Parnis presses on as WC East tops Conestoga at Colley Classic

WEST GOSHEN >> Though the Colley Classic was a dual meet tournament, Max Parnis knew there could be opportunities to test himself with some talent around his weight class.

Parnis, a skilled 138-pounder for the host, West Chester East, had his sights set on former regional qualifiers, Rocco Hartfuss (145 pounds) from Ridley and Conestoga’s Mitch Baker (138), as well as Perkiomen Valley’s Kelly Kakos (138), an eighth-place state medalist.

Saturday, Parnis bumped up and earned a major decision over Hartfuss, in the opener, and while he missed out on another notable matchup, the Vikings’ junior is always on the hunt for the next challenge.

“I want to get as many tough matches as possible so I can learn and be ready for the postseason,” Parnis said. “If I wrestle 15 scrubs, I might get those wins, but it’s not preparing me, really. I want to wrestle as many tough kids as I can, and beat them all.”

West Chester East (2-1 overall) placed third out of eight teams, using a 39-33 win over Conestoga to finish as the top local team. The Vikings dropped a 37-25 dual to Plymouth Whitemarsh in the semifinals, denying any chance of a Parnis-Kakos bout, with Perkiomen Valley in the finals. 

Baker was then unable to complete against Parnis after re-aggravating an injury during a loss to Kakos, in the semis.

Parnis, who is 6-0 to start the year after knocking off West Chester Henderson’s returning state qualifier, Billy Wilson, a week ago, is hoping a full offseason of training will get him where he wants to go.

“He’s doing everything right,” East coach John Gallo said of Parnis. “He was voted team captain and he works hard in practice. He doesn’t back down from any competition and he’s focused on making a name for himself this year.”

The Vikings defeated Ridley, 49-24, in the opening dual, and along with Parnis, Connor Whitton (120 pounds), Jefferson Cooper (138), Jacob Sbur (215) and Daniel Aravelo (285) went 3-0 on the day.

Against Stoga, East won five straight to erase a 12-point deficit, capped with a clinching pin by Whitton, with two bouts to go.

“This was our first chance to see ourselves, as a team, and we need to fill some holes and get better at scoring bonus points in close matches,” Gallo said. “I thought Connor had a good day. He had a good week in the room and came out and wrestled like a senior.”

Conestoga (2-2) began its day with a 55-18 win over Octorara, before losing its last two. On a team with just four seniors, Hayden McLellan (172) and Jake Allred (189) are beginning to really establish themselves as impact juniors. Junior Bryce Beltrane (160) and freshman Miles Warkentine (126) also shined, Saturday.

“We have a mix of guys who’ve been doing this a long time and some new guys,” Conestoga coach Tom Elicker said. “(Baker, McLellan and Allred) did a lot of work in the offseason to get better, and they brought a lot of new stuff and energy to the team. We’re hoping to use some of that experience to help the younger guys improve.”

Octorara finished fifth, with wins over Chichester and Ridley, despite not having any wrestler lighter than 132. 

Tyler Walton (132) went 3-0, as did Mikey Trainor (152), who is one of the better wrestlers in Chester County.

Two years ago, Trainor qualified for the Class 2A PIAA tournament, and after Octorara jumped up to 3A last season, he qualified for states again. As a senior, Trainor is pressing towards a state medal.

“As a sophomore, wrestling in the Giant Center was a big experience and I was kind of nervous,” Trainor said. “This year, I’m kind of just ready for it.”

Third-place dual

West Chester East 39, Conestoga 33

138- Cooper (WCE) pinned Bierly, 1:32 (6-0)

145- Parnis (WCE) pinned Foster, 3:00 (12-0)

152- Cook (CON) pinned DeHaven, 2:38 (12-6)

160- Beltrante (CON) pinned Holvey, 3:10 (12-12)

172- McLellan (CON) pinned Whipple, 1:10 (12-18)

189- Allred (CON) pinned T. Sbur, 1:25 (12-24)

215- J. Sbur (WCE) dec. Cole, 1-0 (15-24)

285- Arevalo (WCE) won by forfeit (21-24)

106- McFarlane (WCE) pinned MacDonald, 1:30 (27-24)

113- Hussein (WCE) pinned Keating, 4:35 (33-24)

120- Whitton (WCE) pinned Mucklow, 1:10 (39-24)

126- Warkentine (CON) pinned Buddenhagen (39-30)

132- Calvitti (CON) dec. Wolov, 4-0 (39-33)