Barlow falls in National Prep title match
L.J. Barlow came up just short in his big for a national title.
The senior from The Haverford School settled for second place after he ropped a 6-4 decision in overtime to Daniel Hawkins of Mount Saint Joseph High School (Md.) in the 195-pound championship match at the National Prep wrestling tournament Saturday.
After winning twice by fall Friday to reach the semifinals, Barlow, the second seed, pulled out a 7-6 over Wyoming Seminary’s Mike Rogers in the semifinals. Barlow defeated Rogers for the PAISAA 195-pound title last week.
The second-place finish was the third straight year that Barlow medaled at National Preps. He was fourth at 195 last season and third at 182 as a sophomore.
Class AAA District One-East
Penn Wood’s Karon Lucas-Tillery is headed back to the PIAA Class AAA Southeast Regional Tournament. Only this time he’s going as the District One-East champion.
Lucas-Tillery defeated Ben Kenis of Council Rock South, 8-5, to win the sectional title. He went 3-0 in the tournament. One of his victories was a 34 second pin of Quakertown’s Micah Jones in the quarterfinals.
Lucas-Tillery wasn’t the only local wrestler in the finals. Samson Akporotu of Academy Park took second at 160 pounds after falling to Kyle Gentile of Pennridge in the final, 15-1. He finished 2-1. His two wins were by fall and major decision.
Interboro’s Eric Thomas (132), Joey Gonzales (138) and Steven Phillips (170) are moving on, too. All three took third in their respective weight classes.
Thomas defeated Dominic Sabilito of Neshaminy, 5-1. Gonzales earned his trip to Pottstown the hard way. After falling to Dylan Swartz of Council Rock South, 4-1, in the 138-pound quarterfinals, Gonzales bounced back with three straight wins to earn third place. Gonzales avenged his loss with a 5-2 win over Swartz in the consolation final. Phillips defeated Philip Stolfi, 10-6, for his third-place medal.
Andrew Galazeski of Chichester took fourth at 285 to earn a trip to regionals.
Class AAA District 12
Joe DePhillippo’s incredible season keeps rolling right along.
The senior from Bonner-Prendergast won the 152-pound title to keep his undefeated record intact and earn a trip to the Northeast Regional next weekend.
DePhillippo is 34-0. He was third at regionals last year. After he pinned Central’s Vince Roscioli in the semifinals in 1:39, DePhillippo defeated Vickson Krah of Father Judge, the same guy he beat for the Catholic League title last week, to win the district championship. DePhillippo defeated Krah, 8-2. He pinned him last week.
Class AA District One/12
Delco Christian’s Scott Pendell (285) and Nicholas Forman of Archbishop Carroll (138) came away with the championships in their respective weight classes.
Pendell pinned Bishop McDevitt’s Brandon Coco in 1:33 to win the title he won all three of his matches by fall. Forman downed Bobby Giacobbe of New Hope-Solebury, 8-3, for the 138-pound crown. Teammate Jacob Poulos was third at 170 pounds. He was 3-1 with three wins by fall.
