Two Blakes: Kennett’s Boyer, Oxford’s Hostetter win Solanco titles with flair

QUARRYVILLE >> It was a good day to be a Blake.

Saturday at the Solanco Mule Classic, Kennett’s sophomore Blake Boyer and Oxford’s freshman Blake Hostetter pulled off pins in overtime to claim titles.

The two underclassmen lead a quartet of local champs, including Avon Grove’s Christian Ford and Kennett’s John Pardo.

Neither Boyer nor Hostetter could find much offense until it really counted.

“It was really nice to win a close match with a lot of people watching,” Hostetter said. “I’ll be honest, I was a little nervous coming into the tournament, even though I knew I was better than most of the kids. This win shows me I’m right there with the best kids in the state and I believe I can medal high in Hershey this year.”

Hostetter (152 pounds) used a pair of pins on Friday to get to the semifinals, but the sledding on day two was a little tougher. The Oxford frosh shut out Spring-Ford’s Jamie Silva 3-0, and thought he won the finals with a 1-0 decision over Central Dauphin’s Gavin Reynolds.

After time ran out of a third period that saw Hostetter ride Reynolds through multiple scrambles, the referees determined Reynolds escaped just before the buzzer. In sudden victory Hostetter went upper body to throw Reynolds to his back and pin him 24 seconds in.

“At first I wanted the match to be over,” Hostetter said. “I thought I won so I had to re-think things. I kept wrestling and got the win in overtime and I think that made for a better moment.”

Boyer (139) was matched up with a fellow returning state qualifier, York Suburba’s Tyler Adams. Tied at two in overtime, Boyer got in on a shot, much like he did numerous times during the bout. Adams tried to funk his way out of it again, but Boyer managed to stifle Adams while he was on his back to get the hand slap.

“I kind of felt I had taken the most shots and that I was being more aggressive,” Boyer said. “I told myself to keep attacking and getting to his legs and I knew the funk was coming. He rolled to his back and I tried my best to keep him there.”

Ford had two pins Friday and Saturday he shut out his two foes by a combined score of 12-0. Evan Cordrey of Sussex Central (DE) was victim of a 5-0 defeat in the finals.

“I’ve been working hard and it’s starting to pay off, finally, Ford said. “I’m looking forward to a great season.”

Kennett finished second in the team standings, 69.5 points behind Central Dauphin. Kane Lengel (145) was runner-up after a 6-5 loss to two-time state qualifier, Liam Flanagan, of Central Dauphin.

Zack Jaffe (127) took third, Bryce Boyer (107) placed fourth and Michael Pepe (172) settled for seventh. Pardo was arguably the most dominant wrestler in the tournament, using a technical fall, two pins in 24 seconds of less and an 18-7 major decision over Spring-Ford’s Connor Hudak in the finals.

“I’m wrestling the best I can and keep getting better every practice,” said Pardo. “Every tournament is a test where I can work on new stuff and focus on getting better.”

Oxford finished third as a team, 10.5 points behind Kennett. Another star freshman, Jon Smith (160) dominated his way to the finals where he came up just short against Hershey’s Christian Burd, 7-5.

Jace McKinney (285) earned third, Jordan Schaible (133) took sixth and Logan McMillan (121) finished seventh for the Hornets.

Also placing for the Red Devils was Jagger Vitelli (fourth at 215) and Noah Parsons (eighth, 107).

West Chester East’s Zach McFarlane (114) and Adam Timm (145) made the podium with eighth-place finishes.