The 2016 District XI Champions
The 23-0 Saucon Valley Panthers appear to be hitting their stride right now and the timing could not be better. You get a sense watching them the last couple matches that they turned up their “wrestling-mojo” a notch. They seem to be a little bit quicker and a little bit sharper right now.
Just last week the Panthers defeated the Northwestern Tigers for their fourth consecutive Colonial League championship 40-24. Saturday night, perhaps focused on an opportunity to secure a first ever District XI title, they simply tore apart the Tigers 59-3 for the district championship.
Nick Rosengrant (106), Angelo Mahaffey (138), Devan VanVliet (195), Devin Fontanez (220) and Trey Polak (285) all registered pins for the Panthers. Trey Polak got a little revenge with his fall of Jacob Murray. Murray pinned Polak last week in the Colonial League championship, but Polak certainly got in the last word.
In addition, Saucon Valley got some bonus points thanks to major decisions by Jack Hill (120) and Dylan Yonney at (160). Paul Miller (113), Jonah Zych (126), Jason Jones (145), Nate Harka (152) and Blayne Hirschbeck (182) all contributed decisions for the Panthers. It was gut-check time for Zych and Hirschbeck as their decisions were earned in overtime.
The PIAA District XI semifinal score: Saucon Valley 59, Northwestern Lehigh 3
Saucon Valley’s Nick Rosengrant (106) turns Lehighton’s Nathan Kemmerer on his way to an 8-2 decision
Saucon Valley then turned their attention to the Lehighton Indians and the District XI Final. Lehighton advanced to the final by beating Pen Argyl 36-33. Nothing seemed to phase the Panthers though as they sported another dominating performance. Their steadfast resolve appeared obvious.
Panther Paul Miller (113) pins the Indians Logan Pogatto in 2:59
Saucon Valley received pins from Paul Miller (113), Jonah Zych (126), Blayne Hirschbeck (182) and Trey Polak (285). The Panthers picked up bonus points with tech-falls from Jason Jones (138) and Dylan Yonney (160). Jack Hill (120) crafted a major-decision while Nick Rosengrant (106), Josh Jones (132), Nathan Harka (152) and Devin Fontanez (220) all added decisions for the Panthers.
Jonah Zych (126) of Saucon Valley rocks the cradle for a fall in :41 !
…And the cradle will rock!
The 2016 District XI AA Final Score: Saucon Valley 56, Lehighton 10.
Jason Jones (138) of Saucon Valley gets some back points counted against Lehighton
Jason Jones gets more near fall points on the way to a 17-1 tech-fall.
Now the Panther team is bound for the PIAA State Championships. As the number one seed representing District XI they will wrestle their first round Thursday night at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Good luck Panthers! The Source is with you.
Dylan Yonney (160) gets a two-point takedown on his way to a 19-4 tech-fall of Lehighton’s Dylan Schock.
Congratulations!