BROTHERLY SHOVES
The Condomittis’ almost daily scraps may sometimes test their relationship, but both of them know it makes them better
Dagen and Jagger Condomitti wrestle each other a couple times a day, five to six days a week in their Danielsville home.
Sometimes, predictably, emotions run high.
“That brotherly relationship is definitely tested a few times a week,” Jagger Condomitti said. “Maybe a few times a day.
“Deep down, he knows it’s for the better. But there definitely are some fights. Sometimes we don’t talk for a few hours.”
Jagger is ranked fourth nationally according to MatScouts and first in the state at 160 pounds according to PA Power Wrestling. The four-time District 11 medalist is a
Nebraska commit who will spend next year at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Dagen Condomitti won a Northeast Regional title as a freshman and is coming off his first District 11 Class 3A championship.
They enter Saturday’s regional tournament as top overall seeds and confident that they can attain their lofty goals.
They are battle tested despite a limited regular-season schedule. They took advantage of whatever was available in the abbreviated offseason, including Jagger participating in last October’s Who’s No. 1 event.
And they have each other.
Jagger is pushing Dagen a little harder this year because it is the final time he’ll be able to be there every day for his younger brother.
“I’m trying not to think about it,” Jagger said. “But if I’m wrestling my hardest, he’s going to have to wrestle his hardest to make him better.
“He’s starting to figure things out as a high school wrestler. Last year, he definitely was a little more raw.”
Jagger remembers being thrown into the middle of Northampton’s lineup as a freshman and working out in the room every day as a sophomore with three-time state champion Julian Chlebove, now at Arizona State.
The Konkrete Kids senior said he would go practices at a time without scoring on Chlebove, one of the most technically sound wrestlers in area history.
“This year, I’m his Chlebove,” Jagger said. “If I can do what Julian did to me, then everything will work out [for Dagen].
“He’s done all right so far.” Dagen’s confidence is high after rolling through the district tournament with a first-period pin, a technical fall and 12-5 decision after giving up the final’s first takedown. His endurance is improving with each match.
The sophomore 145-pounder’s technical improvements come mostly from what his brother learned at the Olympic training center and Jeff Buxton’s training center.
Dagen also recognizes his brother’s motivation.
“This year is very different from what I’m used to,” Dagen said. “He pushes me harder knowing he won’t be able to do it next year. He wants me to be prepared so when it comes to my junior and senior years, I’m as prepared as I can be.”
Dagen is ranked fifth in the state. His goal is to make the leap from state qualifier in 2020 to first at next month’s PIAA Championships. There are four returning state medalists ranked ahead of him at 145, including 2020 PIAA champion Wyatt Henson of Waynesburg Central who is ranked third nationally.
Dagen knows that he’ll have to limit moments like he had in last Sunday’s district final against Whitehall’s Xavier Arner.
Arner scored a takedown 18 seconds into the match before Dagen took the lead for good with a takedown with nine seconds left in the first period and dominated the final minute.
“I always thought something like that would happen,” Dagen said. “I was not prepared for it. I said to myself that I have to flip the switch and step on the gas.”
Dagen paid the price during his brotherly scraps when he was not been prepared. He’s hoping that will help him cash in later this year and beyond.
Morning Call reporter
Tom Housenick can be reached at 610-820-6651 or at thousenick@mcall.com
Class 3A Northeast Regional
Site: Charles Chrin Community Center, Palmer Township Schedule: Session 1 (106-138 pounds): 9 a.m., quarterfinals; 10:30, semifinals and firstround consolations. Session 2 (145-285) 1 p.m., quarterfinals, 2:30, semifinals and first-round consolations. Session 3 (all weights) 5:30, consolation semifinals; 6:45, finals and consolation finals.
Fans: None are permitted. Returning champions (4): Bethlehem Catholic’s Tyler Kasak (106), Northampton’s Dagen Condomitti (126), Easton’s Isaiah Reinert (182), Delaware Valley’s Jason Henderson (195).
Most represented: La Salle
(11), Nazareth (10), Bethlehem Catholic (10)
Who advances: The top four qualify for the eight-person East Super Regional on Saturday, March 6, at Quakertown H.S. Livestream link (cost is $10): https://portal.stretchinternet. com/sfbn/
TV: Service Electric TV-2
Class 2A Southeast Regional
Site: Central Dauphin East H.S., Harrisburg
Schedule: 9 a.m., quarterfinals followed by semifinals and firstround consolations, consolation semifinals and first-, third- and fifth-place matches. Each round will follow the prior round with no breaks unless a break is needed to satisfy the 45-minute rest period between each wrestler’s prior match. As a result, it is possible that bout numbers will be out of order. Fans: None are permitted. Returning champions (5): Notre Dame-GP’s Evan Maag (106), Brett Ungar (113) and Brandan Chletsos (120); Saucon Valley’s
Jake Jones (138), Palisades’ Ben Haubert (152).
Most represented: Conwell-Egan (11 wrestlers); Notre Dame-GP
(8), Faith Christian (8)
Who advances: The top five qualify for the East Super
Regional on Saturday, March 6, at Pottsville’s Martz Hall.
Livestream link: https:// www.flowrestling.org/ events/6852860-2021-piaase-aa-regional or https:// www.facebook.com/search/ top?q=notre%20dame%20 gp%20wrestling%20stream
Class 3A Southeast Regional
Site: Council Rock North and South H.S.
Schedule: (106-138 pounds at CR North; 145-285 at CR South) 10 a.m., quarterfinals; 11:15 semifinals and first-round consolations; 12:45 p.m., consolation semifinals, followed by championship finals and consolation finals.
Fans: None are permitted Returning champions (6): Downingtown East’s Keanue Manuel (106) and Matt Romanelli (170), Boyertown’s Jay Maldonado (113), Coatesville’s Nate Lucier (120), Neshaminy’s Zac Martin (132), Sun Valley’s Ryan Catka (195)
Most represented: Council
Rock South (8), West Chester Henderson (7), Quakertown (6), Garnet Valley (6)
Who advances: The top four advance to the East Super Regional on Saturday, March 6, at Quakertown H.S.
Class 3A Northeast Regional predictions
106: 1. Carson Wagner, Northampton; 2. Charlie Pavis, Bethlehem Catholic; 3. Josh Jasionowicz, Stroudsburg; 4. Luke Sirianni, Abington Heights
113: 1. Zach Jacaruso, Delaware Valley; 2. Charlie Bunting, Nazareth; 3. Cael McIntyre, Bethlehem Catholic; 4. Austin Noe, Northampton
120: 1. Dante Frinzi, Bethlehem Catholic; 2. Javien DeLeon, Liberty; 3. Jake Doone, Nazareth; 4. Austin Fashouer, West Scranton 126: 1. Tyler Kasak, Bethlehem Catholic; 2. Parrish McFarland, Pottsville; 3. Beck Hutchison, Hazleton Area; 4. Patrick Snoke, Northampton
132: 1. Matt Mayer, Bethlehem Catholic; 2. Nick Velde, Emmaus; 3. Dominic Wheatley, Nazareth; 4. Austin Smith, Abington Heights 138: 1. Andrew Harmon, Bethlehem Catholic; 2. C.J. Fritz, Northampton; 3. Vinny Hebel, Nazareth; 4. Sam Stevens, Abington Heights
145: 1. Dagen Condomitti, Northampton; 2. Xavier Arner, Whitehall; 3. Preston Machado, Delaware Valley; 4. Trey Miletics, Bethlehem Catholic
152: 1. Evan Gleason, Bethlehem Catholic; 2. Kordell Waiters, Emmaus; 3. Noah Okamoto, Nazareth; 4. Sal Schiavone, Abington Heights
160: 1. Jagger Condomitti, Northampton; 2. Landon Muth, Bethlehem Catholic; 3. Ryan Fairchild, Nazareth; 4. Jimmy Spindler, Pittston Area
172: 1. Dom Falcone, Easton; 2. Sonny Sasso, Nazareth; 3. Wayne McIntyre, East Stroudsburg
North; 4. Thaddeus Mead, Dallas 189: 1. Drew Clearie, Nazareth; 2. Bryce Molinaro, Hazleton Area; 3. Isaiah Reinert, Easton; 4. Anthony DeRosa, Bethlehem Catholic
215: 1. Jason Henderson, Delaware Valley; 2. Seth Hunsinger, Hazleton Area; 3. Chase Levey, Nazareth; 4. Ajay Hiller, East Stroudsburg South
285: 1. Matt Cruise, Easton; 2. Sebastian Khamis, Stroudsburg; 3. Sean Kinney, Nazareth; 4. Cameron Butka, West Scranton