Painful reality of crushed dreams
Body language displayed the most painfully telling story of the high school wrestling season Saturday at the East Super Regional tournaments.
Head down, slumped shoulders and a teary-eyed struggle to walk off the mat.
And, then, the crash into the waiting coach’s arms.
It is the image of a wrestler falling short of a trip to Hershey.
It is heartbreaking to watch, but it was there throughout last Saturday’s PIAA Class 3A East Super Regional at Quakertown and 2A event at Pottsville’s Martz Hall.
None was more difficult to see unfold than Quakertown senior Dom DeFalco, a 130-match winner and three-time state qualifier who lost a third-period lead in the 138-pound consolations to come up short of a return trip to Chocolatetown.
The realization was met with tears and an embrace with Panthers coach Kurt Handel, who did his best to control his emotions to be there for his captain who gave everything to the program.
In the next session, Emmaus’
Kordell Waiters saw his career end after a pair of grueling, one-point losses at 152. He provided perspective the next day on Twitter, expressing his appreciation for coach Thad Smith “for being my second dad and biggest supporter.”
Stroudsburg senior Sebastian Khamis, an easy-going
285-pounder, walked with his arms outstretched toward coach Sean Richmond craving an embrace after the final match of his career.
Liberty’s Javien DeLeon is not a senior, but the 120-pounder was a returning state qualifier who saw his chances of returning to Hershey slip out of his hands when he was called for an illegal slam with less than 30 seconds left in a blood-round match against Downingtown East’s Keanu Manuel. DeLeon was leading 3-2 at the time.
Whitehall’s Xavier Arner lost the last three weeks to Northampton’s Dagen Condomitti, none more stinging than a 1-0 blood-round setback at 145 to end his season. This comes a year after his season ended at districts with a loss in an ultimate tie-breaker.
Bethlehem Catholic’s Anthony DeRosa was a postseason spectator last year as a junior after being ruled ineligible after transferring from New Jersey. He came up on the short end of a 3-1 decision in the blood round at 189.
Notre Dame-GP junior Evan Maag was a state fifth-place finisher last year, but came up one win shy of a return trip to the state medal stand. Crusaders teammate Josh Bauman also fell shy of states in his final season.
Palisades’ Mason Smeland ended his career without a state medal, but anyone who watched him play football or compete on the wrestling mat knows he gave everything he had.
There will be more heartbreak this weekend in Hershey, but the pain of not getting there is equally hard to digest.
On with the weekly rankings, where there were changes at the top in two weight classes plus shuffling elsewhere.
106 pounds
1. Carson Wagner, Northampton (12-0) 2. Ayden Smith, Notre Dame-GP (12-1) 3. Josh Jasionowicz, Stroudsburg (12-4) 4. Charlie Pavis, Bethlehem Catholic (7-4) 5. Cole Coffin, Pennridge (12-4) Honorable mention (in alphabetical order): Justin Adamson, Quakertown (17-4); Gio DiBiagio, Wilson (8-2); Blake Dergham, Parkland (7-2); Gabe Erbe, Tamaqua (12-9); Ben Fanelli, Easton (35); Mikhail Hartranft, Catasauqua (4-0); C.J. Horvath, Freedom (5-2); Damond Pascoe, Whitehall (5-3); Scott Raymond, Pocono Mountain East (1-2); Brandan Rozanski, Upper Perkiomen (10-5).
Of note: No changes here. Wagner’s defense got him to overtime. His only shot of the match won the 3A East Super Regional title. He beat Jasionowicz again to reach the final. Jasionowicz finished fourth after suffering an ankle injury in the blood round. Smith was second in 2A. Benton’s Chase Burke’s takedown with 21 seconds left was the difference in a 3-2 decision in the final.
113 pounds
1. Charlie Bunting, Nazareth (7-2)
2. Mason Ziegler, Quakertown (28-1) 3. Cael McIntyre, Bethlehem Catholic (10-4)
4. Adam Schweitzer, Notre Dame-GP (12-3)
5. Sam Kuhns, Pennridge (16-4) Honorable mention: Kaleb Contes, Parkland (4-4); Aidan Gruber, Lehighton (12-3); Cael Harmon, Pocono Mountain East (6-2); Geo Lainez, Emmaus (7-2); Matt Milkowich, Upper Perkiomen (10-6); Austin Noe, Northampton (10-6); Jake Nye, Catasauqua (5-3); Mark Ortiz, Stroudsburg (7-2); Hennessey Ruppert, Pen Argyl (7-5); Brenden Smay, Northern Lehigh (8-3); Cody Wagner, Faith Christian (18-9); Chis Venezia, Southern Lehigh (4-6); Josey Wehr, Northwestern (6-4); Connor Werner, Liberty (2-5); J.J. Wohlbach, Wilson (5-4).
Of note: Bunting regains the top spot with a second-place finish at 3A Super Regional, losing again to Delaware Valley’s Zach Jacaruso in the final. A four-point move near the edge of the mat in the final 20 seconds of the second period was the difference. Ziegler regrouped to take third after losing 4-1 to Bunting in the semis. Ziegler beat Kuhns 4-2 in the blood round and McIntyre 3-0 in the third-place match. McIntyre beat Kuhns 10-5 in the quarters. Kuhns beat Noe 6-2 for fifth. Schweitzer took third in 2A. Wagner was sixth.
120 pounds
1. Brett Ungar, Notre Dame-GP (11-0) 2. Dante Frinzi, Bethlehem Catholic (13-0) 3. Javien DeLeon, Liberty (9-6)
4. Jake Doone, Nazareth (7-3)
5. A.J. Stayton, Faith Christian (12-9) Honorable mention: Marco Albanese, Emmaus (8-2); Austin Brett, Catasauqua (3-1); Aaron Ciampittiello, Parkland (3-4); Johnny Colon, Whitehall (7-3); Keegan Demarest, Pocono Mountain East (7-2); Rider Heckman, Wilson (6-3); Allen Klaver, Bangor (9-3); Nolan Krazer, Easton (2-4); Todd McGann, Quakertown (22-2); Aidan Micheli, Northampton (3-4); Alex Moser, Pen Argyl (4-6); Ridge Snyder,
Jim Thorpe (14-11); Brandon Wilgus, Stroudsburg (3-4); Nick Zeigenfuss, Lehighton (10-4).
On the shelf: Braxton Appello, Easton (21); Ashton Campbell, Bethlehem Catholic (3-0).
Of note: Ungar and Frinzi continued to roll. Unger outscored three foes 36-0 to win the 2A title with a fall, technical fall and major decision. Frinzi had two pins and a major decision to capture the 3A championship. DeLeon lost a shot at returning to Hershey when he was called for an illegal slam in the blood round. He took fifth. Stayton was 0-2 in 2A.
126 pounds
1. Tyler Kasak, Bethlehem Catholic (12-0) 2. Patrick Snoke, Northampton (12-4) 3. Evan Maag, Notre Dame-GP (11-4) 4. Zach Borzio, Quakertown (25-3) 5. Tyler Cunningham, Whitehall (9-3) Honorable mention: Cole Brown, Catasauqua (2-1); Joey Carpenter, Upper Perkiomen (8-7); Phoenix DelVecchio, Parkland (5-3); Oliver Fairchild, Easton (4-4); Lukas Ferguson, Lehighton (12-1); Andreo Ferraina, Nazareth (3-2); Aaron Gardner, Palmerton (7-8); Josh Griffith, Pleasant Valley (6-2); Mikey Hollar, Pocono Mountain East (3-3); Ryan King, Southern Lehigh (6-5); Tristan Minnich, Wilson (7-2); Connor Nicholas, Saucon Valley (12-3); Landon Uhler, Bangor (7-5). On the shelf: George Pultz, Pen Argyl (1-1).
Of note: Kasak was stellar again, recording a technical fall, major decision and a fall to take home 3A super regional gold. Maag was sixth in 2A. Borzio was 0-2 in 3A. Snoke jumps from fourth to second thanks to a third-place finish in 3A. His only loss was to Kasak, who only twice has gone six minutes since his season debut, both vs. Snoke. Maag and Borzio slide down one spot each.
132 pounds
1. Brandan Chletsos, Notre Dame-GP (13-0)
2. Matt Mayer, Bethlehem Catholic (11-1) 3. Dominic Wheatley, Nazareth (8-4) 4. Nick Velde, Emmaus (12-5)
5. John Samy, Salisbury (17-7)
Honorable mention: Max Baker, Pocono Mountain East (3-0); Mason Basara, Northampton (3-4); Robert Curley, Bangor (6-6); Gavin Fehr, Catasauqua (7-2); Shane Freeh, Upper Perkiomen (63); Tyler Hoffer, Upper Perkiomen (4-5); Nathan Kresge, Parkland (6-5); Omari LaMothe, Pocono Mountain West (2-3); Dawson Miller, East Stroudsburg South (8-2); Travis Riefenstahl, Saucon Valley (13-2); Eli Rogers, Wilson (6-5); James Salerno, Lehighton (2-2); Cade Sawyer, Southern Lehigh (6-5); Hudson Saylor, Whitehall (6-2); Jayvon Simms, Easton (2-2); Cody Stank, Quakertown (8-3).
On the shelf: Kyron Bryson, Easton (1-1); Ryan Crookham, Saucon Valley.
Of note: Chletsos had to grind for 2A gold, winning his last two matches by a combined 10-0 score in his first two outings this year in which he did not score bonus points. Midd-West’s Connor Heckman, who was a Friday replacement, beat Samy and Northeast Regional
champion Kaiden Wagner of Lewisburg to reach the final. He then rode out Chletsos in the second period. The Crusader returned the favor in the third to win 3-0. Mayer led 9-3 early in the third period of the 3A final, but lost 13-11 to Coatesville’s Nathan Lucier. Wheatley took fourth after beating Velde in the blood round. Velde captured fifth and Samy was 0-2, so those two flip flop.
138 pounds
1. Eric Alderfer, Faith Christian (21-3) 2. Andrew Harmon, Bethlehem Catholic (12-1)
3. David Kreidler, Central Catholic (12-4) 4. C.J. Fritz, Northampton (10-4) 5. Connor Bevan, Freedom (9-7) Honorable mention: Braedon Alder, Salisbury (13-6); Josh Bauman, Notre Dame-GP (12-4); Mason Beckowski, Saucon Valley (11-4); Omar Chellaoui, East Stroudsburg South (7-2); Dom DeFalco, Quakertown (21-5); Eli Dellicker, Northwestern (5-6); Steven Fritzinger, Lehighton (11-3); Vinny Hebel, Nazareth (6-4); Gio Iadonisi, Pennridge (5-5); Dennis Lombardi, Palmerton (10-7);
Zach Poff, Bangor (5-7); Vince Probst, Southern Lehigh (4-4); Lorenzo Reto, Pen Argyl (12-2); Michael Shlanta, Tamaqua (3-2).
On the shelf: Blaze Hartrum, Wilson.
Of note: Alderfer ascends to No. 1 after pulling out three decisions by a combined 11-6 score to win the 2A super regional title, including 2-1 over Kreidler in the final. Harmon beat DeFalco on his way to the 3A final before losing to state No. 1 Kyle Hauserman of Council Rock North 6-0. Fritz took fifth with a technical fall over Bevan, who ended DeFalco’s career with a come-from-behind 11-8 win in consolations. Harmon slides one to No. 2. Kreidler and Fritz flip-flop. Bevan takes over No. 5 from DeFalco.
145 pounds
1. Dagen Condomitti, Northampton (12-1) 2. Xavier Arner, Whitehall (13-4)
3. Trey Miletics, Bethlehem Catholic (9-4) 4. Patrick McCoy, Quakertown (19-6) 5. Cael Markle, Saucon Valley (13-7) Honorable mention: Dylan Ashenfalder, Pen Argyl (8-4); Evan Camire, Emmaus (5-2); Owen Cieslak, Stroudburg
(3-3); Dalton Clymer, Northwestern
(5-2); Aaron Coccio, Tamaqua (16-2);
Jon DeNato, Palisades (12-8); Keaton Durning, Upper Perkiomen (7-4); Nick Foster, Nazareth (3-3); Dylan Hogan, East Stroudsburg North (7-3); Lincoln Hower, Faith Christian (12-7); Jared Karabinus, Freedom (4-3); Tony Morello, Notre Dame-GP (3-1); Caiden Poff, Bangor (9-5); Khalif Ransom, Pocono Mountain East (2-0); Gunner Scheetz, Wilson (5-5); Bryson Vaughn, Notre Dame-GP (2-2).
Of note: No changes here. Rough lessons learned by the trio in 3A. Condomitti lost 3-1 to eventual champion Sam McMonagle of West Chester Henderson in the semis, then scored only two points in his consolation matches — but he won them both 1-0 to take third. Miletics was 0-2. Arner was fifth after losing twice by a point — including once to Condomitti in the blood round.
152 pounds
1. Evan Gleason, Bethlehem Catholic (13-0)
2. Noah Okamoto, Nazareth (7-4)
3. Joey LaPenna, Notre Dame-GP (11-5) 4. Kordell Waiters, Emmaus (12-6) 5. Mason Smeland, Palisades (15-11) Honorable mention: Trevor Amorim, Northern Lehigh (5-4); Dillon Anderson, Pleasant Valley (6-4); Ryan Gallagher, Pennridge (10-6); Jaidon Garcia, East Stroudsburg South (4-3); Ben Griffith, Northwestern (7-5); Jaryn Hartranft, Catasauqua (3-1); Gabe Heaney, Jim Thorpe (18-2); Chris Jurado, Freedom (4-3); Alex Klaver, Bangor (8-5); Jacob Kurlak, Faith Christian (5-3); Calvin Lachman, Quakertown (13-7); Toby
Linn, Salisbury (9-3); Dan Lucykanish, Palmerton (5-7); Zach Orsargos, Stroudsburg (8-3); Randy Steigerwalt, Tamaqua (13-4); Jerry Villanueva, Dieruff (1-3).
On the shelf: Chris Arciuolo, Saucon Valley (7-1); Miles Melendez, Catasauqua; Noah Reichelderfer, Northampton (3-0); Luke Yatcilla, Parkland.
Of note: Gleason worked hard for 18 minutes to take the 3A super regional gold medal. Okamoto beat Waiters again for fifth place. Smeland was 0-2 in 2A. LaPenna took sixth.
160 pounds
1. Jagger Condomitti, Northampton (12-0)
2. Holden Garcia, Notre Dame-GP (14-0) 3. Landon Muth, Bethlehem Catholic (10-4)
4. Ryan Fairchild, Nazareth (8-6)
5. Liam Scrivanich, Saucon Valley (15-8) Honorable mention: Zach Beblavy, Whitehall (5-3); Marquez Brockington, Pennridge (6-5); Will Buckley, Quakertown (10-7); Danny Kelleher, Palisades (13-6); Gentry Knapp, Pleasant Valley (6-3); Edwin Moya, Parkland
(7-4); Owen Pelonero, Wilson (7-5); Evan Raposo, East Stroudsburg North (7-3); Christian Reid, Liberty (4-4); Jared Reto, Bangor (12-3); Quin Scott, Emmaus (7-2); Caleb Sine, Faith Christian (7-8); Reese Szabo, Tamaqua (16-3).
On the shelf: Nick Alejandro, East Stroudsburg South; Mason Brensinger, Northwestern (3-2); Jamir Jiminez, Bethlehem Catholic.
Of note: How cool would it be to see Condomitti take on Garcia? Both won super regional gold with tighter matches than they’ve had lately. Condomitti saw some well-designed stall tactics to slow down his relentless approach. Neither he nor Garcia allowed an offensive point. Muth was fourth in 3A, beating Fairchild again along the way. Fairchild took sixth. Scrivanich was 0-2 in 2A.
172 pounds
1. Dom Falcone, Easton (12-0)
2. Ben Haubert, Palisades (23-1)
3. Sonny Sasso, Nazareth (9-3)
4. Jake Jones, Saucon Valley (16-5) 5. Wayne McIntyre, East Stroudsburg North (15-4)
Honorable mention: Justus Bozzi, Bethlehem Catholic (5-3); Jack Brion, Emmaus (4-4); Cole Dorshimer, Pen Argyl (6-6); Cole Eberts, Tamaqua (10-5); Michael Fluck, Southern Lehigh (6-5); Rich Fronheiser, Lehighton (15-3); Adrian Gacek, Parkland (10-2); Jakub Gloc, Central Catholic (4-3); Lucas Miller, Northwestern (7-6); James Syracuse, Pleasant Valley (7-3); Garrett Tettemer, Notre Dame-GP (7-3); Blaise Wagner, Northampton (4-4); Luke Wahlers, Pennridge (10-2).
On the shelf: Jared Newhall, Jim Thorpe; Lenny Pinto, Stroudsburg; Luke Thomas, Bethlehem Catholic (1-0).
Of note: No changes here. Falcone continued to be focused, efficient and dominant on his way to the 3A title. Haubert lost to state No. 1 Gavin Garcia of Southern Columbia 5-3 in the 2A final. Jones was pinned by Garcia in the semis, but battled back for third. Sasso lost in the quarters in 3A, but made his way back to third, including another win over McIntyre.
189 pounds
1. Isaiah Reinert, Easton (10-2)
2. Drew Clearie, Nazareth (10-2)
3. Ty Csencsits, Saucon Valley (18-3) 4. Anthony DeRosa, Bethlehem Catholic (11-5)
5. Charlie Maloy, Pocono Mountain West (6-3)
Honorable mention: Dart Delillo, Northwestern (7-6); Danny Haubert, Palisades (14-4); Ben Krauss, Salisbury (13-8); Dom Melendez, Catasauqua (34); Jeremy Mooney, Palmerton (6-8); Alex Neely, Parkland (5-4); Kaden Roesener, Quakertown (15-5); Landon Roland, Northampton (2-4); Melquan Warren, Whitehall (9-2).
On the shelf: Rolando Acosta, East Stroudsburg North (5-1); Joe Capobianco, Nazareth (1-0); Chris Tartamella, Bethlehem Catholic (1-1); Austin Wickham, Wilson (2-0).
Of note: Spring-Ford’s Joey Milano tech. falled DeRosa in the quarters, controlled his semifinal (5-2) against Clearie, then handled Reinert 14-2 in the final. DeRosa took fifth. Csencsits lost his quarterfinal, but won twice to take fourth and secure his trip to Hershey.
215 pounds
1. Nate Wickersham, Tamaqua (21-1) 2. Dante Mahaffey, Saucon Valley (15-2) 3. Leo Muzika, Faith Christian (19-6) 4. Chase Levey, Nazareth (8-3)
5. Ajay Hiller, East Stroudsburg South (11-3)
Honorable mention: Matt Bogardo, Freedom (5-4); Damon Faraco, Upper Perkiomen (7-4); Garrett Fitzgerald, Parkland (7-5); Trevor Gitski, Emmaus (6-3); Michael Hernandez, Whitehall (6-3); Isaiah Johri, Northwestern (8-4); Jose Fuentes-Maldonado, Bangor (6-4); Kyle Perl, Northampton (3-3); Manuel Rodriguez, Allen (6-5); Jason Sine,
Notre Dame-GP (8-2); Austin Winters, Palisades (13-6).
On the shelf: C.J. Beller, Catasauqua; Connor Boehm, Wilson (4-1); Chris Frable, Pleasant Valley (5-1); Dakota Graham, Pen Argyl (1-1); Caleb McDermott, Jim Thorpe (9-5); Jon Owens, Pocono Mountain West; Nick Paredes, East Stroudsburg North; Ty Pfizenmayer, Saucon Valley (6-3).
Of note: Wickersham pinned his way to the 2A final before running into returning state runner-up Dylan Bennett of Montoursville who won 6-0. Mahaffey lost in an ultimate tie-breaker in the quarterfinals, then won three matches by a total of four points to take third. Muzika lost 10-1 to Bennett, then 3-2 to Mahaffey before taking fifth. Levey was 0-2 in 3A. Mahaffey jumps two spots to No. 2. Muzika stays at No. 3, Levey slips two spots to No. 4.
285 pounds
1. Sean Kinney, Nazareth (9-1)
2. Matt Cruise, Easton (12-3)
3. Freddie Retter, Quakertown (24-6) 4. Aiden Compton, Pen Argyl (14-5) 5. Sebastian Khamis, Stroudsburg (9-5) Honorable mention: Zayd Afif, Parkland (6-3); Connor Carter, Emmaus (7-2); Carson Czarnecki, Northampton (5-4); Josh Hoffert, Notre Dame-GP (2-4); Derek Hunter, Jim Thorpe (8-4); Elijah Johri, Northwestern (3-5); Glenn Pittius, Pocono Mountain West (5-4); Xavier Ramos, Allen (1-4); Roger Russell, Wilson (6-5); Josh Schaffer, Northern Lehigh (4-1); Luke Slack, Faith Christian (9-9); Michael Sullivan, Saucon Valley (11-2); Garth Till, East Stroudsburg South (5-3); Michael Yeakel, Lehighton (9-4).
On the shelf: Alex Brunetti, Pocono Mountain East; Matt Burton, Nazareth; Malachi Walters, Pocono Mountain West. Of note: No changes here. Kinney beat Cruise in an ultimate tie-breaker in the semis. Cruise beat Retter in the blood round after Retter beat Khamis in firstround consolations. Compton was sixth in 2A after beating Northeast Regional champ Emmanuel Ulrich of Mifflinburg in the quarters.
Records are based on results reported to The Morning Call and various websites. To make updates or corrections, email thousenick@mcall.com.