Cummings breaks Ches-Mont record at Hecker Duals
NEW HOLLAND — Central Dauphin was able to dodge Downingtown East’s Wade Cummings, Saturday, but not many have had that fortune.
Cummings (132 pounds) picked up five victories at the Tom Hecker Duals at Garden Spot High, giving him 156 for his career and making him the winningest wrestler in Ches-Mont League history. Cummings hopped Great Valley’s Carl Buchholz (152 wins) and West Chester Rustin’s Corey McQuistion (154) to set a new mark that will only be added to the next eight weeks.
Avon Grove was a part of the 10-team field and finished 1-4 on the day. The Cougars reached the finals of the team tournament and fell to perennial power, Central Dauphin, 48-15. The Rams ran from Cummings, bumping up Andrew Wert, a Class AA fifth-place finisher while at Trinity High last winter, and forfeiting to the East senior. But the moment of frustration wasn’t enough to damper a historic day for Cummings.
“It’s important and it’s a good list to be on top of,” Cummings said. “It’s impressive and I’m proud, but I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my coaches and my dad and (assistant Billy) Heemer being in the room, wrestling. It helps out a lot.”
Cummings picked up a pair of pins in the first three duals, giving him 91 career falls. He faced Emmaus’ Tyler Corpora with the record on the line and walked away a 12-3 winner.
“We’re all very proud of him and I’m glad the record holder is a Downingtown East wrestler,” East coach Joe Horvath said. “I really believe Wade would give all those wins for his team to win or to get to the first-place stand at Hershey. We’re all able to put this in perspective.”
The Cougars (14-1) were in the opposite pool than Upper Darby, but did get some District 1 competition. After discarding La Salle College, 49-20, East steamrolled Upper Perkiomen, 51-15, and Souderton, 61-16. Emmaus was no match, either, as East won, 55-15.
Freshman Lukas Richie (106) continued his strong start, going 5-0 with nice wins over Jared Kuhns of Upper Perk and Central Dauphin’s Mitchell Arch. Alec Horne (170) joined Cummings and Richie as a 5-0 finisher.
Brett Horne (120), Connor Birzes (126), Brent Czajkowski (182), Owen Morris (195) and Nik Zimmerman (138) went 4-1, and Zimmerman’s loss was a 1-0 decision to Wert.
With the District 1 Duals seeding meeting a week away, East not only made their case for a top-five seed, but also garnered some much-needed experience against premium talent.
“I think there’s a lot of value wrestling a team like Central Dauphin,” Horvath said. “They’re a top-tier team and have quality throughout the lineup. Learning to battle kids of that quality, not just physically, but mentally, is important. Despite the loss, I thought it was productive.”
Avon Grove (5-10) started off the day with a 42-36 win over Garden Spot. The Red Devils then fell to Upper Darby (55-12), Central Dauphin (66-6), Archbishop Wood (39-34) and La Salle (45-24).
Vince Walls (285) led the way for Avon Grove at 4-1, losing to District 1’s top-ranked heavyweight, Peter Augustin of Upper Darby, 5-3. Brayden Peck (182) went 3-2 and Kevin Edwards (145) was 2-3, with a 5-2 loss to another top-ranked wrestler from Upper Darby, Colin Cronin.
“We try to treat the regular season as preparation for, hopefully, an extended postseason,” Avon Grove coach Frank McCue said. “We’d rather come to a tournament and get quality competition than somewhere else where we get more individual or team wins, though it’s nice to win. I’d rather the kids get as much experience wrestling as many top-quality wrestlers as possible.”
Central Dauphin 48, Downingtown East 15
152- Light (CD) pinned Salt, 1:20 (6-0)
160- Petrina (CD) pinned Clay, :30 (12-0)
170- A. Horne (DE) dec. Talbot, 7-3 (12-3)
182- Eason (CD) maj. dec. Czajkowski, 10-2 (16-3)
195- Morris (DE) dec. Neilson, 8-1 (16-6)
220- Marraro (CD) dec. C. Regitz, 6-0 (19-6)
285- Childs (CD) pinned McGinley, 1:29 (25-6)
106- Richie (DE) dec. Arch, 11-5 (25-9)
113- Wright (CD) maj. dec. Strommer, 12-4 (29-9)
120- Cherry (CD) tech. fall B. Horne, 15-0 (34-9)
126- White (CD) tech. fall Birzes, 5:44 (39-9)
132- Cummings (DE) won by forfeit (39-15)
138- Wert (CD) dec. Zimmerman, 1-0 (42-15)
145- Stoaks (CD) pinned Neubaum, 2:48 (48-15)
