Coach Shirk and 2018 PIAA silver medalist Josh Jones led Saucon to success at the 2018 Tom Best Memorial Top Hat Wrestling Tournament in Williamsport, Pa.
Over the weekend, the Saucon Valley High School varsity wrestling squad headed north to Williamsport to participate in the prestigious Top Hat preseason wrestling tournament. It was the first time Saucon Valley entered this tourney, but they had no reservations about making it their own and running away with the team title. The Panthers, who fielded wrestlers in 13 of the 14 weight classes advanced an amazing eight wrestlers into the semifinals. Seven of those eight Panther grapplers advanced to the championship finals. In the Finals, Saucon was able to emphatically crown six individual champions to dominate the tournament.
Panther Results in the Top Hat Championship Finals
106- Chris Arciuolo Fr., Saucon Valley, dec. Stephen Spitko, Daniel Boone, 4-2.
132- Josh Jones Sr., Saucon Valley, default. Bryce Vollman, Muncy.
138- Thomas Spirk Jr., Saucon Valley, dec. Cayton Reed, Mifflinburg, 7-1.
145- Nick Rosengrant Sr., Saucon Valley, fall. Griffin Smeltz, Line Mountain, 3:27.
160- Matt Arciuolo Jr., Saucon Valley, dec. Ethan Baney, South Western, 17-5.
195- Gabel Crebs, Mountoursville, dec. Dane Csencsits Jr., Saucon Valley, 6-0.
285- Nick Warnke Jr., Saucon Valley, fall. Jacob Edwards, Central Mountain, 3:46 .
Saucon junior Nick Warnke closed out the Top Hat tourney with a Panther pin.
Other Panther Placers
- 4th Place Jared Harka Sr. (220)
- 5th Place Braydyn Lugardo Jr. (182)
- 6th Place Cael Markle Fr. (113)
Coach’s Quote
The team put on a great performance this weekend, placing ten wrestlers with six champions. It is great seeing the hard work and dedication in the off-season pay off in such a tough opening-weekend tournament.
Saucon Valley Coach, Chad Shirk
Top Hat Top-10 Team Scores
- Saucon Valley 233.5 pts (6 Champions)
- Central Mountain 187 (1 Champ)
- Line Mountain 152.5
- Hazleton 133 (2 Champs)
- Fort Le Bouef 127 (1 Champ)
- Daniel Boone 124.5
- Muncy 124
- Montoursville 121.5 (1 Champ)
- Williamsport 111 (1 Champ)
- Mifflinburg 109
Saucon Valley wrestling starts the journey for an unprecedented 7th consecutive Colonial League title.
The Saucon Valley junior high school wrestling team also had a good day on the mat as they hosted the Saucon Valley Duals on Saturday. Twelve teams visited Hellertown for a little preseason wrestling action. Even though they had a few holes in their lineup, the Panthers won their division and then split with Emmaus and Pottsville.
Panther Duals Junior High Wrestling Results
- SV defeated Shikellamy 57-33
- SV defeated Bangor 54-26
- SV defeated Pocono Mountain West 48-33
- SV fell to Emmaus 44-38
- SV defeated Pottsville 56-27
Up Next: The Panthers will travel to Notre Dame Green Pond on Wednesday as they kickoff their regular season action in the Colonial League. Junior High is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. with varsity to follow at around 7 p.m.
Great job Panthers, the Source is with you!
