Pennridge puts 5 on top of District 1-AAA East podium
PROSPECT PARK — For many Monday was a major night in a high school wrestlers life. Winning a District 1-AAA East championship does not come easy, but at Interboro, 14 made it happen. Pennridge led the way with five champions and while several of them were pleased with their performance, many will not be beyond excitement for a few more weeks.
“It is good getting the district title, but it is not my main focus,’ the 170-pound champion Kyle Gentile said. “I just try to stay calm and wait for the next tournament. When I get there, I get there.’
It was a chance to forget about a disjointed season for Souderton wrestling. The Indians struggled to fill out a lineup for a few dual meets. However hidden between the forfeits, were a few underclassmen setting themselves up for a spot in regionals.
Led by 182-pound Phil Stolfi, he and sophomore Brandon Bach found their place on the podium at the District One East tournament. The 113-pound Bach earned second while the junior Stolfi captured the top spot at Interboro high.
“Both Bach and Stolfi worked hard and we are really excited,’ Indians coach Tristan Boyd said. “What got them here is the consistency over the last couple months and the offseason. It will be boths first time there and we expect to come out and win some matches and see where they end up.’
The same could be said for Central Bucks West’s lone champion, 145-pound Riley Barth. He will take a perfect 31-0 record to Oxford High Friday. He held on to beat rising sophomore from North Penn, Colin Shannon, by a 4-3 decision. The Knights’ Sofiane Bensmail also had to settle for silver after a 16-5 major decision loss to Council Rock South’s Zack Trampe. Mikey O’Brien is also be heading to regionals after his third-place finish.
“I felt good after my win over (Lucas) Martoccio,’ Shannon said. “I have been getting closer and closer to beating Barth. As a sophomore, not making it out of districts last year, it is a good confidence booster. Sofiane and Mikey are great wrestlers, good in the room and they push me. I am glad we could all make it (to) regionals.’
Pennridge had a stellar regular season and the Rams have not stopped wrestling hard. They continued their torrid run through the postseason winning the team title and having coach R.P. Norley win Suburban One League Continental Conference Coach of the Year. Top-seeded lightweights Matt Parker, Kordell Rush and Josh Stillings all earned decisions to capture district gold.
“Ezra (220-pound champ) and I are in a pin race, tied with 21, so I was going for the fall,’ Gentile said. “It is exciting to have eight guys in the finals. It is something we never done before.’
Also extending their season for at least another week were Abington’s Alex Winshel (fourth place) and Keshon Guiellmo (fourth place), as well as Hatboro-Horsham’s Kyle Beck (fourth place).
The number of wrestlers left alive in the state continue to dwindle and many are very pleased to be a part of the field. Some, however, like the Rams Kyle Gentile will not be satisfied until he on that podium at Hershey.
“Pennridge has never won districts and that is exciting,’ Gentile said. “The kids are going to be a lot better at regionals. We just got to keep fighting.’
District One East Championships
106: Matt Parker (Pennridge) 3-1 decision over Aidan Burke (C.R. North); 113: Kordell Rush (Pennridge) 7-0 decision over Ben Radner (C.R. South); 120: Dylan Nutall (Truman) 3-2 decision over Micah Visuwaun (Pennridge); 126: Zack Trampe (C.R. South) 16-5 major decision over Sofiane Bensmail (North Penn); 132: Josh Stillings (Pennridge) 4-3 decision over Ryan Chalifoux (C.B. East); 138: Eric Thomas (Interboro) 4-3 decision over Eric Mongiello (Pennsbury); 145: Riley Barth (C.B. West) 4-3 decision Colin Shannon (North Penn); 152: Dylan Schwartz (C.R. South) 5-2 decision over Dominic Stabilito (Neshaminy); 160: Josh Shalinsky (C.R. North) 3-1 decision over Luke Kowal (Pennsbury); 170: Kyle Gentile (Pennridge) 9-2 major decision over Nick Bonomo (Quakertown); 182: Evan Wilson (C.B. East) 17-1 tech fall Phil Stofi (Souderton); 189: Ben Kenis (C.R. South) 1-0 decision over Andrew Reinhold (Pennridge); 220: Ezra Outlaw (Pennridge) 3-2 decision over Kyle Thorpe (C.R. North); 285: Bruce Graeber (Neshaminy) 2-1 OT decision over Joe Kracz (Pennridge)
