Cummings, DEast make it four in a row at Wetzel

HORSHAM — Downingtown East has achieved a lot of milestones with star lightweight Wade Cummings on the team, and on a night when the senior state medalist won his fourth straight Ralph Wetzel Classic title, the Cougars followed suit, winning their fourth straight team title.

Cummings (132 pounds), a returning fourth-place state finisher, dominated the field, earning the award for most pins in the fast time (four in 8:52). Fellow Cougars Nik Zimmerman (138) and Alec Horne (170) made their way to the top of the podium, and eight others medaled as East scored 69 more points than runner-up, Unionville, at Hatboro Horsham High, Wednesday.

The Indians had one champ, Jake Taylor (120), and edged West Chester East and its champ, Noah Hankin (126), by 15, as the Ches-Mont League trio took the top three spots in the two-day, 29-team tournament.

Cummings nearly pinned his finals foe, Sean Lyons of St. Joseph Prep, in the first period with a cradle, but finished him off midway through the second to become the third four-time champ in the tournament’s 15-year run, joining Upper Moreland’s John Bolich and Central Bucks East’s Evan Wilson.

“It’s exciting since only two other people have done it,” Cummings said. “When you put yourself on a short list it’s always exciting and something to be proud about.”

Zimmerman followed, building a 7-1 lead against Chichester’s Chris Smarkola and riding it to an 11-6 final.

“I wanted to accomplish something good after not placing last year, and it felt great to win it,” Zimmerman said.

Five Cougars reached the finals, and Horne was the last to walk away a winner. Against William Tennent’s David McCoy, Horne opened up a close match by nearly securing a fall, but settled for a 9-1 major decision.

Taylor was the first local champ, shutting out Haverford’s Vince Tavani, 6-0. Taylor has started his junior season strong, beating Council Rock North’s returning fourth-place state medalist Aiden Burke the first weekend of the season. Taylor is now 13-1.

“It helps confidence-wise, but I have to keep working though,” Taylor said.

Hankin followed, avenging a loss at regionals from two years ago to Pennsbury’s Connor Joyce. The Viking senior was shut out, 2-0, by Joyce in the elimination round as a sophomore, but proved too strong in the rematch, winning, 8-3. Hankin now has 98 career wins.

“I try to keep setting the pace,” Hankin said. “He beat me at regionals, I beat him here and hopefully I can beat him again at regionals. I have to keep working hard.”

West Chester East’s Erik Gassenmeyer held his No. 2 seed, dropping the 195-pound final, 9-4, to Abington’s Keshon Guiellmo.

James Strommer (113) of Downingtown East lost a tight final against Pennsbury’s Antonio Martoccio, 4-3, and Brent Czajkowski (182) took second behind Cedar Crest’s Jarell Howard-Griffin.

Also placing for the Cougars were Lukas Richie (third at 106), Brett Horne (sixth at 120), Conner Birzes (seventh at 126), Owen Morris (sixth at 195) and Brenden McGinley (fifth at 285).

Other Indians to garner hardware were Garett Rogers (seventh at 106), Tim Weber (seventh at 113), Sam Immediato (fourth at 126), Mitch Camp (fifth at 138), Spencer Larson (third at 145), Mike Maguire (fourth at 195) and Jack Baccellieri (fourth at 285).

Tommy Luke (third at 120), Nick Phillips (seventh at 138), Andrew DiBernardo (seventh at 152), Justin Cooper (fifth at 160) and Caleb Subach (third at 182) medaled for the Vikings.

Team Standings

1. Downingtown East, 221.5; 2. Unionville, 152.5; 3. West Chester East, 137.5; 4. Hatboro Horsham, 123; 5. Central Bucks East, 116.5; 6. Pennsbury, 108.5; 7. Haverford High, 105; 8. Ridley, 101; 9. Wethersfield, 93; 10. Daniel Hand, 86.

Championship Finals

106- Altrogge (Norristown) dec. Jones (Ephrata), 7-5 SV

113- Martoccio (Pennsbury) dec. Strommer (Downingtown East), 4-3

120- Taylor (Unionville) dec. Tavani (Haverford), 6-0

126- Hankin (W. C. East) dec. Joyce (Pennsbury), 8-3

132- Cummings (Downingtown East) pinned Lyons (St. Joe’s Prep), 3:19

138- Zimmerman (Downingtown East) dec. Smarkola (Chichester), 11-6

145- Chalifoux (C. B. East) maj. dec. Gershwin (Cheltenham), 19-5

152- Breidegan (Cedar Crest) dec. Brush (Lower Merion), 12-6

160- Finn (Pottsgrove) dec. Blaasch (Appoquinimink), 4-2

170- A. Horne (Downingtown East) maj. dec. McCoy (Tennent), 9-1

182- Howard-Griffin (Cedar Crest) maj. dec. Czajkowski (Downingtown East), 14-5

195- Guiellmo (Abington) dec. Gassenmeyer (W. C. East), 9-4

220- DeFrancesco (Pottsgrove) dec. Roberson (Newark), 6-4 SV

285- M. Chapman (Hatboro) pinned Galasso (Roman Catholic), 5:22