Six local champions at Interboro tournament
PROSPECT PARK — A week away from the individual postseason, three local teams got their last tune-up in, Saturday, before things escalate.
At the Interboro Invitational, Unionville finished in second, 18 points behind the host, with three champions — Jake Taylor (113 pounds), Matt Chaclas (120) and Jack Baccellieri (220). Octorara got Liam Babauta (106) to the top of the podium, while Coatesville, who was missing a few kids because of the SATs, had a pair of champs.
Coatesville senior Zach Dellicompagni (160) denied Sun Valley’s Alex Elliott his 100th career win with a 2-1 decision in the finals, and was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.
“It’s really big because it shows how good I am compared to what I thought I was,’ said Dellicompagni, who will be dropping to 152 pounds for the postseason. “I feel pretty good. My goal is to get to states and hopefully I can do that.’
Coatesville’s Chase Stephens was dominant at his new weight of 145, notching two first-period falls, the second coming against Octorara’s Scott Burridge in the finals. Fellow Red Raiders Brent Windle (138) and Colin McBride (152) finished second, and Sean McBride (126) took third.
Unionville had a big presence in the finals, with six representatives. Taylor was stingy against Carlisle’s Connor Smith, winning 5-2, while Chaclas erased a 4-1 deficit to beat Interboro’s Shane Mathis, 6-5.
Taylor has wrestled all 31 of his matches this season at 113 will be one of the favorites at the Ches-Mont Championships, next Saturday.
“I figure I’ll have more energy than some kids,’ said Taylor, who’s 24-7 as a sophomore. “I’ll be wrestling at my natural weight, or at least close to it, and that should help me with energy in the third period.’
Baccellieri was in a bracket with just one other 220-pounder, and he needed just 29 seconds to record the fall for arguably the easiest tournament title in wrestling history. Mitch Camp (126), Ryan Margolin (170) and Mike Maguire (195) finished runner-up, and Ryan Stillman (160) and Dylan Smallacombe (182) placed third.
Babauta won his 20th bout of the season, using a pin and a decision to reach the finals. There he dominated Kyleigh D’Agostino of Interboro, 9-0.
“I feel pretty good and it definitely did help my confidence,’ Babauta said. “It gave me an understanding of what wrestling is about.’
Burridge took second and Rico Camacho (113) finished third for the Braves.
Unionville hosts Great Valley and Coatesville hosts West Chester Henderson Monday night for their regular season finales. Octorara and the rest of the 12 other Ches-Mont squads from both divisions will compete in the league tournament next Saturday, with the top seven advancing.
Team Standings
1. Interboro, 171.5; 2. Unionville, 153.5; 3. Sun Valley, 112; 4. Coatesville, 100.5; 5. Carlisle, 83; 6. Octorara, 71; 7. Lower Merion, 52.5; 8. Bishop McDevitt, 28
