Haverford School boasts seven champs on way to tourney title

The Haverford School wrestling team finished first out of 18 schools with a team score of 234.5 at the New Hope Solebury Invitational Saturday.

The Fords boasted seven winners and nine finalists, including two-time Daily Times Wrestler of the Year L.J. Barlow who claimed the title in 195-pound class. Mickey Kober (220), Richie Souders (182), Chris Kober (170), Freddy Corradetti (132), Stephen Tornetta (126), and Chase McCollum (120) all won their classes as well.

At the Nazareth Invitational: Garnet Valley kicked off its season with a strong showing at the Nazareth Invitational. The Jaguars finished second out of eight teams with a score of 157.5. Matthew Marino (126), Pat Rowe (152), and Brian Smith (195) each won their respective weight classes. Nine Garnet Valley wrestlers placed on the day.

At the Haverford Duals: Marple Newtown opened the year with a 2-2 day at Haverford High. The Tigers bested Penn Wood (57-19) and Roman Catholic (63-11), but dropped matches to West Chester East (49-15) and Chichester (49-24).

Chichester, with a young lineup due to injuries, emerged from Haverford High with a 3-2 record. The Eagles beat Episcopal Academy (60-21), Cheltenham (75-3), and Marple Newtown (49-24), and dropped matches to West Chester East (31-27) and Haverford High (44-25).John Barlow (285) and Tommy Smarkola (132) finished with 5-0 marks on the day. Jeremy Gannon (106), Joe Tresz (116), and Vinny Petrucelli (220) each went 4-1.

AJ Cutrufello and Blair Orr paced Episcopal Academy as the Churchmen started their season 3-2. Cutrufello (182) and Orr (106) both went 5-0. Cutrufello pinned all five of his opponents. EA took decisions over Cheltenham (48-30), Roman Catholic (48-34), and Penn Wood (48-36), and lost to West Chester East (63-16) and Chichester (60-21).

At the Brian Bealer Memorial Bear Duals: Interboro endured a tough day against some top competition at Boyertown High School.

The Bucs went 1-4, with a win over Dallas (48-34), and losses to Council Rock North (57-15), Harry S. Truman (40-31), Boyertown (69-9), and Bethlehem Liberty (63-3). Eric Thomas, however, had a strong day individually at the 138-weight class. Thomas posted a 4-1 mark, including a major decision against Harry S. Truman that brought Interboro to within three in the match.