Plymouth Whitemarsh takes down Springfield-Montco

WHITEMARSH >> Shaking off a two-week illness, Plymouth Whitemarsh’s Michael Clarkson battled to a 10-1 major decision over Springfield Montco’s Owen Hoy to earn the match-clinching points for the Colonials on Wednesday night.

“I’m still not feeling the best but I’m pushing through it,” Clarkson said, speaking for himself and pretty much the team as a whole.

“We’ve been slowly building everything back up,” coach David Luthy said. “Everyone’s just kinda starting to come back into the lineup. It’s winter season so sicknesses are big. Clarkson’s been out for two weeks so the fact he came back and wrestled that well is good for him.”

Clarkson’s win at 145 pounds helped send the Colonials onto a 50-30 victory in a Suburban One League American Conference match.

Said Luthy of Clarkson: “He’s a kid that’s been around the block.”

Providing a 26-12 edge — with three wins by forfeit coming in the upper weights, Clarkson’s major decision locked things up.

“He’s a senior, a little bit higher in weight this year — to 152 most of the year but he’s light right now,” Luthy said. “The senior leadership we have is coming along. Across the board, the guys are starting to pick it up and buy in.”

The Colonials (1-2, 1-2 conference) racked up four pins, with Dylan Moore starting things off with a pin at 106 pounds. Jake Williams followed with a major decision to pad the lead, and Jake Bainbridge (126), Bobby McGuire (132) and Isaac Avellino (152) all followed with pins to send PW to a victory at its new home gym.

“It’s nice. I miss the old gym because I’ve been wrestling there since I was in third grade,” Clarkson said. “But this gym is real nice and I like wrestling here in the high school, with all of the sports being together.”

PW has a lot of youth in its lineup but things are coming along.

“It’s a young team but they’re good kids,” said Clarkson, who wants to make a push for regionals this winter. “They all work hard and they all love the sport. So I’m happy to be with them for my final year.”

Joseph Marino (120), Jack Quigg (138), Troy Rumer (160) and Mitchell McCann (170) all wrestled well for the Spartans, coming through with pins at their respective weights.