Griffin’s 100th win highlights Hill School’s runner-up finish in PAISAA Duals

POTTSTOWN >> It was one more reason for The Hill School to enjoy the weekend’s wrestling activities.

Serving as host for the Pennsylvania Independent School Athletic Association (PAISAA) Duals Tournament, the Blues reveled in a milestone achievement by one of their own Sunday when Kelvin Griffin reached the 100-win mark for his scholastic career to highlight the runner-up finish to national power Malvern Prep the Blues achieved from the 13-team field.

Griffin reached triple-digit victories during the Hill’s second-round match with Germantown Academy, scoring a first-period pin at 138 pounds.

Griffin got the slap on Jacob Sasson with 11 seconds left before the whistle sounded. It helped the Blues roll up a 66-6 win on the undermanned Patriots, and was capped by congratulations from teammates and family members.

“I didn’t think about it (milestone) until two weeks ago,” the Hill senior said. “I was happy I got it at home.”

It’s the latest highlight in a season full of them for the native of Berwick, Me., who came to the Hill by way of Brooks School in North Andover, Mass. Making Pottstown his next destination was influenced by another Hill mat icon: Onetime star wrestler and current head coach Dave Hoffman.

A standout in his own right — the 2001 Hill graduate is No. 2 in career wins among schools in The Mercury coverage area with 195 — Hoffman was credited by Griffin with improving his on-mat performance.

“Everything,” Griffin said. “From my stance to a whole bunch of new moves.

“I do a lot from the bottom,” he added. “Constant movement and use of my hips. It wasn’t my favorite position, but it creates opportunities for scoring points, with escapes or reversals.”

Griffin, Colby Isabelle (160) and Zak Zindle (170-182) were Hill’s 4-0 performers Sunday. Dante Donaldson

Top team honors were taken by nationally ranked and a perennial Pa. power Malvern Prep which defeated Hill 49-15 in the championship match at Gillison Hall.

Malvern racked up five falls in the pairing from Spencer Barnhart (132), Reed Fulmer (145), Nathan Rickards (152), Caden Rogers (220) and Nicholas Feldman (285), winning nine of 13 contested weights. A sweep of the final six weights provided the capper.

“They’ve shown steady growth over the years,” Dave Hoffman said.

Hill dominated the rest of the day with their wins over Haverford School (48-36), Germantown Academy (66-6) in pool competition and Westtown School (51-30) in the semifinals.

Griffin’s other canvas credits this winter have been noteworthy in their own right: A championship in the season-opening Battle at Germantown (Academy) Tournament, a sixth in the pre-holiday Beast of the East Tournament at the University of Delaware and a silver medal at the equally-prestigious Escape the Rock Tournament hosted by Council Rock South.

“Escape the Rock was my best performance,” he said. “I found the right weight for me. I had been up at 145, but I told (Coach) Hoffman I wanted to give 138 a try. I’m moving a lot better.”

And it doesn’t come with any particular challenge for him to maintain the weight.

“I’m very adamant about eating three meals a day and drinking a gallon of water,” Griffin said. “It’s easy to go wrong with that. From the beginning of the year, I’m focused on practicing to get better.”

Griffin got involved in the sport back when he was in first grade, that after initially dabbling in basketball.

“Being 5-foot-9, can’t shoot, can’t jump,” he said with a laugh, “I think I found the right sport.”

Wrestling will be part of Griffin’s future beyond the Hill, having committed to join Lehigh University’s storied NCAA Division I mat program, First, there will be return bids to the Pa. Prep and National Prep tournaments later this month.

He was a runner-up at 126 in the state tourney two years ago, then went sixth at Nationals. The Hill’s 2020-21 season ended up not happening due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suffice it to say, Kelvin is shooting for higher steps on the medal podium.

“I definitely want to win, after being in second place,” he said. “In my mind, there’s nothing I can’t do.”

“He has the ability to beat anyone,” Hoffman noted. “His work on the top is second to none. He’s one of the top guys in the country. He’ll contend for a national title.”

Griffin’s 4-0 day was highlighted by a pair of first-period pins; the fastest, a 34-second drop of Patrick McKinley in the course of the Hill’s 51-30 victory over Westtown School. That put the second-seeded Blues in the championship match with Malvern Prep, and entered Griffin on the area’s career win chart in a tie for 144th place.