Downingtown East heads list of local teams in District 1 Duals

A year ago, Downingtown East was an under-the-radar team that stormed its way to a state duals appearance to the surprise of many.

Fast forward a year and the group that became the Ches-Mont’s first team to qualify for the Class AAA PIAA Duals in 2013 is now one of the favorites to do so again.

Class AAA District 1 Duals action will start Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at four different locations — West Chester Rustin, Central Bucks East, Methacton and Interboro. The second round begins after first-round action concludes. A record six Ches-Mont teams qualified this year after five had the previous two seasons.

The quarterfinals, semifinals and consolation quarterfinals will take place January 31 and the finals, consi semis and consi finals will conclude February 1 at Upper Dublin High. The top four teams to survive the 24-team bracket will advance to Hershey the following week.

Here’s a look at the six local squads.

No. 2 Downingtown East (19-0)

The Cougars will compete at C. B. East and have a first-round bye, awaiting the winner of No. 15 Coatesville and No. 18 C. B. East. With nine starters back from last season’s district runner-up finish, the Cougars should have little trouble advancing to quarters. Five Cougars have at least 20 victories this season — Wade Cummings (23-0), Jared Leonetti (21-1), Chris Jarani (22-2), Adam Pleines (22-0) and Sean Snodgrass (20-2). A win Thursday would likely set East up with a rematch against No. 7 Methacton, whom the Cougars beat, 40-21, a couple weeks ago. Spring-Ford is the third-seed, and the likely semifinal matchup that should be very even and competitive.

No. 12 West Chester Rustin (9-3)

The Golden Knights used a win against West Chester Henderson earlier in the month to propel themselves into the upper half of the seeds. They will have a home meet against No. 21 Chichester. With Matt Ricci (138 pounds), Thomas Hatzipavlides (145) and Ross Barcusky (182) the only seniors in the lineup, the future looks promising for Rustin, as does advancing to the second round. There, however, No. 5 Council Rock South will be a major step up from the Eagles. The Golden Eagles are very strong in the lightweights and are always in the mix to return to Hershey.

No. 13 West Chester Henderson (16-1)

The Warriors get to stay local, as well, sharing Rustin’s gym. They will welcome No. 20 Harry S. Truman with the winner moving on to No. 4 Garnet Valley. Truman’s strength is in its lightweights. If Henderson can limit bonus points where its disadvantaged, the trio of Kyle Medrow (120), Joey Wilson (126) and Josh Nichter (132) have proved to be big scorers. With a win, Garnet matches up nicely against Henderson, so the Warriors would need to pull a hand full of upsets off to bank a trip to Upper Dublin.

No. 15 Coatesville (20-3)

The Red Raiders will take a trip east on the turnpike to face the host Patriots. Coatesville will be without senior Noah Stephens (145) with an undisclosed injury, but should still have a very good chance against C. B. East. The Pats boast Francesco Fabozzi (145), a returning fifth-place state medalist. If Sean (106) and Colin McBride (120) can compete well down low, the Red Raiders have an advantage in the upper weights with Wesley McGuire (182) and Mike Boykin (220). Downingtown East will be much stingier to score on in the second round.

No. 19 Unionville (16-5)

The Indians are an intriguing squad with a lot of experience and potential in the lineup. They will be at Interboro to face No. 14 Neshaminy and are one of those teams where if everything goes well at once, it could be dynamic. The Redskins beat Unionville last season by 17 and have a similar lineup. Both squads lack star power, but have very solid wrestlers throughout. The Indians need seniors Nate Chaclas (138), Mike Caldwell (152) and Will Hart (285) to pick up bonus points and set the tone if they want to challenge No. 3 Spring-Ford in the second round.

No. 22 Downingtown West (12-9)

The Whippets have had somewhat of a frustrating season so far, but could start to turn things around as a team in this tournament, much like they did a year ago. They will start at Interboro with No. 11 Penncrest. The Lions earned a one-point win over Unionville and a six-point victory over Rustin this past Saturday, so they have showed to be a solid team. West has to capitalize down low with seniors Troy Smith (106), Gio Angelini (120) and Tristan Reynolds (132). West’s Gabe Hale (182) will get a tough bout from either Liam Frank (182) or Austin Jacque (195). The winner gets Pennridge in the second round, and the Rams are loaded from 106-126.

106

1. Nick Lattanze, Soph., Malvern Prep, 30-7

2. Kevin Edwards, Fr., Avon Grove, 22-7

3. Brett Kaliner, Fr., West Chester Rustin, 20-3

113

1. Edgar Garcia, Sr., Avon Grove, 20-5

2. Fred Mase, Jr., Phelps School, 23-3

3. Jon Reardon, Fr., West Chester Rustin, 14-8

120

1. Kyle Medrow, Soph., WC Henderson, 26-2

2. Dante Angelini, Sr., Downingtown West, 21-6

3. Colin McBride, Soph., Coatesville, 17-2

126

1. Wade Cummings, Soph., Dtown East, 23-0

2. Joey Wilson, Jr., West Chester Henderson, 25-3

3. Chase Stephens, Fr., Coatesville, 18-5

132

1. Matt Lattanze, Soph., Malvern Prep, 21-5

2. Josh Nichter, Sr., West Chester Henderson, 25-3

3. Al Ciccitto, Soph., Phelps School, 24-1

138

1. Matt Ricci, Sr., West Chester Rustin, 10-2

2. Ian Larson, Jr., Unionville, 20-6

3. Troy McBride, Sr., Octorara, 14-7

145

1. Shane Ruhnke, Sr., Great Valley, 17-2

2. Noah Stephens, Sr., Coatesville, 19-2

3. Brad Patton, Sr., West Chester Henderson, 14-4

152

1. Mike Caldwell, Sr., Unionville, 22-5

2. Stanley Woodward, Sr., Coatesville, 18-3

3. Kyle Youssi, Sr., Oxford, 14-9

160

1. Max Sontag, Jr., West Chester Henderson, 14-11

2. Tyler Crossman, Sr, Unionville, 16-6

3. Shane Boyer, Jr., West Chester Rustin, 5-7

170

1. Christian Jarani, Sr., Downingtown East, 16-2

2. Clay McKee, Sr., Westtown, 14-4

3. Nick Prange, Sr., Octorara, 17-4

182

1. Caleb Edwards, Sr., Avon Grove, 20-1

2. Ryder Harkins, Sr., Malvern Prep, 24-10

3. Gabe Hale, Sr., Downingtown West, 23-2

195

1. Adam Pleines, Sr., Downingtown East, 22-0

2. Rob Ritrovato, Sr., West Chester East, 18-6

3. Ryan Hoffman, Soph., Avon Grove, 15-13

220

1. Mike Boykin, Sr., Coatesville, 18-0

2. Jake Anderson, Sr., Malvern Prep, 23-4

3. Billy McGinley, Jr., Downingtown East, 19-4

285

1. Sean Snodgrass, Sr., Downingtown East, 20-2

2. Dean Lang, Sr., Great Valley, 17-2

3. Cory Tomasetti, Sr., Kennett, 17-3

Team

1. Downingtown East, 19-0

2. West Chester Rustin, 9-3

3. West Chester Henderson, 16-1

4. Coatesville 20-3

5. Unionville 16-5