Walters out amid coaching shakeup for Upper Perkiomen wrestling

There’s been change in the Upper Perkiomen wrestling lineup.

At the coaching level.

High school athletic director Robert Kurzweg III confirmed Tuesday Sam Walters, in his third year heading the mat program, resigned from the position effective Monday.

He will be replaced by assistant Jake Engle, who will be filling the position in an interim capacity.

Assistants Dustin Kern and Billy Brower are also reportedly no longer with the team.

Kurzweg referred questions on the personnel matter to district superintendent Dr. Alexis McGloin. Attempts to reach Dr. McGloin Tuesday were not successful.

“I’m not at liberty to tell much,” Walters said. “All I can say is I take responsibility for my actions.

“I definitely understand where they (administration) were coming from in asking for my resignation.”

According to sources, Walters’ resignation stemmed from an incident involving a school-issued vehicle.

Walters had coached UP since longtime mat boss Tom Hontz stepped down following the 2013-14 season. He had compiled a 28-22 overall record and 11-8 mark in the Pioneer Athletic Conference, to include 1-0 league and 4-5 overall marks this winter.

Their upcoming schedule lists a visit to Pottsgrove Wednesday for a PAC Frontier Division match, and a trip to West Chester Rustin Thursday for an opening-round District 1-AAA Duals Tournament clash with sixth-seeded Downingtown West.

The Indians’ showing this year included a fifth-place team finish at the Solanco Mule Classic, the championship of the Abingdon (Va.) Holiday Hammer Classic and a third at Archbishop Wood’s Kurt Meister Invitational Tournament Sunday.

“It’s definitely disappointing,” Walters said. “I feel awful more for the kids.

“I wish the guys the best of luck, and I’ll support them going forward.”

Both Walters and Engle are products of the UP system as high-school wrestlers.

Walters competed three years in the Indian program following a season at Souderton. The 2006 graduate compiled a 123-48 scholastic record while qualifying for states his junior season.

Engle, a member of UP’s Class of 2004, had a 109-46 record over four varsity seasons. He was a two-time state-tournament qualifier his junior and senior years.