Saucon Valley was indeed able to achieve the Colonial League wrestling championship “three-peat” by defeating both Northwestern Lehigh and Northern Lehigh on Tuesday night in Catasauqua. However, it sure wasn’t easy!
Saucon wrestlers celebrate with the 2014-2015 Colonial League Wrestling Championship trophy.
In the semifinal round Saucon drew the Northwestern Lehigh Tigers. The Tigers and Panthers would each win seven bouts in the match. The difference in the match was the bonus points that were awarded in 12 of the 14 bouts.
The Panthers received three technical falls and two major decisions. The tech-falls would come from Jack Hill (113), Jason Jones (132) and Jason Lynch (182). Dylan Yonney (145) and Nate Harka (152) would add the major decisions for the Panthers.
Comparatively, Northwestern Lehigh would try to answer with three majors at 138, 195 and 220. The Tigers, however, could not keep pace with the Panthers to register any technical falls. This would prove fatal for the Tigers.
Saucon would get more bonus points with pins by Brett Svites (160) and Sam Scheetz (285). Svites, a senior, found his way into the Panther lineup at 160 after starting the season at 132. Scheetz, also a senior, delivered for his team who were at that time clinging to a three point lead. For his efforts, Scheetz was named “Wrestler of the Match” by Coach Chad Shirk.
Northwestern Lehigh would add 12 with a pin by Jarret White (126) and a forfeit to Quentin Bernhard (120). It is worth noting that Saucon relinquished the forfeit to Bernhard in the last bout with a 35-24 lead. The final tally: Saucon 35, Northwestern Lehigh 30.
The difference between Saucon advancing to the finals or going home was their ability to score and gain bonus points while alertly limiting what they would give up to the Tigers.
The championship against Northern Lehigh, who defeated Bangor in the other semifinal, was strikingly different. Eleven of the 14 bouts against Northern Lehigh were straight decisions–four of them decided by a single point.
Northern Lehigh got their decisions from Matt Schmall (132), Ryan Farber (145), CJ Young (152), Nate Farber (160) and Stephen Scheib (195).
Saucon would counter with decisions by Paul Miller (106), Jack Hill (113), Angelo Mahaffey (120), Ty Druckenmiller (126), Nate Kehs (182) and Sam Scheetz (220).
Kehs was named “Wrestler of the Match” by Shirk & Company for willing his way to a 3-2 victory over Chad Cederburg.
The only bonus points of the match came from a pair of pins and a forfeit. Pins would be split between Saucon’s Nick Schneider (138) and Northern Lehigh’s Cameron Kates (285), while Saucon’s Jason Lynch (170) was awarded a forfeit.
After almost four hours of nonstop action and excitement, the championship match finally came to an end at 126. With Saucon the winner of seven matches to this point and slightly ahead of Northern Lehigh by a score of 27-21, Panther Ty Druckenmiller was able to avoid the pin and earn the team its eighth victory of the night by cautiously defeating Northern Lehigh’s Jacob Kistler by a score of 6-3. Final score: Saucon 30, Northern Lehigh 21.
Asked if these results were what he expected, Coach Shirk reflected, “We knew coming into the tournament that we were wrestling two great teams. Northern Lehigh came into the tournament with a 15-2 record and just won a close one with Northwestern Lehigh Sunday night. They are two great programs and it was a great night of wrestling.”
A great night it was. It was extremely competitive up and down the lineups. It was fast and skilled. It was rough and physical. There was blood and there was sweat. There was some intense silence mixed with potent bursts of cheer. It was a great night for high school sports and it was a great night for the Colonial League. It was a great night for wrestling fans from all three schools. But it was, no doubt, the greatest of nights for Saucon Valley. This Saucon Valley Wrestling team has forever made their way into the record books as the 2014-2015 Colonial League “3-Peat” Champions.
Senior Ty Druckenmiller and freshman Angelo Mahaffey confirming the three-peat.
Nate Kehs of Saucon Valley battles Northern Lehigh’s Chad Cederberg to a 3-2 victory in the Colonial League Championship.
Saucon’s Sam Scheetz finishes the job against Northwestern Lehigh in the Colonial League semifinals.
Saucon wrestlers celebrate with the 2014-2015 Colonial League Wrestling Championship trophy.
About the Author: Keith Riefenstahl is a deeply rooted sports fan, former coach and freelance writer. A Penn State grad and veteran educator, he resides in Saucon Valley with his wife Jill and four children: Brooke, Kiele, Travis and Tanner
