Kistler loses weight, wins quarterfinal
Northampton High senior joins 2 other Konkrete Kids in semis
HOLLAND — Michael Kistler did not plan on descending to 152 pounds this season, but the Northampton senior can’t argue with the results so far.
Kistler decked No. 3 seed George Worthy of Paulsboro (N.J.) in 3 minutes, 10 seconds to reach Sunday’s semifinals at the 14th annual Escape the Rock tournament at Council Rock South High School in Bucks County.
“It was kind of a blur, really,” he said. “I just kept good position and as soon as I saw his arm pop up, we were on the edge and I think he thought we were going to go out of bounds.
“I shot up and things went my way.”
Kistler joins Northampton teammates Julian Chlebove (132) and Jagger Condomitti (145) in the semis.
Bethlehem Catholic had a 6-1 quarterfinal round and Stroudsburg was 4-0 in that round to give the area 13 in the semis, which are at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Kistler gave up consecutive takedowns to Worthy because of his hands being out of position and Worthy’s explosiveness, but the Konkrete Kid adjusted in the second period before taking advantage of his own speed.
“I feel really good, feel quick,” he said. “I wasn’t cutting weight. I planned on staying at 160, but I was leaving the practice room only 2 or 3 pounds over [152] so there was no other option.”
Kistler will face a familiar foe in the semis — No. 2 seed Cole Handlovic of Bethlehem Catholic.
Handlovic beat Kistler twice last year — 6-4 in a dual meet and 7-2 in the District 11 Class 3A semis at 145.
The Konkrete Kid will have to find a way to counter the Golden Hawk’s strength and athleticism.
“Handlovic gets that first takedown and Michael had a problem
getting out,” Northampton coach Seth Lisa said. “… It was the same thing over and over. We’re going to have to mix things up.
“Michael has to have good hand defense and any time you can score early, you know the shots are coming and that opens up a lot of things.”
Handlovic was solid in his two victories to reach the semis. He is a Beast of the East runner-up and was a second-place finisher here last year.
Bethlehem Catholic’s Kenny Herrmann (132), Matt Lackman (138), Ryan Anderson (145), Luca Frinzi (160) and Jase Crouse (285) also were stellar in reaching the final four of their respective weight classes.
Herrmann and Anderson didn’t allow a takedown in their three wins. Frinzi had two pins.
Stroudsburg’s Cam Enriquez (120) and Patrick Noonan (126) continued to look super after their recent descent while fellow Mountaineers Lenny Pinto (170) and Sami Khamis (285) were equally impressive for coach Sean Richmond.
Pinto, who had two pins and a 19-6 major, gets top seed and national No. 12 Luke Nichter of Chambersburg in the semis.
Khamis gets a familiar face in Crouse in the 285 semis. The Mountaineers senior, who was coming off a win over Liberty’s Jaden Freeman in an EPC dual, did not face Crouse during their dual meet.
Enriquez faces No. 2 seed and national No. 2 Lucas Byrd of Cincinnati LaSalle in the 120 semis.
Northampton (96.5 points, seven wrestlers alive) leads the team standings. LaSalle (95.5 points, eight) is second and Bethlehem Catholic (93.5, 9) third. Stroudsburg (66, four) is tied for eighth.
Easton’s trio of Gaven Krazer (160), Isaiah Reinert (170) and Andrew Balukas (220) lost in the quarters. So did Parkland’s 285pounder Cory Border and Pennridge’s Logan Green at 195.
Border is the only Trojan still alive in the double elimination tournament.
Notable absentees
Bethlehem Catholic’s Matt Mayer (120) and Jaden Youwakim (170) did not compete; neither did Northampton’s Sam Hanley (126). Pennridge’s Evan Widing (145) did not return from injury. Green was the only Ram to compete.
Quakertown, Hempfield and two Virginia schools were the only no-shows because of weather concerns.
Sunday schedule
Fourth-round consolations are at 9 a.m. on eight mats followed by semifinals and fifth-round consolations at 10. Consolation semis and seventh-place matches are at 11 on five mats. Parade of champions followed by first-, third- and fifth-place matches are at 12:30 p.m. on three mats.