Unionville second at Octorara Duals
ATGLEN — With three wrestlers finishing the day with unblemished 5-0 records, Unionville finished pool competition with a 4-0 record before falling in the championship finals, 38-28, to New Oxford at the Octorara Duals on Saturday.
The Indians opened with a 59-12 thrashing of Springfield (Delco) and added wins over Marple Newtown (47-19) and Wissahickon (66-9). Unionville secured its place in the title match in a nailbiter over Perkiomen Valley, 36-31.
Down 28-24 headed into the 285-pound bout, the Indians’ Will Hart came through in a big way. Already up 6-0, Hart pushed for the fall and got it 16 seconds into the third. Hart finsished the day unbeaten.
“I felt strong out there today,’ said Hart. “I wasn’t myself for a week or so there, but I got myself back on track. Against Perk Valley, I knew my coaches what my coaches were expecting of me, and what we need, so I just kept pushing for the pin.’
Still, Unionville needed a win in the last bout of the dual, a 113—pound clash between the Indians’ Bobby Murray and Jake Latchum. With his team down by one, 31-30, Murray left no doubt, securing the fall in just 42 seconds for the 36-31 win.
“Bobby’s been in that kind of situation before,’ said Unionvile head coach Chris Matz. “He knew what he needed to do and got it done.’
The Unionville victory not only secured the slot in the championship finals, it could very well have implications down the road come postseason time.
“We wanted to make a statement against Perk Valley,’ said Matz. “We knew they were going to be a tough match, and they are one of the better teams in District 1. We hope to get back to District Duals, and this could help us come seeding time.’
New Oxford proved to be a tall order for the Indians. Despite getting a fall from Spenser Larson and a major decision from Nate Chaclas in the final two bouts, it was not enough as the Colonials built a big lead and hung on for the 38-28 victory.
The Indians got wins from Laz Kirifides, a pin in 2:19 at 152; Mike Caldwell, a 3-2 winner at 160; Tyler Crossman, a 6-1 triumph at 170; Hart, who topped his 285-pound opponent, 6-2 and Jake Taylor, who notched a late takedown for a 3-1 victory at 106.
In addition to Hart, Chaclas and Caldwell finished the day with spotless 5-0 marks.
“I didn’t think I wrestled very well at all last week,’ said Chaclas. “So it was important that I come back out and wrrestle the way I now how and get back on track. I’m really proud of the whole team today. Even in our losses, everyone went out and put out a great effort.’
It was a tough day for host Octorara. The serioously shorthanded Braves were winless, but did see a solid effort from 113-pounder Rico Camacho. Camacho was 4-1, with his only loss coming to New Oxford’s Zurich, who was unbeaten on the day. Picking up their first-ever varsity wins were Noah Hoopes (126), Mike Parme (160) and Nick Hand, who won a pair of matches at 182.
