Saucon Valley’s Kevin Dyer was part of the Panther pinning parade in the 2019 District XI quarterfinals.
On Thursday night, the Saucon Valley wrestling contingent made the frigid trek to Northampton Area High School for the District XI quarterfinals. The #1 Panthers arrived to find an opponent in the #9 Jim Thorpe Olympians. Earlier in the night, the Olympians defeated the #8 Catasauqua Rough Riders by a 48-27 score to earn the right to advance and challenge Saucon Valley. The Panthers quickly shook off the chill and were obviously ready to rumble. Saucon followed up Monday’s Colonial League championship victory against the Wilson Warriors with a dominant 63-15 performance over the Olympians.
Saucon Valley’s Thomas Spirk pinned his opponent in only eight seconds.
These powerful Panthers registered 54 of their 63 points by pin. Saucon picked up nine falls courtesy of Cael Markle (113), Kevin Dyer (120), Josh Jones (132), Thomas Spirk (138), Nick Rosengrant (145), Ty Csencsits (152), Dante Mahaffey (160), Matt Arciuolo (170) and Dane Csencsits (195). Spirk improved to 26-5 on the season with nine falls. Spirk doesn’t mess around. The majority of his falls have come early in the first period. Against Jim Thorpe, Spirk mauled his opponent flat to his back in only :08 seconds. Dane Csencsits was also able to pancake his opponent in under a minute. The Panthers entire District XI quarterfinal match lasted only 48 minutes.
Dane Csencsits made quick work of his Jim Thorpe opponent.
In addition to the Panther pins, Saucon earned a decision in favor of Nick Warnke over Jim Thorpe sophomore Derek Hunter. After a scoreless first period, Hunter chose to start the second period down and was able to escape to take a 1-0 lead. Warnke wisely opted to start the third period from the down position and was also able to escape. With the score tied up at 1-1 and short time left on the clock, Warnke willed a takedown and held on for the 3-1 victory. It was a great battle between two big boys who will likely cross paths again. It was a great win for Warnke.
Panther heavyweight Nick Warnke battled hard for his 3-1 win against Jim Thorpe’s Derek Hunter.
Saucon Valley’s final points were awarded to freshman Ryan Gilbert (126). Jim Thorpe was unable or unwilling to send out an opponent for Gilbert to wrestle. Consequently, Gilbert was awarded the win and six team points for the Panthers. The final score ended as a 63-15 lopsided victory for Saucon.
Cael Markle came out on top against the Jim Thorpe Olympians.
Saucon Valley 63, Jim Thorpe 15
106- William Schwartz, Jim Thorpe, decision, Connor Nicholas Fr., 4-2.
113- Cael Markle Fr., Saucon Valley, pinned Gabe Heaney, 5:28.
120- Kevin Dyer Jr., Saucon Valley pinned Austin Givens, 1:10.
126- Ryan Gilbert Fr., Saucon Valley winner by forfeit.
132- Josh Jones Sr., Saucon Valley, pinned Andrew Eisenhardt, 1:16.
138- Thomas Spirk Jr., Saucon Valley, pinned Antonio Lopez, :08.
145- Nick Rosengrant Sr., Saucon Valley, pinned Ahmad Johnson, 2:28.
152- Ty Csencsits Fr., Saucon Valley, pinned Caleb McDermott, 2:22.
160- Dante Mahaffey Fr., Saucon Valley, pinned Nick Fayocavitz, 2:45.
170- Matt Arciuolo Jr., Saucon Valley, pinned Jared Newhall, 1:25.
182- Austin Williams, Jim Thorpe, pinned Kyle Coronado Sr., 1:04.
195- Dane Csencsits Jr., Saucon Valley, pinned Kendall Herron, :39.
220- Ethan Mordaunt, Jim Thorpe, pinned Mick Sullivan So., 1:09.
285- Nick Warnke Jr., Saucon Valley, decision, Derek Hunter, 3-1.
Wrestler of the Match – Nick Warnke
Nick Warnke
Coach Shirk said it: “Nick wrestled a great match and beat a kid that came into the night with a 24-3 record!”.
Up Next: The 2019 PIAA District XI Championships! Because the #5 Lehighton Indians beat #4 Mahanoy Area by a 37-33 score on Thursday night, #1 Saucon Valley will wrestle the Indians in the semifinals at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday at Freedom High School. #2 Notre Dame will, once again, battle #3 Wilson on the other half of the bracket. The winners will advance to the finals which are scheduled for Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The top two finishers will advance into the PIAA State Wrestling Championships.
Good luck Panthers, the Source is with you!
