After a fantastic journey the Panthers were the 2016 PIAA State Championship Runner-ups!
The start of the 2015-2016 Saucon Valley wrestling season was delayed due to the stellar success of the Panther football team. Nine varsity wrestlers (Justin Kyra, Angelo Mahaffey, Nathan Harka, Dino Zaharakis, Nate Kehs, Abe Lugo, Stephen Good, Devan VanVliet and Trey Polak) were finishing up some business in the PIAA football championships where they advanced to the final four. The Colonial League had to reschedule Saucon Valley’s early meets to accommodate the deep run made by Saucon football. No matter, Coach Chad Shirk’s wrestlers picked up the road for success right where football left off.
Coach Shirk is always quick to give credit to Don and Tommy Rohn for the Panther successes
Two weeks after the Colonial League wrestling season got under way, Saucon Valley officially hit the mat. The Panthers roared from the start and steamrolled their Colonial League opponents. Check out the margins of victory!
2015-2016 Colonial League (regular season)
- 12/22 Saucon Valley 63 – Southern Lehigh 3
- 1/6 Saucon Valley 45 – Palisades 13
- 1/7 Saucon Valley 69 – Wilson 6
- 1/12 Saucon Valley 48 – Bangor 21
- 1/14 Saucon Valley 70 – Catty 3
- 1/16 Saucon Valley 44 – Pen Argyl 21
- 1/20 Saucon Valley 69 – Palmerton 6
- 1/21 Saucon Valley 57 – Notre Dame 9
This banner is filling up quickly!
Coach Shirk expanded the stage for these Panthers by keeping them busy sharpening their skills on open weekends. In addition to tough individual tournaments like “Beast of the East” and the “Bethlehem Classic,” Shirk’s team took on all those who were willing to wrestle. The Saucon Valley wrestling team continued their dominant success throughout the state. The Panthers logged hundreds of miles looking for competition.
Canner Duals (1/3/2016)
- Saucon Valley 63 – Northeastern 9
- Saucon Valley 51 – Biglerville 9
- Saucon Valley 79 – West York 0
- Saucon Valley 58 – Red Land 9 (semifinal)
- Saucon Valley 63 – Southwestern 12 (championship final)
Juniata Duals (1/10/2016)
- Saucon Valley 59 – Philipsburg-Osceola 9
- Saucon Valley 55 – Selinsgrove 18
- Saucon Valley 63 – Penns Valley 18
- Saucon Valley 60 – Newport 15
- Saucon Valley 36 – Huntingdon 33 (championship final)
The wrestling season would see Dylan Yonney earned his 100th win against Fort LeBouef in the 2016 PIAA Quarterfinal
The Panthers earned the top-seed entering the Colonial League tournament and won their fourth consecutive Colonial League title. According to Athletic Director Bobby Frey, the Saucon seniors never lost a Colonial League regular season match! The Saucon seniors compiled an incredible 95-14 dual meet record!
The Saucon seniors have a remarkable record with the Panther program
2016 Colonial League Tournament
- 1/27 Saucon Valley 38 – Pen Argyl 17 (semifinal)
- 1/27 Saucon Valley 40 – Northwestern Lehigh 24 (championship final)
Saucon Valley finished the “Tour for Four.” Four consecutive Colonial League titles!
As the top seed in Districts, the Panthers were at their best and won their first ever District XI championship outscoring their opponents 177-19.
2016 District XI Team Tournament
- 2/4 Saucon Valley 62 – North Schuykill 6 (quarterfinal)
- 2/6 Saucon Valley 59 – Northwestern Lehigh 3 (semifinal)
- 2/6 Saucon Valley 56 – Lehighton 10 (championship final)
Winning the District XI tournament put the Panthers in a more favorable position to make a run at the 2016 PIAA State Championship. For the first time the Panthers navigated into uncharted territory. The Panthers conquered the quarters and semis finding themselves in the championship final. Wrestling at a high level and crushing the competition along the way, Saucon Valley proved they belonged in the upper echelon of Pennsylvania wrestling and, without a doubt, they do belong there. Brookville, however, was just a little bit better that last day in Hershey.
Characteristic of all Panther wrestlers, Nate Kehs left it all on the mat. Nate went on to a 3-1 decision against Brookville.
2016 PIAA State Championships
- 2/11 Saucon Valley 84 – Bishop McDevitt 0
- 2/12 Saucon Valley 46 – Fort LeBoeuf 21 (quarterfinal)
- Fort LeBoeuf: 2010 PIAA champs and 3 time runner-up
- 2/12 Saucon Valley 42 – Boiling Springs 16 (semifinal)
- Boiling Springs: Returning PIAA champs and 2012 runner-up
- 2/13 Saucon Valley 24 – Brookville 33 (championship final)
- Brookville: 1999 PIAA champs
Coach Shirk with the honor of rewarding his wrestlers for a great team effort in the 2016 PIAA Championships
The Saucon Valley Panthers finish the team season with a gratifying 26-1 record. The wrestlers along with Coach Shirk and his staff will look back on this season with many fond memories. The Panther parents and fans too, will reminisce the great run made by the 2015-2016 Saucon Valley Panthers.
Congrats to all who made this season special!
Next up: the PIAA individual tournament begins in two weeks.
Good luck Panthers! The Source will be with you.
Saucon Valley fans showing their appreciation for the Panthers in the 2016 PIAA State Finals.
