Harner working to turn around Norristown’s fortunes
Was it really just four seasons ago that the Norristown High wrestling program finished seventh in the PIAA Class AAA Wrestling Championships?
The wall in the Norristown practice room is filled with the accomplishments of all of those that have come before the current Eagles team.
But things have changed, and not for the better at the home of the Eagles, where the team used to host the District 1 Regionals, and watch quite a few of their best wrestle in the Saturday night spotlight reserved for those trying to get to Hershey.
This season it’s unlikely that an Eagles wrestler will see the regional tournament, although a couple, Eric Fuentes and Justin Altrogge, have an outside shot.
The balance of power has shifted, and now Norristown (9-10) has become a feasting ground for the private schools to come swooping in and carry off potential mat stars.
“We lost two of our best wrestlers before the season even started,” said Norristown head coach Mark Harner. “Mike Johnson got hurt and Mason Hall transferred to Lansdale Catholic.
“And we really haven’t been able to replace them.
“With them, we’re a pretty good team, but without them we’re struggling.”
The Eagles, never a team that suited up a large number of wrestlers, now find it difficult to compete in the Pioneer Athletic Conference, which has become one of the pre-eminent leagues in the state.
And so, Norristown will finish last in the PAC’s Liberty Division, a division that happens to house four of the top-ranked programs in the district.
A good team would struggle in that division, and the Eagles are not a good team right now.
More disheartening, they likely won’t be a good team for a few years to come.
“We’re trying to compete with 16 kids on the team,” Harner said, “and that includes two first-year wrestlers and another one who’s only been wrestling for two years.”
That’s not exactly the kind of numbers that are going to push a team past the likes of Boyertown, Owen J. Roberts, Spring-Ford and Methacton, who all hold positions among the district’s top-ranked programs.
Still, Harner remains steadfast, at least for the moment.
“I can’t put up with mediocre forever,” he said, “but what choice do I have?”
So Harner has been a presence at the school’s last five middle school matches. He hasn’t uncovered any future Rick Springmans, but he has found some athletes with ability.
Now, the trick is to keep them out of the hands of the private schools that have smelled the blood in the water and have come calling with grandiose offers of future stardom.
“What can you do when these schools come in and offer an athlete the kinds of opportunities that your school can’t?” Harner asked. “I’m not convinced they can’t find what they’re looking for here, but when they can offer parents money and athletic exposure, I can see why some kids make the choice to leave.”
Until the team gets back on its feet, Harner will continue to try and pull off some magic.
Unfortunately there are fewer and fewer talented rabbits left to pull out of the hat.
“I’m looking to work with the kids we have now,” Harner said, “And we have some real good athletes in the middle school.
“But you don’t know if they’re going to want to wrestle when they get here. And that’s the thing about wrestling. You can be a great athlete, but you need the experience. You can do everything right, then turn the wrong way and get pinned. That’s the way this sport is.
“My son (Brett, now at Princeton) had over 1,000 matches by the time he got to high school.
Until then, the accomplishments that are scrawled on the Norristown practice room wall will be safe for a couple of more seasons, at least until the Eagles and Harner find a way to convince a few more up-and-comers that the wrestling room is the place to be.
“We’re past the time when you could wrestle three-and-a-half months a year and expect to get to Hershey,” Harner said. “We need some kids who want to put in the time necessary to get past where they are today.
“Whether we have enough of those kids only time will tell.”
