Panthers Roll At Top Hat Tourney (Brought to You by Spirk Brothers Inc.)

The Panthers were a hit in the 2019 Tom Best ‘Top Hat’ tournament.

In the first preseason action of the 2019-2020 high school wrestling season, Chad Shirk led his Saucon Valley Panthers to Williamsport, Pennsylvania to compete in the Tom Best ‘Top Hat’ wrestling tournament hosted by Williamsport Area High School.  Last season Saucon Valley (233.5 points) crowned six individual champions and ran away with the team title distancing themselves from second-place Central Mountain (187 points).

The results from last year would be a tough act to follow, but the Panthers’ performance this past weekend was just as dominant.  Although Saucon Valley had seven wrestlers make the finals like last year, only two Panther grapplers were able to close the deal and reach the top of the podium.  Nonetheless, as a team the Panthers (259 points) once again brought home the team title in convincing fashion.  Central Mountain (200 points), once again, finished second.

Matt Arciuolo joined teammate Nick Warnke on top of the podium in the 2019 ‘Top Hat’ wrestling tournament.

Panther Results in the Top Hat Championship Finals

120- Carter Weaver (Williamsport) dec. Travis Riefenstahl (Saucon), 3-1.

132-  Jacob Blair (Muncy) dec. Chris Arciuolo (Saucon), 9-3.

138-  Zack Witmer (St. Joe’s Catholic) dec. Jake Jones (Saucon), 1-0.

160-  Matt Arciuolo (Saucon) dec. Keegan Rothrock (St. Joe’s Catholic), 7-4.

170-  Tyler Stoltzfus (St. Joe’s Catholic) tech-fall Dane Csencsits (Saucon), 16-0.

182-  Jake Marnell (Hazleton) dec. Braydyn Lugardo (Saucon), 3-2.

285-  Nick Warnke (Saucon) dec. Emmanuel Ulrich (Mifflinburg), 4-1.

Senior Matt Arciuolo claimed his second consecutive ‘Top Hat’ title.

Senior Nick Warnke is a two-time ‘Top Hat’ champ!

Other Panther Placers

• 4th Place 
  • Ermal Duka  (106)
• 5th Place
  • Connor Nicholas (113)
  • Cael Markle (126)
  • Thomas Spirk (145)
• 7th Place
  • Tyler Pfizenmayer (152)
• 8th Place
  • Bobby Yovish (190)

Coach Shirk talking shop with Don and Tommy Rohn.

Coach’s Quote

“Overall, we are proud of the effort and attitude our team displayed this weekend.  There are a lot of things that we can improve on and we look forward to getting back into the room on Monday!”

Coach Shirk

Top Hat Top-10 Team Scores

1.  Saucon Valley              259
2. Central Mountain        200
3. Williamsport                 177
4. Hazleton                        157
5. Montoursville               155
6. South Western             135
7. Muncy                            132
8. Clearfield                       125
9. St. Joseph’s Catholic   111
10. Mifflinburg                   106

Tom Best ‘Top Hat’ 2019 Team Champs!

Up Next:  On Tuesday night Dec. 10th, the Saucon Valley Panthers will host the Notre Dame Crusaders in the first Colonial League dual meet of the 2019-2020 season.  (Junior High 6 p.m./ Varsity 7 p.m.).

Good luck Panthers, the Source is with you!

The Panthers bonding in between sessions at the 2019 Tom Best ‘Top Hat’ tourney.