Pennridge dominates SOL Continental championships
HATBORO — The Suburban One League seeding committee did its job well. The Continental Conference wrestling championships went the way of chalk, with very little upsets occurring at Hatboro-Horsham.
The men expected to stand on top of the podium came through. Pennridge, the regular season champs, also took home the postseason championship, advancing 10 to the District 1-AAA East tournament next week in Interboro. That also included the two of the three small upsets in the tournament. And at 113 pounds, the Rams Kordell Rush was named Most Outstanding Wrestler, with two pins and a hard fought 6-2 decision over Quakertown’s Harrison Campbell in the last match of the evening.
“We got 10 guys through and I cannot complain,’ Rams coach R.P. Norley said. “The kids that were seeded first won and that is great. But in this tournament, I am focused on the seniors and getting them out of leagues before they graduate. I am really proud of Will O’Shea, a senior, that finally got out of the league tournament.’
At 120 pounds and 195 pounds freshman Micah Viswuan and junior Andrew Reinhold rose above their second seed and claimed a SOL Continental championship. A talented wrestling room is allowing everyone to be wrestling their best at the right time.
Reinhold held off longtime rival Gavin Caroff of Quakertown 6-5 to claim the top spot on the podium. Reinhold holds a 4-2 record lifetime over Caroff, though the Panther beat him twice in the postseason a season ago.
“I respect Gavin, but I find that I wrestle my worst against him,’ Reinhold said. “He keeps me on my toes. He caught me last year at districts. I cannot take anyone lightly. There is a good chance I will see him again.’
The Rams also had eight first-place finishers, a team record. There was also a trio from Central Bucks West (Riley Barth, Jason Stout and Jason Douple) and a pair from North Penn. At 145 pounds the Bucks senior Riley Barth overcame a slow 2-2 start against the Knights’ Colin Shannon to win 7-2 and improve his record to 28-0 on the season.
“It is my senior year and I want to get to states and get a medal,’ Barth said. “Last time through so I am going to give it everything I got. You can go 28-0, but the postseason is all that matters.’
The record does not matter to Barth. He just wants his first trip to Hershey and is willing to do whatever it takes to get there. Barth has mixed feelings about five going to states from regionals after last year finishing in fourth when they only took three wrestlers.
“It’s kind of a disappointment because last year I could have been (at states) if they took five,’ Barth said. “I am working out in the gym every morning, doing everything I can do to get to states.’
States is also a dream for the North Penn’s Mikey O’Brien and Sofiane Bensmail, but just collecting a championship on Saturday was special for the pair. Bensmail, one of the three two seeds to win a championship, has been in the mix for the last few years, but is excited his hard work helped his grab some gold.
“This is the first time I placed first in my high school career, so it is a big deal for me,’ Bensmail said. “I worked hard, coaches are pushing me and it is paying off. I am going to go back Monday work harder for districts and get to regionals, maybe states. This is something to build off’
Suburban One League Continental conference Championships
120 — M. Visuwaun (PR) tech fall N. Giuliani (HH); 126 — S. Bensmail (NP) dec. N. Hadley (QT); 132 — J. Stillings (PR) dec. R. Chalifoux (CBE); 138 — M. O’Brien (NP) dec. T. Seislove (QT); 145 — R. Barth (CBW) dec. C. Shannon (NP); 152 — J. Stout (CBW) dec. C. Stevens (CBE); 160 — J. Douple (CBW) pinned N. Wood (QT); 170 — K. Gentile (PR) tech fall N. Bonomo (QT); 182 — Stolfi (SD) wins by forfeit; 195 — A. Reinhold (PR) dec. G. Caroff (QT); 220 — E. Outlaw (PR) dec. M. Jones (QT); 285 — J. Kracz (PR) dec. N. Schuck (HH); 106 — M. Parker (PR) dec. R. Calderaio ; 113 —K. Rush (PR)dec. H. Campbell
