Saucon Valley junior, Justin Kyra was in attack mode against the Wilson Warriors.
In what figured to be a serious wrestling showdown with the Wilson Warriors on Wednesday night, the Saucon Valley Panthers proved they are still tops in the Colonial League. A surging Wilson program was supposed to challenge Saucon’s supremacy this season, but last night the challenge never really transpired. Previously undefeated in the Colonial League, Wilson does own comfortable wins over Bangor (44-27), Southern Lehigh (45-22) and Pen Argyl (49-30), however, the Panthers proved that they wrestle at a whole different level than the others. Saucon Valley shocked the Warriors 51-22 and moves forward in their quest for an unprecedented sixth consecutive Colonial League title.
“The team was able to rise to the occasion and execute in one of the most anticipated matches of the Colonial League season.”
Chad Shirk (After his team’s 51-22 victory over Wilson.)
Panther coach Chad Shirk advising Nick Rosengrant during a Warrior “blood” timeout.
Saucon flexed their muscles early and often winning, and earning bonus points in, 9 of the 14 matches. Without hesitation, the Panthers were quick to jump all over the Warriors. Josh Jones (126) got the match started with a bang and set the tone for the Panthers with a fall in only :21. It was just one of six Panther pins on the night. Saucon Valley also received pins from Dane Druckenmiller (106), Justin Kyra (138), Dane Csencsits (182), Jarrett Hirschbeck (195) and Nick Warnke (285). Jones, no doubt, fired up his teammates and kick-started the Panther bonus-point onslaught.
After a very entertaining battle, the Panthers Justin Kyra finishes off Wilson’s Dustin Hunara.
In addition to the falls, Saucon Valley received bonus points from seniors Jason Jones (145) and Angelo Mahaffey (152). Jones masterfully scored 16 points in only 2:53 to earn a technical-fall. Jones hit a couple of takedowns and tilted his way to a slew of near-fall points for his win. Mahaffey took the “take-him-down-let-him-up” route on the way to his 19-7 major-decision. Mahaffey got in some good minutes converting nine take-downs and an escape.
Panther junior Nick Rosengrant built a 13-4 lead before beating his Warrior opponent into injury-default.
Saucon Valley junior Nick Rosengrant was also awarded bonus points due to the fact that Wilson’s Ashtyn Berberena was forced to default as a result of injury. Leading 4-1 at the end of the 1st period Rosengrant capitalized on a reversal, a takedown and five near-fall points to build a 13-4 second period lead. It was at that point, and after using a significant amount of blood-time, Berberena was forced to default. When Saucon Valley punched out for the night, they left behind an impressive 51 points on the winning side of the scoreboard.
Saucon senior Angelo Mahaffey reeling in his opponent for a 19-7 major-decision.
Wilson received their points from a pair of Panther forfeits (113, 220), a major-decision (120) and a couple of decisions (160, 170).
Saucon Valley’s Jarret Hirschbeck sizing up his opponent before pinning him.
Saucon Valley 51, Wilson 22
106: Saucon Valley’s Dane Druckenmiller (Sr.) won by Fall, 3:10
113: Wilson’s Jon Consorti (Sr.) won by forfeit
120: Wilson’s Trevor Batdorf (Fr.) won by major-decison, (20-10)
126: Saucon Valley’s Josh Jones (Jr.) won by Fall, :21
132: Saucon Valley’s Nick Rosengrant (Jr.) won by injury-default
138: Saucon Valley’s Justin Kyra (Jr.) won by Fall, 3:30
145: Saucon Valley’s Jason Jones (Sr.) won by Tech-Fall, (16-0)
152: Saucon Valley’s Angelo Mahaffey (Sr.) won by Major-Decision, (19-7)
160: Wilson’s Jon Fischer (Sr.) won by decision, (15-10)
170: Wilson’s Caden Trimmer (Sr.) won by decision, (8-6)
182: Saucon Valley’s Dane Csencsits (So.) won by Fall, 4:54
195: Saucon Valley’s Jarrett Hirschbeck (Jr.) won by Fall, 4:30
220: Wilson’s Kolby Flank (So.) won by forfeit
285: Saucon Valley’s Nick Warnke (So.) won by Fall, 2:37
Varsity Wrestler of the Match: Junior, Justin Kyra (138) had another solid performance against Wilson senior, Dustin Hunara. After battling hard to build a 6-2 lead, Kyra finished Hunara off in style with a fall in 4:30.
Justin Kyra
Junior High score: Saucon Valley 72, Wilson 21
Junior High Wrestler of the Match: 7th grader Ronnie Werkeheiser was named by the junior high coaching staff as their “wrestler of the match” against Wilson. Ronnie looked very good on his way to a fall in 2:25 against his Wilson opponent. The JH staff also wants to give a shout-out and recognize Chase Hershey. Chase won his first match with a 5-0 victory!
It was a great victory for Saucon!
Up Next: The Panther varsity wrestlers hit the road again and head to central Pennsylvania for the “Juniata Duals” this weekend. According to Coach Shirk, “There are some very strong teams out there like Penns Valley, Susquehanna Township, Saint Joseph’s Prep and Ligonier Valley.” It should be good work for Saucon.
The Junior High team hosts the Saucon Valley Junior High Duals on Saturday. Teams from Freedom, Stroudsburg, Quakertown, Parkland, Tunkhannock, Blue Mountain, Whitehall, Hamburg and Southern Columbia will join the Panthers for a great day of junior high wrestling in the middle school gym.
Then, its back to Colonial League action next week. On Tuesday, the Panthers travel to Northern Lehigh and then they return back home on Thursday against Bangor. Northern Lehigh shouldn’t be much of threat as they are currently winless (0-4) in the Colonial League. Bangor, however, could be dangerous if the Panthers stumble.
Good luck Panthers, the Source is with you!
