Youngsters step up for Council Rock South wrestling in win over Harry S Truman (VIDEO)

Braden Ricchini (top), a sophomore for the Golden Hawks, pinned Tigers 120-pounder Marabella Leupold in the first period, helping Council Rock South to a 57-15 dual meet triumph Wednesday, Jan. 11 at Harry S Truman, Bristol Township, Pa.    (Steve Sherman – 21st-Century Media)

BRISTOL TWP. >> Council Rock South went into itas recent dual meet against Suburban One National League rival Harry S Truman without stalwarts Zack Trampe (138), Riley Palmer (152) and Joey Doyle (220) and yet still, the visiting Golden Hawks left Bristol Township Jan. 11 with a lopsided 57-15 triumph over the Tigers.

While CR South got tech-fall wins from experienced wrestlers Cary Palmer (152) and Ben Radner (126), the Hawks were sparked by youngsters Braden Ricchini, L.J. Kahn, Gianni Gilch and Kyle Waterman.

“We obviously want those guys in those spots,” said Cary Palmer, who upped his record to 11-3 “But we have good enough guys behind them that will do their job – which they did tonight.”

In total, the Hawks got bonus points in seven of the 14 bouts including four pins and three tech-falls – and that doesn’t include 12 points awarded CR South on a pair of matches forfeited by Truman.

“We expect that out of the next guy up,” said Palmer. “Everyone goes hard in the room so the coaches train us – if someone gets hurt or someone can’t wrestle, it’s the next guy’s job to step in and put up bonus points.”

With his team on top 3-0 after Max Mendez’ close 7-6 decision win over Truman 113-pounder Ernie Registre in the opening bout, Ricchini, a sophomore who entered the match with a 4-7 record, pinned Tigers 120-pounder Marabella Leupold in 1:07.

A tech-fall win by South junior Ben Radner (126) over HST sophomore Esteban Moran and a decision by classmate Mike McKinney (138) over Joe Goldey sandwiched a decision win for Truman by HST sophomore Gunnar Fuss, putting the Hawks up 17-3.

With twin brother Riley out of the lineup, Cary Palmer wrestled up at 152 pounds and L.J. Kahn, a sophomore sporting a 6-5 record, tech-falled HST junior Estephen Salguero 5:01 into the match.

Palmer took less time than that – 3:15, to be exact – when he did the same thing to HST sophomore Hunter Soboloski, putting South on top, 27-3. Consider also the fact that Cary is giving up 12 to 13 pounds, wrestling at 152.

“That’s the goal – just to go as hard as you can out on the mat,” said Palmer. “It gets us ready for the postseason – hard matches or matches like that, we’re always ready.”

And it just got worse for the Tigers, from there. Cole Flanagan, a freshman for the Hawks at 160 pounds, pinned HST senior Chris Hall in 1:17 and Truman had no one to wrestle at 170, putting South up 39-3.

Alex Litz, a junior for the Tigers who works the mat at 182 pounds, stopped some of bleeding for Truman when he pinned South senior Tyler Gettman in 2:56 and senior 220-pounder Isaiah Godbold pinned South junior John Weinstein in 3:20 but even that could only draw the Tigers no closer than 30 points.

The Hawks finished with bonus-point wins by South freshman Giani Gilch (195), who pinned HST junior Cyncere Eichelberger in 1:50 and classmate Kyle Waterman (106), who pinned HST freshman Dan Baskin in 2:40.

Gilch came into his match sporting a 5-5 record while Waterman had just two varsity bouts to his credit. Waterman was up 15-0 when he went for the pin in the second period.

“We’re always expected to get bonus points but if it doesn’t go our way, we’re not flustered,” said Palmer. “Giani – he’s a good freshman; he’s going to be a real good wrestler.

“Kyle – once he locked up the tech, if the pin’s there, you just go for it, put up more points. He’s going to do whatever it takes.”

CR South pushed its way to 7-0 just four days after going 5-0 at the Parkland Duals. Held Jan. 7 at Parkland High School, the Hawks recorded impressive wins over Hayfield (Virginia) and Exeter.

Truman falls to 3-9 four days after going 3-2 at its own Harry S Truman Duals with dual meet wins over South Philadelphia, Wissahickon and Glen Mills.

Council Rock South 57, Harry S Truman 15
(Jan. 11 at Truman)
113 — Maximino Mendez (CRS) dec. Ernie Registre, 7-6 (3-0)
120 — Braden Ricchini (CRS) pinned Marabella Leupold, 1:07 (9-0)
126 — Ben Radner (CRS) tech. fall Esteban Moran, 17-1, 1:43 (14-0)
132 — Gunnar Fuss (HST) dec. Adam Figueroa, 7-4 (14-3)
138 — Mike McKinney (CRS) dec. Joseph Goldey, 7-2 (17-3)
145 — L.J. Kahn (CRS) tech. fall Estephen Salguero, 16-1, 5:01 (22-3)
152 — Carey Palmer (CRS) tech. fall Hunter Soboloski, 16-1, 3:15 (27-3)
160 — Cole Flanagan (CRS) pinned Chris Hall, 1:17 (33-3)
170 — Rob Castor (CRS) won by forfeit (39-3)
182 — Alex Litz (HST) pinned Tyler Gettman, 2:56 (39-9)
195 — Gianni Gilch (CRS) pinned Cyncere Eichelberger, 1:50 (45-9)
220 — Isaiah Godbold (HST) pinned John Weinstein, 3:20 (45-15)
285 — Shane Anderson (CRS) won by forfeit (51-15)
106 — Kyle Waterman (CRS) pinned Dan Baskin, 2:40 (57-15)