The Big Cat hits the mat.
Keeping it real, Saturday’s Saucon Valley preseason wrestling tournament could not have been much better. In the high school gymnasium, the Panther varsity grapplers dominated the event. They crowned six of the possible fourteen individual champions. Meanwhile, in the middle school gym, the Saucon Valley junior high wrestling team won 46-36 in the finals of their dual meet tournament. It was an all-around great day for SV Wrestling!
Jason Jones on his what to being a champion.
Being a new season, there are of course some new looks in the varsity lineup for the Panthers. When asked about the change in personnel Coach Chad Shirk said, “It was great not only to see how the freshmen performed, but also the other individuals that stepped into the lineup for the first time.” Based on yesterday’s results, the Panthers proved they have strength up and down their roster.
“The coaching staff would like to thank all that spent hours setting up the gym Friday night, and working all day Saturday. We are truly blessed to have so many supportive parents in our entire organization. Without everyone’s support we could not have pulled this weekend off without them. The wrestling parents in this community are what makes Saucon Valley Wrestling what it is today.”
Saucon Valley wrestling coach Chad Shirk
The Saucon Valley wrestling program performed so masterfully that you got the conspicuous sense Coach Shirk and staff are a little anxious to get the season going.
“We were really excited to see the team compete so well over the weekend,” Shirk said. “We have a great group of kids that have been working hard each day, their positive attitudes are contagious to their teammates as well as the coaching staff.”
Saucon Valley freshman Dane Csencsits stepping up and into the varsity lineup.
High School Varsity Team Results
- Saucon Valley 208.0
- Emmaus 154.0
- Father Judge 153.0
- West Scranton 116.0
- Pennsbury 104.0
- Octorara 77.5
- Pleasant Valley 64.0
- Wyoming Area 49.0
Saucon Valley Varsity Individual Results
106 (Jr.) Dane Druckenmiller 3rd Place
113 (So.) Nick Rosengrant 1st Place
120 (So.) Josh Jones 2nd Place
126 (Sr.) Paul Miller 1st Place
132 (Fr.) Thomas Spirk 4th Place
138 (Jr.) Angelo Mahaffey 1st Place
145 (Jr.) Jason Jones 1st Place
152 (Fr.) Dane Csencsits 2nd Place
160 (Sr.) Dino Zaharakis 5th Place
170 (Sr.) Nate Kehs 3rd Place
182 (Sr.) Abe Lugo 4th Place
195 (So.) Jarrett Hirschbeck 7th Place
220 (Sr.) Devin Fontanez 1st Place
285 (Sr.) Trey Polak 1st Place
The 2016-2017 Panthers are in pursuit of a fifth straight Colonial League title, a repeat as District XI champs and a return to Hershey in the PIAA state tournament. Their journey officially begins Tuesday night with a home match against the traditionally tough Pen Argyl Green Knights. Good luck Panthers, the Source is with you!
Seventh-grader Cael Markle following the Panther way of wrestling in yesterday’s junior high tournament.
