Leukemia survivor Spitko sparks Daniel Boone’s first win over Exeter since 2009
He’s unquestionably deserving of whatever good fortune comes his way.
Steven Spitko’s battle with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia — a fight he’s waged for more than a year and a half — earned him respect and admiration from people in and outside the Birdsboro community. Wednesday evening, the sophomore wrestler gave his supporters as much of an early Christmas present as himself.
Spitko’s first-period pin proved the clincher for the Blazers in their match with Exeter. Coupled with a fall by teammate Brady Barton, it rallied Boone for a 39-28 victory over the Eagles in a matchup of neighboring Berks Conference schools.
After not dropping a Berks dual meet the past four seasons, it was recent powerhouse Exeter’s first league defeat since Jan. 23, 2014 to Wilson.
Needing just 61 seconds to get the slap at 106, Spitko staked his team to a 36-28 lead while thwarting the last of Exeter’s three comebacks from point deficits. The night’s action was capped by Gavin Richard scoring a 3-1 decision on Jevin Guldin in the 113-pound finale.
“It feels good,” Spitko (31) said after getting Boone its first dual-match win over Exeter since Dec. 22, 2009. “We definitely could have made it (win) a lot cleaner. But with our injuries, we had kids who were giving up size. “Otherwise, it was good.” The up-and-down match saw the Blazers lead through the first five weights before the Eagles took a 16-11 lead with Chase Guldin’s pin at 152. Boone rebounded for a 24-16 advantage by winning two of the next three weights, but Exeter used a forfeit and Robert Unruh’s quick (16 seconds) fall at 220 to go back on top, 28-24.
But Barton gave the Boone fan base cause for hope. The senior 285-pounder, who came in with a 6-1 record and five pins, upped those totals with a second-period drop of Tim Furman.
“I just go out there taking it seriously, and being ready for anything,” Barton said. “My style used to be more muscling, but now I’m more aware and working off what they (opponents) do.”
Chase Stehman got Boone going in the 120-pound opener, the Boyertown transfer rolling up a 14-9 decision on Patrick Borja. Canton Dolla then posted a 17-2 technical fall 4:17 at 126 before Charles Williams got Exeter on the board with a pin 20 seconds before the end of the 132-pound bout.
J.T. Hogan got the Blazers some elbow room with his 5-2 decision of Nick Nettleton at 138. But Connor Lender (15-7 decision at 145) and Chase Guldin’s 3:25 drop reversing the score in the visitors’ favor, 16-11.
“We have two similar teams. We’re both young,” Exeter head coach Jon Rugg said. “We’re working through the kinks, working for points. Chase Guldin is wrestling with confidence.”
Boone’s own confidence level was bolstered by Devin Dolla’s 13-6 decision at 160 and Josh Smith adding a 10-0 major decision at 170. But following an exchange of forfeits, the Eagles’ confidence was renewed with Unruh’s pin at 220.
Then it was deflated by the Blazers, the falls by Barton and Spitko carrying the day.
“We’re making progress on the wrestling front,” Boone head coach Jim Hogan said. “Our numbers are up, and we have a good middle-school team. We’re looking day to day to get better. At least we’re in the fight.”
“Credit to them,” Rugg said. “Jim is doing a nice job. They’re already good.”
Larry Williams was awarded a forfeit at 182 to stake Boone to a 2416 lead. Exeter’s Xavian Rivera then accepted a forfeit at 195.