholic).
About the Pirates: They are experienced in many spots, led by Haubert who is headed to The Citadel to wrestle and is coming offa District 11 Class 2Afootball championship. Smeland was the Colonial League’s leading rusher. Kelleher, Kreschollek, DeNato and Austin Winters also were integral parts of the Pirates’title run and have been together for years. ... Danny Haubert is among the newcomers who should give LaFevre close to a full line-up and a solid chance to make the league’s four-team tournament.
PALMERTON Coach:
Justin Petersen, 7th year (34-73).
Last year: 2-6 Colonial League, 4-9 overall.
Top returnees: Jr. Dennis
Lombardi (District 2Asixth);
Jr. Aaron Gardner; So. Daniel Lucykanish; Jr. Jeremy Mooney; Jr. Westin Horn; Sr. Colton Stroup; Jr. Colyn Mertz.
Key newcomers: None. Additions: None.
Subtractions: Matt GareyHendricks; Ethan Page; Kadin German.
About the Blue Bombers: Numbers will be an obstacle because returnees and varsity newcomers did not come out because of COVID-19 concerns.
... Lombardi leads those on the existing roster who can have an impact during the individual postseason.
PENARGYL Coach:
Jason Grim, 9th year (80-85).
Last year: 4-4 Colonial League, 7-8 overall.
Top returnees: Jr. Hen nessy Rupert (113);Jr. George Pultz (District 2A third; 120); Sr. Lucas Buskirk (District third, Southeast Regional fifth);
Sr. Kaden Fox (132); Sr. Lorenzo
Reto (District sixth; 138); Sr. Dylan Ashenfalder (145); SeniorJake Pultz (145); Jr. Gan non Brink er( District sixth; 152);Jr. Cole Dorshimer(160); Jr. Reid Holden (189);Jr. Dakota Graham(District sixth; 215); So. Aiden Compton(District third, Southeast Regional fifth; 285).
Key newcomers: So. Matt Rissmiller (106); So. Gian Greggo (172); So. Michael Culver (189). Additions: None.
Subtractions: Sr. Tyler Taylor (injury).
About the Green Knights: They still figure to be among the league’s top four, but are without nine wrestlers because of injury (Taylor) or COVID-19 concerns. They have a full lineup, but depth would have been a strength. ... Buskirk and Compton are two state medalcapable competitors.
SALISBURY Coach:
Eric Snyder, 2nd year of second stint (3-26).
Last year: 0-8 Colonial League, 1-11 overall.
Top returnees: So.John Samy (126-132); So. Braedon Alder (132138); So. Toby Linn (145-152); Jr. Ben Krauss (189).
Keynewcomer: Fr. Kyle Lash (106). Additions: None.
Subtractions: None. AbouttheFalcons: FormerDistrict 11 and Southeast Regional champion andPIAAfourth-place finisherAlex Nicholas joined thecoachingstaff. He wrestled at Penn State .... S amy is healthy after missing last year’ s post season with an injury.
SAUCONVALLEY Coach:
Chad Shirk, 17th year (336-62)
Last year: 7-1 Colonial League, 20-4 overall; CL runners-up, District 11 2Ateam champions; PIAA team fourth place; District 11 and Southeast Regional individual tournament team champions. Topreturnees: Jr. Chris
Arciuolo (District 11 champion, Southeast Regional runner-up);
Jr. Ty Csencsits (District 11 fourth, Southeast Regional fifth); Sr. Ermal Duka; So.Jake Jones (District 11 runner-up, Southeast Regional champion); Jr. Dante Mahaffey; Jr. Cael Markle (District 11 third place); Jr.Jack Marouchoc; Jr. Connor Nicholas (District 11 runner-up); So. Ty Pfizenmayer (District 11 runnerup); So. Travis Riefenstahl (District 11 third, Southeast Regional fifth); So. Liam Scrivanich.
Key newcomer: So. Mason Beckowski.
Girls on the roster: Sr. Aaliyana Mateo; Sr. Sophia Riehl; Jr. Zoie Coranado.
Additions: None.
Subtractions: None.
About the Panthers: The majority of the returnees put on significant weight, so they will be strong in the middle and upper weights. They will have a hole or two in the lower weights, but remain in the hunt for a league tournament berth.
SOUTHERNLEHIGH Coach:
Brenton Ditchcreek, 2nd year (10-9).
Last year: 4-4 Colonial League, 10-9 overall.
Top returnees: Jr. Deacon Dickinson (132-138); So.Ali Essiaghi (113-126); So. Mohamed Es si ag hi (120-126); So. Michael Fluck (152-172);Jr.Jacob Foran (160-189);Jr.Tyler Houser (172-189); So.Vincent Probst (120132); Sr.Andreas Zannakis (138-152); So.Travis Barker (113-126); So.Jack Allen (126-138).
Key newcomers: Fr. Ryan King (113-132); Jr. Michael Martin (285); Fr. Cade Sawyer (120-132); Fr.
Chris Venezia (106-113); Fr. Austin Hook (132-145); Fr. Scott Stevens (106-120); Fr. Ian Gill (215-285);
Fr. Cole Lorio (113-120); Anthony Lorio (113-120); Fr. Joshua Sirard (132-145).
Additions: None.
Subtractions: None.
About the Spartans: They accomplished a lot in Ditchcreek’s first season, beginning with a positive culture and sending out a full lineup for dual meets. COVID-19 has created challenges for many programs, but the second-year coach will continue to build the culture, help the young team continue to improve and the wins will be a bonus.
WILSON Coach:
Tom Mertz, 14th year (142-128)
Last year: 6-2 Colonial League, 16-4 overall.
Top returnees: Jr. J.J. Wohlbach (120); Jr. Blaze Hartrum (138);
Sr. Owen Pelonero (160-172);
Sr. Austin Wickham (District 11 2Afifth; 189); Sr. Roger Russell (District 11 fourth; 285).
Key newcomers: Fr. Gio Dibiagio (106); Fr. Tino Micci (106); Fr.
Rider Heckman (120); Fr. Tristan Minnich (126-132); Fr. Gunner Scheetz (145); Fr. Ian Fekete (152). Additions: None.
Subtractions: None.
About theWarriors: This is an about-face from the previous two seasons when they were experienced. They are young, with only five returning starters. They will be challenged to reach the league’s four-team tournament, where they have been a staple in recent years.