Saucon Valley 6th grade wrestlers Mason Beckowski, Jared Blobe, Jake Jones, Evan Leibert, Isai Ortiz, Ty Pfizenmayer, David Reith, Travis Riefenstahl and Ronnie Werkheiser were recognized before Sunday’s wrestling action began.
The entire Saucon Valley wrestling program is in remarkably great shape. The High School team, led by Coach Chad Shirk, has just won their 50th consecutive Colonial League match and is looking forward to competing for a 5th straight Colonial League title. The Little Panthers, who won the tough Valley Elementary Wrestling League (VEWL) last season, are currently leading the Northeast Division in the VEWL and looking to repeat last year’s success.
On Sunday, prior to VEWL competition, Saucon Valley Panther 6th graders were recognized for their dedication and contributions to the Saucon Valley Youth wrestling teams. Through the efforts of the Saucon Valley Wrestling Club, the entire Saucon Valley wrestling program is streamlined and connected K-12. But, it will be the final Youth season for these 6th grade grapplers. The nine 6th graders will all presumably make the jump and continue their wrestling careers with the Saucon Valley junior high team next year. The junior high program further develops the 7th and 8th graders before giving them the opportunity to compete for Shirk’s Varsity team as freshmen. Once there, they will carry on the rich wrestling tradition of Saucon Valley High School wrestling.
Saucon Valley’s David Reith working a cradle for points against Nazareth.
After the recognition ceremony, the Little Panthers had a warm-up match with Lehigh Township that both the Varsity and JV teams won handily. Then, the Saucon Valley Little Panther wrestlers took on Nazareth White. The Little Panther varsity won 49-33. Brady Rohn (54), Cole Hubert (61) and Mason Beckowski (120) all recorded pins for the Panthers. The Saucon Valley JV team also won, 51-39.
Mason Beckowski is a Panther pinner!
The Panthers will be back in VEWL action on Sunday, Jan. 7 at Palmer Township where they will battle division opponents Palmer, Pocono Mountain, Palmerton and Lehighton. A good performance there will give the Little Panthers the inside track to winning their division and a shot at a second consecutive VEWL title.
In the meantime, the Little Panthers will sharpen their skills participating in the “Stroudsburg Winter Duals” Dec. 26 and the “The Brawl at the Hall” Dec. 28. “The Brawl” is a round-robin tournament sponsored by the Lehighton Indians Youth wrestling organization and will take place at Allentown’s Ag Hall at the Allentown Fairgrounds.
Good luck to all of the wrestlers! The Source is with you!