Spring-Ford grateful for state duals experience despite elimination

For many of the wrestlers taking part in the PIAA Duals, it will be the only chance they get to compete at the Giant Center in Hershey.

That alone is a bucket list item for high schoolers, and the moment was not lost on the grapplers from Spring-Ford, who have a standing reservation in Chocolatetown, with six straight qualifications.

The Rams started Friday afternoon in the Class 3A quarterfinals, but were met with a monster from the west in District 7 champion, Canon McMillan. Spring-Ford won just three bouts, all by fall, in a 49-18 loss.

“It was a great opportunity for us,” Spring-Ford coach Tim Seislove said. “It’s an honor for us to be out here and be in the quarterfinals with the top eight teams in the state. Its a great tribute to the kids of our program.”

Jacob Mest (152 pounds) and Anthony Attilio (160) opened the dual with pins, but the Big Macs won 10 of the next 11 to force SpringFord to the consolation bracket, where it faced Pennridge in the rematch of the District 1-3A Duals final from last Saturday.

Once again, Pennridge was victorious, and SpringFord was eliminated.

“Every time we get to go under the lights and see the whole stadium, it’s awesome,” Mest said. “Everything about it is great.”

Making team states six straight years is an accomplishment, but the reality that comes with it is a number of talented senior classes graduating. This year’s version of SpringFord is not as top-heavy as in years past, but those years of grinding through tough schedules refines a roster stocked with gritty program kids.

Wrestling on the grand stage of the Giant Center is often a reward in itself.

“It feels unreal,” SpringFord senior Steven DeAngelo said. “This is my first time ever at states, in any form. It feels really exciting and it’s a great opportunity to make it here as a team. We just wanted to see how far we could make it.”

Pennridge ended SpringFord’s run on the second day of the three-day tournament, but the effect will continue to fuel the returning wrestlers in seasons to come.

“One of our goals is always to try and make the state duals,” Seislove said. “We don’t talk about it a lot during the season but we work hard week after week and good things happen.”

Spring-Ford has eight seniors on the roster, so again next season will be about rebuilding and peaking as a team in early February.

For someone like Jamie Silva, who lost a tough 6-3 decision in the last seconds, against Canon Mac’s Luke Shaffer, this experience can be the kind that changes the trajectory of a career.

“It’s crazy for me, especially since this is only my second year wrestling,” Silva said. “I started my sophomore year and to be able to get here and experience this is surreal for me considering I never touched a wrestling mat until two years ago.”

Spring-Ford will have a couple weeks off to prepare for the individual postseason, which begins February 25 with the District 1-3A Section North tournament.

Championship Quarterfinals Canon-McMillan 49, Spring-Ford 18

at GIANT Center, Hershey

152 - Jacob Mest (SF) pinned Racer Litster, 3:31 (0-6)

160 - Anthony Attilio (SF) pinned Blake Ward, 4:54 (0-12)

172 - Matt Furman (CM) pinned Gavin Klipphahn, 0:31 (6-12)

189 - Gabriel Stafford (CM) pinned John Kelly, 2:14 (12-12)

215 - Geno Calgaro (CM) pinned Daniel Borzillo, 0:53 (18-12)

285 - Noah Livesay (CM) pinned Connor Hudak, 1:58 (24-12)

107 - Tanner Mizenko (CM) won by tech. fall over Gus Smith, 26-11 5:45 (29-12) 114 - Cole Smith (SF) pinned Collier Hartman, 3:42 (29-18)

121 - Brandon Dami (CM) maj. dec. Dominick Ferrizzi, 12-2 (33-18)

127 - Andrew Binni (CM) maj. dec. Quinn Smith, 14-6 (37-18)

133 - Ryder Joseph (CM) pinned Steven DeAngelo, 5:10 (43-18)

139 - Luke Shaffer (CM) dec. Jamie Silva, 6-3 (46-18)

145 - Josiah Gardner (CM) dec. James McGill, 8-2 (49-18)

Consolation Round 2 Pennridge 30, Spring-Ford 21

at GIANT Center, Hershey

160 - Anthony Attilio (SF) dec. Ryan Gallagher, 3-1 SV (0-3)

172 - Talan Hogan (Pr) pinned Gavin Klipphahn, 1:15 (6-3)

189 - Ryan Rowe (Pr) dec. John Kelly, 10-4 (9-3)

215 - Chase Washington (Pr) dec. Daniel Borzillo, 11-6 (12-3)

285 - Riley Cullen (Pr) pinned Connor Hudak, 2:11 (18-3)

107 - Colby Martinelli (Pr) dec. Gus Smith, 2-0 (21-3)

114 - Cole Smith (SF) dec. Cole Coffin, 1-0 (21-6)

121 - Quinn McBride (Pr) pinned Gavin Maguire, 1:366 (27-6)

127 - Quinn Smith (SF) won by forfeit (27-12)

133 - Brennan McGrann (SF) dec. Anthony Granite, 6-3 (27-15)

139 - Sam Kuhns (Pr) dec. Jamie Silva, 6-2 (30-15)

145 - James McGill (SF) dec. Brady McMahon, 3-1 (30-18)

152 - Jacob Mest (SF) dec. Brady Hudgins, 8-2 (30-21)