Cummings earns 100th victory in East win

COATESVILLE — Downingtown East has been the top team in the Ches-Mont League for the past couple seasons, and if Wednesday night’s dual meet against Coatesville is any indication, they have no intention of passing the torch off anytime soon.

The Cougars walked away winners in 10 of the 14 bouts, including the 100th career victory for Wade Cummings, on the way to a 45-17 victory at Coatesville.

“There’s a lot of talk around the league how Coatesville is an up and coming team,’ said Cummings. “But we have a tough team, and we think we can do well again.’

Cummings wasted little time in securing career win number 100, taking down his 126-pound opponent Sean McBride, then moving back out front to work a cement mixer for the fall in a mere 42 seconds.

“Going back to freshman year getting 100 wins has been a goal,’ said Cummings. “I have a list on my wall with my goals—state qualifier, state medalist, and winning 100 was first on the list. It’s nice to know I can go home and cross it off.’

The century plateau is a goal for most wrestlers, but few manage to pull it off as early in their careers as Cummings has,

“It’s a nice accomplishment,’ said East coach Joe Horvath. “And for Wade to have gotten there early in his junior year speaks volumes.’

The dual got underway at 113, where James Strommer got the Cougars off on the right foot, decking Michael Moses in 33 seconds.

Nik Zimmerman followed with pin of his own at 120, locking up a crossface cradle for the fall at 2:36. With Cummings pin at 126, it was 18-0 East before Coatesville finally got on the board.

Ryan Dellicompagni notched the first victory for the Red Raiders, rolling up a 7-0 victory over Harris Alliger. Brent Windle followed with a 7-5 win over Jude McDowell at 138, but then Austin Lillis put another win in the Cougars’ tally with a 12-6 decision over Collin McBride.

Chase Stephens picked up one of two falls for Coatesville, sinking a power half-and-legs combo for a pin in 141.

The bout of the night came at 160, and not without a touch of controversy.

James Meyer took the mat for the Cougars and squared off against Zach Dellicompagni. The two traded escapes to put the match at 1-1 deep in the third period. Dellicompagni took a shot, setting off a wild scramble.

Meyer was able to secure the far ankle for control and the two point takedown, but in a blink of an eye, Dellicompagni was back out in neutral.

Though the Coatesville staff felt control was never established, the call stood. Meyer made the point moot anyway, taking Dellicompagni down with a double leg seconds later to put the match away.

“I’m really happy I was able to get that last takedown on the double leg,’ said Meyer. “It was close match, and I was just happy to get the win. I think we all think we can do better, but this was a nice win.’

Alec Horne followed with a big win over Nick Giunta at 170, piling up three third period takedowns for a 9-3 victory. The result was a reversal of the last time the two met.

“A few of our guys really stepped up tonight,’ said Horvath. “That was a nice win for Alec. But I still don’t think we’re where we need to be, or where we can be. We looked tired at times, and gave up a couple falls we probably shouldn’t have.’

The Cougars did get a couple more falls of their own before the night was out, with Jason Gibson (182) and Brett Horne (106) getting the slap of the mat. East also got wins by decision from Billy McGinley (220) and Owen Morris (285).

Rounding out the scoring was a pin for Coatesville at 195, when Wesley McGuire pinned Brent Czajkowski with just six second to go in the match.