Rebuilding Boyertown off to a good start
A late coaching change combined with a young, inexperienced roster pointed toward a major rebuilding year for the Boyertown wrestling team.
Although the Bears are unlikely to reach the lofty heights they hit in the middle of the last decade, first-year coach Nik Christine has the Bears over-acheiving during the first month.
With only four seniors on the roster, the Bears are off to a 4-2 start and finished fourth in the 23-team Gov. Mifflin Holiday Wrestling Tournament.
Sophomores Chance Babb and Alan Alexander finished second in the tournament and were among 10 Bears who placed in the top eight of their respective weight classes.
“We’re doing pretty well,” Christine said. “We’re fighting hard this year. We’re looking to improve in all areas with everyone.”
Christine, a former Indian Valley and Lycoming College wrestler, coaxed longtime Boyertown assistant John Cooley to come out of retirement and rejoin the coaching staff. Christine also is assisted by former Central Mountain and Lock Haven University wrestler Blaze Buckwalter.
Christine’s philosophy of “just keep fighting” was evident during all of his wrestlers’ bouts Friday and Saturday at the Gov. Mifflin Intermediate School. Regardless of the score, Boyertown wrestlers battled to the end.
Babb pulled of the biggest upset of the tournament when he pinned two-time PIAA qualifier and returning tournament champion Luke Fegley of Middletown with one second left.
“We can get the win as long as we’re pushing,” Christine said. “As long as we put our full effort into it, we’ll get our maximum result out of it.
“I’m trying to instill that mentality that nobody’s going to outwork us in the room, on the mat, or wherever.”
The Bears have the toughest part of their schedule coming up in the next two weeks.
On Saturday, Boyertown will compete in the Parkland Duals against state heavyweights Parkland, Northampton, Cumberland Valley and Gov. Mifflin tournament champion Hempfield.
The Bears also have matches with Pioneer Athletic Conference favorites Owen J. Roberts on Jan. 8 and Spring-Ford on Jan. 15.
That would be a tough stretch for any team, especially one that has just three returning wrestlers with winning records from the 2018-19 season.
Boyertown wrestling fans have high expectations after the Bears won four District 1 Class 3A titles in the last decade, including a run of three straight that ended with a PIAA runner-up finish in 2016.
It’s a challenge Christine is glad to accept.
“I think it’s a good fit because I have high expectations as well,” Christine said. “I expect to win every match every time we step out there.” MUSTANGS HONOR TRIO >> Three new members were inducted into the Gov. Mifflin Wrestling Hall of Fame.
PIAA champion Corey Houser, PIAA qualifier Dan Steever and former wrestler and coach John Carabello were honored Saturday night prior to the finals of the 46th annual Gov. Mifflin Holiday Wrestling Tournament. Carabello was honored posthumously.
Houser, an assistant coach for the Mustangs, was the first Gov. Mifflin wrestler to win a PIAA championship in 2007. Houser compiled a 94-18 record, was a three-time sectional champion and a three-time All-Berks selection.
Steever, the son of former Gov. Mifflin coach Harry Steever, was the first Gov. Mifflin wrestler to qualify for the PIAA Tournament in 1976. He compiled a 35-7-1 record and was a District 3 runnerup.
Carabello’s wrestling and coaching career at Gov. Mifflin spanned nearly 40 years. He compiled a 4821 record, was a sectional champion and qualified for the PIAA Tournament in 1979. Carabello, along with Kevin Ochs, established the Gov. Mifflin elementary program, where he coached from 1986-2011. He was inducted into the Berks County Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2014 before his death in 2016.
SCOUTING FOR ANOTHER TITLE >>
Conrad Weiser will head back to Lebanon County Saturday after going 5-0 in the Elco Duals in Myerstown last week.
Conrad Weiser will compete in the Cedar Duals at Lebanon along with Oley Valley on a weekend filled with dual meet tournaments.
Hamburg and Gov. Mifflin will compete in the 10-team Hawk Mountain Duals that start with an interesting matchup at 9:30 a.m. between Class 2A state-ranked teams Hamburg and Muncy.
Twin Valley will host the Raider Duals that include Berks teams Daniel Boone, Reading High and Kutztown.
Exeter and Schuylkill Valley are heading to Octorara, Wilson is going to Garnet Valley and Boyertown will be at Parkland for other dual meet tournaments.