Quakertown wrestler, future Marine McCoy ready for 1 last season

Kurt Handel each year talks to every Quakertown wrestler about what they have going on in their lifeatthatmomentandtheirfuture goals.

“I ask them, ‘ What’s your plan?’ ” Handel said. “‘You got a resumetogether? I’ll start contacting coaches for you.’ ”

Senior Patrick McCoy’s plan was unchanged all four years.

“I have two two cousins [Dave and TommyMcCoy] and an uncle [Keith McCoy] who are Marines,” the 18-year-old said. “You hear it’s the toughest part of the military, the hardest boot camp. Why wouldn’t I want to be a part of it?

“It’s pretty much always been the Marines.”

Before McCoy heads to boot camp in late August, he’s hoping to enjoy his final season of wrestling.HeispartofaPantherssquad that has been hit by graduation and attrition because of repeated stoppages due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quakertown started practice onthefirsteligibledayinmid-November, then shut down after a few days for nearly two weeks. The team restarted, only to be shuttered again after a few days because of Gov. Tom Wolf’s order to pause high school sports for three weeks.

ThePanthersreturnedtoworkouts this week feeling like they were starting over.

“Wrestling is all about getting in the groove with things,” McCoy said. “Once you get in that groove, everything is easier. Starting and stopping over and over, it’s tough mentally and physically.”

Handel’s troops are a few starters short after the latest re-start, but still have enough weapons to compete for a fifth consecutive Suburban One League division title and a second PIAA Class 3A team tournament berth in a row.

Dom DeFalco, another senior leader, is a three-time state qualifier. McCoy’s practice partner and good friend is hoping to have company at this year’s PIAA individual tournament.

“The one person on this team who would want to see Patrick do something incredible in the postseason is Dom, because through thick and thin, they are there for each other,” Handel said. “We all want to see great success for Patrick, but his teammate is his best drill partner and biggest cheerleader.”

McCoy’s attitude in the wrestling room is all about pushing himself and his teammates. He’s focused on the team aspect more than any of his goals.

The 145-pounder would love to make it to the state tournament, but his eyes light up when askedaboutQuakertown’srunlast season to the PIAA team event in

Hershey.

“Patrick loves the practice room,” Handel said. “The competition thing, hegetsalittle nervous. It’saboutbelievinginhimself.He’s got the talent, the experience, the strength. This year, we’re going to bring that mentality out. We’re working on that.”

The lineup

The Panthers lost a bunch of wrestlers after the three-week pause, including three projected starters.

Freshman Ike Williams and juniorJustinAdamsonarebattling at 106 pounds. Freshman Mason Ziegler is at 113.

“[Mason is] a really solid freshman who is as strong as a senior,” Handel said.

JuniorToddMcGann,aregional qualifier last year when he won 27 matches, is at 120. Sophomore Zach Borzio added more than 20 poundssince winning 30matches last season at 106. He’ll be at 126.

“I’m excited to see how well [Borzio] will do,” Handel said. “I think he’s one who will surprise a few people, but has to balance wrestling up 20-some pounds againstguyswithallthatstrength.”

SophomoreCodyStankisat132, followed by DeFalco at 138 and McCoyat145.

If healthy, junior Will Buckley is at 152. If not, freshman Calvin Lachmanwill be there or 160.

“[Calvin] is going to open some eyes this year,” Handel said. “He missedtimebeforethemostrecent pause because of COVID contact tracing, so it’s upsetting having a freshman who you are expecting a lot from to have practiced only four times.”

Sophomore Drew Tibbits is at 172. Quakertown had three on the rosterprojectedat189,butallthree chose not to return after practice resumed this week.

Senior Hans Muse, who has “legs bigger than trees,” is at 215. Junior Freddie Retter is at 285. Handel expects him to take a few strides forward because of his athletic build and long arms.

The Panthers

Coach: Kurt Handel, 20th year (276-123).

Last year: 6-0 SOL Continental Division, 20-3 overall, District 1 Class 3A runner-up, PIAA qualifier. Top returnees: Jr. Justin Adamson (106); Zach Borzio (District 1 Class 3A sectional fourth; 126); Jr. Todd McGann (sectional runner-up; 120); So. Cody Stank (132); So. Declan Palmer (138); Sr. Dom DeFalco (sectional and Southeast Regional third place; 138-145); Sr. Patrick McCoy (sectional sixth; 145-152); Jr. Will Buckley (160);

Sr. Hans Muse (215); Jr. Freddie Retter (285).

Key newcomers: Fr. Isaac

Williams (106); Fr. Evan Hilton (106); Fr. Mason Ziegler (113); Fr Christian Dottery (120); Fr. Richie Sanchez (120); Fr. Zach Cook (126); Fr. Calvin Lachman (152-160); Fr. Nick Buzdygon (170); Fr. Keondre Lopez (215).

Addition: So. Drew Tibbits (transfer from Faith Christian; 172).

Subtractions: Jr. Jake Donze; Sr. Micah Kunkle; Jr. Kaden Roesener. Notes: Campbell University commit DeFalco has 109 career wins. ... Muse is back after missing last season with a torn ACL suffered during the 2019 football season.

The schedule

(7 p.m. unless noted)

Wednesday: Plymouth-Whitemarsh Jan. 16: Upper Dublin

Jan. 20: Abington

Jan. 21: at Central Bucks East

Jan. 23: at Central Bucks South with Council Rock North, 9 a.m.

Jan. 28: North Penn

Jan. 30: Pennridge, Harry S. Truman, 9 Feb. 3: at Wissahickon

Feb. 6: Council Rock South, Central Bucks East, Central Bucks West (site TBA), 9

Feb. 10: Palisades

Feb. 13: Suburban One League tournament

Feb. 20: District 1 Class 3A East sectional

Feb. 27: 3A Southeast Regional at Oxford

March 6: East Super Regional, site TBA March 13: PIAA 3A Championships