Jonah Zych gets a two point takedown on his way to a 20-4 technical fall against Pen Argyl in the semifinals
For most high school athletes it’s rare that “lightning” strikes in the form of a championship. For the current seniors on the Saucon Valley wrestling team, “lightning” has now struck four times. Saucon Valley High School’s wrestling squad needed two more wins Wednesday night to secure their fourth consecutive Colonial League wrestling title and two wins is exactly what they got. Now, the 2013, 2014, 2015 and the 2016 Colonial League titles all belong to Saucon Valley.
Panther Paul Miller pins in :56 against Pen Argyl during the Colonial League semifinal
In the semifinal match the Panthers beat the Pen Argyl Green Knights 38-17. Saucon Valley won 9 of the 14 matches. The Panthers benefitted from pins by Paul Miller (113) and Dylan Yonney (160). In addition, Saucon received bonus points from Jonah Zych’s technical fall (126) and Jack Hill’s major decision (120). Other Panther winners against the Green Knights were Nick Rosengrant (106), Justin Kyra (132), Nathan Harka (152), Blayne Hirschbeck (160) and Devin Fontanez (220), who all won by decision.
Nate Harka carried on to a 6-3 decision against Pen Argyl
The championship battle against the Northwestern Lehigh Tigers again saw Saucon Valley win 9 of the 14 matches. This time, however, the scoreboard read 40-24. The Panthers stepped up and claimed falls from Nick Rosengrant (106), Nate Kehs (170), Devan VanVliet (195) and Devin Fontanez (220). Three of the four pins came in the first period. Jack Hill (120) added bonus points with his major decision while Paul Miller (113), Jonah Zych (126), Jason Jones (145) and Dylan Yonney (160) contributed hard-fought decisions to Saucon’s scoreboard. Miller and Zych were recognized by the Saucon staff as “wrestlers of the match” for their victories over Matt Peters (113) and Quintin Bernhard (126). Both Peters and Bernhard were 2015 PIAA state qualifiers for the Tigers at Hershey last season.
“Wrestler of the match” Jonah Zych of Saucon Valley outmuscled PIAA state qualifier Quintin Bernhard of NW Lehigh
What now lies ahead is an opportunity to bring home a District XI title. The Panthers last won a District XI wrestling title in 2010. Saucon Valley, with their undefeated record, enters as the #1 seed and will set their eyes on this next challenge. The District XI tournament begins Thursday, Feb. 4 at Freedom High School (Bethlehem). The champions will be crowned Saturday night, Feb. 6. Last year the Panthers stumbled and lost a nail-biter to Northern Lehigh 28-22 in the semifinals. Could “lightning” strike these boys again? Saucon Source will be on hand to find out and we hope to see you there. The Source is with you.
Saucon’s Nate Kehs finished his job in 1:13 at the 2016 Colonial League championship
Wrestlers of the Match: Paul Miller and Jonah Zych
Paul Miller (113)
