Senior Dane Csencsits in the process of picking up six points for the Panthers.
Following Tuesday night’s setback to the Notre Dame Crusaders which ended Saucon Valley’s dual-meet win streak at 75, Chad Shirk and his Panther wrestlers needed to refocus and get back on track. It has been said that winning cures everything and after such a long stretch of dominance in the Colonial League and District XI, Saucon Valley needed a heavy dose of victory. On Thursday night the Panthers traveled to Catasauqua looking to remedy their affliction.
Saucon won the first three bouts and fired out to claim a 15-0 lead. Sophomore Dante Mahaffey (170) was disappointed, but had an easy night being awarded a forfeit. Senior Dane Csencsits (182) registered four, quick strike takedowns before earning a first period pin. Braydyn Lugardo (195) was able to turn his Rough Rider opponent during the second period for three near-fall points that held for a hard-fought 3-0 decision.
Saucon senior Braydyn Lugardo getting his near fall points.
Catasauqua, however, won three of the next four bouts. Senior Zach Scheier (220) picked up a pin for the Roughies while Jacob Nye (106) and Jaryn Hartranft (113) posted a pair of close decisions. Saucon Valley’s Nick Warnke (285) broke up the Rough Rider run when he outlasted Catty’s Lavonte Bouie for a 3-1 overtime decision. At the halfway point of the match, Catasauqua was hanging close to Saucon’s 18-12 lead.
Bucknell bound Thomas Spirk picking up a pin for the Panthers.
However, the effects of the much needed medicine started to fully kick in for Saucon. Aside from a forfeit surrendered at 132 due to the Panthers not making weight, Saucon Valley won six of the remaining seven bouts. Panther freshman Travis Riefenstahl sparked a Saucon Valley run to slam the door on Catty. Riefenstahl (120), Jake Jones (138), Thomas Spirk (145), Ty Pfizenmayer (152), and Matt Arciuolo (160) all recorded pins for the Panthers. Saucon sophomore Cael Markle (126) turned it on in the third period to break a 2-2 tie and pick up a hard-fought 8-2 decision. The Saucon Valley Panthers finished strong to defeat the Catasauqua Rough Riders 51-18.
Saucon Valley 51, Catasauqua 18
170- Dante Mahaffey So., SV, winner by forfeit.
182- Dane Csencsits Sr., SV, fall Donovan Gair Jr., Catty, 1:26.
195- Braydyn Lugardo Sr., SV, dec. Adam Reinhart Sr., Catty, 3-0.
220- Zach Scheirer Sr., Catty, fall Ramel Moore Sr., SV, 2:42.
285- Nick Warnke Sr., SV, dec. Lavonte Bouie Sr., Catty, 3-1 (OT).
106- Jacob Nye So., Catty, dec. Ermal Duka Jr. SV, 5-2.
113- Jaryn Hartranft So., Catty, dec. Connor Nicholas So., SV, 7-4.
120- Travis Riefenstahl Fr., SV, fall Gavin Fehr Fr., Catty, 3:17.
126- Cael Markle So., SV, dec. Austin Brett Jr., Catty, 8-2.
132- Cole Brown So., Catty , winner by forfeit
138- Jake Jones Fr., SV, fall Conlin Gair Fr., Catty, 1:31.
145- Thomas Spirk Sr., SV, fall Ben Langsdorf Sr., Catty, :46.
152- Tyler Pfizenmayer Fr. SV, fall Riley Reinhard Sr., Catty, :33.
160- Matt Arciuolo Sr., SV, fall Luis Del Roario So., Catty, 1:52.
Panther Wrestler of the Match
Panther freshman Travis Riefenstahl getting the upper hand.
“Travis Riefenstahl is a freshman who went out with determination and confidence. He changed the momentum of the match and got us going again!”
Coach Shirk
Up Next: The Panthers will head to Pen Argyl on Wednesday Dec. 18th for a showdown with the Green Knights. This Colonial League contest is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.
Good luck Panthers, the Source is with you!
All photos by Chris Christian. To see more photos please scroll down and visit his website, where you can purchase these and other high school sports photos.
Saucon sophomore Cael Markle battling for his brothers.
