Wrestlers raise it up a notch at Big Red Duals
FRANCONIA — Saturday’s Big Red Duals at Souderton Area High School provided a big taste of top competition and also served as a reunion of sorts.
Although Central Bucks East and Timberlane High – out of New Hampshire – weren’t too familiar with each other, the head coaches were.
“I wrestled at Central Connecticut with Dan Donovan. I haven’t seen him in 30 years,” East coach Dave Scarpill said. “So that was really cool. And, we beat them. That was our only win and then they went and won three matches.”
The Patriots and other local squads still had their moments, as a field of 16 teams battled it out during a long and productive day of wrestling at Souderton.
“We had some good matches,” Scarpill said. “We came here to get some good matches and we got them. We have our guys that we can count on all the time.”
One of them was Joe Collins, who – during a match with Garnet Valley – battled into overtime at heavyweight and was able to pin Dylan Bledsoe in 7 minutes, 59 seconds.
Also against GV, Reagan McCullough had a pin at 215, Sam Hunter won by forfeit at 107, and Luke Wilson pulled out an 11-6 decision over Paxton Hunt.
The Patriots now look to build on their 2-0 mark in the Suburban One League Colonial Division.
“We’re doing okay in our conference. We’re coming back here Wednesday night to wrestle Souderton. We’re hoping to keep the guys healthy until (the postseason) and try to make a run,” said Scarpill.
Big Red has some big moments — Souderton Area went 2-2 on the day and had several wrestlers step up in a 45-18 win over Garnet Valley.
Jadon Bateman (107), Ezra Swartley (114), A.J. Stayton (133), Andrew Hallman (145) and Kole Lester (189) all had pins for the Indians.
Charlie Arobone (121), Emerson Goerling (127), Vincent Tomasetti (152), Sawyer Lester (160) and Thomas Gonce (215) all won by decision for Big Red in an impressive performance.
Souderton also won 60-18 over Haverford.
Pushing hard — Plymouth Whitemarsh also notched a pair of victories Saturday, prevailing 50-18 over Northeast High and 38-33 over North Penn.
The Knights defeated Haverford 42-27 to go 1-3.
Wissahickon went 0-4 but was competitive in all four of its matches.
Big Red Duals
at Souderton Area High School
Final Standings: Saucon Valley 4-0; Boyertown 3-1; Neshaminy 3-1; Spring-Ford 3-1; Timberlane (NH) 3-1; Downingtown West 2-2; Garnet Valley 2-2; Pennsbury 2-2; Plymouth Whitemarsh 2-2; Souderton Area 2-2; Warwick 2-2; Central Bucks East 1-3; Haverford 1-3; North Penn 1-3; Northeast High 1-3; Wissahickon 0-4.
