It seems hard to believe that Saucon Valley wrestling coach Chad Shirk has been doing his thing for the Panthers over the past fifteen years. During his tenure, Shirk has tallied a 316-58 career record. He has led Saucon to 75 consecutive regular season dual meet victories, 7 consecutive Colonial League titles and 4 straight District XI championships. In addition to winning League and District championships last season, the Panthers finished 5th in the PIAA state tournament and placed four wrestlers on the podium including a state champion. With all these accolades, Shirk was named the Morning Call’s 2019 Coach of the Year.
Coach Shirk would be the first in line to let the world know that his success, in large part, is because of a support system that includes a couple of “Rohns”. The father and son tandem of Don and Tommy Rohn have been with Shirk, pretty much, every step of the way throughout his high school coaching career. Coach Shirk and the Rohns have built a wrestling program that should serve as a blueprint for all public high schools across the nation.
Moving forward into the upcoming 2019-2020 season, Shirk and the Panthers will lean on the experience and senior leadership of Kevin Dyer (120), Thomas Spirk (145), Matt Arciuolo (160), Dane Csencsits (170), Braydyn Lugardo (182) and Nick Warnke (285). Joining the five well-seasoned veterans will be senior-newcomers Bobby Yovish (195) and Ramel Moore (220). The upperclassmen should provide some valuable guidance to an otherwise youthful roster.
The Panthers seem to have a stacked sophomore and freshmen class. Saucon will start the year with three sophomores and three freshmen in the mix. Connor Nicholas (113), Cael Markle (126) and Chris Arciuolo (132) are the sophomores while Travis Riefenstahl (120), Jake Jones (138) and Tyler Pfizenmayer (152) represent the freshmen class. Ermal Duka (106) is currently the only junior in the starting lineup.
The Panther reserves are a competitive bunch and could very well see some mat time as well. Don’t be surprised to see sophomores Brent Malick (106), Ryan Gilbert (132), Nate Mondschein (132/138) or Dante Mahaffey (170) in Shirk’s lineup at some point in the season. In addition, freshmen Mason Beckowski (132), Liam Scrivanich (132/138) and Ronnie Werkheiser (152) are all talented enough to see significant varsity action.
Even with the surging Notre Dame Crusaders and their borderless, regional reach that now extends into central New Jersey, Saucon Valley’s homegrown talent will be fierce contenders for league and district titles. The Panthers are loaded and will, once again, field and ultra competitive team.
The potential Panther lineup:
106: Jr. Ermal Duka
- Career record: 2-3 (106)
113: So. Connor Nicholas
- Career record: 11-9 (106/113/120)
120: Fr. Travis Riefenstahl
- 2018-19: 5th Junior High tourney
126: So. Cael Markle
- Career record: 29-16
- 2018-19: 3rd District XI
132: So. Chris Arciuolo
- Career record: 20-4
- 2018-19: 3rd District XI
138: Fr. Jake Jones
- 2018-19: Junior High champion
145: Sr. Thomas Spirk
- Career record: 73-35
- 2018-19: 39-11, 8th PIAA State Tourney, 5th SE Regional, 1st District XI (138)
- Bucknell commit
152: Fr. Tyler Pfizenmayer
- 2018-19: Junior High champion
160: Sr. Matt Arciuolo
- Career: 56-8
- 2018-19: 41-5, 3rd PIAA State Tourney, 1st SE Regional, 1st District XI
- Columbia commit
170: Sr. Dane Csencsits
- Career record: 96-41
- 2018-19: 37-10, PIAA State qualifier, 2nd SE Regional, 2nd District XI
- Pitt commit
182: Sr. Braydyn Lugardo
- Career record: 44-25
- 2018-19: District XI champion (182)
195: Sr. Bobby Yovish
- 1st varsity season
220: Sr. Ramel Moore
- 1st varsity season
285: Sr. Nick Warnke
- Career record: 51-17
- 2018-19: 36-10, PIAA State qualifier, 4th SE Regional, 4th District XI
Up Next: Tonight the Panthers will find themselves in Williamsport competing in Friday and Saturday’s Tom Best ‘Top Hat” preseason Tournament. Then on Tuesday Dec. 10 the Panthers will host Notre Dame Green Pond in the Colonial League opener.
Good luck Panthers, the Source is with you!