Saucon senior Dane Druckenmiller stoked the Panthers to get things started with his :31 pin.

Even though it was Senior Night and Alumni Night, it was business as usual when the undefeated Saucon Valley Panther wrestling team took another step toward a sixth consecutive Colonial League title Thursday night with a competitive 44-31 victory over the Bangor Slaters. Winning 8 of the 14 bouts and earning bonus points in seven of those matches, the Panthers stayed perfect and improved to a remarkable 15-0 dual meet record this season.

Saucon has now won 62 straight in Colonial League contests and stands at the top of the standings again this year with their 5-0 league record. With only three matches to go before the league tournament to be held at Catasauqua Area High School on Monday, Jan. 29, the Panthers remain on course for an unprecedented 6th consecutive Colonial League title.

Panther junior Jared Harka gets the fall against Bangor’s Nick Nittoli.

Against the Slaters, the Panthers earned pins from Dane Drunkenmiller (106), Nick Rosengrant (132), Justin Kyra (138), Angelo Mahaffey (160) and Jared Harka (220). Collectively, the five Panther pins came in approximately five minutes. Mahaffey decked his opponent in only :10 seconds. Saucon also received six team points as a result of Bangor forfeiting to Josh Jones (126).

Saucon senior Jason Jones showing the Bangor Slaters that you can’t keep a good man down!

In addition to the falls, the Panthers received bonus points from junior Jason Jones (145). Jones didn’t surrender a single point along the way to locking up a tech-fall against the Slater’s Tim Smith. He used an escape, two takedowns and a series of tilts in just 2:48 to secure his 16-0 “mercy-rule” victory.

Sophomore Braydyn Lugardo held on for a big win against Bangor’s Paul Mastrogiovanni.

Panther sophomore Braydyn Lugardo fought his way to a decision against Slater junior Paul Mastrogiovanni. Lugardo hung tough on top and used four takedowns along with a couple of escapes to secure his 10-7 victory.

Saucon Valley sophomore Dane Csencsits battled hard but came up just short against Bangor senior Haakon Mathewson.

Saucon Valley 44, Wilson 31

106: Saucon Valley’s Dane Druckenmiller (Sr.) won by Fall, :31

113: Bangor’s Dominic Vicario (Sr.) won by Fall.

120: Bangor’s John-Henry Bacon (So.) won by Fall

126: Saucon Valley’s Josh Jones (Jr.) won by Forfeit

132: Saucon Valley’s Nick Rosengrant (Jr.) won by Fall, 2:37

138: Saucon Valley’s Justin Kyra (Jr.) won by Fall, :32

145: Saucon Valley’s Jason Jones (Sr.) won by Tech-Fall, (16-0)

152: Bangor’s Eddie Hay (Sr.) won by major-decision, (10-1)

160: Saucon Valley’s Angelo Mahaffey (Sr.) won by Fall, :10

170: Saucon Valley’s Braydyn Lugardo (So.) won by Decision, (10-7)

182: Bangor’s Haakon Mathewson (Sr.) won by Decision, (5-4)

195: Bangor’s Joe Schrader (Jr.) won by Fall

220: Saucon Valley’s Jared Harka (Jr.) won by Fall, 1:22

285: Bangor’s Tom McKeough (Sr.) won by Fall

Varsity Wrestler of the Match: Jared Harka was honored as a result of his 1st period pin of Bangor junior Nick Nittoli. Harka decked Nittoli in 1:22 and extended the Panther lead to 44-25.

Junior High Score: Saucon Valley 60, Bangor 10

Junior High Wrestler of the Match: The junior high coaches wanted to recognize Ty Csencsits as their “Wrestler of the Match“. Ty battled and defeated a Bangor Slater who earned a #1 seed in last season’s District XI Junior High Championship. Great job, Ty!

Up Next: The 15-0 Panthers will host a double-header on Monday. First, Saucon will battle the Bulldogs from Northern Lehigh. Then, the nightcap will be against the undefeated Northwestern Lehigh Tigers. It is another Colonial League showdown that you won’t want to miss. All of Monday’s wrestling action will begin with junior high at 4:30 p.m. The Varsity is scheduled to wrestle at 5:30 and 7 p.m.

“Northwestern is a well coached team with a lot of state-caliber kids on their squad. We are looking forward to competing with them and looking for areas where we need to improve.” Coach Shirk offered when asked about the Monday night match-up against undefeated Northwestern Lehigh. “Our goal is to win each and every dual-meet match we wrestle. Everyone that steps on the mat knows they have a job to do and our kids look forward to that challenge on a weekly basis

Good Luck Panthers, the Source is with you!

2018 SENIOR NIGHT: Before the match, the Saucon Valley Wrestling Club honored this year’s seniors. Dane Druckenmiller, Jason Jones, Angelo Mahaffey and Kyle Malone, along with their parents, took center-stage and were recognized for their commitment to the Saucon Valley wrestling program. They will be missed!

COACH’S QUOTE

“Last night was definitely an emotional night. There was a lot of energy in the gym due to everything that was going on. It was great to see so many alumni coming back and supporting the current varsity wrestlers, as they are the people that put Saucon Valley Wrestling on the map. Senior night is always special. Our four seniors are great kids and it was great to recognize them in front of a packed gym.”

Chad Shirk