WHITEMARSH >> As recently as two seasons ago, it would have been unthinkable for Germantown Academy’s wrestling team to lose to Haverford School, or any Inter-Academic League team, by 25 points.
But these Patriots bear little resemblance to those teams that, for better than a decade, had folks believing the actual name of the program was “Defending Inter-Ac League champion Germantown Academy.”
This year’s GA team is young and short of capable bodies.
So Friday’s 45-20 loss to the Fords was not unexpected. But while it would have been unthinkable two or three seasons ago, the GA faithful and the Patriots themselves have to come to terms with the fact that prosperity in the world of scholastic athletics can be fleeting.
“Beating them in this gym is unusual,” said Fords head coach Bruce Kennett. “Our program isn’t great, but (GA’s) has slipped a little.”
The slippage is the norm, considering the times, when a good program can be made with a couple of successful recruiting years.
But this group of Patriots isn’t going to hide behind excuses or accusations against their opposition.
In fact, they seem perfectly content to build from within, and rise or fall on their own merits.
“For right now we want to get these guys to wrestle better each time they go out there,” said Patriots first-year head coach Zach Doll. “Wrestling is a sport where one percent is a big deal, and that’s what we’re going after, just getting better each time they step on a mat.
“It’s baby steps.”
Those baby steps did little Friday against the Fords, who were their usual solid selves, blowing up a 13-all tie after six bouts and taking all but two of the remaining contests.
“Our team has stayed the same over the past couple of seasons,” Kennett said. “Our numbers have remained consistent, and I think in good years we can be OK.”
With a 19-13 lead after a GA forfeit at 120 pounds, the Fords won five of the next six bouts, collecting two falls, two major decisions and a forfeit in the process.
Not exactly the status quo for a Patriots home match. But for the moment, Doll and GA aren’t concerned with wins and losses as much as developing young wrestlers from within the program.
“We have a lot of young guys, and some have only been wrestling for a few years,” said senior 126-pounder Brian Jamison. “Whereas we’re wrestling some schools who have kids that have been wrestling their whole lives.
“In the past our team has had some recruits, but now we’re building from within, we’re building using our middle school and our youth programs.
“The wins and losses don’t matter right now. What matters is developing a culture that’s sustainable.”
Time will tell whether that approach will return the Patriots to their accustomed perch atop the Inter-Ac.
But for now, it’s all they have to hang their singlets on.
HAVERFORD SCHOOL 45, GERMANTOWN ACADEMY 20
182 – Richard Souders (HS) dec. Patrick Salmon, 4-1 (0-3).
195 – Chris Kober (HS) maj.dec. Dan Smith, 16-8 (0-7).
220 – Kwasi Ampomah (GA) dec. Mickey Kober, 3-1 (OT) (3-7).
285 – Anthony Reginelli (HS) won by forfeit, (3-13),
106 – Brandon Seidman (GA) maj.dec. Ryan Shephard, 13-4 (7-13).
113 – Mark Fasciocca (GA) won by forfeit, (13-13).
120 – Daniel Grobman (HS) won by forfeit, (13-19).
126 – Brian Jamison (GA) maj.dec. John Pallante, 11-3 (17-19).
132 – Michael Clymer (HS) maj.dec. Trey DeGeorge, 13-5 (17-23).
138 – Chase McCollum (HS) pinned George Schwartz, 2:47 (17-29).
145 – Ben Gerber (HS) won by forfeit, (17-35).
152 – Freddy Corradetti (HS) maj.dec. Mikey Roman, 11-3 (17-39).
160 – Chris Hervada (HS) pinned Drew Sandifer, 3:07 (17-45).
170 – Ben Sawyer (GA) dec. Graham Haaberstaad, 8-5 (20-45).
