The Valley Scrappers are a newly-formed youth (K-8) wrestling team that competed at the “Olympic Duals” sponsored by the Weaver Elite Wrestling Club at Bethlehem Catholic High School Saturday.
The Saucon members of the Valley Scrappers
Most say the team’s name is the “Lehigh Valley Scrappers” because most members are from all over the Lehigh Valley. But considering that both coaches are Saucon Valley products and seven of the team members are Saucon Valley students, it is easy to see why others would refer to the unit as the “Saucon Valley Scrappers.”
The “Scrappers” are the brainchild of Saucon Valley rising sophomore Jason Jones. The idea for the team struck him this past May when he was in Virginia supporting and coaching his younger brothers Josh and Jake, who were participating in a national wrestling tournament. Because Jason’s future plans include being a teacher and wrestling coach, he said he was inspired to build and lead a competitive tournament wrestling team of his own. Jason was quick to enlist the help of good friend and Saucon teammate Paul Miller. Both Jason and Paul were PIAA state qualifiers on Coach Chad Shirk’s 2015 Saucon Valley High School Colonial League championship squad and together they tackled the challenge of building their own team.
Jason said the hardest part of the whole experience was not just getting–but keeping–a full lineup. Because of summer vacations, changing family plans and the fact that he was dealing with many youngsters, it was a challenge to piece together and maintain a full lineup. Early on it always seemed to be a fluid situation, but eventually it all came together for Jason and his Scrappers.
Aside from the seven Saucon athletes–Cole Hubert, Aidan Grogg, Travis Riefenstahl, Jake Jones, Josh Jones, Dane Csenscits and Carlos Ortiz–the Scrappers lineup included wrestlers from Bethlehem, Easton, Emmaus, Northampton, Parkland and Stroudsburg. Jason also convinced Sheldon Seymour, a 12-year-old wrestling dynamo from Lock Haven, to join the Scrappers for Saturday’s competition.
It was obvious Coach Shirk was super proud of his varsity wrestlers. He offered, “It’s exciting to have student-athletes in our wrestling program taking time to give back and provide kids the opportunity to compete at a high level. Paul and Jason have been given tremendous support throughout the years and it’s incredible to see them paying it forward.”
On Saturday, the Scrappers did take their lumps against some long-established and reputable wrestling club teams, but they fell short by a single point from wrestling for fifth place. The Scrappers, led by Mike Kistler (5-0) from Northampton and Jason’s younger brother Josh (4-1), finished seventh overall.
Jason’s plans for the Valley Scrappers will not be scrapped, as he looks forward to building his program and participating in future tournaments. Many thanks to Jason, Paul and the Valley Scrappers. Saucon Source salutes you!
Olympic Duals Final Standings
- Weaver Elite
- Young Guns (western Pennsylvania)
- Contender Elite (southeastern Pennsylvania)
- Team Nauman (central/western Pennsylvania)
- New Jersey Power
- Red Nose (northeastern New Jersey)
- Valley Scrappers
- Defiant (southeastern Pennsylvania)
Scrappers coaches Jason Jones (left) and Paul Miller
Josh Jones of the Valley Scrappers with a near fall
Scrapper Dane Csenscits with a victory
Coaches Jason Jones and Paul Miller in action at the Olympic Duals
About the Author: Keith Riefenstahl is a deeply-rooted sports fan, former coach and freelance writer. A Penn State grad and veteran educator, he lives in Saucon Valley with his wife Jill and four children: Brooke, Kiele, Travis and Tanner.
