Kennerly charted course to top, then blazed an impressive trail
IN GOOD COMPANY ... DELCO PIAA CHAMPS
UPPER DARBY » Brian Kennerly was just another wrestler before typing “Greensboro Coliseum” into his GPS and blowing up four nationally ranked opponents, including the defending PIAA state champ, to win the Super 32 Challenge at 220 pounds.
The gold medal last fall sent his confidence skyrocketing, put him prominently on the wrestling map and shortened the almost eighthour ride home with Colin Cronin, his Upper Darby teammate, and the rest of the traveling party.
“I knew what I could do,” Kennerly said. “And my coaches and my friends knew what I could do. But doing it on a national level and showing everyone that I know what I can do, it really put me out there. I guess no one really knew about me before that.”
Kennerly’s encore was off the charts. The 18-year-old Upper Darby honors student rolled to a 38-0 record and the PIAA Class 3A state title at 220 pounds in Hershey.
Kennerly is just the fourth Delaware County wrestler to go undefeated and win a state title, per newspaper records. He’s the Daily Times Wrestler of the Year — by fall.
Speaking of which, there were a lot bumps in the road for Kennerly.
“The most important thing wrestling teaches you is perseverance,” Kennerly said. “It’s one of those sports that is going to beat you up regardless of how good you are. There’s always going to be somebody who’s going to beat you up really bad. But it teaches you about coming back. It shows you that if you can take a beating, Brian Kennerly joins teammate Colin Cronin as Upper Darby earns the Wrestler of the Year honors for a second straight year. Other former honorees include: Colin Cronin, Upper Darby L.J. Barlow, Haverford School L.J. Barlow, Haverford School Joe Gartland, Penncrest L.J. Barlow, Haverford School Matt Idelson, Garnet Valley Joe Marino, Garnet Valley Jim Resnick, Penncrest Andre Petroski, Springfield Steve Armor, Springfield Chris Grill, Upper Darby Sean Reed, Springfield Ryan Kennett, Haverford
2015-16: 2014-15: 2013-14: 2012-13: 2011-12: 2010-11: 2009-10: 2008-09: 2007-08: 2006-07: 2005-06: 2004-05: 2003-04:
School
2002-03: 2001-02: 2000-01: 1999-2000: 1998-99: 1997-98: 1996-97: 1995-96: 1994-95: 1993-94: 1992-93: 1991-92: 1990-91:
O’Hara Callaghan Bright, Glen Mills Sonny Phillip, Chichester Joel Edwards, Upper Darby Jim Mowbray, Upper Darby Ryan Midgett, Radnor Jason Zawisza, Chichester Mike Jones, Haverford High Mike Jones, Haverford High Brian Matthews, Radnor Chris Rickards, Upper Darby Brian Romesburg, Springfield Brian Romesburg, Springfield Kevin McCarthy, Cardinal
you can come back and be successful in wrestling … or in life.”
Kennerly, his reputation preceding him after the Super 32, seemed to enjoy each and every challenge. One of his memorable matches was a decision over Joe Doyle of Council Rock South in the featured bout at the Class 3A Southeast regions (https://youtu.be/tPRFvhMkBy8).
Trailing, Kennerly uncorked a freight train double-leg takedown so sudden and gut-wrenching the Daily Times runner-up threw the medal in the trash.
A few weeks later Kennerly stood tall on the podium in Hershey above his last two opponents, who were penalized for stalling.
Kennerly is just the eighth Delaware County wrestler to win it all at states, and the first to do so since Joel Edwards of Upper Darby prevailed at 189 pounds in 2001. Three of the last four gold medalists from Delco hail from Upper Darby. That was part of the late-night hotel conversation among the UD contingent at states which included Cronin and teammate Max Livingston, and coach Bob Martin and his staff.
“We stayed up all night,” Kennerly said. “You think you’d be real tired after a few days of wrestling but you stay up for the memories.”
Kennerly completed his epic high school career with a 102-23 record. After the season he earned All-American status in a Flo-National second-place competition.
“I felt like I arrived at the end of my journey as a high school wrestler and in what I failed to accomplish a few years ago,” said Kennerly, who was eliminated at states in 2016 in the knockout round. “I felt satisfied, content at how it ended. But it really flew by this year. I already miss it. I already miss just being with the boys and practicing and messing around a little. It happens like quick, bang.”
Kennerly has a ton of memories to take to the University of Virginia, where he’s on scholarship to wrestle and major in economics.
Kennerly became a wrestler only after he was cut trying out for basketball in seventh and eighth grades.
It was the beginning of a lifelong friendship with Martin and his coaching staff of Dennis Mejias, Luke Bileyu, Steve Bell, Billy Petransky, Joe Carney, Matt Lewis and Gary Pflieger.
“The first day of practice my
1945:
Laird pounds
Werner Seel, Lansdowne, 185 pounds
John Dussling, pounds
Steve Paxson, Lansdowne-Aldan, 138 pounds
Andy Matter, Upper Darby, 154 pounds Dean Brior, Haverford, 185 pounds Joel Edwards, Upper Darby, 189 pounds
Brian pounds
1949: 1961: 1966: 1968:
1974: 2001:
2017:
Robinson, Haverford, 145 Springfield, 145 Kennerly, Upper Darby, 220
freshman year I thought he was crazy,” Kennerly said of Martin. “He was giving us the preseason speech, how it’s going to be real hard, not easy and I was thinking, ‘Man, this is going to be a lot of work.’ But it ended up for the better. And he’s not like that at all. He’s a sweet guy.”
Kennerly’s dry sense of humor and penchant for pranks (his old hide-your-clothes-when-you’re-inthe-shower trick has become legend) is exceeded only by his work ethic. His offseason is as laborious as in-season training.
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