Central Catholic’s Kreidler takes big step
The opening-night goal of the PIAA Southeast 2A Region wrestling tournament is the semifinals. Reach them, head to Hershey.
David Kreidler, a Central Catholic freshman, has never been to states, even to watch. So his first trip will be as a competitor after winning his opening bout Friday at regionals at Wilson West Lawn High.
“This is going to be a big step for me,” said Kreidler, who last week became Central’s first District 11 champ since 1995. “It’s a great opportunity, and I’m happy to be there.”
Kreidler, who scored a major decision in his quarterfinal bout at 113 pounds, returns to Wilson on Saturday for the semifinals. The medal finals are scheduled for 5 p.m. The top six wrestlers in each weight class advance to the PIAA 2A championships, which begin Thursday at the Giant Center.
Notre Dame-Green Pond, which qualified for the PIAA team tournament, began regionals with a strong performance. Among those advancing was freshman Brandon Chletsos, the District 11 runner-up at 126 pounds.
Chletsos was dominant in his first two bouts, scoring a pin and major decision. He faces District 3 champ Chase Shields of Bishop McDevitt in the semifinals.
“Our whole team came out here and competed hard, trying to get that end goal of a state championship,” Chletsos said. “After districts I started training much harder. I came out here knowing what I wanted to get, and I think I’ve been improving as the season’s gone on.”
Among those joining Chletsos in the semifinals are teammates Ryan Crookham (120) and Derek Berlitz (160).
Kreidler, who had been sick much of the week, still felt some lingering effects, though they really didn’t show in his quarterfinal bout. The freshman scored takedowns in each period in an 11-2 decision.
“I didn’t think about [qualifying for states] too much,” he said. “I stayed focused and knew that if I won, I would qualify. I’m a little tired, but other than that I felt really good. Right now, it’s just about winning.”
Lehighton, which did not qualify anyone for states the past two years, sent two this season. Both are senior captains.
Chris Whiteman was among three District 11 wrestlers (with Palisades’ Nate Haubert and Notre Dame’s Andrew Cerniglia) to advance in the competitive 145-pound class. Whiteman allowed just one point in his two decisions.
Teammate Logan Pagotto (152) was locked in close bout in the third period before turning a takedown into a pin in 4:58. Coach Floyd Brown said Whiteman and Pagotto have been the team’s most disciplined workers this season.
“They’re good team leaders, so it was a nice payoff for them,” Brown said. “They can wrestle a little bit more relaxed now, but we want to get a couple more wins, climb the platform here.”
Thomas Spirk (138) had the most efficient day of Saucon Valley’s semifinalists, finishing a pin in 12 seconds. Josh Jones (132) cruised as well with a technical fall.
Wilson’s Marckis Branford (138) won by fall. Teammate Elijah Bundro, the District 11 champ at 126, was forced to forfeit after not making weight at regionals.
At 145, Haubert was dominant with a pin and major decision. He will wrestle undefeated District 3 champ Gabe Miller of Pequea Valley in the semifinals.